Identification of Dies

[rrazian]

Thank you all in advance for your help. A gentleman sold me some rifles (some black powder cartridge, some not) and included with it a great deal of reloading equipment. I can't for the life of me figure out what these dies are or who makes them. He thought they might be Lee Ram Prime, but I have one of those and it does not look like this. My guess is that it is some sort of priming die.

Any thoughts?

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Well, thoughts are all I can offer, as I don't know exactly what they are-- but they do look like dies for priming and so do the punches to the right of the dies. But they definitely aren't any Lee-made dies that I've ever seen, so are of a different brand. Perhaps if you cruise the various die brand websites you might be able to find a match.

[Winger Ed.]

They are priming dies.

Put them in the top of a press, and your shell holder goes in the slot.

I've seen them before, but can't remember who made 'em.

[dtknowles]

Yeah, plus one on them being for priming but no idea who makes them.

This is the RCBS version



The punches are different.

Tim

[dtknowles]

Looking closer they maybe something different.

Do shell holders fit in the top of the die, if not then they aren't for priming but something else. There appear to be two sets of punches. The set with just two punches seem to be a match for the slots on the top of the dies. The punches in the set of four, are they primer diameter? The shape of the nose of the punches seem to be the wrong shape for priming, should be flat and there does not seem to be a way for them to hold the primers.

Can you confirm that there is two of everything, like it is two complete sets of the same thing.

Tim

[rrazian]

Yes, I think there are two of everything, so I've got two of whatever this is. It is important to note that in sorting through the stuff I am ASSUMING those punches go with these dies, but I dont know that for fact.

The top does hold a shellholder, and the fat based punch can be put in the die, its got a hole in the bottom that it fits in (loosely). I also have springs that I think are associated with it, which fit over the shaft of the punch.

[rrazian]

this weekend I will take additional pictures and also confirm that a shellholder fits. I had just assumed that. THANKS.

[44magLeo]

It may be both a priming tool and a primer pocket swage.
One set is for large primers, the other for small.
Just guessing here.
Leo

[NoZombies]

Primer pocket swaging tools, I think some of the punches go to something else.

I can't help with the make, mine aren't marked either.

[Winger Ed.]

The top does hold a shellholder, and the fat based punch can be put in the die, its got a hole in the bottom that it fits in (loosely). I also have springs that I think are associated with it, which fit over the shaft of the punch.

Do a search for Lee or Lyman Ram Prime. Pictures of it will come right up.

Yours are a different brand- but the same thing.

[hd09]

Lee Auto Prime II ?

[Rich/WIS]

Looks like a Lee Ram Prime II die but the cut-away portion seems too large to hold the arm that connects the die to the primer tray, although it may just be the pictures. The punches standing upright and the ones laying down look like parts for one. The upright punch goes into the shell holder on the press and the small ones go large end down into the die. There is a spring that goes onto the small end that hits the shell holder that you put in the die and pushes the small rod back down after you seat the primer. On the RP II the rounded end of the arm goes down over the smaller punch and is held in place by the shell holder from the top and the die itself on the sides. Are the lock rings Lee style aluminum with the O-ring?

[Mollyboy]

They are Lee auto prime II the trough from the pro 1000 will complete them. I have an old one and won’t part with it.

[mac60]

You have 2 Lee Auto prime II dies. You are missing some bits and pieces. Here is a pic of my die with the push rods and spring.

Attachment 258225

And one of the thing assembled on a press, ready to prime some cases.

Attachment 258226

I have 2 of them and use them occasionally.

[rrazian]

HA! You are absolutely right! AND you have identified the other pieces (including that plastic arm that goes to the priming tray) that I was wondering about. Thanks a million!!!!!

[mac60]

HA! You are absolutely right! AND you have identified the other pieces (including that plastic arm that goes to the priming tray) that I was wondering about. Thanks a million!!!!!

You're very welcome. Glad I could help out.

[mattw]

mac60 beat me to it... that is exactly what they are. I use one on an old RCBS Partner press, prime almost everything I load with them. They are not perfect and the operator has to have pretty good feel or it is easy to set a bunch of primers off. I have been working with my daughter to help her develop the "feel", she has not blown one up yet but has crushed a few primers.

Nice find

[1hole]

You have 2 Lee Auto prime II dies.

And one of the thing assembled on a press, ready to prime some cases.

Attachment 258226

I have 2 of them and use them occasionally.

I got one of the AutoPrime II kits and a "Reloader" press for it about 1998. Loved it so much I soon got a second "Reloader" and put a Lee Universal decapper in it. I can't imagine a better kit to handle primer chores but the market didn't agree with me so ....