Inline FabricationRotoMetals2MidSouth Shooters SupplyLoad Data
Titan ReloadingRepackboxLee PrecisionReloading Everything
Wideners
Page 3 of 10 FirstFirst 12345678910 LastLast
Results 41 to 60 of 182

Thread: Priming With Lee Loader - Any Accidental Discharges?

  1. #41
    Boolit Bub Steve Collins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    MO
    Posts
    47
    Haven't had one pop on me yet, but I use a Lee Hand Primer tool for priming most of my cases...
    "An analog guy in a digital world..."

    NRA Life Member
    NRA Firearms Instructor

  2. #42
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Central Illinois
    Posts
    888
    Anyone who primes with the Lee Loader and hasn't had one pop, just hasn't been doing it long enough,.................. or is lying about it. ALWAYS wear your eye protection while reloading but ESPECIALLY with the Lee Loader.
    "Investment" is the new "Throw money at it!"

    Detectives, and Cobras, and Agents!
    Oh my!

  3. #43
    Boolit Master
    Shooter6br's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Warminster Pa. ( North of Filthydelphia)
    Posts
    1,806
    Never had problems with my Lee hand primer 30 yrs old? I did have a primer fall into the ram of my RCSB turget press. Instead of disassembling the press I tired to "work it out" and boom. Primer frags in my left hand below the thumb. Was a "teaching moment"

  4. #44
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    4,635
    Never had a primer detonation in my Lee Loader till I got some early import Seller & Bellot .303 that had a primer pocket that had a radiused pocket bottom that almost always caught the edge of the anvil legs.

    I reamed the radius away with a handtool I made from a spring steel pocket clip from a pen.
    From what I've heard later production S&B cases are better configured for US manufactured primers.

    Later on I started using the handle of my drill press to push the case down over the primer with a piece of tubing in the chuck inserted in the case, using the priming cup of the LL to seat properly below the surface.
    I'd primed .38 and .32 cases this way a few times, leaving those flush against a steel plate.
    I use the DP to seat bullets also, using copper or aluminum tupes tapered inside to match the ogive.

    I have a Lee Handpress, a Christmas present from a few years ago, but haven't sent off for dies yet. Probably will soon, cause I recently aquired a .25-20 and I doubt the LL would be gentle enough with the flimsey necks that I've heard are a problem with this case.

  5. #45
    Boolit Master
    dragonrider's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Linwood, Ma. USA
    Posts
    3,431
    "Priming With Lee Loader - Any Accidental Discharges?" Yup............right afterr the primer went off.
    Paul G.
    Once I was young, now I am old and in between went by way to fast.

    The end move in politics is always to pick up a gun.
    -- R. Buckminster Fuller

  6. #46
    Boolit Grand Master

    mold maker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Piedmont (Conover) NC
    Posts
    5,429
    In over 40 yr, not a single primer detonation. The first 10 years with the universal priming system on a RCBS Jr. The rest with Lee handprimer. I've had to replace several of the links, but will do it this way from now on..

  7. #47
    Boolit Bub RollerCam's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    5000 feet high in the fragrant pines of central Arizona
    Posts
    37
    It looks like some folks here aren't familiar with the infamous Lee Loader.

    The original question referred to the infamous Lee Loader, not all priming tools made by Lee or others. Hammering primers? Not for me, thank you.



    In 1981, I was standing at the counter of B & B Gun Sales in N. Hollywood, CA and another customer gave me some of the best advice I'd ever gotten. As I was reaching for my wallet to buy a Lee Loader in .357, the guy asked me "Are you going to load more than 50 rounds a year? Then DON'T waste your money on a Lee Loader. Get an RCBS Rockchucker and you'll never be sorry."

    I thank God for people like him.
    .
    “I have strong feelings about gun control. If there’s a gun around, I want to be controlling it.”

    Clint Eastwood

  8. #48
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Sacto., Ca.
    Posts
    1,703

    Not lying

    Quote Originally Posted by Dframe View Post
    Anyone who primes with the Lee Loader and hasn't had one pop, just hasn't been doing it long enough,.................. or is lying about it. ALWAYS wear your eye protection while reloading but ESPECIALLY with the Lee Loader.
    Hey, maybe I'm just lucky. I've loaded thousands of rounds with Lee Loaders in a variey of cartridges, mostly just for the heck of it. I have plenty of regular gear. Never one primer pop. You just gotta hold your mouth right. I do wear eye protection and make sure my face is well back, just in case. It's a simple tool built for a specific purpose which it does well. I look forward to buying more. I like to use the things I collect. When mama isn't home I bring in a big brick, set it on a towel on the kitchen table, get the PLASTIC mallet out and load up a box of good ammo in no time.

  9. #49
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    4,635
    Quote Originally Posted by RollerCam View Post
    It looks like some folks here aren't familiar with the infamous Lee Loader.

    The original question referred to the infamous Lee Loader, not all priming tools made by Lee or others. Hammering primers? Not for me, thank you.

    In 1981, I was standing at the counter of B & B Gun Sales in N. Hollywood, CA and another customer gave me some of the best advice I'd ever gotten. As I was reaching for my wallet to buy a Lee Loader in .357, the guy asked me "Are you going to load more than 50 rounds a year? Then DON'T waste your money on a Lee Loader. Get an RCBS Rockchucker and you'll never be sorry."

    I thank God for people like him.
    While I seldom load more than 20 at a time, I have loaded two hundred .303 in one sitting.


    I liked my 310 a lot better but sold it when I sold my first Mauser.
    I'd like to get another 310 for .303 and .25-20. But I already have the hand press so I'll give it a go first.

  10. #50
    Boolit Grand Master

    mold maker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Piedmont (Conover) NC
    Posts
    5,429
    Quote Originally Posted by RollerCam View Post
    It looks like some folks here aren't familiar with the infamous Lee Loader.

    The original question referred to the infamous Lee Loader, not all priming tools made by Lee or others. Hammering primers? Not for me, thank you.



    In 1981, I was standing at the counter of B & B Gun Sales in N. Hollywood, CA and another customer gave me some of the best advice I'd ever gotten. As I was reaching for my wallet to buy a Lee Loader in .357, the guy asked me "Are you going to load more than 50 rounds a year? Then DON'T waste your money on a Lee Loader. Get an RCBS Rockchucker and you'll never be sorry."

    I thank God for people like him.
    I am familiar indeed.
    That's why I don't use em. All the posts that say "yes" I have had a primer detonate, are proof of my wisdom.

  11. #51
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Sacto., Ca.
    Posts
    1,703
    Hey, what's wrong with a little excitement? If a primer does pop how bad can it be? Has someone actually been hurt with one of these? It's a simple tool, does what it's supposed to do. Could be a good choice for some people. They sure have started a lot of guys out.

  12. #52
    Boolit Bub RollerCam's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    5000 feet high in the fragrant pines of central Arizona
    Posts
    37
    "Has someone actually been hurt with one of these?"

    Post #39:
    Quote Originally Posted by jbunny View Post
    "...this last summer a 209 shot gun primer blew the end off my ring finger, 12 stitches and a long time to heal." "...blood everywhere." "...hope this helps some one prevent some bloodshead."
    jb
    It's all fun and games... until someone gets hurt.
    .
    “I have strong feelings about gun control. If there’s a gun around, I want to be controlling it.”

    Clint Eastwood

  13. #53
    Boolit Man Te Hopo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Marlbrough, New Zealand
    Posts
    92
    Quote Originally Posted by Shooter30-06 View Post
    Although I have reloaded for over 30 years, I just bought my first Lee Loader. I have to say that I am outright scared every time I prime a casing pounding the primer into the case mouth. Has anyone on this Board ever had a primer go off during this stage of using a Lee Loader?
    Ha, yep I've had a few go off.

    Now I've found I can listen for when the primer is seated.
    But I still get caught out with maybe one out of every 50.

  14. #54
    Boolit Grand Master
    9.3X62AL's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Redlands, NorKifornia
    Posts
    11,551
    Quote Originally Posted by 357maximum View Post
    Yep

    38 spcl Lee Loader...about the 4th time it happened....I upgraded.

    No harm no foul but it gets your attention full and undivided like.
    Well stated, sir! It was just this sort of occasional mishap--and the primer/case drive rod getting launched--that prompted a major upgrade to the RCBS RS press in roughly 1978. Lee loaders made GOOD ammunition--some of my most accurate early results in 223 and 30-06 were made with these simple, effective tools. But the primer light-offs got a little more of my attention than I was willing to give, so the rest is history.
    I don't paint bullets. I like Black Rifle Coffee. Sacred cows are always fair game. California is to the United States what Syria is to Russia and North Korea is to China/South Korea/Japan--a Hermit Kingdom detached from the real world and led by delusional maniacs, an economic and social basket case sustained by "foreign" aid so as to not lose military bases.

  15. #55
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    SD
    Posts
    34
    Yes, I have. That is the one feature on the Lee Loader I don't like. Switched to the Lee Hand Primer and havn't had a problem since.

  16. #56
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Northern B.C.
    Posts
    26
    So 5 1/2 years since the last reply here. Many years ago, when I bought a WinchestercModel 70 in .222, I had no loading gear, a friend talked me in to a Lee Hand Loader, a 'Whack-o-Matic' as one funny fellow here calls it. Never a problem, great accuracy which testifies to whether it is any good. So I bought a 1911 A1 this year, only dies available was a Lee hand Loader, Whackem type. And it blows primesr steady. Upon close examination, the anvil that the primer sits on is not machined flat. It looks like when it was turned in the lathe, it was done incorrectly, leaving a raised area that detonates the primer, almost every time. So, lost the receipt, going to call Lee onMonday and see if they will warrant it without the receipt. If not then I will use a very small end mill and clean up the face myself. Hoping I don't need a diamond type cutter for it as it appears to be extremely hard steel.....
    It is up to us to maintain that which so many have fought and died to gain

  17. #57
    Boolit Grand Master

    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Northwest Ohio
    Posts
    14,457
    Ive never had a primer discharge with the few I used for a short time. But I never used a mallet or hammer with them. We had a small ahrbor press that I used for awhie then a converted bottle capper. No hammering but a steady even push to do the task. Was easier and quieter. Wish I could find another of those old bottle cappers. I use an ahrbor press I made with them now and the wilson straight line dies.

  18. #58
    Moderator

    W.R.Buchanan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Ojai CA
    Posts
    9,872
    If you start the primer by hand and then place it on the priming device and gently tap it home you won't blow up any.

    I have removed literally hundreds of live primers with the Lee Depriming Punch and Shell Holder. Again using some discretion with the amount of force that is used.

    If you beat on the thing it eventually will pop one. Hint: Don't beat on the thing!

    The first accessory I bought for my Lee Loader was a Lee Hand Priming Tool, and a small Redding Scale, I still have both and use them frequently, but if I needed to load with only the Lee Loader I wouldn't worry about popping a primer simply because I know how to use the tool.

    Randy
    "It's not how well you do what you know how to do,,,It's how well you do what you DON'T know how to do!"
    www.buchananprecisionmachine.com

  19. #59
    Boolit Master


    Join Date
    May 2010
    Posts
    2,108
    One time.
    It woke me up.

    I still love my lee loaders.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  20. #60
    Banned








    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    munising Michigan
    Posts
    17,725
    ive used them for probably 40 years. I don't know how many rounds ive primed with them but its well north of a 100k and I mean WELL NORTH. I never once had a primer explode. But the when things don't feel right I stop and check what the problem is.

Page 3 of 10 FirstFirst 12345678910 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check