Lee "Autoprime" - new version

[severnsider]

Both the clear plastic loading tray covers of my Autoprime XR have now shed their retaining clips. Thought it might have been easy to obtain replacements, but oh no - this is what you have to buy if you wish to replace the loading tray components.

The "upgrade" looks pretty naff to me, but of particular concern is the instruction on the back of the packet which states that Federal Large Primers (Rifle and Pistol) should be loaded singly. The inference being that if one goes off it will set the rest of the contents of the tray off. I suppose that's understandable, but it's the first time that I've seen Federal primers singled out for special handling. Does anyone know why Federal primers should be considered particularly risky?

[fred2892]

Lee has always used this warning against federal primers right back before the first edition of the Lee reloading manual.

[Daryll]

Federal primers have always been the most sensitive primers.

Back in the pistol days a lot of the top shots who'd lightened all the springs in their match revolvers had to use Federal primers as they were the only ones sensitive enough to go off with the light hammer blow.

I've persoanally never used Federal, because they're so twitchy. If you've ever heard stories of a primer going off during case priming, it was probably a Federal.

[severnsider]

Lee has always used this warning against federal primers right back before the first edition of the Lee reloading manual.

Federal primers have always been the most sensitive primers.

I've persoanally never used Federal, because they're so twitchy. If you've ever heard stories of a primer going off during case priming, it was probably a Federal.

Well thanks! That's quite worrying and is the first I've heard of it; there was no mention of this issue with Federal in the instructions that were supplied with my original Auto-Prime unit. I've just 100 left in the drawer. I'll finish those off and return to the CCI's.

[Daryll]

CCI or Remington are fine....

CCI tend to be the hardest primers, but fine if you have factory hammer springs. Remington are slightly more sensitive if you've done any "tweaking" to the gun.

[severnsider]

CCI or Remington are fine....

CCI tend to be the hardest primers, but fine if you have factory hammer springs. Remington are slightly more sensitive if you've done any "tweaking" to the gun.

Thanks for the info Daryll. I'll stock up on the CCIs. I have just noticed the "carefully-worded" note on the old Auto Prime instructions which suggests that primers sold in larger packages might be thought of as more sensitive to explosion....... and the Federals do come in a much bigger box than the CCIs!

[223AI]

Is it just fed large rifle?

I use fed 205 or 205ms in my hornet and 0.223 and I've not had an issue, have gone over to CCI in large rifle simply because that was what my RFD had in when I started loading .308 & 6.5 x 55, sounds like that may have been a good thing!

[severnsider]

Is it just fed large rifle?

I use fed 205 or 205ms in my hornet and 0.223 and I've not had an issue, have gone over to CCI in large rifle simply because that was what my RFD had in when I started loading .308 & 6.5 x 55, sounds like that may have been a good thing!

Yes - the "warning" was only for large primers, but both large rifle and large pistol. I've been using up Fed210s for a while and will use them up more quickly now! I'm curious about all this and will have a quick look on t'web for tales of woe........
https://www.shootersforum.com/handlo...ool-print.html

[Parabuteo]

Been using feds in both of my lee hand primers for years. Its all about feel, if it dont go dont crush the shite out of it.

If a lee will set a fed primer off, then a forster press mounted one will even easier.

[Black Beard]

The new version doesn't work so well.

Do the covers from the old press mounted version fit the old hand prime tool?

[phil384]

I'm wondering if the Federal primer thing is whats causing my Lee primer to jam up and not feed properly. You have to kind of let the handle snap out quickly to feed the next primer in. I'm using Federal Gold Medal large rifle primers.

Any thoughts?

[severnsider]

The new version doesn't work so well.

Do the covers from the old press mounted version fit the old hand prime tool?

Don't know. My hand prime tool had square covers; I think the press-mounted item had a round cover?

I'm wondering if the Federal primer thing is whats causing my Lee primer to jam up and not feed properly. You have to kind of let the handle snap out quickly to feed the next primer in. I'm using Federal Gold Medal large rifle primers.

Any thoughts?

Mine stopped feeding properly when the little plastic springy clips on the cover broke. It allowed the primers to get caught under the lid and then not feed.......

The new version of the Auto Prime does indeed look rather shite.

[davefitz66]

Hi, I have also had the corner retaining clips break off on my new Lee primer tool. Normally I am a staunch supporter of Lee products, but on this occasion the quality of this part really lets the company down. Shame really, as I was a great fan of the previous type. Has anyone bought the new cover? Is it any better, and where did you get it from?

[severnsider]

Hi, I have also had the corner retaining clips break off on my new Lee primer tool. Normally I am a staunch supporter of Lee products, but on this occasion the quality of this part really lets the company down. Shame really, as I was a great fan of the previous type. Has anyone bought the new cover? Is it any better, and where did you get it from?

It's more than just a new cover Dave. I got mine from Hannam's Reloading and you need the "upgrade" kit which includes inserts for large and small primers and one tray. I bought a couple of spare trays too. Wasn't expensive. Looks like it will work OK for a while at least!