which autoprime ??

[223]

hi lads

ive just broke my lee handheld autoprimer (the lever broke) ,what auto primes do you guys use as i fancy a different make to lee ???

ATB

Dave

 

[TotalNovice]

I use the Lee one too, I also have snapped the handle on one of them.
A friend of mine uses the RCBS one and it seems much better than the Lee one in my opinion.

 

[paul o']

see what spud has but i still like the lee

 

[night stalker]

The old lee round ones are great but I don't rate the new square ones at all. The tabs on the corners of the clear plastic tray lids snapped of first time I used them. Have you tried contacting Tim Hannams Ive had lee die spares from there before you might be able to get a replacement part for a couple of £

​Rick

 

[Tikka]

I broke the handle on my Lee auto prime earlier this year as well........although I have had it for 20 years!

I replaced it with the new Lee Autoprime with the square tray. I find it just as good as the old one.

 

[Harry mac]

RCBS, APS hand primer. I found it to be a much better machine than the Lee offering.

 

[Muir]

I used the same Lee for 20 years and gave it to my son. I bought one of the new ones. Don't like it as much as the old one except that it's easier to put a full box of primers into it. My old one was lubed at every change from small to large rifle. A dab of lithium on the tip of the plunger where the lever contacts it has kept it running for decades.~Muir

 

[glogin]

Ergo prime from Lee with red handle and square tray
​

 

[223]

Ergo prime from Lee with red handle and square tray
​

thanks lads ive just ordered a new lee ergo prime

 

[Klenchblaize]

I used the same Lee for 20 years and gave it to my son. I bought one of the new ones. Don't like it as much as the old one except that it's easier to put a full box of primers into it. My old one was lubed at every change from small to large rifle. A dab of lithium on the tip of the plunger where the lever contacts it has kept it running for decades.~Muir

Tell it how it is Mr. Muir!

Spent a small fortune on one of these but keep going back to the Lee, with all its creaks & groans, as it simply does what it says on the tin and without fuss. I also find somewhat ironically that the Lee affords a far better ‘feel’ of when primers are seated properly than the K&M but then you are SUPPOSED to use the dial gauge for such uniformity assuming you prefer reloading to shooting!

K

 

[Sharpie]

Contact Lee and they will send a new lever for free.

The original is still the best IMHO.

Keep the bearing surfaces lubed with moly grease and it will run smooth and I don't see how it can wear much.

I don't understand how the levers break without abuse, but it seems they must do, maybe its a fatigue thing.

The original uses your thumb to apply pressure, which I think is still the best way for feel.

All the others use your fingers, which may seem easier but i think is less sensitive.

I like my original autoprime and I've tried most of the rest but don't think they offer much benefit even if they feel more solidly made. I think Lee only re-designed it because of the concerns about primer tray explosions if grossly abused by cack-handers.

 

[Muir]

Tell it how it is Mr. Muir!

Spent a small fortune on one of these but keep going back to the Lee, with all its creaks & groans, as it simply does what it says on the tin and without fuss. I also find somewhat ironically that the Lee affords a far better ‘feel’ of when primers are seated properly than the K&M but then you are SUPPOSED to use the dial gauge for such uniformity assuming you prefer reloading to shooting!

K

Hey!
I passed up one of those at the estate sale I bought my Forster Co-Axial and Jones Precision Powder measure at. Didn't see how it would work any better than anything else. My Co-ax press has a "precision" primer seater built into it but I never use it, either. That KM looks really technical tho. I almost bit on it for that reason alone.~Muir

 

[deeangeo]

Used to use the Lee Autoprime & they were very good, but after three of them broke 20 yrs ago (shellholder part of the handle casting came apart) I bought the RCBS hand prime tool and it's given faithful service ever since.
​But, it's not quite so 'touchy feely' as the Lee. ATB