f3
.30 Stingray
Posts: 412
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Post by f3 on Jun 1, 2017 19:05:23 GMT -5
After 10+ years of use my Lee Auto prime finally broke. Looking for recommendations on a replacement.
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JM
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,428
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Post by JM on Jun 1, 2017 19:08:54 GMT -5
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Post by bradshaw on Jun 1, 2017 20:11:26 GMT -5
f3.... a remarkable tenure, ten years before your Lee hand primer broke. It is a well-designed tool made of weak material. I greatly prefer the RCBS hand priming tool. My mileage is on the RCBS which uses a shell holder. The alternate RCBS hand primer with universal shell holder may be as good or better, but I cannot supply that evaluation. A well executed universal shell holder is a good thing when it supports the case rim in a triangle. Priming is an important step in hand loading; a degree of precision saves headaches while contributing to safety, firearm reliability, and consistent ammunition. David Bradshaw
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2017 20:30:22 GMT -5
After 10+ years of use my Lee Auto prime finally broke. Looking for recommendations on a replacement. I am seriously impressed by your Auto Primes longevity. My first one lasted almost a year, by that time I had acquired a second tool so I didn't have to change between large and small stems & shell holders. My first one wore out a month or so after I bought the second one, the connecting link wore out on my first one. Rather than pay shipping both ways plus 1/2 of LEEs retail list price under "warranty", I simply purchased a third one, and retired the first one. Then the second one wore out, and I started looking for a different priming tool. When the third one wore out a few months later, I tossed them all and bought one of the early RCBS hand primers, which I still have, and it has never missed a minute of work, and I use it a lot. There are newer, more advanced hand primers out there now, but I have no reason to even consider buying one. The best warranty out there is the one you never need to use.
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Post by kings6 on Jun 1, 2017 20:47:21 GMT -5
I have used one of the rcbs stand alone primer tools that I bolt to my bench for years. I really like how I can feel each primer fully seat and with the primer tubes I can prime a nice amount of cases before having to refill the tubes .
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Paden
.375 Atomic
Lower Goldstream Creek
Posts: 1,132
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Post by Paden on Jun 1, 2017 21:15:25 GMT -5
Me too, for a few decades, and I like it. I understand the square tray which comes with the newer universal model is cross-compatible. One of these days I'll upgrade to one of those square trays, but I've no plans to change from this model. It works quite well.
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Post by Rimfire69 on Jun 2, 2017 6:59:23 GMT -5
My original LEE has been working pretty good for about 25 yrs, the link must be wearing out , as it is tough to get primers to full depth these days. I gathered enough parts from friends to assemble a second LEE that I"ve been using lately as well, I leave them set up and no longer convert from large to small. After tying up my M97 one day, I purchased a LEE ram prime that I use in a old Lyman spartan, while slow, it is positive, and I'm using it more all the time.
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Post by magman on Jun 2, 2017 7:10:14 GMT -5
Used the RCBS hand priming tool for 20 years. Never needed replacement. Just bought a bench mounted primer just to change things up.
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Post by magnumwheelman on Jun 2, 2017 8:07:17 GMT -5
FIL had a "vintage" Lee hand prime tool the we inherited... I was able to buy replacement plastic parts from Lee ( the metal stuff seems fine after decades of use )
if I did not have a Lee hand prime shell holder for every conceivable cartridge, I'd probably go with the RCBS if I understand correctly, the RCBS uses regular shell holders???
since I have all the Lee shell holders... I'll have to think hard about a different one, if / when this lee wears out...
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Post by bushog on Jun 2, 2017 10:33:20 GMT -5
Sinclair priming tool and nothing else.....
They're not cheap but you will never have to replace it....
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Post by bullseye on Jun 2, 2017 11:57:02 GMT -5
Sinclair priming tool and nothing else..... They're not cheap but you will never have to replace it.... +1 Best tool on the market, Period.
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Paden
.375 Atomic
Lower Goldstream Creek
Posts: 1,132
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Post by Paden on Jun 2, 2017 17:41:15 GMT -5
Sinclair priming tool and nothing else..... I don't doubt the quality of the manufacturing, but is my understanding correct that you have to handle the individual primers one at a time with the Sinclair? ...if I understand correctly, the RCBS uses regular shell holders??? Yes.
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Post by bushog on Jun 2, 2017 18:57:38 GMT -5
If handling the primers individually will slow you down too much then don't buy the Sinclair........
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Post by oregon45 on Jun 2, 2017 22:45:11 GMT -5
I bought a Bald Eagle bench mounted primer seater last year and have been very happy with it. I don't mind handling primers one at a time--personally, I'd rather not have a tray of primers in my hand given the possibility of a detonation.
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gunzo
.30 Stingray
Posts: 423
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Post by gunzo on Jun 3, 2017 8:51:22 GMT -5
I don't think Lee makes them the same nowadays, but considering their reputation, they just might replace it. Maybe a different model, but still back it. I bought one in 1975 knowing it may break but also knew that Lee would make it good. It never broke, 10's of thousands of strokes & still going strong when I retired it 8 years ago for a square tray RCBS that doesn't use shell holders. Trying now to remember why I changed but it might have been that I needed a different holder for the Lee that wasn't made.
BTW, I have already broken a part on the RCBS, probably my fault, but RCBS being one of the good guys like Lee, sent me a part quickly at no charge.
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