[Redhat]

Wow,

On another forum I just read a scary post by a guy who had a mass detonation of Federal Primers in his Lee. He say's he will now follow Lee's admonition to NEVER use Fed primers in their gear. He was lucky, it only cost him 6 stitches in his hand.:eek:

[tasco 74]

were you refering to the lee auto prime tool?? i have primed prbably 3000 rounds with mine... i diduse winchester primers..... are the fed primers more explosive somehow??

[Car Knocker]

On another forum I just read a scary post
How about a link?

[Redhat]

Sorry:

1911Forum.com

[1911user]

Federal primers are known to be more sensitive than other brands. Some competition pistols with very light springs require federal primers for reliable firing every time.

[Stinger]

Follow manufacturers recommended instructions, even if you happen to know more than those who designed it.

It takes a sharp force, and a relatively large amount of it, to set off a primer. I would think that the amount of force to set off a primer in a tool would be close enough to not make a difference no matter what primer was used. I don't think it is possible to set off a primer in one of the hand tools, unless the user completely brain farted (its a technical-industry term.)

Having said that, I have 2 Lee handprimers, and NEVER use anything but the recommended brand and amount of primers. I use Federal Match primers for priming .204 Ruger brass, and I bought an RCBS universal primer just for those primers. I actually prefer the Lee, except for the use of potmetal which breaks on occasion. But will use the RCBS when I need a brand not recommended in the Lee tool.

Regards,

Stinger

[R.W.Dale]

He say's he will now follow Lee's admonition to NEVER use Fed primers in their gear. He was lucky, it only cost him 6 stitches in his hand

I believe I'd give the crappy lee priming tool the boot before ditching the otherwise excellent Federal primers. In fact this thread has given me the impetus to replace the last piece of Lee equipment left over from my anniversary kit.

ME, I use my autoprime as a single shot when using federal primers, instead of loading the thing up to capacity.

[Redhat]

So far I like my Lee gear. I just wont use Fed primers because the instructions say not too. So far I've been having good luck with CCI.

[R.W.Dale]

I get misfires out the wazoo with CCI primers. I've gotten several CCI400's that only looked scratched after dropping the firing pin 3 and 4 times Their LR primers have faired no better. All of this in a rifle that's NEVER misfired hard primed Russian 7.62x39 factory ammo.

[FieroCDSP]

Krochus, Maybe you got a set that was mis-handled by your seller/retailer? I've used exclusively CCI 500 in my 40 brass, and even a slight hit from the pin sets them off. I've never had a dud round on them. I've never used the 400's, so maybe they're not as sensitive. Might it also be your pocket and primer-seating depth? I'm asking because I'm curious. I've used CCI prodicts for years (mainly 22lr until last year, then 40 cal ammo and primers), and I've never had any problem firing them.

[Idano]

krochus;

The problem is with your firearms and not the CCI primers. I use mainly CCI and the only time I had one fail to fire was while I was working on an HK USP and lighten the hammer spring down to 10 lbs I would occasional have one that wouldn't fire in 200 rounds so I went back up to 12 lbs.

[SIRVEYR666]

He say's he will now follow Lee's admonition to NEVER use Fed primers in their gear. He was lucky, it only cost him 6 stitches in his hand

Huh? Imagine that, NOW he's gonna follow the instructions.:rolleyes:

There is usually a reason that manufactures put things like this in their instructions.

I love my Lee equipment. Best value in reloading. Those "blue" and "green" reloaders are compensating for something.:scrutiny: Ha!:neener:

[scrat]

Same here i will continue to use Lee equipment on a daily basis. just need to follow the manuals.


Same time i would not say that i would never use federal. you just need to be cautious on how many you put in an auto prime. or load them one at a time.


as far as cci goes. i have about 150 primers left. then thats it. no more.
missfires all the time. usuall the ratio is 4 out of 100 will be miss fire. funny thing. if i pull the hammer back and pull the trigger again it fires.


I officially changed to winchester primers. so untill cci improves their primers im with winchester now.

[R.W.Dale]

love my Lee equipment. Best value in reloading. Those "blue" and "green" reloaders are compensating for something

In my case I'm compensating my ignorance for buying the RED stuff the first time round in a wasted attempt order to save a few$$:neener:


Back to the CCI primers in my case it's NOT the rifles. One had an extra power striker spring installed and still misfired CCI primers and the other will shoot Russian ammo with hard recessed primers without a hitch.

The cups on the CCI's are just too darn hard. I can drop the hammer twice or two dozen times and all I get is a dimple. To add insult to injury some of my misfires have been with CCI's benchrest primers. Like the other poster stated about 4%


:banghead:

[gator378]

I have a Lee Hand Priming Tool for the last 15 or more years and I use Federal and CCI Primers. I have loaded Federal Primers with Lee Priming Tool and never had a problem, but I only put about 20 primers in at a time.

In the last thirty years, I never blew a primer "yet". I never ever "force" primers. If there is unusual resistance I stop immediately.

[3rdpig]

I used the same Lee hand priming tool for 30+ years without a single serious problem. About 2 years ago I loaned it to a friend and he managed to break it. He did what I'd do, didn't bitch or complain, just handed me a new one. He couldn't find a Lee and gave me the RCBS tool in return which he probably thought was a better tool. I haven't said anything to him, but I liked the Lee tool WAY better than the RCBS. While the RCBS tool has a "gate" to protect against a detonated primer setting off the whole tray, and it's built more solidly than the Lee, the RCBS tool is just a PITA to use compared to the Lee. I don't use it that often so it's not that big a deal, but if I did I'd be ordering another Lee tool.

[Astute]

I've loaded through the years probably 100,000 round with a Lee Loadmaster. I've used everything in the way of primers as I buy whatever I can find cheap. I've never had a primer go off and I've side crushed my share including Federal. Lee highly recommends in their manual that you use their $4.00 device called a primer shield if you use Federal primers so there must be something to the idea that Federals are more sensitive.

[agd1953]

The Lee priming tool is great. If you'r having missfires with CCI primers you need to check your firearm or stop handling them with greasy fingers. I have never had a misfire with them and they are the only brand that I use.:scrutiny:

[R.W.Dale]

or stop handling them with greasy fingers.

Sure! cause grease contamination will make primer cups HARDER:rolleyes:

[sansone]

I buy whatever is on sale so lots of my stuff is Lee. not a single problem with any of it.(so far):D

[Freightman]

Be sure that the primer is seated all the way as a high primer sometimes the firing pin will push the primer home a second strike will set it off. I have two Lee hand primers never a problem and have used all but Federal and all have went off. I did mix up and got small pistol primers when loading some 7.62x39 brass not a good idea as it becomes a full auto in a AK.

[SIRVEYR666]

I did mix up and got small pistol primers when loading some 7.62x39 brass not a good idea as it becomes a full auto in a AK.

You say that as if it were a bad thing?:evil:

[ojibweindian]

Krochus

I've had nothing but problems with CCI small magnum pistol primers. I've got about 1K left, and I'll never use them again. Waaaayyy too many failures.

[scrat]

cci primers uhh

[schmidtbender]

I bought the new Lee auto index turret press when it came out with the primer feed gizmo. It looks like crap and works to perfection. I have loaded over 1000 Fed LR Magnum primers in it. I started handloading at 14 and will be 65 on 5/15. You name it, I've owned it. In all that time I have NEVER had a primer detonate and I have really crushed up a few due to operator error along the way. Nor BTW have any of my dozen or so handloading buddies. I don't know how a priming tool can properly indent the center of a primer over the anvil in any case. Lee also says Barnes bullets cause pressure spikes. that is true if you don't follow Barnes's instruction on seating off the leade. I've read this before but have yet to see any hard facts other than "IMEs". Guess I'm a lucky boy.

[Walkalong]

I find it hard to believe everytime I hear someone detonated a primer. I mean, how hard do you have to try? I have never done it, wether it's Federals in a Lee priming tool to any other primer and methods I have used. :)

[Eagle103]

I don't know how a priming tool can properly indent the center of a primer over the anvil in any case.
The nearest thing to a point would maybe be using the small pistol rod for a large rifle primer with the rod upside down so the rounded part is up. That's for an RCBS. I'm not suggesting this is likely but maybe is possible.
I've also heard here or somewhere else that the whole Federal primers being taboo in Lee equipment is nothing more than some old corporate dispute.

[subierex]

I've used all sorts of primers in an Auto prime in the past and never had any issue either. I've also used a full 100 of all kinds in the device at once. Tempting fate?

I've recently just started using a Lee Classic Turret press with the Safety Prime system. It too says to not use Federals and to limit Winchesters to 20 at a time (I use Win). I've been doing this so far but can see where it might get a bit old after a while.

I'm not sure, looking at the Safety Prime system, how it could potentially set off the whole lot. The pressing of the primer takes place (relatively) far away from the primers patiently waiting their turn.:) Maybe Lee thinks something could happen when setting the primer in the primer arm with the primer handling arm? Dunno, but seems somewhat unlikely.:confused:

[BBQJOE]

I have also crushed a number of primers including Fed's. Nothing. Well except for prying out a destroyed primer.

I can't imagine what you would have to do to get one to go off in a Lee loadmaster.
And whatever you had to do, it would be at great speed.

[snuffy]

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=168610

Huh!? Maybe I'd better NOT load with federal primers in my 650! I got a deal on 5K federal 150's about a year ago. I've used quite a few through the 650 with no problems. Better safe than sorry??

[uk roe hunter]

we have to remember that in big business all is not what it may seem. it maybe that lee is doing business with cci so they put that thing in the manual about federal primers so more people use cci. I have a lee auto prime and i have used all sorts of primers in no failiures, no explosions.

uk