Can't seem to use the Lee Primer Feeder

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vito

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I have the Lee Classic Turret Press which included in the kit the Primer Feeder. I installed it as per the instructions (it feels pretty flimsy) but despite being aligned with the primer holder arm, when I push the feeder and press down on it as instructed, nothing happens. I called Lee and they said that maybe I am not pushing the feeder hard enough. Am I missing something in technique? I was so frustrated last night that I took the feeder off and started hand placing each primer into the primer holder by hand, a slow and inefficient way to get this done. I am thinking of ordering a RCBS hand priming tool which looks pretty easy to use if I can't figure out what I am doing wrong with the Lee primer feeder. Hope someone has some idea that will help me.
 
Just as a quick sanity check...

Are you using the right sized dispenser for your primers (there is one for small primers, and one for large primers)?

With the primer dispenser off of the press, can you get primers to eject from it when you hold it upright and press the lever?

And are you using the correct primer holder (I assume so, since you can place a primer on it by hand)?
 
Vito,
Like said above, are you using the correct primer feeder (large and small) and the correct primer seater (also small and large)?

When you push the dispenser forward when you reach the end of the stroke the dispenser should dip slightly forward and the primer will dispense.
 
I love mine and believe you simply haven't properly aligned it. When you don't it is possible to push forward and down and miss the cup altogether dispensing a brand new primer down the drop tube. It feels like nothing happened.

Try nudging the primer dispenser to the left (where it mounts to the press) and then watching the final approach of the dispenser towards the cup. Sometimes it helps to place a thin washer on top of the press between the mounting tab but not always. Alignment is critical but fairly easy to establish. Once you get it right you won't want to use any other priming tool with that press.
 
Good luck to ya. That thing was immediately removed from my press and stashed away forever, to never see the light of day again. I HATED that damn thing. I prefer to prime my brass by the hundreds anyway, and use an Auto Prime II for that.

I like to start loading with brass that's cleaned, polished and primed already. I resize them with the decapping pins removed, fill them, seat the bullet, and done.
 
I am with Rondog. I hated mine. I watched the video, adjusted, readjusted, messed with it some more, and never could get mine to work well.

Thing is, when it worked, it was only a very tiny bit faster than simply putting the primer in the primer holder myself by hand. When I add in the time crawling around on my hands and knees looking for the occasional primer that fell out when it missed the primer holder...well...it was sayonara Lee Primer Feeder.
 
Had the same problem. I found that if I pulled the press handle down "just a little" from all the way up - the primer would go in everytime. I'm going to file down the plastic mount so I won't have to lower the press handle.

Ed
 
They sure are nice when working well. I struggled for a long time with the primer being knocked out of the cup by the shell holder. After watching the videos, realized the ram could be rotated slightly to ensure precise alignment between the primer arm lever and the base of the press (center the arm between the two raised guides on the base). Prior to this, the entire primer arm would raise up instead of rotating into the ram.

Easily load 150 RDS per hour, maybe even 200 now.
 
ssyoumans said:
They sure are nice when working well. I struggled for a long time with the primer being knocked out of the cup by the shell holder. After watching the videos, realized the ram could be rotated slightly to ensure precise alignment between the primer arm lever and the base of the press (center the arm between the two raised guides on the base). Prior to this, the entire primer arm would raise up instead of rotating into the ram.

Easily load 150 RDS per hour, maybe even 200 now.
Click to expand...
I hope the 3 responses above yours read it.
 
Yes it not only works great on my Lee Classic Turret but the Lee Classic Cast also. Actually gave my hand primer to my BIL to help him get started in loading his own.
 
That stupid thing drives me nuts. I've found it works best if I lower the ram slightly. One day I'll get around to putting a washer under the bracket to raise it up.


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Edarms said:
Had the same problem. I found that if I pulled the press handle down "just a little" from all the way up - the primer would go in everytime. I'm going to file down the plastic mount so I won't have to lower the press handle.

Ed
Click to expand...
Probably easier (and more reversible) to shim up the bracket that holds the primer dispenser.

Good luck

Lost Sheep
 
vito said:
I have the Lee Classic Turret Press which included in the kit the Primer Feeder. I installed it as per the instructions (it feels pretty flimsy) but despite being aligned with the primer holder arm, when I push the feeder and press down on it as instructed, nothing happens. I called Lee and they said that maybe I am not pushing the feeder hard enough. Am I missing something in technique? I was so frustrated last night that I took the feeder off and started hand placing each primer into the primer holder by hand, a slow and inefficient way to get this done. I am thinking of ordering a RCBS hand priming tool which looks pretty easy to use if I can't figure out what I am doing wrong with the Lee primer feeder. Hope someone has some idea that will help me.
Click to expand...
Vito, thanks for asking our advice.

The alignment of the device to the priming arm is CRITICAL. Sideways and vertically, both.

Then (as seen in some of the videos) you gently push the device forward (I use my thumb) until the cup in the priming arm lines up in the "V" shaped groove (the underside of the dispenser) and when aligned, use one finger to press down on the top to release a primer. Do it gingerly and it should work fine.

Once I got mine lined up, it works great. Before that, it was iffy. Now, with the bracket properly aligned, the devices swing freely and line up just fine. Don't lose hope.

Lost Sheep

p.s. For those who don't like the flimsy feel (and I am one, and also HATE the fact that the gravity feed still does not reliably feed the last few primers) I have been working on a design for a hand-held primer "pen" that you could press right onto the priming arm's cup and drop one primer right in there. I am in the design stage and hope I might have a prototype soon. I wonder what it could sell for, though. Any ideas?
 
I love mine. Works like a champ. Everyone once in a while I get a funny one and it either doesn't spit one out or will drag it off the press. I've gotten to know the feel for that though and it isn't much of a problem. I can do 200+ rounds an hour and have only loaded a couple thousand rounds. It take a little bit to get the technique but once you figure it out you'll be golden.

White for Large primers and Black for smalls. It does make a huge difference. I found that out.
 
As a visual reference helper I added a small self adhesive label on the primer tray cover to identfify which one was Small Primer. Yes when I first started reloading a few years ago I mixed them up and wondered why I had 'issues' - lol
 
Mine works just about perfectly. Actually the best priming system I have ever used. Alignment of the bracket is critical.
As for the last few primers, I never let it get that low. I start with about a half box of primers and put in another box when it gets down to 15 or 20. When I finish, I remove the dispenser and place it in a Folgers coffee can. Other than the original box, the primers are about as safe in the Lee magazine as can be.
 
Sometimes when you push forward on the trigger, the primer lever bar will rotate forward as well.

I usually put my left index finger on the primer lever and press slightly to hold it in position, while I use my right thumb to advance the primer feeder trigger.

Works flawlessly, accept for the very last one or two primers, which tend to not drop down the shoot all the way into position.
 
Mine has worked almost 100% and even when it gets low. Love it and it is a great place to leaver a bunch of primers. Neat how it flips them right side up after a little shake.

SSYOUMANS described the one thing that had been getting me. I re-read his and realized- AHA! It is the tiniest of irritants when having to prematurely start to raise the cup into priming position just a tick early- but sure is nice when all is working as it should.

Vito- easy does it with them- don't force them. Click the dispenser by gently pressing forward on the top- more so than downward. If it is lined up, and you are using the right cup all should be well.

Off to watch the loader index alignment video.
 
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add a washer or two under the primer dispenser before bolting on. Line it up and it will work like a charm.
 
I've loaded maybe 1000/mo avg for 6 years and agree with Lost Sheep.
The system works as advertised, but does need to be aligned properly for best performance.

I also agree it's kind of flimsy (that's why it doesn't cost much), but it works and seems to last a good long while.

When you can't see primers in the arm coming down from the tray, there are three left. Reload the tray then and life is good. Those three provide plenty of "weight" to insure proper feeding.

On the back of the tray there are plastic segments for rigidity. A 3/4" washer with some scotch tape to hold it in place just fits in one of the segments nearest the turret. This added weight causes the primer arm to move away from the ram smoother/faster when the primer feeder is released. This makes it work smoother for me. YMMV
 
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I like sig SSN Vet. We have a similar section in the PA Constitution:
The Pennsylvania Constitution
Right to Bear Arms
Article I Section 21

"The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned."
 
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