Lee Six Pack Pro primer seating issue (Resolved, user caused)

[flgolfer29]

I apologize if this has been covered previously. This week I received the Lee Six Pack Pro progressive. After setting all the dies I was going to reload a few rounds to get a feel for it. Immediately, I noticed the primer 'stem' was not extending high enough through the shell plate to reach the shell casing to set the primer. This caused multiple failures associated with the priming system.

Does anyone know how to make the necessary adjustments to get proper primer feed positioning? If not, I intend on calling Lee customer service tomorrow. Photo added to show what I'm attempting to describe.

Thank you

Flgolfer29

 

[LiveLife]

So the primer is not being seated fully?

First, make sure the shellplate is tight as loose shellplate will affect how deep the priming rod/pin can seat the primer.

Next, with the shellplate carrier raised (So primer guide is out of station #2), push up on bottom of priming rod/pin with finger from below to check if the priming rod/pin is moving up and down freely. (This is to rule out priming pin hanging up with the priming guide)

If priming rod/pin moves up and down freely, lower the shellplate carrier down while watching the primer guide to see if there is any snag/hang up to prevent priming rod/pin from coming up to fully seat a primer.

Let us know what you find.

BTW, picture of old/new priming rod/pin with spring (Larger diameter part is bottom) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-oal-consistency.911743/page-17#post-12495679

 

[flgolfer29]

So the primer is not being seated fully?

First, make sure the shellplate is tight as loose shellplate will affect how deep the priming rod/pin can seat the primer.

Next, with the shellplate carrier raised (So primer guide is out of station #2), push up on bottom of priming rod/pin with finger from below to check if the priming rod/pin is moving up and down freely. (This is to rule out priming pin hanging up with the priming guide)

If priming rod/pin moves up and down freely, lower the shellplate carrier down while watching the primer guide to see if there is any snag/hang up to prevent priming rod/pin from coming up to fully seat a primer.

Let us know what you find.

BTW, picture of old/new priming rod/pin with spring (Larger diameter part is bottom) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-oal-consistency.911743/page-17#post-12495679

Initially, I couldn't seat a primer at all. I verified the shell plate tightness, it was tight but verified with a little more torque. I pushed on the priming pin from the bottom and it wasn't getting stuck against the shell plate like I initially thought it was, it could be pushed all the way through.

Now knowing the pin isn't getting stuck, I placed one primer in the primer feed ramp and primed a shell casing. Pushing the press arm with slightly greater pressure than I normally do on the Classic Turret press, the primer while seated, it was still a little proud (not set deep enough). I repeated the steps with another casing and applied greater pressure, it was an improvement but still not recessed completely within the primer pocket. Then, I run the two casings through for another attempt at seating the primers to an acceptable position. The primers are now flush with the bottom of the casing, but the pressure I used to get to that point was greater than I feel comfortable applying.

Thank you for the details provided earlier. I will read through the link you provided once I get settled in this evening.

 

[LiveLife]

Good to hear.

I covered the new primer system in this post including primer seating pressures and below flush depths achieved - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ing-for-oal-consistency.911743/#post-12442618

And primers should be seated to around .004" below flush - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-and-discussions.778197/page-10#post-11403561

CCI SP seated to .004" below flush in FC case, S&B SP seated to .003" below flush in R-P case, PMC SP seated to .005" below flush in WIN case, PMC seated to .003" below flush in Blazer/R-P cases

• Primer seating depth is determined by "push" pressure on the ram lever
• Light push on the ram lever seated CCI SP to .002" below flush
• Firm push on the ram lever seated CCI SP to .004" below flush
• Light push on the ram lever seated S&B/PMC SP primers to flush
• Firm push on the ram lever seated S&B/PMC SP primers to .003" below flush
• Extra firm push on the ram lever seated PMC SP primer to .005" below flush

 

[flgolfer29]

I spoke with Lee's customer service this a.m. It looks like the press I purchased has the older style primer pin, Lee is sending me the newer version pin & spring, mailing out today. Hopefully, I'll get the parts soon and I can put the new press into service.
Flgolfer29

 

[LiveLife]

I spoke with Lee's customer service this a.m. It looks like the press I purchased has the older style primer pin, Lee is sending me the newer version pin & spring

Nice.

 

[flgolfer29]

Uh oh. When I spoke with Lee's customer service yesterday, I misspoke about having the older primer pin. Having time on my hands today, I removed the pin and discovered that I already have the newer style.

I'm a little concerned that the replacement parts are not going to fix the priming issue. So after reassembly, I stacked a quarter & dime under the primer pin, with that combination the pin extends through the shell plate to what looked to be proper. I ran a couple shell casings through to test primer seating. I get acceptable seating with the coin stacking. Not sure what the correct fix should be.

 

[flgolfer29]

Poor extension of primer pin


Stacked coins


Proper pin extension with stacked coins
]

 

[wannabefree]

I don't know if this would be an option but what if you took the new pin and put a spot weld on the bottom and possibly ground it flat to fit. That is if you have access to a welder or know someone who does. Other wise maybe Lee could provide you one that is slightly longer. Just thinking out loud.

 

[2 Horse]

I think your not getting a full stroke, make sure the linkage or handle is not hitting anything. Maybe take the press off and cycle it and see what happens.

 

[flgolfer29]

I don't know if this would be an option but what if you took the new pin and put a spot weld on the bottom and possibly ground it flat to fit. That is if you have access to a welder or know someone who does. Other wise maybe Lee could provide you one that is slightly longer. Just thinking out loud.

That's a doable option, I have a coworker that could do that for me if needed.

 

[LiveLife]

Proper pin extension with stacked coins
View attachment 1131391 ]

The base mount bolt is hitting the bottom of primer slider channel/trough preventing the shellplate carrier from going down further.

Flip the bolt so head is on top.

 

[flgolfer29]

I think your not getting a full stroke, make sure the linkage or handle is not hitting anything. Maybe take the press off and cycle it and see what happens.



 

[9mmepiphany]

Stacked coins
View attachment 1131390

The bolts mounting it to the Lee Bench Plate are too long for you to get a full stroke

 

[flgolfer29]

LiveLife & 9mmepiphany were correct !! It should have been obvious to me, but wasn't. I was looking too hard in primer channel to notice the mounting bolt was hitting the primer slider. I removed the press and shortened the bolt that connects it to the mounting plate, then reassembled. The thing appears to be operating as it was designed. Mark this issue as user caused and not with Lee Precision. I hope to begin loading on it some time tomorrow.

Thanks to all on this forum that have assisted me in getting things proper.

Flgolfer29

 

[LiveLife]

Great.

I love happy endings.