Lyman Auto Primer Feed - Help!

[Route 66]

I recently purchased a Lyman auto primer feeder for my Lyman Orange Crush single stage "O" press to speed up the process a bit. I followed the instructions for installation and manuevered it around quite a bit but it still only works about half the time. One time it may work then another time drop 2-3 primers at the same time. I can't seem to find a position where it consistently feeds so now I'm back to dropping in by hand and I've spent $20 for nothing.

Anyone have any suggestions (besides getting a Dillon 550)?

Thanks,

John

 

[Chugach]

I have no experience with Lyman reloading gear, Route66. Have you had a chance to call their technical support line?

Give us an update when you get it straightened out, please.

 

[Alan Smithiee]

I use a Lyman T Mag II, the primer feed takes up 3 times as much time as everything else, pull it off and toss it in a box. use a Lee or RCBS hand primer. you will save yourself hours and hours and hours and hours and hours of frustration.

 

[Route 66]

Thanks for the advice Nanaimo. I'm not familiar with the Lee or RCBS primer feeds. Are they truly hand performed or do they mount on the single stage "O" press?

 

[Cherokee]

The Lee or RCBS are truly separate hand operated primer seaters. I use the Lee, have for many years. The RCBS is also getting good reviews. I have never had luck using the "auto" feeders for the presses.

 

[Chugach]

I also use a Lee hand-operated, independent primer seater. You can feel how the primer is (or maybe isn't) seating correctly. Check with Midway or Cabelas...they will regularly have a special on them. You can get a complete set of Lee shell holders for about the same cost as the seater itself.

 

[David Wile]

Hey 66,

The primer system on your Crusher is very similar to the system that came on the RCBS RockChucker and Junior presses many years ago. When I first got the RCBS press, it took a lot of very tedious adjustment before it would work properly, and it always seemed that the last two primers in the tube would not come out properly. In the late 1970s, I tried a Lee Auto Prime hand tool, and, since that time, I have never used the primer on the single stage presses again. I do not like Lee products in general, but the Auto Prime works like a charm for me. I also bought an RCBS hand prime tool which is a lot stronger than the Lee tool, but I find the Lee tool easier and faster to use. I did break the primeing handle on my Lee tool after about eight or nine years of use, but, rather than use the stronger RCBS tool, I bought another Lee tool. Most of Lee stuff is made with low quality to me, including the primer tool. In spite of that, however, the Lee primer tool is a fast and easy tool to use, and I will continue to buy a new one every nine years or so if they continue to break.

I also have a Hornady L&L progressive press, and the priming system on it works very well if it is adjusted properly, kept clean, and the time is taken to insure the empty brass is primed properly. For single stage presses, however, try a hand tool - even the lowly Lee which works like a charm.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

 

[Route 66]

Thanks to all for your help and input. It looks like my choices are either to get the hand priming tool or continue to feed each primer by hand to the "O" press (or the final option is to opt for the Dilon 550). Anyway I was hoping to find a solution that would save time and cut down the steps in the process, it's not lookin' that way now. Did I mnetion that getting a Dillon 550 may solve that?

 

[Alan Smithiee]

do what I did, tell the wife if she wants to shoot them, she has to prime them hehehehe

many a evening we have sat watching the T&V while she primes .357 brass

other wise I have been quite happy with my Lyman and I will keep that for working up loads.. but a Progressive is looking better and better as I get older...