Please identify this hand priming tool

[Virginia Jim]

I got it with a grab bag of reloading stuff. It came with a no. 4 shell holder. The shell holder doesn’t have the flange on the bottom for use in a reloading press, so I guess it’s proprietary. I’d like to find some more shell holders for it.

 

[BBarn]

Looks like the original Lee hand priming tool (before the Auto Prime with the primer feeding tray). If so, the current Lee hand priming tool shell holders should still work.

 

[dgod]

Yup

 

[rabid wombat]

Yeppers, Lee....works well, but I am sure there are others that are better....

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

Looks just like the bottom half of the Lee Auto Prime. I have mine on the reloading table, used it a couple of days ago.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[rabid wombat]

 

[entropy]

I got it with a grab bag of reloading stuff. It came with a no. 4 shell holder. The shell holder doesn’t have the flange on the bottom for use in a reloading press, so I guess it’s proprietary. I’d like to find some more shell holders for it.
View attachment 970039

It's a Lee Auto prime, as others have already acertained, and the #4 shell holder works for .223, amongst other rounds. Mine's still on the coffee table with the #4 in it, waiting for me to get off the forum.....

 

[Virginia Jim]

Thanks, guys. This will be my dedicated .223 priming tool.

 

[Reloadron]

I still have and use my old Lee Autoprime. It does use a different rod for large and small primers. Loading 223 should require the small rod I think. Not sure about the one pictured which pre dated the Autoprime with the primer trays. One tray for large and one for small. They do last a long, long time. Since it came with the #4shell holder it's all set for 223 so have at it. I can watch TV and prime.

Ron

 

[cfullgraf]

Back around 1980, Lee sold a single primer tool plus the original auto prime.

The handle and primer seating system were the same. The difference was the single primer tool had a filler piece where the Auto prime had the tray.

Before Lee began offering replacement parts, I’d buy the single tool for parts that wore out and broke on my Auto primes.

It was cheaper to buy the single prime tool for parts than buying a replacement Auto prime.

 

[Dudedog]

If you need more than a couple shell holders it may be cheaper to buy the kit
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1011210770
$20 for 11 of them, otherwise $4 ea

 

[Lennyjoe]

I use that the majority of the time. I get better feel on primer seating with that tool over my RCBS bench priming tool

 

[BigBlue 94]

I use that the majority of the time. I get better feel on primer seating with that tool over my RCBS bench priming tool

Ditto. I dont like priming on my press. Its cumbersome and less precise. I dont reload a ton, but its all done with a lee hand primer.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Hand priming makes me happy, something about the feel of that primer seating just right and you can feel it all. It’s like hand plaining wood, feel that grain and smoothness.

 

[hdbiker]

That's a Lee Precision priming tool, not the original Lee Priming tool with screw in shell holders., I have and still use the original Lee tool. hdbiker

 

[TreeTopFlier]

Don't try to get replacement parts, and don't break or
wear out anything. Mine were great ( 2 ),while they lasted​

 

[entropy]

The new model's lever and cam can be used in the old one, the cam needs a little modification, and you might need a spacer in there.

 

[murf]

Keep the joints lubed up and that should last forever.

murf

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

I only use my Auto Prime for small primer seating, and the radiused end of the lever will wear even if you keep it lubed, which I do. I shim the top of the 9 mm shell holder with blue painters tape to make the primers seat deeper in the pocket.

Have a blessed day,

Leon