9mm Primers

[hbcguns]

Good afternoon Re-loaders from all states,

I use Lee precision auto bench primer to prime my rifle ammo but running into an issue I need advice to address.

The Lee shell holder for the auto prime will let the 9mm Luger tapered cases slip past and hang in the shell holder, endangering my life with broken and bent primers.

Any advice is met with critical-thinking. Thanks,

It works magically well on 300 Black Out....

 

[Mobuck]

Which number shell holder are you using?

 

[kmoore]

Sounds like its the wrong shell holder for the 9mm case.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

All of my Lee die sets came with a shell holder.

Not sure I've ever feared for my life when priming cases.....

 

[Mobuck]

I'm fairly certain the LEE shell holder I use for 9mm Luger is #19.

 

[GasGuzzler]

Correct. I think I have four of them. It would take some very odd circumstances for a crushed primer to be deadly but with some people paying $0.10 per primer, none need wasted. I hand prime with an RCBS unit or prime on press with my Lee Classic Turret.

I have lots of Lee machines and tools but not that one. I just went to Lee's website and watched the demo video. Are you using the Lee PRIMER shell holder? It's not the same as the shell holder used on a press. Might be a dumb question but I have never seen one in person and don't know if they could be swapped by accident.

 

[Get Wood]

Correct. I think I have four of them. It would take some very odd circumstances for a crushed primer to be deadly but with some people paying $0.10 per primer, none need wasted. I hand prime with an RCBS unit or prime on press with my Lee Classic Turret.

I have lots of Lee machines and tools but not that one. I just went to Lee's website and watched the demo video. Are you using the Lee PRIMER shell holder? It's not the same as the shell holder used on a press. Might be a dumb question but I have never seen one in person and don't know if they could be swapped by accident.

No, The Base Is Different .. On The Primer Holder It's FLAT. No Way To Mix Them Up. Even With Your Eyes CLOSED.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

I'm fairly certain the LEE shell holder I use for 9mm Luger is #19.

Yup 9mm is #19

300 AAAC Blackout is #4

 

[s4s4u]

Methinks a picture would be helpful.

 

[Johnnu2]

You may not die right away, but you certainly could put an eye out..............
Make sure you wear glasses and keep your workspace clear of powder and dust ....... you guys know it IS dangerous right??

J.

 

[Mobuck]

Off topic and possibly not pertinent BUT: it takes a lot more to 'set off' a primer than one might think. In the process of salvaging 'reject ammo' (pull downs/tear downs or whatever one may call it), I've punched out literally hundreds of live primers(both right side and upside down). So far have not had a single one POP.

 

[GasGuzzler]

"No Way To Mix Them Up. Even With Your Eyes CLOSED."

Jeez ... relax.

"Off topic and possibly not pertinent BUT: it takes a lot more to 'set off' a primer than one might think. In the process of salvaging 'reject ammo' (pull downs/tear downs or whatever one may call it), I've punched out literally hundreds of live primers(both right side and upside down). So far have not had a single one POP."

THIS is the truth. Even if one goes off it's not the end of the world. More startling than anything.

 

[Johnnu2]

It only takes ONE to lose an eye or set off a chain reaction....

Personally, I wouldn't 'relax', .... but that's just me, I worry a lot.

 

[s4s4u]

It only takes ONE to lose an eye or set off a chain reaction....

Personally, I wouldn't 'relax', .... but that's just me, I worry a lot.

Chain reaction of what?

 

[the_leper_colony]

Chain reaction of what?

With several of the Lee priming tools, setting off the primer that's being seated can theoretically set off other primers in the feed chute or tray:

Lee has specific recommendations for which primers to use, and (for some types) how many to load in the tray.

 

[rotor]

The off press shell holders for your priming tool are different than the on press shell holders. You probably need to get the right shell holder for your priming tool. Lee catalog specifically says this.

 

[Mobuck]

I doubt there's ANY chance of a 'chain reaction' AS LONG AS THE PRIMERS HAVE BEEN PROPERLY STORED.
Decades back, I heard stories about someone who had dumped shotgun primers into a glass jar that somehow fell onto a concrete floor. There was a significant explosion but I'm uncertain of the entire story.

 

[the_leper_colony]

FWIW, I checked with Lee last year (IIRC) regarding primers that were safe to use in their priming tools: for anyone using "the original round tray Auto-Prime, Auto-Prime 2, Pro 1000 and Load-Master" priming systems (I'm still using the first two), Lee stated in writing "Do not use Federal primers". They also had safety recommendations regarding tray capacity for several types of Winchester primers, in those tools. For all I know, they may also have recommendations for their tools using the newer folding trays - I didn't ask about those, because I don't have any of those tools.

Sometimes there are reasons that manufacturers make such recommendations; sometimes maybe not. I remember a family member, years ago, who thought Ford's recommendations regarding automatic transmission fluid were bogus (i.e., just intended to make extra money for the company), so he put GM ATF in his Ford tranny, because it was cheaper & easier to find. And I had a friend years ago who bought a new VW Rabbit, but never noticed that the manufacturer recommended a specific type of coolant. You can guess what happened (or maybe not)...

 

[GasGuzzler]

The off press shell holders for your priming tool are different than the on press shell holders. You probably need to get the right shell holder for your priming tool. Lee catalog specifically says this.

I mentioned that already and got a smart aleck response.

 

[s4s4u]

With several of the Lee priming tools, setting off the primer that's being seated can theoretically set off other primers in the feed chute or tray:
View attachment 57090
Lee has specific recommendations for which primers to use, and (for some types) how many to load in the tray.

Keyword "theoretically"

 

[rotor]

FWIW, I checked with Lee last year (IIRC) regarding primers that were safe to use in their priming tools: for anyone using "the original round tray Auto-Prime, Auto-Prime 2, Pro 1000 and Load-Master" priming systems (I'm still using the first two), Lee stated in writing "Do not use Federal primers". They also had safety recommendations regarding tray capacity for several types of Winchester primers, in those tools. For all I know, they may also have recommendations for their tools using the newer folding trays - I didn't ask about those, because I don't have any of those tools.

Sometimes there are reasons that manufacturers make such recommendations; sometimes maybe not. I remember a family member, years ago, who thought Ford's recommendations regarding automatic transmission fluid were bogus (i.e., just intended to make extra money for the company), so he put GM ATF in his Ford tranny, because it was cheaper & easier to find. And I had a friend years ago who bought a new VW Rabbit, but never noticed that the manufacturer recommended a specific type of coolant. You can guess what happened (or maybe not)...

I don't believe Lee has any brand restrictions on primers for their current equipment. Even the Federal restriction was questionable. I do believe though that chain reactions are possible and dangerous and there have been cases of the tube primers blowing into the ceiling with a chain reaction. When working with things that can go bang one needs to make sure that all safety precautions are taken.

 

[the_leper_colony]

I don't believe Lee has any brand restrictions on primers for their current equipment. Even the Federal restriction was questionable. I do believe though that chain reactions are possible and dangerous and there have been cases of the tube primers blowing into the ceiling with a chain reaction. When working with things that can go bang one needs to make sure that all safety precautions are taken.

FWIW, it looks like @hbcguns is using a Lee Auto Bench Prime tool, which is currently available from Lee and their distributors. I downloaded the instructions, and also read their online product description, both of which state:

"Please note: Lee Precision has tested the tool by intentionally setting off a variety of brands and types of primers. Our testing has demonstrated that wearing safety glasses and hearing protection will prevent serious injury. However, all types of FEDERAL BRAND LARGE PRIMERS frequently caused the entire tray to explode with sufficient force to cause serious and painful injuries. These primers must be fed individually, see step 7 of product instructions, single priming option."

To be 100% clear, it definitely ain't my job to tell anyone else how to reload - whether you choose $10K worth of Dillon equipment, or home-made tools & a ball peen hammer, it's up to you, not me. Same for components; use what you want, whether it's a-buck-a-piece high tech projectiles, or the glass jars of mystery primers & propellant from the estate sale down the block. If someone is comfortable loading up a Lee Auto Bench Prime tray with Federal LP or LR primers, I will not be jumping in my vehicle & driving over to stop them!

 

[Johnnu2]

You can have a "chain reaction": DUST, GUN POWDER, PROPANE/NATURAL GAS, GASOLINE FUME explosion etc etc.... not just a chain reaction in a primer tube. Reloading is DANGEROUS and should not be taken lightly; safety precautions are necessary in my humble opinion.
J.

 

[rotor]

FWIW, it looks like @hbcguns is using a Lee Auto Bench Prime tool, which is currently available from Lee and their distributors. I downloaded the instructions, and also read their online product description, both of which state:

"Please note: Lee Precision has tested the tool by intentionally setting off a variety of brands and types of primers. Our testing has demonstrated that wearing safety glasses and hearing protection will prevent serious injury. However, all types of FEDERAL BRAND LARGE PRIMERS frequently caused the entire tray to explode with sufficient force to cause serious and painful injuries. These primers must be fed individually, see step 7 of product instructions, single priming option."

To be 100% clear, it definitely ain't my job to tell anyone else how to reload - whether you choose $10K worth of Dillon equipment, or home-made tools & a ball peen hammer, it's up to you, not me. Same for components; use what you want, whether it's a-buck-a-piece high tech projectiles, or the glass jars of mystery primers & propellant from the estate sale down the block. If someone is comfortable loading up a Lee Auto Bench Prime tray with Federal LP or LR primers, I will not be jumping in my vehicle & driving over to stop them!

Thanks for that info.

 

[sandspider500]

The lee shell holder is the problem. I had the same problem trying to hand prime 9mm largo cases using the #19 shell holder. I now prime those on the press with either a rcbs or Hornady shell holder, I can't remember. Problem with the lee shell holder is it's also cross compatible with cartridges up to 10mm/40s&w, that's a lot of tolerance there. Although I do not have a problem hand priming 9mm para cases. Get another #19 shell holder, maybe the one you have is a bit sloppy.