Lee Load Master Primer Explosion

[Bill Steele]

I too find hand priming the most efficient means of priming my rifle rounds. I use a simple single stage press for my rifle loading. The steps of brass prep and the need to trickle that long etruded powder make a progressive not very efficient for me.

[Full Clip]

I also use a hand primer.
Mishaps like this probably happen more often than is reported, so I'm glad you posted. Reminds everyone to handle all aspects of reloading with care!

[wtkaiser]

Turret presses forever! I would make a stab at sand or metal particles on the priming arm, but I am not familiar with the Load Master system.

I once had a friend send the priming rod of a Lee hand tool through his ceiling, because he figured 'why tap it in, I'll just do it in one big hit'. Amazing how far that sucker went - good thing his face wasn't in the way. You just never know. But I agree with the others, despite my opening line. Climb back on that horse right now and get her done.

[krzgoat]

Did the brass have crimped primer pockets?

Might check the primer feed trough. I clean mine every once in a while. Seems to help with the jams.

[Fishslayer]

My buddy XDRoX's and me have mangled some primers pretty bad loading mil crimped rounds etc. we have taco-ed them and far worse.

"Taco-ed." I lawled! Perfect description tho.

[IrishPirate]

Lee Blast Shield, safety glasses, always being heads up...

Can't remember which brands but Lee does say only certain primers can be safely used in their system w/o the blast shield.

glad you're safe, a small explosion every now and then is good for you

[Bill Steele]

I run the press the same every time, and about every 12-15 primers, one of them goes in sideways, or upside down. I am new to reloading, but not dumb so I do double check everything.

The primer got caught between the shellplate and the priming rod and kaboom.

I am very gentle with everything to avoid spilled powder.

I am yet to contact Lee, but I'm sure they will make it right.

I have not lost faith in the press and its ability to prime, but I have found that hand priming is about 10 times faster because my work is double checked as soon as i take the cartridge out of the hand primer.

My press is not grounded, but I am on a concrete floor in my garage, not carpet.

I do appreciate all of the feed back from everyone, and I have had enough fighting with the presses priming system. For now I'm just going to hand prime. I do mainly rifle loads, so this is not a huge issue.

I just thought of this, you may have already done this but...

There is a youtube video out there that takes you through the deburr process of the Lee primer feed setup. The guy that made the video explains the flashing on the primer feed ramp hinders smooth feeding of primers and takes you through disassembly of the ramp and feed mechanism and how to deburr it. Might be worth a shot if you had not done it.

Also, I would definitely call or email Lee. I had a few glicthes with Lee equipment in the past and had great guidance from them fixing the problems, this allowed me to load about 18,000 trouble free rounds with my Lee turret.

[GSwain]

I just thought of this, you may have already done this but...

There is a youtube video out there that takes you through the deburr process of the Lee primer feed setup. The guy that made the video explains the flashing on the primer feed ramp hinders smooth feeding of primers and takes you through disassembly of the ramp and feed mechanism and how to deburr it. Might be worth a shot if you had not done it.

Also, I would definitely call or email Lee. I had a few glicthes with Lee equipment in the past and had great guidance from them fixing the problems, this allowed me to load about 18,000 trouble free rounds with my Lee turret.

I was thinking this as well. I followed the recs of these videos and keep my priming system on my loadmaster clean and I havent had a primer misfeed in at least 1000 rounds. If it does misfeed, its usually my fault too. Once you get a loadmaster dialed in, they work great. It does take some time getting to know it though. A bit of a redhead.

[oso grande]

I'm sure you've already seen this, but Here's some Load Master info: http://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=ht...AxMzI0NTgxNzQx

[NotEnufGarage]

I have not lost faith in the press and its ability to prime, but I have found that hand priming is about 10 times faster because my work is double checked as soon as i take the cartridge out of the hand primer.

If you haven't yet, get the new primer feed troughs from Lee. No more mangled primer sliders.