I had to come back to this video and comment after a recent cleaning my lee single stage press. The crap that can build up on that cross piece rod that holds the primer arm can be really ugly. After every large run of decapping; I'm going to spray the inside of the ram with barrel cleaner or brake cleaner and let it drip out the bottom. Second, I no longer raise the ram to put the primer in the cup, I lower it so that the cup is visible through the shell holder.
Thanks for all your hard work on the videos.It is a great service to the shooting community.I have had the same issue with the Lee large primer arm cup enlarging after extended use and hanging up on the ram slot or shellholder.I discovered that the outside diameter of the cup on the large primer arm is the same outside diameter as a 223 remington case neck.So I used a 223 remington factory crimp die to reform the cup on the primer arm.I had to trim off some of the top of the die body,but with that done I can put the cup of the primer arm down into the factory crimp die collet and raise the ram of the press to close the collet petals and voila a primer arm with a cup that measures the same as a new one and functions just like a new one.
Travis Goltry - Now that's some fine thinking and problem solving...we need more of this type of thinking and information getting... Thanks for posting this...you should make a video for all to see... Best to ya, bro..!! FC Steve
FC...just another reason i like your channel so much! I learn something every time. I have pretty much all Lee equipment mostly based on your recommendations, including now a brand new 4-hole Classic Turret press. I have loaded thousands of rifle and pistol rounds with barely any hiccups, and you help me fix or prevent the hiccups!
I set all my primers using a hand primer can do the cases while watching TV or a Movie, When I an done then I an ready for the reloading bench work etc.
Just a possible idea that I have not tried so buyer beware - Mount the offending primer cup in your least favorite drill chuck and tighten the key - firmly but not _grit your teeth and use all your might_ firmly - pretty much just the same as if you were mounting a drill bit as per normal. Then loosen and rotate the cup a small amount and tighten the drill chuck down on it again. With care and a skilled craftsman's touch, getting those 3 equidistant drill chuck jaws to press in just the tiniest bit evenly all around, you may get the cup back down in size just enough to continue working without getting it too out of round. If you have a decent 115 piece drill bit set you can probably find the workable size needed to use the back end of the drill bit (the end normally held in the drill chuck) to force open the cup again - just enough and no more - if needed in case of error. At least this approach _might_ help enough to keep you in business while waiting for your replacement parts from Lee. But I will repeat this is an untested idea, only something a high mileage old workshop hobbyist like me might try... And this could be a big longer term help too: *Get an email address from whomever you talk to at Lee so you can send them a link to this video.* Then they can SEE exactly what you are talking about! Maybe they'll call their new & improved Mark II large primer cup version the "FortuneCookie45LC " solution. (Either that and/or add the beveled in edge to the ram slot at the factory so future buyers don't have to file or dremel it themselves. :-)
I have a LEE Value turret press with a Safety Prime. I had a similar malfunction with the large primer arm although it was almost brand new. I was reloading some .45 ACP (which had been sorted to only large primer cases) and was doing fine. After about 30 rounds the primer arm flipped out as I brought the ram down to re-prime. After that the large primer arm would usually hang up at the slot in the ram and hit the shell holder. The small primer arm worked fine though. I observed the differences between how the two arms cycled, noted where the large arm was hanging up and then examined the arm. Note that the primer arms that came with the Safety Prime are a different design with a narrower vertical leg and the “hook” is on the other side of that vertical leg. Anyway, on the outside surface of the primer arm "hook", that rides on the bottom of the slot in the ram, there was a small horizontal burr that would hang up on the base of the press preventing the arm from rotating fully into the vertical position. I removed the burr with some fine emery cloth, hand polished the surface with some Brasso and now the large arm works as smooth as butter! Same Problem but different solution. Thanks for your videos. I enjoy them!
I've loaded multiple thousands of rounds on a Lee Classic Cast and I wasn't even aware of the possibility of this jam occurring.. Guess I got lucky. Well, now, if and when that happens, I'm prepared to deal with it. Thanks Fortunecookie from a long time subscriber:)!
stefpote - And may you never get the problem...But I'm told that Lee has already opened up the channel on the ram just because of this problem...Perhaps your press has the wider channel - and that's just plain good... continued Good reloadin' to ya, FC
That top section of the ram will twist off on your Lee press. Throw a primer arm in there to use for leverage to get it started. Once it's off you can mount it in a vise and have easier access to do your filing work.
Also, I wanted to add that Lee is currently providing what they consider "service parts" for free on their website. So you can grab a few extra primer arm assemblies for just the cost to ship.
I liked the old tee shaped primer arm that use to come with the old 3 hole press. I upgraded my 3 hole to 4 holes about ten years ago. My press is about 25 years old I load a lot and the old aluminum tee type P arm is the original one and still works fine. If it ant broke don't fix it.
I know I'm late but I'm curious couldn't they make like a resizer shell holder that could just size the cup back down to original dimensions when it got enlarged to it point out won't cycle anymore.
Lee owes me nothing on parts that wear out after major or long term use. I will gladly pay for replacement parts. Also , abuse of your equipment is no reason to cry for free replacement parts. I have never had any problems with my lee reloading equipment. Anything that whent wrong so far was operator error. Once I reload enough ammo to get past the cost of the equipment, all else is a bonus in my book. Thanks for the tip mister.
Here is a little trick you could try Be careful Take that cup and heat it, try to keep the spring covered with a wet cloth Once you think you got that cup hot enough Quickly dunk it into cold water This should shrink that cup Steel will shrink when heated and suddenly cooled. You might be able to do it with a lighter a that is very thin steel You might have to do it a couple of times, But it should shrink Make sure you don't shrink it to small so the primer will not fit That's a lot easier than filing. which leave iron filings
Surely it would be far easier to just remove the ram, put it in the vice and file with much more ease, or use your Dremel to remove a couple of thou off the sides of the slot, or even put it in your Milling machine and widen the slot.
Lee's machine work is very rough. I used Lee years ago, and always had to file and polish parts that rubbed together and still do that with shell holders , case trimmers , no matter what the brand .
You're using files that are way to large. Use some diamond coated needle files, they'll rough that metal right off and there will be no chance of scratching the presses body. A set of diamond needle files is $13 on amazon.
@@FortuneCookie45LC Good day can you please email me cast leaddata sheet for mixing alloys to get the proper hartness my name is Uynes Gysman of South Africa
So what is the diameter of a new Large Pistol priming cup verses the diameter of the cup that is hanging up? Appreciate your video. The gun community is always there to help others.
I would try shimming the bottom of the arm where it contacts the press on the way down to see if it kicks it in a little bit sooner. In essence you are slightly altering the timing. By getting it inline sooner it shouldn’t jam up.
Thanks FC45LC! I am brand new to reloading (rifle) and have already learned a great deal from your channel. I have the new Lee Classic Cast Breech Lock press, and I note that they have changed the design from your Lee press in the video. On my press the groove on the ram is longer. The new large primer arm on my Press has a a hole on the side, and they mention this on their website for replacement large primer arms too. Unsure if they changed their tolerances on the press or primer arm? They list replacement large primer arms for only $7, so it looks like they know about the issue. I have primed just under 200 rounds so far in my new hobby, so just breaking in the equipment, but everything is working great so far with the primer arm, and it seats the primers perfect every time. But if this problem develops on my press, you have shown us how to deal with it. Thanks, and keep up the good work!
Not quite - when you go to check out, there actually is no charge for the replacement primer arm only a nominal shipping fee. (I tend to drop them and break off the tooth towards the bottom.)
This looks like a problem that Lee should fix with a different cup that is more durable. Everything else is just a temporary fix that will not eliminate the initial problem.
Straight out the box I'm getting primer arm hang up! With the small primer arm! Brand new so the cup isn't enlarged on mine, poor ram trimming, sticks. Going to give it a light filing and oiling, make it nice and smooth.
could you use the debirring tool you use on the cartridges to file the exterior of the large primer cup ? It would reduce the circumference so it doesn't hit that opening.
I haven't had the primer arm jam in my classic cast, just lucky I guess. I don't normally prime on the LEE much these days. I picked a new in box Lyman Spartan (late 60's model) from an estate sale. I ordered the RCBS primer assembly for it and now do the vast majority of my priming on that. Goes a lot faster and I don't handle primers with my fingers. The LEE priming system I am not too fond of or I could have gone that route.
Good tip. I haven't used a ram primer in years in deference to an Autoprime. My fingers are so bumbly from working that placing a primer into that little cup is a hassle and too slow. Still a good fix to know. Pace
Randy Zwieg - Yes, if our fingers are not up to the handling of the primers, we certainly can go with any number of tray or tube fed priming systems. Good reloadin' to ya, FC Steve
Thanks alot, nice to know. I am really thinking about buying this press, have it in cart, but haven't done it yet. Do they send you a small and large arm when you buy it? And does it come with any shell holder at all? Doesn't seem to say in description, unless i misread. Thanks have a great day! God bless you and your family
So, I ended up buying this, i started priming 223 cases, i swaged them first, then went to prime, first 4 seated where they need to be now they won't seat all the way, I measured the pin from small priming arm to large priming arm, the small is down in arm further, is that pin adjustable, didn't wanna try and ruin it before i contact lee, seems it moved in the arm when using. kind of frustrating
Hey FC, I have never had the exact malfunction of the primer jamming into the bottom of the shellholder like you showed but I have had issues with the primer arm not dropping down after priming or similar hangup issues. Ive found that about half the time it is because the sides of the primer ram arm have gotten dirty with primer residue from the decapping process. The other time it is because the primer cup has twisted or gotten something under it between the spring causing it to sit cockeyed. How I fix this is I pull back the spring with my fingernails and release towards the primer cup causing the spring to clear out any crud and allow the primer cup to sit on the primer ram nice and square.
Rusty Shackleford I just bought a used lee single stage and it has the same problem so I took a mic and checked to find the cup was stretched on one side probably from not lifting the shell holder before extracting the case. files work every time with reloaders and firearms but you can press it but like FC said it wobt be precise.
Rusty Shackleford - Sorry to be late replying - Google did not post your comment in my inbox so I only saw it when I came over here for another comment that was posted...All primer systems seem to have their glitches - we learn what it takes to get them to work reliably for us...thanks for bringing out more information to keep our Lee primer arms functioning as they should...funny, the Lee system seems so simple, but even then, we can have problems. Have a great day, FC
Hey FC, always good to hear back from you! I never expect it but you are always so good at replying to all my posts! The lee system works well for me, I just know when it's starting to act up and how to fix it in less than a second! Even with stainless steel tumbling, grit will build up in the press and start to interfere with things. You just have to know your tools! Happy loading to you FC!
I don't use a Lee press, however, are you sure the seating ram, (the actual piece that pushes the primer into the pocket), is not backing out, (unscrewing), a bit? If you mic the diameter of the cup of used ones and a couple of new ones, how much do they vary? The reason I ask is that cup seems to just serve the purpose of holding the new primer until retracts under the strength of a very weak spring against the bottom of a brass shell casting, no?
cal30m1 - The Lee pivoting primer arm has the primer stem attached so that any switching out of the stem would just necessitate the whole arm assembly. Yes, the cup does hold the primer, but in Lee's case, we do jam the new primers in place and the cup does get some force on it. So one thing is to seat the primers to get the below-the-case head seat, but not to use undue extra force. Happy New Year to ya..!! FC
FortuneCookie45LC I had sent you a question about some brass I picked up at a local range. Do you have an email I can send you photos of this .9 mm Luger brass? I have never seen brass like this.
M dianor - I'm answering comments on this channel about 1+ hours a day...As for my e-mail, I'm constantly behind on it by a couple of weeks. Recently, I'm behind on everything as i just got back from a cruise to Alaska...I'm guessing the brass you found is either that imprted stuff from Bosnia or that new 2 part casings that were supposed to be all the rage - but that is losing momentum as we speak... Best to ya, FC dynasty8@aol.com
They won't send you one, rather sell you one for $14.00. Or you can fill out paperwork, pay shipping, and they will gladly replace it... 3-5 weeks. Good luck.
My Hornady does something similar, but most of the time it doesn't hang up, it actually spins the primer and the primer ends up going in sideways or upside down.
Bob Hartman - Sorry to be so late in replying - whenever Google does not post a comment in my inbox, I won't know about it until another poster that Google does inbox leads me here - I'm told that Lee is now making that opening wider so that this problem has been fixed beforehand...the rest of us have to widen the channel ourselves... Best to ya, FC
You’re right - this does work. However this is a botch job! How many times do you do this before the cup gets too large to properly insert the primer? Primers are too dangerous to mess with - just get replacement cups immediately or use a hand primer.
This happened to me using a hornady single stage classic press. Its not the primer cup enlarging that causes the jam. Its the primer pin thats not fully inserted in the priming arm. I look at your primer arm and could clearly see the pin too long and not fully inserted. Put it side by side with the small primer arm and youll see the pin of the large priming arm protrudes out more. Its a problem with the lee design. The pin is not screwed into the prmer arm. Its just held by friction so it can pull out with use. Before using the priming arm make sure the pin is completely pushed into the arm. My hornady priming pin is screwed into the arm but still loosened after many uses. What more with lees which is just press fit?
It appears the cup is already into the ram when the jam happens. It also appears the primer is too high in the cup, which causes the jamming. Have you mic'ed( measured with micrometer) the OD of a new cup and compared it with the OD of the cup causing the jam? I'd be interested to know the difference in dimensions. Thank you.
Do you have any idea how many rounds you’ve primed before you started to have that problem? My press is still fairly new, but I do have problems getting primers to seat fully. Sometimes I have to rotate the brass and seat it multiple times before the primer will be seated deep enough.
Do you find with Lee presses you are fixing problems instead of reloading.I have a turret press and almost every other time tinkering.especially after a caliber change it's always something with them great job as always FC45
Fortune cookie hello my name is David Wright. I have 3 that's right 3 brand new Lee turret presses sitting on my floor in my shop and every single one of them does this with the large primer arm. I called Lee and told them what was going on and they recommended that I take off my turnt press indexing plastic peace and the indexing rod and crank my Ram face 360 degrees counterclockwise giving me more clearance under my shell holder. I think your fix is better but the problem is I lost my left eye and I'm legally blind in my right so making fine precision filing is very difficult. Could you please steer me in the right direction does Lee know how to do this K if I send it back to Lee will they simply rotate the head of it or will they file the incline down? I'm a new subscriber and just need a little bit of help. Thank you very much, David Wright.
My Lee (Precision 50th Anniversary) single stage is different than yours in that the slot where the primer spring hangs into is elongated to three inches. Plus it doesn't have the slope at the top. Haven't had any binding issues yet after about 1500 rounds, so I wonder if this is the improved model.
It appears the seating stem is a press fit, yeah? Should hold the stem in place with a set screw. Would make it easier to change cups, but then Lee couldn't charge you for the whole chingus
John Petty - Yes, the stem is a press fit - but it is very secure in there. If we need to replace it, we just get the whole arm assembly. Best to ya, FC Steve
I just contacted Lee and they are going to send me a new arm assembly free but I have to send my old one back and they are charging me for shipping the new one!!!! Rip off! I sent them a pick of the issue and i still have to send it in.....not happy!
gman77gas - Disappointing - seems Lee doesn't have any margin built in to enable customer service to really take care of things...at least they don't have to ship that to you very far... Best to ya, Gary -- FC Steve
I contacted them again and sent pics...they are now sending it free. The rep said they are also redesigning the slot in the ram of the press to give more room for the primer cup. What about the millions of presses out there already!!!! So I should get my part in a few days.
gman77gas - Thanks for posting this - good to see that Lee is reasonable. Also good to see they are making that slot wider - the rest of us that have the narrower slots have to do our own filing to open up the slot...Have a great day to ya, Gary -- FC Steve
if someone has a problem with taking a small file to something that needs filed then they obviously don't work in fabrication or engineering fields or work for lee warranty department Lol.
I had to come back to this video and comment after a recent cleaning my lee single stage press. The crap that can build up on that cross piece rod that holds the primer arm can be really ugly. After every large run of decapping; I'm going to spray the inside of the ram with barrel cleaner or brake cleaner and let it drip out the bottom. Second, I no longer raise the ram to put the primer in the cup, I lower it so that the cup is visible through the shell holder.
Thanks for all your hard work on the videos.It is a great service to the shooting community.I have had the same issue with the Lee large primer arm cup enlarging after extended use and hanging up on the ram slot or shellholder.I discovered that the outside diameter of the cup on the large primer arm is the same outside diameter as a 223 remington case neck.So I used a 223 remington factory crimp die to reform the cup on the primer arm.I had to trim off some of the top of the die body,but with that done I can put the cup of the primer arm down into the factory crimp die collet and raise the ram of the press to close the collet petals and voila a primer arm with a cup that measures the same as a new one and functions just like a new one.
Travis Goltry - Now that's some fine thinking and problem solving...we need more of this type of thinking and information getting... Thanks for posting this...you should make a video for all to see... Best to ya, bro..!! FC Steve
FC...just another reason i like your channel so much! I learn something every time. I have pretty much all Lee equipment mostly based on your recommendations, including now a brand new 4-hole Classic Turret press. I have loaded thousands of rifle and pistol rounds with barely any hiccups, and you help me fix or prevent the hiccups!
Same here
I set all my primers using a hand primer can do the cases while watching TV or a Movie, When I an done then I an ready for the reloading bench work etc.
Just a possible idea that I have not tried so buyer beware - Mount the offending primer cup in your least favorite drill chuck and tighten the key - firmly but not _grit your teeth and use all your might_ firmly - pretty much just the same as if you were mounting a drill bit as per normal. Then loosen and rotate the cup a small amount and tighten the drill chuck down on it again. With care and a skilled craftsman's touch, getting those 3 equidistant drill chuck jaws to press in just the tiniest bit evenly all around, you may get the cup back down in size just enough to continue working without getting it too out of round. If you have a decent 115 piece drill bit set you can probably find the workable size needed to use the back end of the drill bit (the end normally held in the drill chuck) to force open the cup again - just enough and no more - if needed in case of error. At least this approach _might_ help enough to keep you in business while waiting for your replacement parts from Lee. But I will repeat this is an untested idea, only something a high mileage old workshop hobbyist like me might try...
And this could be a big longer term help too: *Get an email address from whomever you talk to at Lee so you can send them a link to this video.* Then they can SEE exactly what you are talking about! Maybe they'll call their new & improved Mark II large primer cup version the "FortuneCookie45LC
" solution. (Either that and/or add the beveled in edge to the ram slot at the factory so future buyers don't have to file or dremel it themselves. :-)
Knock on wood haven't had that problem and I've reload thousands of rounds in my single stage lee brech press
your videos are very helpful I have learned a lot about reloading and firearms thanks
I have a LEE Value turret press with a Safety Prime. I had a similar malfunction with the large primer arm although it was almost brand new. I was reloading some .45 ACP (which had been sorted to only large primer cases) and was doing fine. After about 30 rounds the primer arm flipped out as I brought the ram down to re-prime. After that the large primer arm would usually hang up at the slot in the ram and hit the shell holder. The small primer arm worked fine though. I observed the differences between how the two arms cycled, noted where the large arm was hanging up and then examined the arm. Note that the primer arms that came with the Safety Prime are a different design with a narrower vertical leg and the “hook” is on the other side of that vertical leg. Anyway, on the outside surface of the primer arm "hook", that rides on the bottom of the slot in the ram, there was a small horizontal burr that would hang up on the base of the press preventing the arm from rotating fully into the vertical position. I removed the burr with some fine emery cloth, hand polished the surface with some Brasso and now the large arm works as smooth as butter! Same Problem but different solution.
Thanks for your videos. I enjoy them!
I've loaded multiple thousands of rounds on a Lee Classic Cast and I wasn't even aware of the possibility of this jam occurring.. Guess I got lucky. Well, now, if and when that happens, I'm prepared to deal with it. Thanks Fortunecookie from a long time subscriber:)!
stefpote - And may you never get the problem...But I'm told that Lee has already opened up the channel on the ram just because of this problem...Perhaps your press has the wider channel - and that's just plain good... continued Good reloadin' to ya, FC
stefpote mine is just the opposite. it's the small arm that jams. what can I do for that. I loose too many primers on account of it. thanks.
Very interesting mine is a day old and has done it since the first pull of the lever thanks for making a video
That top section of the ram will twist off on your Lee press. Throw a primer arm in there to use for leverage to get it started. Once it's off you can mount it in a vise and have easier access to do your filing work.
Also, I wanted to add that Lee is currently providing what they consider "service parts" for free on their website. So you can grab a few extra primer arm assemblies for just the cost to ship.
I liked the old tee shaped primer arm that use to come with the old 3 hole press. I upgraded my 3 hole to 4 holes about ten years ago. My press is about 25 years old I load a lot and the old aluminum tee type P arm is the original one and still works fine. If it ant broke don't fix it.
I just bought this very press and will be using it to reload large rifle cases. This is good to know. Thanks!
Good to know, I just ordered the 50th Anniversary kit, I'll keep an eye on it.
Now I need to order some molds so I can make .44 magnum lead.
That's really good advice, thanks for the help !
I know I'm late but I'm curious couldn't they make like a resizer shell holder that could just size the cup back down to original dimensions when it got enlarged to it point out won't cycle anymore.
Lee owes me nothing on parts that wear out after major or long term use. I will gladly pay for replacement parts. Also , abuse of your equipment is no reason to cry for free replacement parts. I have never had any problems with my lee reloading equipment. Anything that whent wrong so far was operator error. Once I reload enough ammo to get past the cost of the equipment, all else is a bonus in my book. Thanks for the tip mister.
Thanks for sharing, Im sure after awhile I will need to watch for this. My 4 hole turret is fairly new .
Took mine less than a full session to get wonky
Very informative, thanks
Here is a little trick you could try
Be careful
Take that cup and heat it, try to keep the spring covered with a wet cloth
Once you think you got that cup hot enough
Quickly dunk it into cold water
This should shrink that cup
Steel will shrink when heated and suddenly cooled.
You might be able to do it with a lighter a that is very thin steel
You might have to do it a couple of times, But it should shrink
Make sure you don't shrink it to small so the primer will not fit
That's a lot easier than filing. which leave iron filings
Surely it would be far easier to just remove the ram, put it in the vice and file with much more ease, or use your Dremel to remove a couple of thou off the sides of the slot, or even put it in your Milling machine and widen the slot.
Great info. Just got me a Lee press with those primer loaders on it. Will have to remember to call them to get them to send me some arms.
Lee's machine work is very rough. I used Lee years ago, and always had to file and polish parts that rubbed together and still do that with shell holders , case trimmers , no matter what the brand .
That top section of the ram will unscrew so you can put it in a padded jaw vise for easy filing.
Excellent! So thats the issue!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks
You're using files that are way to large. Use some diamond coated needle files, they'll rough that metal right off and there will be no chance of scratching the presses body. A set of diamond needle files is $13 on amazon.
Dick Tickles - Thanks for the fine tip - needle files it is..!! Best to ya, FC
@@FortuneCookie45LC Good day can you please email me cast leaddata sheet for mixing alloys to get the proper hartness my name is Uynes Gysman of South Africa
the rod inside the ram gets carboned up along with the priming arm.
So what is the diameter of a new Large Pistol priming cup verses the diameter of the cup that is hanging up? Appreciate your video. The gun community is always there to help others.
I would try shimming the bottom of the arm where it contacts the press on the way down to see if it kicks it in a little bit sooner. In essence you are slightly altering the timing. By getting it inline sooner it shouldn’t jam up.
Great video
Thanks FC45LC! I am brand new to reloading (rifle) and have already learned a great deal from your channel. I have the new Lee Classic Cast Breech Lock press, and I note that they have changed the design from your Lee press in the video. On my press the groove on the ram is longer. The new large primer arm on my Press has a a hole on the side, and they mention this on their website for replacement large primer arms too. Unsure if they changed their tolerances on the press or primer arm? They list replacement large primer arms for only $7, so it looks like they know about the issue. I have primed just under 200 rounds so far in my new hobby, so just breaking in the equipment, but everything is working great so far with the primer arm, and it seats the primers perfect every time. But if this problem develops on my press, you have shown us how to deal with it. Thanks, and keep up the good work!
Not quite - when you go to check out, there actually is no charge for the replacement primer arm only a nominal shipping fee. (I tend to drop them and break off the tooth towards the bottom.)
This looks like a problem that Lee should fix with a different cup that is more durable. Everything else is just a temporary fix that will not eliminate the initial problem.
Straight out the box I'm getting primer arm hang up! With the small primer arm! Brand new so the cup isn't enlarged on mine, poor ram trimming, sticks. Going to give it a light filing and oiling, make it nice and smooth.
PhillsGarage - Hope you get that running just fine...Best Regards, FC
There's a tread Adjust it, turn it clockwise so doesn't hit the base
could you use the debirring tool you use on the cartridges to file the exterior of the large primer cup ? It would reduce the circumference so it doesn't hit that opening.
Thanks!
I haven't had the primer arm jam in my classic cast, just lucky I guess. I don't normally prime on the LEE much these days. I picked a new in box Lyman Spartan (late 60's model) from an estate sale. I ordered the RCBS primer assembly for it and now do the vast majority of my priming on that. Goes a lot faster and I don't handle primers with my fingers. The LEE priming system I am not too fond of or I could have gone that route.
Good tip.
I haven't used a ram primer in years in deference to an Autoprime. My fingers are so bumbly from working that placing a primer into that little cup is a hassle and too slow.
Still a good fix to know.
Pace
Randy Zwieg - Yes, if our fingers are not up to the handling of the primers, we certainly can go with any number of tray or tube fed priming systems. Good reloadin' to ya, FC Steve
Super helpful thanks for this!
Great video. I looked on my newer press and it appears Lee has chamfered the edges from the factory to solve this issue.
justadbeer - That was a good modification they provided...Have a great day, FC Steve
Maybe we need a large primer cup sizer...
Hmm, i had this problem arise with the small primer arm on my new value turret after about 200 rounds of 9mm
Interesting. I've been priming off the press so far, so I supposed I won't run into this issue. Still, valuable information.
forrest225 - We do have other prime systems - frustrations are definitely not invited...Best to ya, FC
Thanks alot, nice to know. I am really thinking about buying this press, have it in cart, but haven't done it yet. Do they send you a small and large arm when you buy it? And does it come with any shell holder at all? Doesn't seem to say in description, unless i misread. Thanks have a great day! God bless you and your family
So, I ended up buying this, i started priming 223 cases, i swaged them first, then went to prime, first 4 seated where they need to be now they won't seat all the way, I measured the pin from small priming arm to large priming arm, the small is down in arm further, is that pin adjustable, didn't wanna try and ruin it before i contact lee, seems it moved in the arm when using. kind of frustrating
Hi Steve. How about using very fine / thin jewelr's files or a fine stone?.
Hey FC, I have never had the exact malfunction of the primer jamming into the bottom of the shellholder like you showed but I have had issues with the primer arm not dropping down after priming or similar hangup issues. Ive found that about half the time it is because the sides of the primer ram arm have gotten dirty with primer residue from the decapping process. The other time it is because the primer cup has twisted or gotten something under it between the spring causing it to sit cockeyed. How I fix this is I pull back the spring with my fingernails and release towards the primer cup causing the spring to clear out any crud and allow the primer cup to sit on the primer ram nice and square.
Yep, I just noticed the primer ram arm on my Lee Turret has started acting up, i'll have to give it a whirl...... Thank u..
Rusty Shackleford I just bought a used lee single stage and it has the same problem so I took a mic and checked to find the cup was stretched on one side probably from not lifting the shell holder before extracting the case. files work every time with reloaders and firearms but you can press it but like FC said it wobt be precise.
Rusty Shackleford - Sorry to be late replying - Google did not post your comment in my inbox so I only saw it when I came over here for another comment that was posted...All primer systems seem to have their glitches - we learn what it takes to get them to work reliably for us...thanks for bringing out more information to keep our Lee primer arms functioning as they should...funny, the Lee system seems so simple, but even then, we can have problems. Have a great day, FC
Hey FC, always good to hear back from you! I never expect it but you are always so good at replying to all my posts! The lee system works well for me, I just know when it's starting to act up and how to fix it in less than a second! Even with stainless steel tumbling, grit will build up in the press and start to interfere with things. You just have to know your tools!
Happy loading to you FC!
I don't use a Lee press, however, are you sure the seating ram, (the actual piece that pushes the primer into the pocket), is not backing out, (unscrewing), a bit? If you mic the diameter of the cup of used ones and a couple of new ones, how much do they vary? The reason I ask is that cup seems to just serve the purpose of holding the new primer until retracts under the strength of a very weak spring against the bottom of a brass shell casting, no?
cal30m1 - The Lee pivoting primer arm has the primer stem attached so that any switching out of the stem would just necessitate the whole arm assembly. Yes, the cup does hold the primer, but in Lee's case, we do jam the new primers in place and the cup does get some force on it. So one thing is to seat the primers to get the below-the-case head seat, but not to use undue extra force. Happy New Year to ya..!! FC
I'm interested to know why you don't just use a Lee hand primer.
Crocus, I haven't heard that word being used in a long time. Crocus Cloth, as I remember it. Is a jewelers polishing cloth. Correct me if I am wrong.
M dianor - Crocus can be had as a real fine grade of sandpaper also...Good reloadin' to ya, FC
FortuneCookie45LC
I had sent you a question about some brass I picked up at a local range. Do you have an email I can send you photos of this .9 mm Luger brass? I have never seen brass like this.
M dianor - I'm answering comments on this channel about 1+ hours a day...As for my e-mail, I'm constantly behind on it by a couple of weeks. Recently, I'm behind on everything as i just got back from a cruise to Alaska...I'm guessing the brass you found is either that imprted stuff from Bosnia or that new 2 part casings that were supposed to be all the rage - but that is losing momentum as we speak... Best to ya, FC dynasty8@aol.com
cookie,I have that primer seater on rcbs press, plus Lee and another primmer press. I gotta try mine. neat.
They won't send you one, rather sell you one for $14.00. Or you can fill out paperwork, pay shipping, and they will gladly replace it...
3-5 weeks. Good luck.
Good Video,Good Info.
My Hornady does something similar, but most of the time it doesn't hang up, it actually spins the primer and the primer ends up going in sideways or upside down.
Thanks FortuneCookie. Good advice. Appreciate it.
Bob Hartman - Sorry to be so late in replying - whenever Google does not post a comment in my inbox, I won't know about it until another poster that Google does inbox leads me here - I'm told that Lee is now making that opening wider so that this problem has been fixed beforehand...the rest of us have to widen the channel ourselves... Best to ya, FC
Thanks FC45LC, you rock!
You’re right - this does work. However this is a botch job! How many times do you do this before the cup gets too large to properly insert the primer? Primers are too dangerous to mess with - just get replacement cups immediately or use a hand primer.
My hornady classic was having a similar issue but its because the little screw gets loose. It backs out and just won't go in under the shell holder
This happened to me using a hornady single stage classic press. Its not the primer cup enlarging that causes the jam. Its the primer pin thats not fully inserted in the priming arm. I look at your primer arm and could clearly see the pin too long and not fully inserted. Put it side by side with the small primer arm and youll see the pin of the large priming arm protrudes out more. Its a problem with the lee design. The pin is not screwed into the prmer arm. Its just held by friction so it can pull out with use. Before using the priming arm make sure the pin is completely pushed into the arm. My hornady priming pin is screwed into the arm but still loosened after many uses. What more with lees which is just press fit?
4 years later and I'm wondering if you could shave off a couple of .001s off the outside of the cup as opposed to modifying the steel on your ram?
It appears the cup is already into the ram when the jam happens. It also appears the primer is too high in the cup, which causes the jamming. Have you mic'ed( measured with micrometer) the OD of a new cup and compared it with the OD of the cup causing the jam? I'd be interested to know the difference in dimensions. Thank you.
Do you have any idea how many rounds you’ve primed before you started to have that problem?
My press is still fairly new, but I do have problems getting primers to seat fully. Sometimes I have to rotate the brass and seat it multiple times before the primer will be seated deep enough.
great info,, thanks,,,
I've Primed 10,000 plus on my lee press never had this problem
Do you find with Lee presses you are fixing problems instead of reloading.I have a turret press and almost every other time tinkering.especially after a caliber change it's always something with them great job as always FC45
Retiredin - Thanks for your comment - but really not that many problems - every press has its quirks it seems... Best to ya, FC
I wouldn't file the ram guide, but file on the cheap, replaceable actuator. Feel me?
How long or how reloads before it starts to get hung up?
Things wear out. Not a problem. Just replace the arm and go on eith life
FC45, I'm surprised you don't use your Dillon 550 more than these single stage press'.
I just pulled my classic turret press out and set it up yesterday to do 9mm (sm primer) and its happening with a brand new primer assy. :(
Fortune cookie hello my name is David Wright. I have 3 that's right 3 brand new Lee turret presses sitting on my floor in my shop and every single one of them does this with the large primer arm. I called Lee and told them what was going on and they recommended that I take off my turnt press indexing plastic peace and the indexing rod and crank my Ram face 360 degrees counterclockwise giving me more clearance under my shell holder. I think your fix is better but the problem is I lost my left eye and I'm legally blind in my right so making fine precision filing is very difficult. Could you please steer me in the right direction does Lee know how to do this K if I send it back to Lee will they simply rotate the head of it or will they file the incline down? I'm a new subscriber and just need a little bit of help. Thank you very much, David Wright.
i have loaded about 20000 rds and havent had this issue but i dont hardly use it for priming
My Lee (Precision 50th Anniversary) single stage is different than yours in that the slot where the primer spring hangs into is elongated to three inches. Plus it doesn't have the slope at the top. Haven't had any binding issues yet after about 1500 rounds, so I wonder if this is the improved model.
Ron K - That sounds like the way all the Lee SS presses should be...then we wouldn't have to file the opening... Best to ya, FC
Good info!!!
Have never had that happen!!
Alan Kinne - Glad that you never have - perhaps you never will - Good reloadin' to ya, FC
It appears the seating stem is a press fit, yeah? Should hold the stem in place with a set screw. Would make it easier to change cups, but then Lee couldn't charge you for the whole chingus
John Petty - Yes, the stem is a press fit - but it is very secure in there. If we need to replace it, we just get the whole arm assembly. Best to ya, FC Steve
You can also add metal to the bottom of the arm so it'll go in sooner.
Nice, helpful video. What is crockus? 🤔
Ronald Szczepanski it’s a super fine kinda like a sandpaper for metals
Try a points file, smaller and easy to handle, my problem the arm falls out constantly on the turret press
Mike Rupp - That's not supposed to happen - the shell holder is supposed to lock that in... Best Regards, FC
I just contacted Lee and they are going to send me a new arm assembly free but I have to send my old one back and they are charging me for shipping the new one!!!! Rip off!
I sent them a pick of the issue and i still have to send it in.....not happy!
gman77gas - Disappointing - seems Lee doesn't have any margin built in to enable customer service to really take care of things...at least they don't have to ship that to you very far... Best to ya, Gary -- FC Steve
I contacted them again and sent pics...they are now sending it free. The rep said they are also redesigning the slot in the ram of the press to give more room for the primer cup. What about the millions of presses out there already!!!! So I should get my part in a few days.
gman77gas - Thanks for posting this - good to see that Lee is reasonable. Also good to see they are making that slot wider - the rest of us that have the narrower slots have to do our own filing to open up the slot...Have a great day to ya, Gary -- FC Steve
Use masking tape then duct tape to protect the frame from file
Soravia - Nice idea...why mar at all. Have a great day, FC Steve
You don't have your primer in it all the way
What about polishing the arm
Robert V - That primer cup can''t help getting distorted. Note that the small primer cup never has the problem... Good reloadin' to ya, FC Steve
Another great helpful video. Thanks! FortuneCookie45LC.
if someone has a problem with taking a small file to something that needs filed then they obviously don't work in fabrication or engineering fields or work for lee warranty department Lol.
Andrew James -- ;) ;) :) FC
I immediately thought the same thing when he said that. Glad im not alone.
Most Lee stuff is junk. Why handle each primer by hand when hand priming tools are available?
Use a baster file
Lee are not what I call high quality pay a little more get a Redding or RCBS