MarshallDodge
Member
I have the RCBS bench prime and it works okay, but I am looking to add something with a primer feed system. It also needs to seat small rifle magnum primers, such as the CCI 450.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
Lee Auto Bench Prime experiences?
- Thread starter MarshallDodge
- Start date
I have been using the Lee Bench Prime for the last six years. It has performed just fine. Has a good feel for seating primers large & small. I have it mounted to a 8x12 piece of 3/4 inch thick hardwood sitting on the bench. Very stable that way.
I've had one since it first came on the market. Got mine for about $30 and Lee sent me parts to upgrade the feed system when they became available
Been very happy and have primed several thousand cases on it. I have mine mounted on a Inline Fabrication Quick Change plate which slips into position on my bench. Until the advent of the Lee Deluxe APP...or the ACP with the primer feed system upgrade... the Lee Bench Prime was the fastest and easiest to use priming tool on the market
Pros:
1. No more hunting and pecking primers. The folding tray feeds pretty well, only needing an occasional shake to keep the primers flowing...last 3 don't hang up.
2. Easily seats primers below flush with little effort... only takes a couple of finger pressure. There is plenty of feedback in the handle so you can feel it "kiss" the primer pocket squarely so as not to crush primers
3. It is fast. Using both hands and having prefilled trays, it is easy to prime several hundred cases an hour.
4. It is easy to change between Sm and Lg priming assemblies
Cons:
1. If you like to muscle primers into the pocket, you'll crack the shell holder retaining collar
2. It requires that you use Lee priming shell holders
3. It requires that you use full strokes of the handle to avoid jamming a primer in the feeding mechanism
Been very happy and have primed several thousand cases on it. I have mine mounted on a Inline Fabrication Quick Change plate which slips into position on my bench. Until the advent of the Lee Deluxe APP...or the ACP with the primer feed system upgrade... the Lee Bench Prime was the fastest and easiest to use priming tool on the market
Pros:
1. No more hunting and pecking primers. The folding tray feeds pretty well, only needing an occasional shake to keep the primers flowing...last 3 don't hang up.
2. Easily seats primers below flush with little effort... only takes a couple of finger pressure. There is plenty of feedback in the handle so you can feel it "kiss" the primer pocket squarely so as not to crush primers
3. It is fast. Using both hands and having prefilled trays, it is easy to prime several hundred cases an hour.
4. It is easy to change between Sm and Lg priming assemblies
Cons:
1. If you like to muscle primers into the pocket, you'll crack the shell holder retaining collar
2. It requires that you use Lee priming shell holders
3. It requires that you use full strokes of the handle to avoid jamming a primer in the feeding mechanism
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MarshallDodge
Member
#1 has me concerned as I want to be able to seat magnum primers, which have a thicker cup, and may require more force. My old Lee hand primer does okay but my hand tires after a while. I would assume the strength of the collar is about the same.
Another_Kelley
Member
Very thorough set of points..... I've grown to prefer Lee's little bench priming tool over both my RCBS & Frankfort Arsenal hand-held units as well as 3 different on-press priming setup I've used over the years. Marshall, If you're able to swage or at least thoroughly chamfer the pockets on your cases beforehand, you shouldn't run into any trouble. I've broken one like described in 9mmEpiphany's #1Cons list while priming old LC 308 mil brass, and of course Lee replaced it free of charge even though I admitted to cutting corners on my brass prep. In summary, great tool that's well worth the cost to have around.
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MarshallDodge
Member
Yes, I thoroughly swage my brass on a Dillon 1050, but primers with thicker cups require a little more seating pressure when you get down to that last .005" or so, even in commercial brass. Lapua primer pockets can be on the tight side.
For $30ish bucks, I think I am going to give this a try. I already have all the shellholders from the Lee hand primer.
For $30ish bucks, I think I am going to give this a try. I already have all the shellholders from the Lee hand primer.
berettaprofessor
Member
Lee Bench prime is my go-to for case prep in batches these days. Simple and does the job. Mine is mounted to a 1X6 foot long pine board for stability
It is the same internals in a different exterior housing. The collar is the same, what they've added is a hosing to mount on a bench and the longer lever arm.
The amount of force need to seat your magnum primers is the same with either tool. You just have more leverage with the Bench Prime so it doesn't require as much hand/finger pressure to be applied.
I've seated several thousand magnum primers (Federal) and more than a couple thousand metric primers (Ginex) without issue. You can feel the primers bottom out and a little bit of pressure seats them below flush.
The only system that I've tried that is easier and more consistent is the Lee ACP...as an added bonus, it doesn't require shell holders...but the original feed is problematic. I have the upgrade enroute...which uses a system simular to the Pro 6000
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