Twisting Primers in Lee Turret Press

[Offspring]

Hey guys, some of you senior fellows may be able to answer my question, I use an old Lee Turret Press (three holer). Some times particularly with 9MM the Primer will twist and mount sideways or worse yet entirely upside down. Any ideas what to check here? My old friend the turret press is old and slow, kinda like me but I like it and I'm not in any hurry when reloading. It is costing me some perfectly good primers. I can't afford to replace it or so the boss says (my wife and accountant) Please has anyone else had this problem and what do I do to fix it? I have already cleaned my primer anvil and ram. I've had the problem with lots of different brand brass some new most at least once fired. It also happens with different brands of primers too.

Thanks in advance.

 

[1SOW]

Two things have caused it for me.
1. The release from the primer feed gizmo not being smooth.
2. Jiggling or bouncing the ram on the pull after the primer is in the cup.


Trying to go too fast contributes to such. "Smooth" is "Fast".

 

[Offspring]

A Big Thanks 1SOW, I will work on my follow thru and see if I can't smooth it up a bit. As usual you all have come thru for me again. This is a great forum with great people.

 

[RandyP]

One other thing to check if you are using the Lee Safety Prime? The primer tray is a slip fit onto the channel and if it is not inserted fully, the channel can open up slightly causing the odd primer to go sideways or even upside down. Pushing to back in place corrects the issue.

Just a thought, I had it happen just this weekend on my Classic Turret - had me puzzled for bit until I noticed the tray was out of the socket a bit.

Also, if you take the primer arm out of the press inspect and confirm that the spring is still functioning and the rod the primer cup rides on is not bent.

 

[higgite]

Have you tried a different shellholder? Also make sure the shellholder is secure and not drifting out of alignment with the primer cup.

 

[Red Cent]

If you are using the pivoting primer arm, try loading the primer without a case. I have an old 3 holer mounted for a backup.
Check for something not allowing the rim to fully slip into the shell holder. I have found the problem will be the shell holder needs opening on the bottom or the case is ever so slightlly off center. Something catches the primer holder on the way up and, for a nano second, retards the primer holder's movement. That small hesittion of the primer holder will upset the primer.
I can feel the twitch given when this happens. If they are flipping that twitch and, probably, the sound will go along with it.

 

[rcmodel]

What brand of primer are you using?

I had some trouble last fall with primers flipping sideways in my RCBS hand tool.
It had never happened before in 35 years with CCI, Winchester, & Remington primers.

Come to find out, it was the two boxes of Federal SP primers I was testing causing it.

rc

 

[Offspring]

Thank You all!

RandyP - I'm not using the safety prime but I will check out my primer arm for obstructions.
higgite - I did change to an RCBS # 16 and there was no difference except that it happened more often.
Red Cent - Yes, I tried loading the primer without a case in the shell holder and noticed that there was indeed a hangup in the shell holder with both of the shell holders.
rcmodel - I am using Federal #100 Small Pistol primers. I think I will pursue this line and try a different brand as it seems to be the easiest and cheapest option. On thinking back This is the first time I've used the Federal primers. Strange, I always thought Federal was a good choice for almost every thing that they make.

Thanks to all of you for your help and for your time. I'll keep you posted on what it turns out to be.

 

[1SOW]

I use Fed SPP exclusively and do have an occassional upset primer, but for me it's one in three hundred or more.

The other suggestions were also very possible problem sources.
My single biggest irritant WAS the Lee #19 shell holder that is just too 'sloppy' for 9mm in the LEE system.
see posts #54, 57, 58: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=487686&page=3

 

[Offspring]

Many thanks!

Thanks again 1SOW my problem seems to be solved. If I line up the #19 shell holder in the ram with the entrance slot dead straight out the front of the press it does not catch anymore. I have changed from the #19 Lee to the #16 RCBS without any effect. I am somewhat disabled so its comfortable to set the shell holder with the entrance slot turned to the left a few degrees and that works for all of the other calibers that I reload but the 9MM holder seems to be more critical or sloppy than the others so it catches and bounces the primer around. I think maybe the problem for me has been me all along. I will be more careful of my alignment in the future. Specially with the 9MM.

Thanks to all of you for your prompt and thoughtful replies. I will take experienced advice anytime over "book" answers and you all are still my experienced source. I think maybe you all have saved me the cost of 1,000 federal SP Primers.

 

[Hondo 60]

After you used the shell holder for a bit, there may be some residue gunk that builds up in the hole of the shell holder.

If you clean it out, that may allow you to set the entrance.exit slot where ever is most comfortable to you.