Wagon Box Willy Posted August 22, 2015 Posted August 22, 2015 Howdy folks. I just had my primer tray ignite in my Lee Loadmaster press. I had just filled it so there were between 75-100 Federal Large Pistol primers in it. All I heard was the blast and I saw a flash. The primer assembly was blown into pieces and since my shop is pretty cluttered, I'll probably be finding pieces for a while. I did have the Lee blast shield installed and it worked, it is now pointing straight up and is quite misshapen from the blast. I had one small piece of plastic stuck to my forehead but other than that I don't think anything hit me. I'm not finding a lot of primers but every one I've found is just an empty shell...I'm guessing that they all went off. After this experience I'll be wearing a face shield and earplugs when I reload....my hearing taking the brunt of the after affects. No more reloading until I get a new blast shield, primer tray and primer assembly. What fun! Willy Blast Shield The offending primer, what's left of the primer assembly, and an empty primer
Rafe Conager SASS #56958 Posted August 22, 2015 Posted August 22, 2015 glad you werm't hurt bet you need to check your shorts Rafe
Buckshot Dobbs Posted August 22, 2015 Posted August 22, 2015 Submit a ticket with Lee and send pics of the parts and I guarantee you they will send you parts for free. They always have me, even if the thing that broke was my fault lol. Their customer service is top notch. BD
Yul Lose Posted August 22, 2015 Posted August 22, 2015 Did you find out what caused the primer to ignite? I've done it twice, once with a Dillon 650 and once with a RCBS turret press. Both times it was my fault and both manufacturers sent new parts at no cost to me.
Wagon Box Willy Posted August 22, 2015 Author Posted August 22, 2015 Already submitted the ticket. I always get my replacement parts free from Lee. To be honest I do not recall anything feeling different. The looks of the primer seems misshapen so maybe it got crushed.
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted August 22, 2015 Posted August 22, 2015 This is the reason I wear safety glasses when reloading. Never has happen to me(YET!). OLG
Wagon Box Willy Posted August 22, 2015 Author Posted August 22, 2015 And, in retrospect it was much less violent than I wudda thunk with a who box of primers going off. The blast shield really did it's job. Willy
Hoss Posted August 23, 2015 Posted August 23, 2015 I have a blast shield on my LM too. I'm kind of surprised it's not a "standard" feature. Haven't had any primer problems, and certainly hope I don't! If Lee has an opinion on what happened I sure would like to hear it. Glad you weren't injured! We've all heard reloading isn't rocket science, but it's as close as most of us will ever get. Can't be too careful.
Driftwood Johnson, SASS #38283 Posted August 23, 2015 Posted August 23, 2015 Hey Willy Glad you are OK. Driftwood
Jim No Horse Posted August 23, 2015 Posted August 23, 2015 Glad to hear you were not seriously injured...Jim
John Boy Posted August 23, 2015 Posted August 23, 2015 The only way a primer ignites is ... Strike it Hard and Fast. It's the same reloading and the firing pin in the firearm Willy - very happy to hear your A-OK and thanks for the pictures
Sagebrush Burns, SASS # 14226 Posted August 23, 2015 Posted August 23, 2015 Holy cow! Glad to hear you're OK. I'd be needing to change underwear!
Sedalia Dave Posted August 23, 2015 Posted August 23, 2015 Yep always a good idea to make a pit stop prior to heading out to the loading room.
Shorty Jack Hammer Posted August 23, 2015 Posted August 23, 2015 This is Lee's warning on using other brands of primers than what they recommend. Not sure why, but apparently you experienced. Glad you're ok. "WARNING: Only CCI or Remington brand primers are safe to use with this press. If you plan on using any brand besides CCI and Remington, you must purchase the explosion shield."
Tom Bullweed Posted August 23, 2015 Posted August 23, 2015 The Lee hand primer says the primer tray is designed to hold 100 Remington or Winchester primers. The tray should be loaded with only 20 of any other brand. People often have disparaging things to say about Lee equipment whne they praise Dillon, RCBS and others. I have not had issues with Lee equipment since 1986. They are displaying some knowledge here about the primers and concerns or issues.
Wagon Box Willy Posted August 23, 2015 Author Posted August 23, 2015 I'm happy with my Lee stuff from the price point perspective. I think the press exploded just as designed. I seem to remember years ago that they recommended primers were different than they are today but nonetheless it wouldn't make sense to use the press without the $5 blast shield no matter which primers one uses.
J. Frank Norfleet Posted August 23, 2015 Posted August 23, 2015 Willy - wha was brand of primer tha exploded? OP says Federal LP
Wagon Box Willy Posted August 23, 2015 Author Posted August 23, 2015 Willy - wha was brand of primer tha exploded? Federal Large Pistol. In the picture of the primer assembly you can see the mangled primer sitting on top of it. While I didnt feel anything it looks to me like either the shell or the primer was offset and the plunger crushed only half of it into the pocket.
Kid Rich Posted August 23, 2015 Posted August 23, 2015 Glad yer OK Willy. I am impressed. I have crushed a few primers but never set one off, I must be going too slow. kR
Idaho Coyote' Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 Scarey stuff Makes me wonder how much protection the Dillion550 offer in a chain reaction explosion like that.. Always thought about but have never seen it. Glad you are alright
Indian Jack. Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 I had one or two go off on me about 35 years ago when I was using my RCBS Rock Crusher to load the primers...I was new to reloading then. I usually load on my Dillon 650 but still use a RCBS press to load various rifle cartridges but I use a hand primer to prime the cases now instead of the press. I have a few go in backwards and a few go in sideways but haven't had an oops moment....knock on wood. If I feel anything different when reloading I learned to stop....(I know you said you didn't feel anything different) I been lucky.....
Will Lynchem Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 All my reloading is done on Lee products. Never had this happen to me but you can be sure after seeing that, I will definitely be taking more care. I too am sold on Lee's costumer service. So glad you are ok! Happy and safe shooting, Will.
G W Wade Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 Scarey stuff Makes me wonder how much protection the Dillion550 offer in a chain reaction explosion like that.. Always thought about but have never seen it. Glad you are alright glad to hear op ok. Dillon 550 primer tube enclosed in steel pipe BUT don't want to try it
Single Action,SASS 30155 Gunfighter Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 Glad you are OK Willy.
Chuck Would, SASS # 53289 Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 Glad you're OK Willie. Didja check your shorts?
Blackey Cole Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 Been there done that on a Lee turret one reason I no longer have it.
Kid Rich Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 I saw a primer tube that Nawlins Kid had that blew up. It was from a 650. Split the aluminum primer tube but I think was contained in the steel jacket. He said it was quite loud. kR
Wylie Harp, #21158L Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 YIKES Willy, thank God you're ok. Has never happened to me but I always wear safety glasses anyway. Maybe I should start wearing ear plugs too? What? ~:Wylie:~
Wagon Box Willy Posted August 24, 2015 Author Posted August 24, 2015 Wylie. Yea, I'm adding ear protection and maybe a home made shield around the powder measure just in case though the Lee blast shield protected it. I also had a can of black in the "blast zone" on the bench...never thought about it, that will change too.
Kid Rich Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 Good idea to have all containers of powder out of blast zone. kR
Wagon Box Willy Posted August 24, 2015 Author Posted August 24, 2015 Kid, it'll be inconvenient to have to get up and get another pound every few rounds
Kid Drover Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 I hope you were wearing you dark brown pants! KCD
SGT. ELI 35882 GUNFIGHTER Posted August 25, 2015 Posted August 25, 2015 My shooting buddy was a commercial ammo loader for over 17 years and has loaded millions of rounds and never had that happen....until about a month ago. 100 primers, quite an experience he says.
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