Primer Pocket Swaging and a quick look at Bullet Sizing.
Primer Pocket Swaging is something new to Lee Precision. This is the first time Lee has offered a solution to this problem.
The Lee Primer Pocket Swaging Kit only works on the APP. It will not work on any other press.
Why do you need to swage primer pockets? Well, most ex-Military cases have crimped in primers to help protect the primer. This is due to the pressure involved with 5.56…which is more than 223. Also, military ammo tends to have a rougher life than our ammo. So manufactures come up with ideas like crimped in primers to ensure the life of the ammo.
These spent cases tend to find their way into civilian use. To successfully reload these cases you need to remove the crimp.
Yes, swaging can also help extend the life of other cases like 9mmp and make seating new primers easier.
To swage primer pockets you need a bit of force to reshape the brass in the primer pocket. Lee has come up with a great solution for this with the APP and Primer Pocket Swage Kit.
The APP allows for you to change both ends of the reloading press, with the top carrier and bottom carrier based on the Breech Lock System.
The Swage Kit ships ready to use for small and large primer pockets. The kit includes a 22cal and 30cal push rod, small and large swage punch, shell holder adapter and swage push die…the kit also includes a Universal Decapper.
This new Universal Decapper is important to the function of the Swage Kit. You need to use this die if you intend on swaging. The die features a new stepped decapping rod; this rod expands the case mouth of rifle cases…especially 223. When you resize 223, the case mouth will be too small to allow the 22cal push rod to fit.
So you first need to run your cases through the Universal Decapper.
This is quick and easy on the APP, simply install your Xpress Shell Holder in the press’s normal shell holder adapter in the bottom carrier, then install the Decap die in the top carrier and set it to just touch the shell holder. Setup your case feeder, fill with cases and decap…just be careful of Berdan primed cases. To solve this issue do not force the press and if your decap die and rod is set up correctly your rod will simply push out from the die if it encounters one of these Berdan Primed bastards.
Now install the Swage Kit following the included instructions. You need to make sure that the push rod engages the swage punch. If set up correctly you will notice that the push rod forces the shell holder down onto the swage punch. This forces the swage punch into the primer pocket.
Don’t worry the instructions are quite clear. Just be careful when you install your shell holder to not lose any parts of the swager.
Now start running your cases through the Swage Kit. Cases that do not have a crimp will go smooth and not require a lot of force but you will notice when a case with a crimped or not uniform primer pocket gets swaged…they take a bit more force.
Now your cases have been decapped and swaged. Clean your cases as you normally do and then reload as normal.
Now let’s look at resizing 223 on the APP.
BUT…
In the instructions Lee recommends that you do not resize rimless bottle neck cases but also go on to recommend that if you do to only use Lee dies and Lee Resizing Lube.
The reason for this is the new X-Press Shell Holder. Having the case pass through the shell holder is the trick in getting the APP to work so quickly. This however also means that the shell holder has less bearing surface on the case as what a normal shell holder would.
Now with a bottle neck case and rifle dies you need to lube always.
I have successfully resized 9mmp and 223 with the APP and X-Press Shell Holders. I used my old lube mix (Lee Resizing Lube mixed with Rubbing Alcohol) and had no issues.
So whatever lube you use make sure that your cases a properly lubed and you should not have any issues. If you use the above lube mix make sure that the cases are dry before resizing.
Because I like to test things I ran a 223 case without lube and guess what?
Jip the case got ripped out of the X-Press Shell Holder and got properly stuck in the die.
Using Lee dies makes this issue easy to solve.
First loosen but do not remove the collet holding the decapping pin.
Now using a punch. Knock the decapping pin and case out of the die.
This should normally solve the issue but clever me did not use any lube so the case was properly stuck on the decapping pin.
I had to cut the case to remove it.
This is a worst case scenario.
With at least some lube the case should come off the pin.
So that completes my review of the Lee Precision Deluxe Automatic Processing Press.
Yes I have not done a full review of the bullet sizing function as I do not cast bullets. But I have tested this. To be honest, it was so quick and easy that I almost forgot about this…
Bullet Corp gave me some unsized 9mmp bullets to play with. I have resized all of them using the new Bullet Sizing Kit. Setting this up is quick and easy and all sized perfectly to .356.
The new APP Bullet Sizing Kit will even save you a few bucks if you resize a few sizes as you do not have to buy a complete kit for each size. You now buy the kit and then the Bullet Sizer and Punch in the sizes you require….at almost half the price of the old Sizing Die Kits.
All I can say about the Bullet Sizing feature is that it is by far the quickest and most convenient way to resize cast bullets…the Automation Kit is a great feature and makes this normally tedious job quick and easy.
If you cast your own bullets this press is a must have.
Having tested all the functions I have not found any major issues and the small issues I found were quick and easy to fix. Most were user related and just reading the instructions solved the issues.
Lee definitely has a winner here.
When I am done testing presses and I do not have a need for, I normally sell them.
BUT…
This press is so impressive and offers so many uses that it will stay on my reloading bench.
I love this press!
This is one APP that will be useful for many years to come!
