Ram primer

[Kracken McGraw]

For decades I have used hand priming tools and finally got to the point where the hands no longer manage it very well. Solution, as I see it, is to go to bench priming mechanisms. The three in the photos have been in the shop for awhile and all work pretty well, but there is something about each that could be better. Currently have 3 more on the way and hopefully one will fill the bill. This morning I set all three on the bench and primed 10 cases with each. For my situation, the Forster in the front came out on top for all phases of it's operation. I do prime 10-20K per year so I would like one that will hold up.


1. RCBS in the rear is nice but I do not like the 2 operations each time to get a case primed.
2. The LEE , on the right, is better than the RCBS but feels cheap and may not hold up for the amount of priming I do.
3. The Forster is the smoothest, most rugged and easiest to work with and no special shell holders required. Primer feed tubes are simple to fill so this one gets my vote of the three.

Enroute are a couple from Lyman, their Auto prime and the Auto prime self loader and another from Derraco PCPS that has come highly rated, we will see after comparing all 6. Whatta Hobby!View attachment 1687615View attachment 1687616

I mentioned this the other day on the RCBS bench tool, the thing I do to keep a rhythm on the two operations of the primer that you mentioned is to never let my right hand off the handle. My left hand loads and unloads cases.

 

[NF1E]

I mentioned this the other day on the RCBS bench tool, the thing I do to keep a rhythm on the two operations of the primer that you mentioned is to never let my right hand off the handle. My left hand loads and unloads cases.

Thanks. All suggestions are more than welcome. Even the Derraco PCPS is a 2 step operation. Guess I can get over the little annoyances in favor of a solid operation. Whatta Hobby!

 

[209jones]

For decades I have used hand priming tools and finally got to the point where the hands no longer manage it very well. Solution, as I see it, is to go to bench priming mechanisms. The three in the photos have been in the shop for awhile and all work pretty well, but there is something about each that could be better. Currently have 3 more on the way and hopefully one will fill the bill. This morning I set all three on the bench and primed 10 cases with each. For my situation, the Forster in the front came out on top for all phases of it's operation. I do prime 10-20K per year so I would like one that will hold up.


1. RCBS in the rear is nice but I do not like the 2 operations each time to get a case primed.
2. The LEE , on the right, is better than the RCBS but feels cheap and may not hold up for the amount of priming I do.
3. The Forster is the smoothest, most rugged and easiest to work with and no special shell holders required. Primer feed tubes are simple to fill so this one gets my vote of the three.

Enroute are a couple from Lyman, their Auto prime and the Auto prime self loader and another from Derraco PCPS that has come highly rated, we will see after comparing all 6. Whatta Hobby!View attachment 1687615View attachment 1687616

I've been thru pretty much precisely what you are presently doing, didn't bother with the Lee unit, wasn't inclined to try one again, their new version handprimer soured me. Sold both at a gun show last month. Think the only handprimer I didn't try was the Lyman. Do not like handling individual primers, so, those units didn't get bought.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Somehow, I have both, but use the RCBS more often. I find it useful for loading small batches for varminting or primer testing with various brands/loads etc.

 

[D-4297]

I use a very old RCBS A2 that has the primer tool set-up as part of the press . Works great , and never have had any primer issues . If everything in life were just this simple .

 

[NF1E]

Tried a new one today, Lyman Accu-Prime and I must say, I am impressed in design, function and what appears to be rugged quality along with it being probably the least expensive of any and available on Amazon for under $60. Uses common shell holders to boot. Time will tell but this is by far the easiest to use of all and requires very little physical effort to seat the primer. In addition, this has an adjustable primer seating depth that is set in the base of the primer plunger with a simple allen wrench. I has just the feel I like when the primer anvil makes contact with the bottom of the pocket. I have it's big brother on the way that has a primer feeder tube where this on has to be fed individually which in no big deal. Me likey, so far. Whatta Hobby!

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Tried a new one today, Lyman Accu-Prime and I must say, I am impressed in design, function and what appears to be rugged quality along with it being probably the least expensive of any and available on Amazon for under $60. Uses common shell holders to boot. Time will tell but this is by far the easiest to use of all and requires very little physical effort to seat the primer. In addition, this has an adjustable primer seating depth that is set in the base of the primer plunger with a simple allen wrench. I has just the feel I like when the primer anvil makes contact with the bottom of the pocket. I have it's big brother on the way that has a primer feeder tube where this on has to be fed individually which in no big deal. Me likey, so far. Whatta Hobby!

Do you just ratchet the handle towards yourself to make it work?

 

[JMayo]

Humm, looks like it acts like a rotating locking bolt. Interesting..
Thank you for the revews of these primer seaters. My hands are not happy after 200 cases with my hand primer.

 

[NF1E]

Do you just ratchet the handle towards yourself to make it work?

No ratcheting just pull and then return for the next primer. Whatta Hobby!

 

[NF1E]

Humm, looks like it acts like a rotating locking bolt. Interesting..
Thank you for the revews of these primer seaters. My hands are not happy after 200 cases with my hand primer.

Exactly why I had to make a change after 60 years of loading. 10- - 20K per year just takes it's toll on the wrists and elbow. Getting old ain't for weenies. Whatta Hobby!

 

[450BM]

I had a lee hand primer and wore it out. It worked very well and I never complained about it. Bought their bench primer and don’t have much good to say about it, nothing actually….

I got an RCBS hand primer in a used package deal but disappointed that it doesn’t work with all my shell holders so it doesn’t get used. It requires the bottom of the shell holder to be slightly concave and I have a lot of them that are not.

My favorite is the Lyman Ram Prime die. It works perfect every time. My only complaint is with Lyman in that they only include one ram post making you change cups between small and large. The screw is smaller than tiny…. I had someone make me another ram post but he made it a fraction shorter on a key measurement and I have to “adjust” it to seat primers how I want them. For a couple of bucks they could have included another ram post making this tool perfect.

 

[209jones]

I had a lee hand primer and wore it out. It worked very well and I never complained about it. Bought their bench primer and don’t have much good to say about it, nothing actually….

I got an RCBS hand primer in a used package deal but disappointed that it doesn’t work with all my shell holders so it doesn’t get used. It requires the bottom of the shell holder to be slightly concave and I have a lot of them that are not.

My favorite is the Lyman Ram Prime die. It works perfect every time. My only complaint is with Lyman in that they only include one ram post making you change cups between small and large. The screw is smaller than tiny…. I had someone make me another ram post but he made it a fraction shorter on a key measurement and I have to “adjust” it to seat primers how I want them. For a couple of bucks they could have included another ram post making this tool perfect.

I grabbed an RCBS universal and the shellholder style years ago. Universal had the cases cocking on one side, tighten them down some more?--nope-- didn't help. That didn't turn my crank. Shellholder style had a plastic nub the shellholder has to push down over, it was oversize, none of my RCBS ones would work, Hornady with the .300 hole size were a fight to get on there, but, worked. File it down to size?--na--didn't like the way I had to hold either of them anyway, lever on finger side, too used to the old Lee or 21st Century (using Lee round tray) and using my thumb(s).

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Tried a new one today, Lyman Accu-Prime and I must say, I am impressed in design, function and what appears to be rugged quality along with it being probably the least expensive of any and available on Amazon for under $60. Uses common shell holders to boot. Time will tell but this is by far the easiest to use of all and requires very little physical effort to seat the primer. In addition, this has an adjustable primer seating depth that is set in the base of the primer plunger with a simple allen wrench. I has just the feel I like when the primer anvil makes contact with the bottom of the pocket. I have it's big brother on the way that has a primer feeder tube where this on has to be fed individually which in no big deal. Me likey, so far. Whatta Hobby!

Good to hear - I have one on order. Don't think that they have spread to NZ yet.

 

[JMayo]

The one with primer tube is 180+ i can't swing that. One at a time sucks for me

 

[450BM]

The one with primer tube is 180+ i can't swing that. One at a time sucks for me

Yeah, I have a hard time paying that much to prime cases. The ram prime dies work great and I have the time to do them as slow as want. Being retired has some good perks….

 

[NF1E]

Two more priming tools came in today, The Derraco PCPS and a PrimalRights CPS. Only one left on my list to arrive is the Lyman bench autofeed. Again I would like to thank all for suggestions to help out this old guy. Whatta Hobby!

 

[Steve Donlon]

I'll stay with my RCBS bench primer because I load so many different cartridges, pistol and rifle, it's very easy to switch from one to the other. And for me, very easy to feel the primer seat and know how much pressure is needed to fully seat the primer.

 

[Murray Brook]

@NF1E​

With all the priming tool you have purchased it would be good to have your take on each one once you have tried them all. TKS

 

[NF1E]

@NF1E​

With all the priming tool you have purchased it would be good to have your take on each one once you have tried them all. TKS

That is my intention. So far the Lyman is in first place with the Forster in #2. Whatta Hobby!

 

[precision1]

That is my intention. So far the Lyman is in first place with the Forster in #2. Whatta Hobby!

How's changing cartridges with the forster.have heard not much fun switching between case heads?seems like not to much fun and how to you know you tightened each side centered good?let us know

My rcbs bench primer is simple shell holder swap .

Many probably most here don't want to seat by depth but by feel so let us know if you think those warrant buying .thx