Best hand priming tool?

[freebird22/250]

The old round tray Lee priming tool works great for me.

 

[ChrisNZ]

I love my RCBS
Plenty of leverage that doesnt fatigue the hand
..

I'd used a pair of these for years and was relatively happy until I ran into White River primers and tight PRC pockets. At max squeeze, the primers ended up proud of the case base.

At the recommendation of some team mates, I got a 21st Century tool and couldn't be happier. It has significantly more leverage than the RCBS ( needs less than half the force) and you have full control on the depth. The loss of magazine feed doesn't actually worry me,

 

[Kiwishooter]

The Lee hand priming tool with the round primer tray, 20+ years and still going strong

 

[Fire Dog]

I'd used a pair of these for years and was relatively happy until I ran into White River primers and tight PRC pockets. At max squeeze, the primers ended up proud of the case base.

At the recommendation of some team mates, I got a 21st Century tool and couldn't be happier. It has significantly more leverage than the RCBS ( needs less than half the force) and you have full control on the depth. The loss of magazine feed doesn't actually worry me,

Yes, never had a problem with mine seating the White River primers…
Plenty of leverage and the click adjustable head allows for the ability to be sure the primer is below the base of the case.

 

[bulletpruf]

^^^^^^^^^^ This. No way I'd want to use a hand primer where you'd have to load each primer into it, singly. The Frankford is terrific.

Frankford Arsenal works well for me.

 

[SSL]

After having two Lee hand primers finally give up the ghost due to wear on the "cam" piece that caused primers to no longer be seated entirely (not complaining - many years of service until that happened) I switched to a pair of RCBS Universal hand primers. I set one up for large primers and the other for small. After several years of use now, the ease of use and function have me completely sold. Maybe I'll consider a form of the bench mounted tools when my old hands finally won't handle the hand tools, but these work for me just fine for now.

 

[Thor357]

My search found threads a few to many years old. I know things change and new things come out. I can only consider a HAND priming tool, much as I wish I had a nice room to set up a good bench setup. So, what is the current best hand priming tool for a brand new never did it before person? Thanks in advance for the many helpful replies that always occur.

I bought the Frankford Arsenal priming tool and it is a piece of junk. Switched to a 21st Century. Very happy now.

 

[joshb]

Huh. I bought one last spring to replace the old one I wore out. It works great.

 

[Tommie]

Mine’s the best

 

[lotech]

I've used several hand priming tools. For the last ten years, I've primed just about everything with a 21st Century tool. I've had a Sinclair and it's almost as good. The 21st Century works perfectly and is made of good materials. I doubt you'll hear complaints about them except for the price. However, amortize the cost of the tool over it's lifespan and consider how much you use it. Cost is then negligible able at best.

I liked the original round tray Lee Auto Primes and wore out several. You can scrounge for parts and keep these going if you like them that well. Many say they have used the Lee tool for decades and I don't doubt that. However, if you're priming a lot, say 20,000 or more cases a year, they won't last long because they are made of material that won't last long.

 

[quest450]

FWIW Yesterday I primed 100 cases with 21st Century hand primer, primer pockets were uniformed and I got .0005" variance in primer seating depth, my CPS Comp primer has been collecting dust lately

 

[tikkaman308]

Frankford arsenal is a great hand priming tool and relatively inexpensive

 

[brokeasajoke]

My Lee is awful. Surprised no one has mentioned a K&M. My K&M is butter smooth but loading one primer at a time sux. I like the RCBS universal hand primer but I have just about switched completely to RCBS bench prime and dillion 550 prime on press.

 

[lotech]

My Lee is awful. Surprised no one has mentioned a K&M. My K&M is butter smooth but loading one primer at a time sux. I like the RCBS universal hand primer but I have just about switched completely to RCBS bench prime and dillion 550 prime on press.

I bought two of the RCBS Universals about ten years ago. Returned both. Neither would fully seat primers with 100% reliability and it took far more hand effort than should have been necessary. That incident led me to buy a 21st Century priming tool. It's always worked well.

 

[ELR LVR]

I'd used a pair of these for years and was relatively happy until I ran into White River primers and tight PRC pockets. At max squeeze, the primers ended up proud of the case base.

At the recommendation of some team mates, I got a 21st Century tool and couldn't be happier. It has significantly more leverage than the RCBS ( needs less than half the force) and you have full control on the depth. The loss of magazine feed doesn't actually worry me,

More Leverage! Dang, I already seem to crush a little too much by accident with the RCBS
Ony rarely have I encountered a primer that pushed back a little
BUT - I will have to look into a 21st century if it has the extra oooomph needed for those stubborn fits

 

[servant403]

Never had a issue with either the older or universal RCBS hand primer units. Actually like the feel of the one that uses shell holders the best . But gave it ti my son in law when he statreted reloading. I like the Frankford Arsenal too. Its a bit heavy. But you can adjust the depth or use feel. As I get older I was going to go to a bench prime As I have arthritis, essential tremors in one hand and carpal tunnel in both. Have a lot of issue picking up one primer at a time. So my handheld has to have a tray. The seating is getting a bit more difficult. But I actually think the less you exercise a body part the worse it becomes. You know the old saying "use it or lose it" Im going to use the hand primers as long as I can. Most of my high volume loading and priming is done on a Dillon 550 anyways.