Hand priming tools?
- Thread starter TrxR
- Start date
chuckw2 said:
This has been my experience for 25+ years. Mostly used Lee (the older versions, with round primer trays) but the RCBS hand tool lets you squeeze with all your fingers and so is easier on the thumb. That has become more important as my thumbs have gotten older.
The RCBS may come with a lifetime warranty (their web site doesn't list priming tools as among the items covered, but I have the impression that they do cover 'em as a matter of policy.) Of course, you pay a bit more for it. I THINK I broke a Lee once, but they're so cheap I probably just bought two to replace it. In any event, I have two Lees now and keep 'em permanently set up for small and large primers. The Lee does take a different shell holder, while the RCBS uses standard holders.
I have used several hand primers including those from RCBS, Hornady, Lee, K&M and 21st Century. Prior to owning the K&M and 21st century tools, I used the Lee hand primer exclusively. When I became interested in competition shooting I started using the K&M primer because of its primer depth adjustment. As time went on the 21st Century model became available and I started using it because of its self-feeding feature and its primer seating depth adjustment which I leave set for seating primers in the 6mmPPC. I still use the K&M and the Lee tools for other reloading chores. The K&M is used for precision rifle priming for cartridges other than the 6mmPPC and the Lee primer is used for handgun reloading.
Regards,
Lawrence Hanson
Regards,
Lawrence Hanson
I have used all the tools you mention, plus a few others, and I think the 21st Century is quite a bit better than the others, then I would rank the K & M and Sinclair's about the same, but for different reasons. John did a good job of thinking through the features of his top primer seater tool. The only drawback is the proprietary shell holder that is required. I have both round & square tray seaters from him, too, and they are very comfortable to use.
I've always had a bench mounted one. My old CH was worn out and I replaced it with an RCBS,bench mounted also, and it is very good. Plenty of feel. Only down side was the new primer TUBES are not as easy to fill as the older 'c' clip style. I'm sure I'll get used to it.
I have the Lee Auto Prime(newer model) and it is ok. But thinking about getting a 21st one of these days
Lee just seems to be made out of cheap material and after priming over 1000 it feels like it has gotten stiffer to operate and the smoothness is not there anymore
Lee just seems to be made out of cheap material and after priming over 1000 it feels like it has gotten stiffer to operate and the smoothness is not there anymore
I use the rcbs and am happy with what I have, never had any problems with it.
I have a two or three Lee hand tools in a cigar box along with two RCBS tools. Sometimes I'll use them for hand gun stuff, but otherwise they reside in the box. One of the Lees broke doing Federal primers (mostly what I use). A shooting buddy of mine and I bought two Sinclair tools, and they are about as good as I've ever used, but you pay out the nose for them as well. I have a problem with both of my hands and the Sinclair and my hands couldn't get along well. So I sold it and tried the K&M standard tool (they didn't even make the one with the dial indicator yet). Has about 99% of the feel that the Sinclair has but my hands get along well with it. I have not used the 21st one, but hear it's a nice tool. But is it better than the Sinclair? I doubt it for the feel. Accuracey wise; all I hear is that the K&M with the dial indicator is the best. Maybe so, I just don't know. On the otherhand I have the original setup on my Co-Ax press that seems to do a fine job. Always seating the primer about .005" under the face. I made a gauge to check primer seating under the face with a .0005" dial indicator, and there is no difference between the K&M that I have and the Co-Ax.
gary
gary
savageshooter86 said:
The Lee is indeed made of cheap materials, which is why it costs so little. But it pops apart pretty easily for minor maintenance. If you lift up on the handle and pull it off its pivot pin, the handle and its round-topped pusher will come out of the body of the tool. If the top of the pusher and/or the bottom cup of the primer ram that it engages are dirty you can wipe 'em off. And a little dab of grease on those two sliding surfaces will probably smooth and ease things up a bit.
Yep done that several times and didn't help but it does what it is suppose to do just not as smooth as it once was
A couple of years ago I was in the barn at the Super Shoot talking to some old friends. One thing I noticed that they mostly used the same components, same brass , same primers, same powders, same dies etc.
Most of them were using Lee tools, they all had the $100 priming tools in their boxes, but were using the Lee. I wonder why?
On the target, do you really think it makes a difference.
Richard Lee thinks outside of the box design wise,
If you want a $100 tool, by all means buy it, but don't think that it will change the way you live..
Only wind flags and trigger time improve scores, not primer seating depth.
Most of them were using Lee tools, they all had the $100 priming tools in their boxes, but were using the Lee. I wonder why?
On the target, do you really think it makes a difference.
Richard Lee thinks outside of the box design wise,
If you want a $100 tool, by all means buy it, but don't think that it will change the way you live..
Only wind flags and trigger time improve scores, not primer seating depth.
At one time I had a k&m primeing tool with the depth guage I got better groups seating primers by feel and crushing the pellet slightly. I like rcbs and lee but the lee thumb lever breaks easily. I glued a nickle on the lever where it broke with jb weld. works great lee has improved the lever but I've never had one of the new style...yet! a friend has the new lee tool and the cover for the new square tray breaks easily. I guess I perfer the rcbs mainly because of durability. the new tool from hornady looks like it may have good "feel" though I never used one just my $.02
Darrell
Darrell
I was using the basic Lee model when I started out reloading pistol calibers, but found myself exerting way to much effort when I added large rifle cartridges and primers to my repertoire. "Advice'" led me to the newer Lee "Xr" model, but I was soon kicking myself for not thinking twice. The 'safety features' may be an improvement - leverage wise there was no improvement and the 'features' meant picking up the occasional primer off the floor. Since then I got a second hand K&M and I haven't looked back for the rifle cartridges. Ergonomically the handle wasn't great, but two layers of that "rubber that shrinks when heated-stuff" around it has made it a joy to use. Even though I ended up picking one up at less than the cost of a Lee, I still wish I'd have gone straight there without buying my second Lee. Buy once, cry once and such. One Lee still finds use for small rifle and pistol rounds, and I have to admit it is the older model.
ddkearney
Silver $$ Contributor
I have a 21st Century single tool, and it is great; wouldn't use anything else now. I had used both older versions of the Lee; speed-wise, they probably were a little faster, but not markedly so since they tended to mess up often enough. Then, if you dropped the plastic lid, it would break the corner tabs off the newer square lids and not fit right. Don
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.