Hand priming tools?

[boltman13]

I still have 3 of the old Lee's with the round primer trays one dedicated to LR primers, one for SR primers and one just in case. No it's not for sale.

 

[DRNewcomb]

I still have 3 of the old Lee's with the round primer trays one dedicated to LR primers, one for SR primers and one just in case. No it's not for sale.

Just don't drop the clear plastic cover on the floor. They shatter and you'll never get another.

 

[rkittine]

The Primal Rights looks like a interesting priming system and I guess it allows you to get Exact Crush on at least the first case that you measure and adjust it for. I guess consistency would be dependent on how consistent the primer pocket depth is on your cases.

Bob

 

['Freak]

The Primal Rights looks like a interesting priming system and I guess it allows you to get Exact Crush on at least the first case that you measure and adjust it for. I guess consistency would be dependent on how consistent the primer pocket depth is on your cases.

Bob

That’d be a reason why folk uniform primer pockets all to the same depth.

 

[rkittine]

I have a primer pocket unifier and use it assuming that none of my brass (All Lapua) has a primer pocket deeper than the cutter. I would think that the vast quantity of my primer pockets would be fine after one setting. Might make me blow the dust off my Rock Chucker.

Bob

 

[TheOtherZilla]

^^^^^^^^ I also use this one and like it.

I too have an RCBS Universal primer tool. As well as 5-6 Lee tools. My only complaint is that the snap on the top is a pain to gt in place without flipping primers. I have learned to do it but it could be easier. Otherwise the Lee primer tools have served me well for over 40 years.

 

[ND shooter]

I too have an RCBS Universal primer tool. As well as 5-6 Lee tools. My only complaint is that the snap on the top is a pain to gt in place without flipping primers. I have learned to do it but it could be easier. Otherwise the Lee primer tools have served me well for over 40 years.

Yea I used Lees 's for years. Only complaint was " the chance" of igniting a tray full of primers, never did though just the possibility is why I later went to RCBS. Lee was'nt wore out, more like retired for newer technology.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I currently use the RCBS because I have not yet found a replacement. It's usable but very problematic.

A few of the reasons I dislike this tool include:
1) It doesn't seem to work with all RCBS shell holders. I have a #7 holder that just does not fit.
2) The primer tray works loose easily, causing the primers to jam in the action.
3) When you loosen the bar that controls the primer feed to change the shell holder, the lever system that seats the primers can drop down and not go back up until you poke something in to manually push the rammer back up.
4) With some shell holders it can be difficult to assemble and disassemble.
5) I don't like the way it feels in the hand. It's uncomfortable.
6) If a primer gets stuck during seating, it can be a bear to clear.

I, for one, will disagree with the above points. I've been using the RCBS for many years and have primer innumerable cases without problem.

1) The site does state that it uses the same shellholders as the presses, but it does state post-1980. So very old sheelholders may not work. It works with all the ones I have. (I started handloading in 1981.)
2) I've never had a primer tray work loose. Primers have never jammed in the action.
3) I'm not sure I understand, I just push down on the top to slide out the shell holder and replace with another one.
4) Please be more specific, like which shellholders?
5) I have very long fingers and the device is comfortable to me.
6) Ok. I've not had any get stuck. Then again, I do not ever use military cases.

What I do do is bring up the primer to be seated flush with the bottom of the shellholder to verify that everything is lined up and then insert the shell and finish the squeeze. It's quite automatic now.

 

[DRNewcomb]

I, for one, will disagree with the above points. I've been using the RCBS for many years and have primer innumerable cases without problem.

1) The site does state that it uses the same shellholders as the presses, but it does state post-1980. So very old sheelholders may not work. It works with all the ones I have. (I started handloading in 1981.)
2) I've never had a primer tray work loose. Primers have never jammed in the action.
3) I'm not sure I understand, I just push down on the top to slide out the shell holder and replace with another one.
4) Please be more specific, like which shellholders?
5) I have very long fingers and the device is comfortable to me.
6) Ok. I've not had any get stuck. Then again, I do not ever use military cases.

What I do do is bring up the primer to be seated flush with the bottom of the shellholder to verify that everything is lined up and then insert the shell and finish the squeeze. It's quite automatic now.

1) The issue is that shell holders don't have date stamps. I have one RCBS #7 shell holder that does not work at all.
2) Unless I watch it, the tray will back out a couple of mm and the primer feed will jam. In which case I have to take the tray out, dump the primers out of the primer port and either put them back in the tray or hand feed them.
3) The shell holder assembly won't come out unless you remove the arched bar that acts as a primer gate. If I remove this bar and let go of the grip, the ram drops down and out of its track and must be reinserted before I can prime any more cases. To change the shell holder without reinserting the ram, I have to drop the pin out of the top, remove the bar while holding the grip partially depressed, press out the shell holder (still holding the grip), insert a new shell holder and replace the bar. If at any time I have to let go of the grip, I have to stop and reinsert the ram and connecting rod back into the assembly.
4) My #3 shell holder fits very tight and is hard to press in and out. When coupled with the issue listed in (3) above it becomes quite a PITA.
5) I have a medium sized hand (glove size 8 1/2). It can get quite uncomfortable.
6) I was loading a bunch of old CCI primers in some Rem .30-40 brass. Those primers must be very hard and oversized because they'd get jammed half way in. So when a primer jams, you can't get the ramming pin out. If you can't get the ramming pin out, you can't remove the shell holder. Stuck primer, stuck case, stuck shell holder. However, thinking about this, I might have been able to disassemble the unit from the bottom end and drop the pin out that way.

 

[dcali]

The RCBS have what they call a "safety gate" on their primer tools, so tray can't/ shouldn't go off. Dont know if anybody has had a tray go off with this setup. And as you said you've never used

I've used the RCBS unit. While it will get the job done, it's poorly made and overpriced if you ask me. Not sure if that metal thing makes it safer or not. I'd rather not find out.

 

[dcali]

The Primal Rights looks like a interesting priming system and I guess it allows you to get Exact Crush on at least the first case that you measure and adjust it for. I guess consistency would be dependent on how consistent the primer pocket depth is on your cases.

Bob

You'd better have very consistent case rim thickness as well. Even with good brass, this is not a given. You'll get at least a couple thous of variance.

 

[rkittine]

There you go busting my bubble and saving me $200 to boot!

Bob

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

1) The issue is that shell holders don't have date stamps. I have one RCBS #7 shell holder that does not work at all.

If memory serves, that is for the .303 British and I think, the .30-40 Krag, neither of which are really new. That shell holder may be pre-1980.

2) Unless I watch it, the tray will back out a couple of mm and the primer feed will jam. In which case I have to take the tray out, dump the primers out of the primer port and either put them back in the tray or hand feed them.
3) The shell holder assembly won't come out unless you remove the arched bar that acts as a primer gate. If I remove this bar and let go of the grip, the ram drops down and out of its track and must be reinserted before I can prime any more cases. To change the shell holder without reinserting the ram, I have to drop the pin out of the top, remove the bar while holding the grip partially depressed, press out the shell holder (still holding the grip), insert a new shell holder and replace the bar. If at any time I have to let go of the grip, I have to stop and reinsert the ram and connecting rod back into the assembly.
4) My #3 shell holder fits very tight and is hard to press in and out. When coupled with the issue listed in (3) above it becomes quite a PITA.

On the other hand, that's probably one you would use a lot. For me it's about the only one I use these days.

5) I have a medium sized hand (glove size 8 1/2). It can get quite uncomfortable.

If you want uncomfortable, try the Lee Ergo unit. It's horrid. But I understand, if it's uncomfortable to you, it makes the whole job difficult.

6) I was loading a bunch of old CCI primers in some Rem .30-40 brass. Those primers must be very hard and oversized because they'd get jammed half way in. So when a primer jams, you can't get the ramming pin out. If you can't get the ramming pin out, you can't remove the shell holder. Stuck primer, stuck case, stuck shell holder. However, thinking about this, I might have been able to disassemble the unit from the bottom end and drop the pin out that way.

Hey, that's probably when you're trying to use that #7 above. So you do have another one.

 

[DRNewcomb]

.....Hey, that's probably when you're trying to use that #7 above. So you do have another one.

Nope. I left out the plastic part and hand fed the primers. When I need to load .30-40 again I'll either use my old Lee tool, hand feeding the primers or use the priming arm on my Rock Chucker.

 

[johara1]

I think 21st Century makes a hand priming tool that holds a 100 primers, but i never found the need to get one...... jim

 

[walker2713]

Look no further than 21st Century SS models....I have two!

 

[RonAKA]

I use the older round tray Lee, and it works fine for me. The newer square tray model seems like an improvement, but I have not tried it.

 

[DRNewcomb]

I use the older round tray Lee, and it works fine for me. The newer square tray model seems like an improvement, but I have not tried it.

As I've mentioned to others, be careful to never drop the clear plastic cover for that round tray. It will shatter and you'll never find a replacement.

 

[DRNewcomb]

I've been priming some brass this afternoon and have another observation on the RCBS hand priming tool. My comparison is with my old Lee round tray. The Lee had to raise the primer 0.262". The RCBS raises the primer 0.625". Furthermore the RCBS' ram has 0.04" of over-travel at TDC. With tight fitting primers I often must uses both hands to press the primer far enough in to be able to remove it from the tool. I then stick it in my old Lee and easily finish it off with just thumb pressure. With the RCBS tool I'd swear I must be using enough force to squash the primer. I don't have a gorilla grip but the difference is just night and day. The combination of the mechanical advantage lost raising the primer 0.363" farther and the over-travel at TDC make this tool much harder to use than the old Lee tool.

 

[Brians356]

I have never found a reason to replace my 20+ year old Lee. Only thing I've used of theirs that WORKS. But I'm sure there are better priming tools available.

Not that I've found. The old round Lee is still the ticket. I prime cases over a carpeted floor, so with any luck mine will outlast me.
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