Has anyone tried this Frankford Arsenal priming tool?

[Wildcat455]

I also use the FA hand primer. Very satisfied with it. Easy to adjust, easy to switch for different cartridges, came with everything I needed for the cartridges I reload, except the 338 Lapua shell holder, but that was no big deal. I'm so satisfied with it I'm not looking for anything to replace it.

I do not know what the OP means by thumb pressure, but the mechanical advantage on this unit is sufficient to operate one handed. If you have a bunch of cases with tight primer pockets, your hand will get tired. I can run about 100 before I need a break.

 

[hboothe]

I have noticed when these primer seating topics come up that noboby primes on a press. Why is that?

FWIW, I have an auto-progressive I started out on. I didn't like to back-stroke the handle to seat primers because it didn't have a good feel for what was going on. Plus, occasionally, it would not feed a primer if I bungled the process (which I did, particularly when I first started reloading). I hated priming on that thing. Oh, and loading the priming tube sucked, too. On my single-stage presses I use now I do not have any kind of auto-feed device so if I prime on the press it's by manually loading a primer for each cartridge and that sucks, too.

For the OP, and others, I use the Lee bench primer. It uses funky, truncated "standard" which are not "standard", shell holders. But the feeding is fairly reliable and the thing is easy to load. The MA (mechanical advantage) is plenty for my personal preferences. I like the heck out of it, even though it does have some feed issues (the transparent nature of the device, plus how it is mounted to the bench, make it easy to see if things are in proper order when you stroke it. I think it cost maybe $35 or something, then I had to buy the shell holder set for maybe another $15. Cheap enough. Also, for the OP, you won't have to worry about the wife getting upset with you clamping it to the glass coffee table...this has little bitty ears for screws, not big enough for proper clamping. Clamp a board to the glass coffee table and screw this to it.

--HC

 

[riflewoman]

Try this review... it seems ok.

 

[shortthroat]

I replaced my Lee priming tool (old style) with Sinclair's excellent hand priming tool from Brownell. It lets you set the depth consistently and has excellent feel. I use it to prime 7 RSAUM and 338LM. I still use the Lee tool, but only for priming pistol calibers.

 

[RegionRat]

Hearing all the complaints reminds me how much I will miss the old round Lee units when they finally wear out on me... I have their new square one and spend way too much time clearing jams and trying to make it work. One would think they should just go back to the old design and call it a day.

 

[1shot]

After a lot of talk on other threads, @Dusty Stevens talking me into the 21st century hand primer. My opinion is that it is the gold standard of hand primers. With that said, I wish I could try the FA tool side by side at a cost of roughly 50% of the 21st Century.
Has anyone used both?
Thanks,

Lloyd

 

[mike06]

Well after watching the video the tool should work fine with my 308 SRP brass will know for sure Friday got it from Brownells $59.99 and 10% off with a $99 order and free shipping. Replacing my 20 plus year old RCBS hand primer tool.

 

[GSS]

no one seems to have provided an answer to the OP's question. Yes, I use the FA hand primer. I replaced an RCBS hand primer with it. It is easy to use, easy to change from large to small primers, and comes in a nice case with multiple shell holders. My grandson used it and immediately replaced his RCBS hand unit with one as well.

Thank you topclass2017 ( and Wildcat455 ) for providing info on the tool the original poster asked about.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/5...latinum-series-perfect-seat-hand-priming-tool

How do you or wildcat455find the seating depth function of this tool. Does it work well?
(From MWUSA page It features a dial that adjusts the seating depth 1 thousandth of an inch at a time with a total adjustment range of 50 thousandths.)

Can anyone else that owns / uses the tool DRNewcomb is asking about comment on how it works and how you like it?

 

[waltk]

I also use the FA hand primer. Very satisfied with it. Easy to adjust, easy to switch for different cartridges, came with everything I needed for the cartridges I reload, except the 338 Lapua shell holder, but that was no big deal. I'm so satisfied with it I'm not looking for anything to replace it.

I do not know what the OP means by thumb pressure, but the mechanical advantage on this unit is sufficient to operate one handed. If you have a bunch of cases with tight primer pockets, your hand will get tired. I can run about 100 before I need a break.

I also have this tool. I totally agreed with the above person. Couldn't have stated it better.

 

[topclass2017]

GSS: the seating depth function works - whether it is in increments of .001" or not I cannot say with absolute certainty. I do know that from one extreme adjustment to the other there is a visually apparent difference. What I like about the adjustment is that I can set it to where I cannot crush a primer regardless of how hard I squeeze. I figured all this out by sacrificing a few cases and primers "just because" and to get some real world observational/annecdotal data.

If I had extra $$ sitting around I'd get a 21st century tool to compare function, and then sell the one that didn't work as well. Seems like that's why I have a box of extra stuff - the quest for what's "best" (for me at least). Maybe I should have recommended my grandson get a 21st century rather than just go with the FA. We have different hand deprimers that one of these days we'll compare side-by-side (I have a Harvey, he has a FA). I like mine, he likes his. I guess that's why there's vanilla and chocolate ice cream.

 

[BillG]

I have and use the Frankford Arsenal hand primer. It works very well and will use the Lee auto prime shell holders. The seating depth is adjustable and the tray easily holds and fits over any primer box of 100. This was a problem I had with my RCBS auto prime. The only down side is the spring that holds the shell hoders in is a little hard to push down. I have decided I can live with that considering how well it is made and its many features. It is an upgrade from the RCBS model I feel.

 

[BillG]

I have and use the Frankford Arsenal hand primer. It works very well and will use the Lee auto prime shell holders. The seating depth is adjustable and the tray easily holds and fits over any primer box of 100. This was a problem I had with my RCBS auto prime. The only down side is the spring that holds the shell hoders in is a little hard to push down. I have decided I can live with that considering how well it is made and its many features. It is an upgrade from the RCBS model I feel.

 

[Wildcat455]

@ GSS:

The seating depth function works as advertised. I set my FA priming tool up for a little bit of "crush" with it. Especially on my magnum cases (264 win mag to 338Lapua Mag) I adjust to where the primer is fully seated (You can feel when the primer bottoms out) once I have it adjusted to that, I rotate the wheel from there to "3 clicks in". As you are going along priming your cases you will feel the primer bottom out, and that's when I apply a little extra pressure for a bit of crush.

I watched the video posted earlier in this thread, I also read the instructions when I bought the unit.

In the instructions it stated that this tool functions best when primers feed from the left side of tray. It also says to not point the case at yourself.

I actually use this tool flipped around in my hand (right handed) with my fingers around the body of the tool and my thumb at the top of the lever. This orients the tray to feed from the left side, and the case opening of the tool is facing my left, and angled upward. Never had the problems he had with the tool.

Also, held the other way (opposite of how I hold it now) I found on large priming tasks, that little "Hand stop" would chafe the web of my hand between my thumb and forefinger.

On tight primer pocket cases, I move my index finger above the little "Hand stop" for a better leverage and feeling. Also handy for using index finger to open and close the primer tray gate. Not that that is a big deal though.

 

[MS50]

When my RCBS hand primer started feeding primers sideways, despite replacing plastic parts of the unit, I bought the FA unit. I fiddled around and found the number of clicks from zero that I need to use for each caliber to seat the primer to the desired depth. All other things being equal, I feel my seating depth is pretty consistent, without having to use the crush/feel method. I can switch hands and be assured that the seating depth is consistent. So far I have no complaints.

 

[Tuxedo007]

After several iterations of Lee Autoprimes, I also use the RCBS bench mounted primer. I like it a lot. It is fast, and I can easily feel when the primer bottoms out in the pocket.

John

I've used one of the RCBS tools for many years. It is everything you said plus lasts a long, long time!!!

 

[DRNewcomb]

Just ordered one wondering if anyone has used it with 308 srp palma brass?

Since I posted the original question two years ago, I purchased the FA priming tool and have been quite happy with it. I use it for priming all my brass from 9mm to .308 Lapua Palma for F-Class matches. It comes with a complete set of shell holders and two priming rams, so it's pretty much a complete package. The ultra benchrest shooters will tell you that there are more precise tools but this one suits my needs.

 

[B23]

I have the FA priming tool and I'd probably give it a letter grade of maybe a "B". The casting on mine, brand new out of the box, on the piece where the primers feed through onto the plunger, was pretty rough and wouldn't allow primers to feed out of the tray and onto the plunger so I had to get my little file set out and clean up the hole before it would even work right. No big deal really, just a little disappointing when things require tuning before they'll even function properly.

Also, these things are built hell for stout so they're quite a bit heavier than many of the other priming tools like it.

 

[Aldon]

The FA should be good and I’ve considered one as a back up. For some reason I tend to want back up contingency regardless of risk. Helps me justify more tool purchases. I mainly use K&M with dial indicator. Love it.

 

[Lannister]

The Frankford Arsenal priming tool Looks like the LEE priming tool, which I found to be a POS. The RCBS Primer Pocket Seater is my suggestion for ease of priming. Especially those with arthritis or carpal tunnel problems.

 

[urbanrifleman]

I bought the FA and I am impressed.

I prime with my first Generation Hornady and I think it is way underrated.

The FA is impressive. Comparing it to the Lee from the picture would be a mistake.