Primer seating tools?

[halfmoanut]

Looking for a primer seating tool. I see they range in price from 100.00 to 675.00. That is alot of price variance. I guess what I'm looking to hear is 500.00 in price won't make a difference on the target or will it?

 

[Straightshooter1]

Looking for a primer seating tool. I see they range in price from 100.00 to 675.00. That is alot of price variance. I guess what I'm looking to hear is 500.00 in price won't make a difference on the target or will it?

The major difference, as I see it, is a tool like the CPS can save you a lot of time when doing large quantities, which would make it worth it. Other than speed for getting the priming done, most hand tools can be hard on old hands and can be quite inconsistent with seating depths. The best hand primer seater I've come to use most is my 21st Century priming tool, which is not only seats my primer's with consistency, but also has good leverage and is very easy on my old, somewhat arthritic, hands. There may not be much, if any, difference on targets, but there are other issue at play when trying to decide which is the better choice.

 

[Dave M.]

The major difference, as I see it, is a tool like the CPS can save you a lot of time when doing large quantities, which would make it worth it. Other than speed for getting the priming done, most hand tools can be hard on old hands and can be quite inconsistent with seating depths. The best hand primer seater I've come to use most is my 21st Century priming tool, which is not only seats my primer's with consistency, but also has good leverage and is very easy on my old, somewhat arthritic, hands. There may not be much, if any, difference on targets, but there are other issue at play when trying to decide which is the better choice.

I’m curious how the CPS could possibly save time?? No doubt it’s an awesome tool but I don’t see how it could ever be faster than say something like the RCBS hand primer (not saying the two are equal by any means).

 

[Straightshooter1]

I’m curious how the CPS could possibly save time?? No doubt it’s an awesome tool but I don’t see how it could ever be faster than say something like the RCBS hand primer (not saying the two are equal by any means).

Using a tube filler makes for the fast filling the primer tube and use of a spring or rubber band on the tool's feeder device (like F-Class John shows in his YouTube video), takes care of time consuming parts of this tool's operation. And if you're doing something like 400-500 or more cases, it wouldn't take long for my hands to get real slow on an RCBS hand primer.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The original $15 lee was what I seated most of my primers with. I now have a 21st century and its my favorite. Had a cps and if your willing to do the work sorting and testing its a great tool.

 

[acloco]

I am using an RCBS equipped with the primer strip feeder. I like that fact that primer seating depth is adjustable AND consistent.

 

[FNSafari]

K&M

 

[Dave M.]

Using a tube filler makes for the fast filling the primer tube and use of a spring or rubber band on the tool's feeder device (like F-Class John shows in his YouTube video), takes care of time consuming parts of this tool's operation. And if you're doing something like 400-500 or more cases, it wouldn't take long for my hands to get real slow on an RCBS hand primer.

But you have to first measure the primer, then the pocket, and then seat accordingly, correct?

 

[bichettereds]

The original $15 lee was what I seated most of my primers with. I now have a 21st century and its my favorite. Had a cps and if your willing to do the work sorting and testing its a great tool.

Do you uniform the pockets? And with the 21st Century, do you seat by feel or bottom out the handle?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Not anymore. I seat by feel.

 

[nakneker]

I’ve been using an old RCBS priming tool that is much like the old LachMillers for 30+ years. These tools have excellent feel. I even bought an extra one because I like them so much, haven’t been made for many years. You can pick them up for around 80 bucks on EBay now and then. Excellent tool.

I’m sure the CPS is wonderful but I honestly don’t think it would improve my groups or speed things up much. Used one of these for a long time and when in a good rhythm you can prime and feel at a good pace.

 

[nmkid]

I’ve been using an old RCBS priming tool that is much like the old LachMillers for 30+ years. These tools haven’t excellent feel. I even bought an extra one because I like them so much, haven’t been made for many years. You can pick them up for around 80 bucks on EBay now and then. Excellent tool.

I remember when Lachmiller brought these out. I saw it in a store in Reno, NV. and if I remember correctly the price was $12. Alas, I didn't have $12 to spare.

 

[Straightshooter1]

But you have to first measure the primer, then the pocket, and then seat accordingly, correct?

After uniforming primer pockets, measuring them and the primers is really nothing more than a one time operation to seat them accordingly. . . even after multiple firings of a lot.

 

[Hino895]

I too started out and used the lee auto prime for 35 years.
I tried a Frankfort arsenal tool a few years ago and like it more than the lee.

 

[1shot]

Had two RCBS hand primers. Spent the coin on a 21st Century and dollar for dollar some of the smartest money I ever spent.

Lloyd

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

21st century, once you get in the rhythm its quite quick to seat a batch of primers

 

[Chiquita]

I have both the 21st and the CPS. Both work great. Once I get going withe 21st it goes pretty quick IMO, the CPS goes faster.

They both produce great results. I like to have cool tools so I bought the CPS.

I don't have any evidence that one is better over the other. 21st vs CPS.

 

[lotech]

I've had many but only use the 21st Century now.

 

[BigBolt]

My Hornady press came with both a priming and decapping system for both large and small primers.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

21st century for me. You can seat by depth or by feel