Primer Tubes, the Last Primer

[kenhwind]

This is more or less a curiosity question. The reloading manuals advise to never go poking at primers with anything which seems like sound advice. So, when filling up the primer tubes let's say 100 primers the last primer is stuck in the pickup orifice. With the Dillon primer pickup tubes, it's not that big a deal as the primer is easily pushed in.

But I bought an RCBS bench mounted priming tool, and what a joy it is to use but the primer tube pickup orifice it pretty tight.

So, what is the best way to push that last primer in to the tube?
There is nothing in the direction as to how the push the last primer in.
One more primer?

 

[CJ6]

I just push it down with the alum. "pin" that came with it.

 

[rijndael]

I just put my fingernail in the plastic tip's slot. It's pushed down.

 

[GLShooter]

What he said.

Greg

 

[rebeltex]

I push it in with the tip of a Matchking bullet that lives on my bench.

 

[M-61]

Been a concern of mine forever.
Seems every tube, large or small, it happens to me.
And I never read anything by the manufacturer about this so:
I always make sure it really is the last one in the tube…. Not 2nd or 19th to last
Then ( although you should have eye protection on for nearly everything) l put them on and give a slow push. Has worked for me a real long time.
If there is some ‘trick’ I’m all ears ( or eyes)

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I use a plastic AR push pin tool, it has worked real well.

 

[GLShooter]

Since I decap live primers I'm not overly concerned dislodging one lightly setting in the tube.

Greg

I always wear glasses btw.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I’m sure a small dowell rod or even a old plastic writing pen or cap would work also

 

[GLO123]

I just use the little loading pin that holds the primers in the tube. Just push the last one down.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

If your really concerned about setting that last primer off, then find or make something just a hair smaller than the hole in the pickup tube. This will spread out the"push" over the whole primer, not near the sensitive center. Or like already mentioned, I just grab the nearest pointy bullet on the loading bench. Bet you couldn't make one go off if you tried!

Frank

 

[D-4297]

Had this same issue with the R.C.B.S. Press-mounted primer tool , and it was always the last two or three that didn't want to drop into the cup . It's a alignment issue ...Nope . Checked everything , and then dropped a standard drill , shank end first into the tube . It went right into the primer cup , smooth as glass . Now ; after priming about fifteen or so cases , I insert the drill , shank end down into the tube , and when all the primers are use , the "arm" catches the drill in the cup , and tells me I'm out of primers . Pull the tube , remove drill , and reload the tube , after putting the clip in place .

 

[jackson1]

Have owned and used my RCBS bench mounted priming tool for many years. To get the last primer down the tube, I use a 6" machinists pocket rule and insert it into the slot on the plastic loading port and never touching the center of the primer. About a month ago I saw a thread on another site showing pictures of one of these tubes exploding during use. Since then, have used my 21st Century tool a lot more.

 

[PhilC]

I just put my fingernail in the plastic tip's slot. It's pushed down.

Simple isn't it.

 

[JFrank]

This is more or less a curiosity question. The reloading manuals advise to never go poking at primers with anything which seems like sound advice. So, when filling up the primer tubes let's say 100 primers the last primer is stuck in the pickup orifice. With the Dillon primer pickup tubes, it's not that big a deal as the primer is easily pushed in.

But I bought an RCBS bench mounted priming tool, and what a joy it is to use but the primer tube pickup orifice it pretty tight.

So, what is the best way to push that last primer in to the tube?
There is nothing in the direction as to how the push the last primer in.
One more primer?

A small plastic swizzle or straw

 

[divingin]

If your really concerned about setting that last primer off, then find or make something just a hair smaller than the hole in the pickup tube. This will spread out the"push" over the whole primer, not near the sensitive center.

The push is on the inside crown of the anvil. Given the propensity of misfires with light strikes, I (personally) don't see much of an issue. I use the fiberglass rod that came with my Hornady press (that I suppose is meant to keep the primers from sticking in the primer magazine, but I use mainly as an indicator of when the tube is empty.)

 

[kenhwind]

I have the Dillon Allen wrenches which are ball ended and that is what I generally use.
The Dillon is no big deal as that last primer pushes right in, but the RCBS tube seemed like it took a bit of a push.