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Priming hand tool

ANDY T said:
Hi
I have seen a lot of development over the last few years around reloading but one thing that has not changed much is the hand priming tool. After priming 50 100 cases it can get a bit sore on the hands. So is there anything out three that is battery operated that can do the job with a press of a button but still be hand held.??

Andy

Did anyone ask if they are homeland security or military cases?

KK4
 
I use the co-ax priming tool (not hand held) and I have no desire to try anything else. It does a great job and is very quick once its set up.

Greg
 
used Forster Coax press priming and had issues with light strikes and was a PITA. Only thing I changed was the priming tool to the 21st and not had a single issue over 200 rounds now. So for me the press was not seating the primers to touch the pocket or consistently for me
 
savageshooter86 said:
used Forster Coax press priming and had issues with light strikes and was a PITA. Only thing I changed was the priming tool to the 21st and not had a single issue over 200 rounds now. So for me the press was not seating the primers to touch the pocket or consistently for me

It's interesting to read where some people will have problems using a piece of equipment and then others have no issues with the same piece. I've been using my Co-Ax press primer and I think it works fine. I guess I have shot at least a thousands rounds, with no issues, since I switched to it from the K&M primer seater. I started out using the K&M unit with the guage for about 500 rounds. One day I decided to try the seater on my press and after I developed a system and rhythm I never used the K&M piece again.
 
yep interesting to me too. Had loaded over 1000 rounds using Lee hand tool and never had issue. Then got the Coax press and first loads I used had 3 light strikes. Only thing is I was using CCI 200 and then when went to Tula KVB7 that is when the issues came up. Continued to have issues until I switched back to hand tool. No worries now using the 21st tool. So seemed the Coax was not seating them enough in the pockets
 
savageshooter86 said:
... So seemed the Coax was not seating them enough in the pockets

I wonder if the seater needs some kind of adjustment. All my primers are seated just a little bit, maybe a couple of thousands, below the case head.
 
I'd say if your getting light primer strikes with a primer seated flush with the base of the cartridge, the primer pocket is way too loose.

I originally was talking about the co-ax bench top priming tool, but I also use the co-ax press for some large rifle rounds and have never had any issue at all, even when the pocket was loosened up a bit. Seems a little strange, like maybe something else might have been causing the problem.

Greg
 
Don't want to get thread way off topic. I eliminated the issue by hand priming. Pockets are still tight. All pockets were uniformed the same

OP: maybe one day they will come up with such a gizmo to seat primers for you
 
Don't know if this will help, I made a padded thing that I put over the handle and on the back of my lee tool that I have had for years . I t makes for a softer feel on my hands.
 
Its a head scratcher alright, Ive used the Lee tools since they had a single load w/ screw in shell holder and have loaded tens of thousands of rounds in the following years. I have 4 of them each set up for LR,LP, SR, andLR. The only problems have been an occasional primer rolling over in the feed slide. Never had a DC even with the dreaded Federal primers. The only difficult spot was using Wolf/Tula LRM in new Winny WSM cases. They were just real tight. Ive replaced a couple of linkages over time, and if one failed Id replace it w/ a Lee tomorrow. Im not a carpenter ,but Im not cussing my hammer and saw.
 
I note the number of folks talking up the 21st priming tool. Not familiar with it. When I want the best feel for priming (as for my benchrest rifles), I reach for my Sinclair tool - which I thought was the best thing going. Is the 21st priming tool better? In what way(s)? Always looking for better....
 
searcher said:
I note the number of folks talking up the 21st priming tool. Not familiar with it. When I want the best feel for priming (as for my benchrest rifles), I reach for my Sinclair tool - which I thought was the best thing going. Is the 21st priming tool better? In what way(s)? Always looking for better....

Sinclair tool is good. 21st Century "single stage" is better. Better feel, less slop in lever, click-adjustable seating depth, much easier shell-holder change-overs (without tiny set screws to get lost). The machining tolerances are also better. I also prefer the shape of the main cylinder on the 21st Century tool. It is more comfortable in the hand. It is truly the "Rolls Royce" of single-primer tools.
 
It's really easy to just start the primer a little and then seat it fully when I close the bolt. :o. JUST KIDDING. ;D. No, I've used the "feel" method (which I prefer) and old fashioned Lee hand priming tools for almost 50 years. Worn out several even though I keep them clean and lubricated. Now the pains in my old knuckles are telling me to look for another way. Maybe some sort of hydraulic assist tool would be the best of all worlds--combining ease of operation and still keep the "feel."
 
I'm happy with my Forster hand priming tool. It definitely takes more than a single finger's force, but it doesn't make my hands sore. I don't find it lacking in any way.

Jeff
 
Gene Pool:
The bench mounted tools offer a good "feel"
Don't know if any of them offer a depth control or not but that would be the Cats Meow :)
John H
 
Savageshooter--I have the old Bonanza Co-Ax Press (now Forster) and it has always seated the primers about .005" below the head like their instructions said but I had to screw the priming stem upwards until it did and used a little blue loc-tite. I had trouble with some of the thru holes on the case shellholders not being quite large enough for the seating stem so I relieved them some. I have many other priming tools but still use the Co-Ax for certain cases.
 
savage shooter--I don't think the new Co Ax press uses the universal shell holders like my old one for the priming station, at least the ones I see pictured anyway. I figured I better correct that.
 
I have tried almost all of them. Used a RCBS bench mount for years, but hands down John Perkins ( 21st century) is the most adjustable comfortable and most accurate tool I have used. Also check out his brass prep tools he is truly an innovator!
 

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