Priming tool recommendations

[john 800]

I have a lee priming tool set that I seems to work well with large primers, but when set for small primers doesn’t work nearly as well plus I would like to avoid swapping from large to small and keep one setup for each. What priming tools work well i genearal but especially with small primers?

 

[dave7mm]

I have a lee priming tool set that I seems to work well with large primers, but when set for small primers doesn’t work nearly as well plus I would like to avoid swapping from large to small and keep one setup for each. What priming tools work well i genearal but especially with small primers?

21 century for match rounds.
Frankfurt Arsenal for everything else.

 

[SeabeeKen]

I use rcbs universal hand primer but for my precision ammo is use this

PCPS Precision Case Priming System – Ugly Reloading USA

www.uglyreloadingusa.com

 

[JFrank]

21st century primer tool is about as good as it gets.

 

[Oklahoma Jim]

Another vote for PCPS/Derraco priming tools. They work great!

 

[Straightshooter1]

21st century primer tool is about as good as it gets.

Besides it having really good leverage making it easy on old hands like mine, I like that it can be set for a hard stop, which helps in getting pretty consistent primer seating. It's a bit on the expensive side, though.

 

[MikeRu]

What I do:​

1) Lee to seat the primers—very fast​

2) 21st century to get them to ~ uniform depth of about crush 2 (relies on rim thickness which can vary)

3) Accuracy One Precision Primer Gauge to quickly screen for outliers, if too shallow then add a click to the 21st century.

 

[stavey]

I use a Lee acp. Not rim thickness dependent and seats primers consistently wherever I adjust it to. I believe the Lee App can be modified to work the same . Being as the Lee Acp is now discontinued. The Sinclair and 21st century are also not rim thickness dependent. They are consistent good options . The new Lyman accu prime looks promising as well. But I have no experience with it yet.

 

[Toms]

I have a lee priming tool set that I seems to work well with large primers, but when set for small primers doesn’t work nearly as well plus I would like to avoid swapping from large to small and keep one setup for each. What priming tools work well i genearal but especially with small primers?

Get yourself another lee. I have used the original lee priming tool for 60 years. Tried Sinclair and others but the lee worked better for me.

 

[big5ifty]

Assuming this is about rifle cartridges.

For me, the Lee RAM prime or the RCBS ram prime are the most overlooked precision priming tools that I've used when it comes to controlled and consistent seating depth. There is no need to full stroke the handle, just raise the handle enough for the primer seating cup to go below the shellholder, place a primer and seat. Great economy of motion, and zero risk of primer flip.

Pair it with a Lee C-press, and it's a dedicated priming station. Cheap enough to have two dedicated setups.

I have a couple of RCBS bench primers, one is mounted so the handle travel is limited on the upstroke of the ram which controls the seating depth, and although they work very well, the ram primes are still my favourite.

When I was new to reloading, it was taboo to touch primers with your fingers. Utter rubbish, I've found [ try to de-activate live primers, it takes a lot more than touching], unless you've submerged both hands in a tub of used engine oil.

 

[Ackman]

No way I'd want to mess with loading primers singly into a tool. For many many years I used a Lee and it worked well. Still do.....I have one for large and one for small primers. Now using a Frankford primer and it's a whole big step up, just a great tool and worth every penny.

 

[marchboom]

RCBS Automatic Priming Tool. Changing from large to small primers is as quick and easy as changing dies on a Co-Ax press.

 

[AWS]

Lee original is pretty fool proof, I buy them when I can find them. I keep four on the bench with all four different primers so I never have to change, just slip in a different shell holder.

 

[Bronsin]

Sinclair or PMA

 

[TerryPohl]

Y’all people can shoot waaaay better than me if you can see the difference in a seating tools as far as group size. I do know you dont want them crushed but I do like feeling the primer bottoming out though. Don’t think it makes me shoot any better as far as I can tell.

 

[john 800]

It will be used for 6.5 grendel hunting loads and pistol rounds, although I don’t shoot much pistol lately.
Will a hunting ar15 shooting 1/2-3/4 moa on a good day notice a more precise primer seat?

 

[Oldbloke]

Assuming this is about rifle cartridges.

For me, the Lee RAM prime or the RCBS ram prime are the most overlooked precision priming tools that I've used when it comes to controlled and consistent seating depth. There is no need to full stroke the handle, just raise the handle enough for the primer seating cup to go below the shellholder, place a primer and seat. Great economy of motion, and zero risk of primer flip.

Pair it with a Lee C-press, and it's a dedicated priming station. Cheap enough to have two dedicated setups.

I have a couple of RCBS bench primers, one is mounted so the handle travel is limited on the upstroke of the ram which controls the seating depth, and although they work very well, the ram primes are still my favourite.

When I was new to reloading, it was taboo to touch primers with your fingers. Utter rubbish, I've found [ try to de-activate live primers, it takes a lot more than touching], unless you've submerged both hands in a tub of used engine oil.

Been useing that C press for depriming and about to start useing it with the Ram Prime too. The short throw of the lever makes that press ideal. Of course depends on how many u load.

I've got doubts that how you prime effects accuracy.

 

[Clancy]

21st is the second to last tool I’d ever get rid of, behind my arbor press.

It is blazing fast not having to mess with trays or tubes.

 

[JLT]

It will be used for 6.5 grendel hunting loads and pistol rounds, although I don’t shoot much pistol lately.
Will a hunting ar15 shooting 1/2-3/4 moa on a good day notice a more precise primer seat?

Nope.

 

[JLT]

The Frankfort Arsenal tool is very good, with excellent feel and depth control if you want to use it. I have one and use it for my match ammo frequently. The Derraco Engineering tool is also very good, but loading the tubes is an extra step. I'll use that when loading less than 100 rounds. Otherwise, the FA Platinum gets the nod.

The FA tool gives good feedback on the primer bottoming out in the pocket. As was mentioned above, if there's an advantage to be had with the ultimate in primer seating precision, I'm not good enough to shoot the difference.