Ram primer

[Kracken McGraw]

For decades I have used hand priming tools and finally got to the point where the hands no longer manage it very well. Solution, as I see it, is to go to bench priming mechanisms. The three in the photos have been in the shop for awhile and all work pretty well, but there is something about each that could be better. Currently have 3 more on the way and hopefully one will fill the bill. This morning I set all three on the bench and primed 10 cases with each. For my situation, the Forster in the front came out on top for all phases of it's operation. I do prime 10-20K per year so I would like one that will hold up.


1. RCBS in the rear is nice but I do not like the 2 operations each time to get a case primed.
2. The LEE , on the right, is better than the RCBS but feels cheap and may not hold up for the amount of priming I do.
3. The Forster is the smoothest, most rugged and easiest to work with and no special shell holders required. Primer feed tubes are simple to fill so this one gets my vote of the three.

Enroute are a couple from Lyman, their Auto prime and the Auto prime self loader and another from Derraco PCPS that has come highly rated, we will see after comparing all 6. Whatta Hobby!View attachment 1687615View attachment 1687616

I mentioned this the other day on the RCBS bench tool, the thing I do to keep a rhythm on the two operations of the primer that you mentioned is to never let my right hand off the handle. My left hand loads and unloads cases.

 

[NF1E]

I mentioned this the other day on the RCBS bench tool, the thing I do to keep a rhythm on the two operations of the primer that you mentioned is to never let my right hand off the handle. My left hand loads and unloads cases.

Thanks. All suggestions are more than welcome. Even the Derraco PCPS is a 2 step operation. Guess I can get over the little annoyances in favor of a solid operation. Whatta Hobby!

 

[209jones]

For decades I have used hand priming tools and finally got to the point where the hands no longer manage it very well. Solution, as I see it, is to go to bench priming mechanisms. The three in the photos have been in the shop for awhile and all work pretty well, but there is something about each that could be better. Currently have 3 more on the way and hopefully one will fill the bill. This morning I set all three on the bench and primed 10 cases with each. For my situation, the Forster in the front came out on top for all phases of it's operation. I do prime 10-20K per year so I would like one that will hold up.


1. RCBS in the rear is nice but I do not like the 2 operations each time to get a case primed.
2. The LEE , on the right, is better than the RCBS but feels cheap and may not hold up for the amount of priming I do.
3. The Forster is the smoothest, most rugged and easiest to work with and no special shell holders required. Primer feed tubes are simple to fill so this one gets my vote of the three.

Enroute are a couple from Lyman, their Auto prime and the Auto prime self loader and another from Derraco PCPS that has come highly rated, we will see after comparing all 6. Whatta Hobby!View attachment 1687615View attachment 1687616

I've been thru pretty much precisely what you are presently doing, didn't bother with the Lee unit, wasn't inclined to try one again, their new version handprimer soured me. Sold both at a gun show last month. Think the only handprimer I didn't try was the Lyman. Do not like handling individual primers, so, those units didn't get bought.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Somehow, I have both, but use the RCBS more often. I find it useful for loading small batches for varminting or primer testing with various brands/loads etc.

 

[D-4297]

I use a very old RCBS A2 that has the primer tool set-up as part of the press . Works great , and never have had any primer issues . If everything in life were just this simple .