rcbs universal vs regular hand prim tool

[montanacruiser]

Hi all getting ready to get a new priming tool. Just was wondering if the rcbs universal hand prim tool was worth spending twice as much as just the regular rcbs hand prim tool? I do have all the rcbs shell holders for it all ready. What are your thoughts on them?
Thanks

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I have had one for several years.. Mine has a universal shell holder affair built in. No need for shell holders. Works good most of the time. Every once in a while if I do not get the case in correctly the whole case jumps out. I like the large square tray. I don't like the cover as it is difficult at to get it back on without tipping primers over. It also has mechanism to keep primers from infiltrating the seating hole [double feeding], and has a nifty stop on the feed ramp. The tray is easily detachable. I guess if you purchased extra primer trays you could easily set it up for different primers. Overall I am happy with it..

FWIW I have four other primer tools [Lee]. I like the RCBS the best..

 

[K22]

I've tried many priming tools over the years and the absolute best one I ever used is the Sinclair tool. It's very well made, works flawlessly, and is indestructible. However it's more suited to the low volume / precision reloader.

I had several RCBS hand primer tools that the handle broke from fatigue cracks after about a year of use. This was many years ago so the new ones may be better made. The ones I used seemed to be made out of a "pot" metal type of construction.

 

[calgarycanada]

I have RCBS universal priming tool. It's well made, easy to change from large to small rifle, seating depth is very good on Lapua brass or any other uniformed primer pocket brass. The cover was hard to get on but I took sand paper to the stub thingi that goes into the tray and it's smooth now(no more flipped primers while installing cover). I use Forster press and didn't like the idea of buying bunch of shell holders just for priming tool so this unit is perfect. Floating case means more centred/consistent primer seating ?? Maybe ?

 

[amlevin]

I'm more in favor of the shell holder type tool. Unless one is loading a huge number of different calibers that require a large number of different shell holders for each, I'd just use the standard one.

Simple rule of thumb----the more moving parts the greater the risk of failure.

Along that line I'm still using a Lee hand priming tool I purchased over 35 years ago. The new ones with square trays are only $20. Takes a little getting used to but I use it alongside my old "Round Tray" tool. No need to change shell holders that way and it suits my new "lazy" lifestyle 8)

 

[Big Mc]

You said you have all the RCBS shell holders. How old are they ? the reason I bring this up is I got a new RCBS unit and every shell holder I had WOULD NOT FIT. RCBS did send me new ones for free, but it did take two weeks There is a grove cut in the new ones. Tommy Mc..

 

[BennyS]

RCBS universal is a great tool that works well. I use it to prime from 9mm to 30-06 and it works flawlessly!

 

[gaboon]

I have 2 universal primming tools for lrg and small primers. Also have a couple extra primer trays for rifle and pistol primers. No changing or storing shell holders.

 

[wboggs]

I've had shells pop out of the universal if you are not careful in seating them.

 

[aloreman]

i have to standard hand primers set up for 223 and 308. since i bought my bench primer from rcbs i havent touched either

 

[Barlow]

RCBS universal is a great tool that works well. I use it to prime from 9mm to 30-06 and it works flawlessly!

10-4 Barlow

 

[amlevin]

I've had shells pop out of the universal if you are not careful in seating them.

I've found that "Universal" tools will do a lot of jobs, unfortunately not all of them well.

I still prefer to have a shell holder that is case specific. Unless one has one of every different case type, one or two shell holders will usually do the job with a "perfect fit" every time.

 

[people]

Universal all the way. The sliders will stick every once in a while but not too frequently.

 

[madmixerman]

I had the regular RCBS priming tool for about 10 years with no problems. Recently went to the bench type due to arthritis in hand made using the hand tool painful to use.

 

[amlevin]

I had the regular RCBS priming tool for about 10 years with no problems. Recently went to the bench type due to arthritis in hand made using the hand tool painful to use.

I actually found that the more I exercised my hands the less effect the arthritis from years of work and abuse had.

If not priming, I squeeze rubber balls, etc. In the 30 years of working with my hands before moving into a corporate office took it's toll. For some reason my fingers (and thumbs) were "hammer magnets"