Upgrading Equipment -Input Requested

[Kracken McGraw]

Yeah, Whatever you do don't get a $600.00 primer seater, You will not see $600.00 worth of improvement at the bench or the target. Get the Hornady trimmer and buy yourself something else you like with the money you saved.

Is the new Hornady trimmer on the street yet?

 

[muleystalker]

I have both the ZERO and the HENDERSON and both are great. If you have a lot of brass to trim regularly I would go with the HENDERSON but if you just trim occasionally I would go the ZERO because you will be using it with every round you reload. I have an injured wrist and hand a the CPS primer make priming a joy compared to other methods and was worth the money. Here is a HENDERSON for sale. https://forum.accurateshooter.com/t...cision-trimmer-extra-cutters-collets.4141894/

 

[Sniperhandle]

They are out, But they are out of stock most places.

 

[209jones]

Can't fault anyone for wanting a Zero press, or a Nexus, either one is a very nice unit. But, I'd likely pick the Henderson in your case, hard to go wrong with that seeing as you have the Forster collets, believe it still takes Forster cutters too. I would have bought one about 10 yrs ago, but, had too many calibers to do, and some cutters were custom at the time, wasn't willing to fork out that much. If you wanted to take a look at a priming tool, might want to check out the PCPS tool from Ugly Reloading, that tool makes some sense, to me anyway.

 

[gmr4]

Check this out for a different fast accurate prime, I use a 21 century for my BR priming but for my high volume reloads this baby is fantastic and at a great price. love his shell holders also. All in my imho.

PCPS next gen precision primer seating system by Derraco Engineering – Derraco Engineering, the maker of Ugly annealers

After seeing a few comparison test between this Derraco and the CPS I bought the Derraco and it works great. Very consistent and easy to use. Saved $400 by choosing @ uglyreloadingusa.com.

 

[drop_point]

No argument intended. I also have the Sinclair hand priming tool. Either it or the 21st century hand primers are great, but no comparison to the CPS. My fingers fatigue quickly when I’m priming 200 cases in one session with any hand priming tool. Henderson trimmer is great and you will love it - still recommend giving the CPS a look (grin).

The Derraco Engineering priming system does the same thing for significantly less cash and it doesn't require additional bench space. Its an excellent addition to a turret press.

Myself, I really like my Dillon 750 for priming....and everything else at the same time.

 

[muleystalker]

The Derraco Engineering priming system does the same thing for significantly less cash and it doesn't require additional bench space. Its an excellent addition to a turret press.

Myself, I really like my Dillon 750 for priming....and everything else at the same time.

It works but it's not the same at all. Using the Derraco is slower and takes a lot more movement on your arm and wrist because it is using the stroke of a reloading press verses the small stroke on the Primal Rights. Not saying it doesn't work but it's not the same when in use. If I was going to put it on a T-7 press I would just get the REDDING slide priming unit thats made to mount to the press and it would be better than the PSPS, much smaller stroke needed on the handle and the auto feed works just as good.

 

[drop_point]

It works but it's not the same at all. Using the Derraco is slower and takes a lot more movement on your arm and wrist because it is using the stroke of a reloading press verses the small stroke on the Primal Rights. Not saying it doesn't work but it's not the same when in use. If I was going to put it on a T-7 press I would just get the REDDING slide priming unit thats made to mount to the press and it would be better than the PSPS, much smaller stroke needed on the handle and the auto feed works just as good.

You can get extended shell holders and it doesn’t take much stroke at all. Or even two of them.

 

[Rank Amateur]

You can get extended shell holders and it doesn’t take much stroke at all. Or even two of them.

First, we’re talking about priming tools costing between $200 and $700! Then, this isn’t a thread about priming tools (grin). And, the OP seems to be leaning toward a powered trimmer rather than a priming tool. All that said, all of these priming tools ARE different to each other. Hand primers are of varying quality but all have the advantage of better “feel” in the priming process, allowing the user to feel when the primer seats. The downside is hand fatigue. The Derraco tool copied mechanics of the Primal Rights CPS, but moved them to a tool that mounts like a die into a reloading press. Advantages are speed and removal of hand fatigue and cost as compared to the CPS. Disadvantage is that you’re using a reloading press, designed to “crush” cartridge cases into shape, to insert primers. It works and it works well, but there is absolutely no feel (yes, I’ve used both the Derraco tool and I have the CPS). CPS has massive mechanical advantage, but not as much as a reloading press. It is much smoother, and it preserves the capacity to feel primer seating. As @muleystalker wrote, they’re not the same at all. A Lee Pro progressive press is the “same” as a Mark 7 Apex 10 or a Dillon RL1100 in that they all progressively load cartridges. That analogy isn’t intended to knock one and boost the others, it’s just an example of a similar comparison of the Derraco to the CPS. If cost is your primary concern, there are several very good hand primer tools. If a compromise is desired between best/fastest/most precise and lowest cost, then Derraco is a really good option. If you’re looking for the “best”, consider CPS. As always, YMMV.

 

[qec]

Another vote for a case trimmer instead of the press. I switched over to the FA (Frankford Arsenal) Platinum Case Prep center a couple of years ago after using the RCBS power trimmer for 30 years. Big upgrade. You have to hold onto the cases (which might be a problem depending on your hands). I get accurate results and I can process a lot of brass in an hour. The only upgrade to that would be to get the RCBS cutter for about $40. The one that comes with the FA is not very good.
The other upgrade I did around the same time is a hand priming tool. I also went with the FA tool. It too have been a game changer. I use it for all of my rifle ammo and all of my large pistol ammo. I use a progressive press for small pistol reloading.
For reference I have the T7, Dillon 550 and FA co-ax presses plus a cheap Lee aluminum single stage press (bullet seating for rifles).

 

[drop_point]

First, we’re talking about priming tools costing between $200 and $700! Then, this isn’t a thread about priming tools (grin). And, the OP seems to be leaning toward a powered trimmer rather than a priming tool. All that said, all of these priming tools ARE different to each other. Hand primers are of varying quality but all have the advantage of better “feel” in the priming process, allowing the user to feel when the primer seats. The downside is hand fatigue. The Derraco tool copied mechanics of the Primal Rights CPS, but moved them to a tool that mounts like a die into a reloading press. Advantages are speed and removal of hand fatigue and cost as compared to the CPS. Disadvantage is that you’re using a reloading press, designed to “crush” cartridge cases into shape, to insert primers. It works and it works well, but there is absolutely no feel (yes, I’ve used both the Derraco tool and I have the CPS). CPS has massive mechanical advantage, but not as much as a reloading press. It is much smoother, and it preserves the capacity to feel primer seating. As @muleystalker wrote, they’re not the same at all. A Lee Pro progressive press is the “same” as a Mark 7 Apex 10 or a Dillon RL1100 in that they all progressively load cartridges. That analogy isn’t intended to knock one and boost the others, it’s just an example of a similar comparison of the Derraco to the CPS. If cost is your primary concern, there are several very good hand primer tools. If a compromise is desired between best/fastest/most precise and lowest cost, then Derraco is a really good option. If you’re looking for the “best”, consider CPS. As always, YMMV.

With my pockets all cut to the same depth, and the priming tool having an adjustable stop, I don’t really care about “feel”.

The wear and tear on your hands and the quick loading of primers is the big advantage.

Both have the flaw of basing their depth on the relation of the shell holder to the rim, so precision is at mercy of consistency of the rim consistency. If it matters, but a Sinclair tool and call up McMaster-Carr for some shims.

My honest opinion is that the CPS is absurd and will not produce more consistent ammo than the Derraco or a hand primer.

 

[Texas Solo]

A new press won't improve your ammo. The Henderson could do that AND save time.