Which small caliber primer tool should I purchase?

[Dave Marshall]

I’ve worn out two Lee hand primers and used an RCBS hand primer with shell holders, and an RCBS Universal. For small primers, I like the RCBS one that uses shell holders.

I hated them all for large primers. I use a bench mounted RCBS for that. Love it.

Priming on the progressive press was more trouble than it was worth. Lots of stoppages, crooked seating, and risk of setting off the whole tube.

 

[Medic505]

Once you get used to a single feed priming tool its hard to go back to goofing with tubes or jamming trays. Its alot faster than you think. Get a good primer flip tray like a dillon and dont put too many primers in it. Id be willing to bet an experienced br shooter that loads between targets is faster and way more precise with a single load priming tool than anybody is with a tray fed or tube fed rig.

I'd take that bet. There is no way you can prime faster with a single feed than with a Forester. Not as precise you say? My ES's and SD's are low enough that doesn't concern me. As far as Lee goes, they use to make one that was passable, but their engineers worked really hard to make it a useless primer jamming POS.

 

[Dave Marshall]

One thing I like about the RCBS bench primer is it’s unlikely to set off the primer tube if there’s a hiccup. I’m not sure about the Forster.

 

[BenPerfected]

Main difference is the better ergonomics on the 21st plus click adjustable depth not shims

Dusty, I’m not using shims but I slightly turned out the bolt on the Sinclair primer seater and use lock-tight on the bolt. As & I only reload 6 Dasher brass using one primer, that’s the main reason why I never switched to the 21st Century priming tool.
Ben
PS....I’m saving my $ to spend on bullets.

 

[L W P]

I've used this one for years. It's worked great for me and I especially like the option of screwing the head up or down for seating the primer depth.
cludes both large and small anvil assemblies.

Primer Seater Deluxe


If you want the ultimate in hand priming tools - the K&M Primer Deluxe will fit the bill.

Add for $67.90

 

[3Ackleys]

I have had a Frankford for a few years, after a handful of others. It is adjustable, comfortable, fast, easy to switch shell holders and primer size. It comes with 12 shell holders and a case. Have primed many thousands from 20 VT to 416 Rigby with no issues.

 

[muleystalker]

I had different hand priming tools, two each of the RCBS and LEE, sold them all to a member here. As I'm getting older I found the hand seating types getting more tedious to operate. After selling the aforementioned tools I went with the RCBS Automatic Primer Tool, these have great reviews and after using it for a while, I can see why. I wish I would have bought one of these years back.

The RCBS Automatic primer tool is what I use, it works great and its quick.

 

[TAJ45]

Carry it to the range and see. Id love to have one but just keep using the portables

Portability ? No biggie? The extra thick cutting board block is abt the size of my Labradar and a lot more portable than a chrono screen set up.
My main point was depth adjustment ease.
However, considering what we carry for load dev..... ?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Portability ? No biggie? The extra thick cutting board block is abt the size of my Labradar and a lot more portable than a chrono screen set up.
My main point was depth adjustment ease.
However, considering what we carry for load dev..... ?

The 21st comes with 2 options on depth adjustment and fits in your pocket or a loading box drawer. Its just in my mind but seems more portable to me

 

[TAJ45]

"More"? of course. Degrees of anything = more or less - by degrees.

 

[McFred]

I wanted badly to get the 21st Century one that, apparently, has been discontinued, which had the Lee tray attachment. If I'm going to have to manually touch Every. Single. Primer. then I'll just keep using my antique, slow, RCBS rockchucker's primer seater.

Last year I bought the Frankford Arsenal "platinum" deal for $75. It has the tray for a couple hundred primers and a dozen shellholders with seating depth adjustment. I'm sure it's not as nice as the K&M/21st Cent. counterparts, but it's better than fumbling with every single primer; chasing them around the reloading room floor...

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have the tray type 21st century one and i love it. Maybe @Petros284 can put in a word and get some more made because they are great.

 

[Petros284]

I have the tray type 21st century one and i love it. Maybe @Petros284 can put in a word and get some more made because they are great.

They are a great tool, however a much better tray system is needed. Maybe someday we’ll figure one out!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

They are a great tool, however a much better tray system is needed. Maybe someday we’ll figure one out!

Make your own, from brass, and model it after the round tray lee original. Ill let you copy mine if needed.

 

[500yards]

I started with the press mounted priming tool and moved on to the RCBS bench...

 

[Treerat-sniper]

I have an old Lee that I purchased as part of their challenger kit back in the late 80s or early 90s. I replaced everything else from that set over the years, but that old priming tool keeps ticking along. I'll probably replace it this year..

 

[Sandstorm]

Frankford Arsenal works really well for me...or the Bald Eagle I use for my Comp rounds.

 

[Iowa Fox]

I'd take that bet. There is no way you can prime faster with a single feed than with a Forester. Not as precise you say? My ES's and SD's are low enough that doesn't concern me. As far as Lee goes, they use to make one that was passable, but their engineers worked really hard to make it a useless primer jamming POS.

If your using the Forster priming tool get yourself one of their red plastic tube loading trays. Last year I was at Brownells talking to the guys about their reloading stuff. They were eager for feed back on what I thought of some of their stuff. When we got to the priming tool I told them I like the tool but loading tubes was a P I T A. They both smiled and went over to some of their stuff and pulled out a rectangular plastic loading tray and gave it to me to try. I think the one they gave me was a early 3D printed prototype by appearance. I've got a lot of different priming tools as I thought the one I was buying would be better than the ones I had. Not.

 

[JFrank]

I’m very pleased with the K&M no need to overpay or overthink it.
J

 

[Medic505]

If your using the Forster priming tool get yourself one of their red plastic tube loading trays. Last year I was at Brownells talking to the guys about their reloading stuff. They were eager for feed back on what I thought of some of their stuff. When we got to the priming tool I told them I like the tool but loading tubes was a P I T A. They both smiled and went over to some of their stuff and pulled out a rectangular plastic loading tray and gave it to me to try. I think the one they gave me was a early 3D printed prototype by appearance. I've got a lot of different priming tools as I thought the one I was buying would be better than the ones I had. Not.

Thanks, I'll give it a look.