Priming Tools

[Rossbay]

Looking for some input/recommendations on priming tools. The automatic Primer feeder on my RCBS press is malfunctioning. I was just going to replace it and then thought that perhaps one of the hand held priming tools might be a better choice. Does anyone have experience with the hand priming tools?

[tom]

I use the Lee Auto Prime for years and it does give you the feel of a hand primer.
For a premier one Sinclair makes one that is the best on the market. Tom

[bushrat]

Lee auto prime, great tool, small $$. Way faster and easier than fiddling around with those tubes on your press. There are many other more expensive ones out there but for simple basic reloading the Lee is hard to beat and so is the price.

[Cariboo]

I used the Lee tool for many years but came to hate the way the pot metal would regularly break if you do a lot of reloading. Even though Lee is good about replacing the parts it is still a PITA.

The design of the Lee also allows for ignition of primers in the tray if the one you are seating goes off. That is why Lee warns against using Federal primers in their tool and limiting Winchester primers to a maximum of 10 in the tray at a time.

I have been using the RCBS hand tool for about a year now and have very few negative things to say about it. It isolates the primer being seated from the supply in the tray so a chain explosion is less likely than with the Lee. It also uses the same shell-holders as your press. This saves you from having to stock up on 2 types of shell-holders. The only thing I don't care for on the RCBS is that the priming rod is not captive. If you turn the tool upside down the rod will fall on the floor. Also, the priming rod is not reversible in that one end is flat while the other is rounded. It is VERY easy to put the rod in backwards and crush a few primers before being noticed.

My next reloading purchase is going to be the RCBS bench priming tool. A friend of mine bought one a few months ago and claims it to be the best thing since sliced bread.

[THE SWEDE]

RCBS Handtool for sure

[Downwindtracker]

Lee,I haven't had a problem ,yet. But I have only loaded a 3 or 4 thousand.There have been reloaders who have worn them out on Federal primers.

[kutenay]

I bought one of the original R.C.B.S. handtools when they were first offered and, after a few thousand rounds, it broke; I intend to send it back, someday when I remember to do so as this was years ago.

Since then, I have just primed at the top of my R.C.B.S. "Big Max" press and keep several priming units individually adjusted for the different makes of primers. However, I think that I am going to buy a R.C.B.S. bench tool and use those plastic strips to speed things up.

I have owned "progressive" presses, but, I don't care for them, each to his own.

[260_Rem]

RCBS hand primer for me, works pretty good

[the rifleman]

Originally Posted by Cariboo

I used the Lee tool for many years but came to hate the way the pot metal would regularly break if you do a lot of reloading. Even though Lee is good about replacing the parts it is still a PITA.

The design of the Lee also allows for ignition of primers in the tray if the one you are seating goes off. That is why Lee warns against using Federal primers in their tool and limiting Winchester primers to a maximum of 10 in the tray at a time. .

Whats the deal with Federal primers and Win primers? And what pot metal part was breaking on these primer tools? Something I should be watching for? Are we talking about the little hand primer tool that has the circular primer holder, and you squeeze to insert primer?

[Cariboo]

I had one that broke right at the handle and another that broke at the pivot pin. Lee replaced both no questions asked but it was a pain waiting for the replacement parts to show up.

According to Lee the Federal primers are more "explosive" than most others on the market which is supposedly one of the reasons Federal now packages them in the bulky trays. A tray of them going off at the same time is supposed to be like a bomb letting go. Again according to Lee the Winchesters are almost as bad. I personally however think that the warnings on the Lee packaging has a lot to do with Dick Lee's hatred of both Federal and Winchester.

[martini]

Originally Posted by 260_Rem

RCBS hand primer for me, works pretty good

me too, works great.

[Downwindtracker]

Primers are made two ways "basic" and "normal" one is more touchy than the other. I forgot which,but CCIs are lest touchy,Federal the most. The Lee warning is a lawyer thing,cover your a....

I bet it's another "it varies with lot#" thing,too.

[BCBUGSY]

I didn't hear about the federal primers with the Lee hand tool untill last year.I probably ran at least 10,000 of them through the tool before I found out .Thankfully I never had any problems except for like Boo said breaking the pot metal lever.I don't use it much any more.Bugsy

[BCWILL]

Originally Posted by BCBUGSY

I didn't hear about the federal primers with the Lee hand tool untill last year.I probably ran at least 10,000 of them through the tool before I found out

I tried to keep that from you as long as I could.......

Yes my Lee also broke the Pot metal lever...replaced for FREE
Still use it but only for Pistol rounds now.

[BCBUGSY]

Originally Posted by BCWILL

I tried to keep that from you as long as I could.......

Yes my Lee also broke the Pot metal lever...replaced for FREE

Aparently you kept that to yourself aswell.I paid for mine!