Hand priming versus on the press- what tool ?

Alfred

Alfred

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I'm a low volume reloader and I use the priming arm attachment for my single stage press ( Lyman) and it works OK but thinking of adding a hand primer to the fleet.There seems to be a number of tools out there - what do guys recommend ?
 
I have used a Lee hand priming tool for years. Its fast and affordable.
 
I use a basic RCBS hand primer. I can run through quite a bit of brass once I get warmed up. Biggest pain is getting out of rhythm every 100 rounds to reload the primer dish.
 
-1 for Lee here -- Go RCBS.
The Lee tool I had would flip or jam primers all the time. I trashed it and got an RCBS tool which works great and cost just about the same. It uses standard shell holders, not the universal tool.
 
Another vote for the Lee. I can change out the small primer tray from the large primer tray in less than 10 seconds if I need to.
 
Catfish;n36092 said:
-1 for Lee here -- Go RCBS.
The Lee tool I had would flip or jam primers all the time. I trashed it and got an RCBS tool which works great and cost just about the same. It uses standard shell holders, not the universal tool.
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Standard shellholders is nice.

I have an ancient Lee I inherited and keeping track of the shellholders is either difficult or I don't have as many as I thought.

The absolute best priming tool I have tried is the RCBS Bench mounted priming tool that uses primer tubes, unmatched feel.
 
Get the Lee tool. It's cheap and once you have deprimed/resized you can prime your brass while watching tv or whatever. Makes quick and easy work.
 
I use the RCBS universal one, you never have to worry about shell holders.
 
Lee or RCBS, not much difference if you ask me. Lee uses special shell holders, RCBS uses the same as your press. I have two of the Lee, one for small and one for large primers. Only have to change shell holders or change from rifle to pistol.
CF
 
Nothing really wrong with using the press- once I got the thing set up right it feeds primers pretty reliably. But it does require me to be at the press which is in an unheated area, instead of being able to prime where I have heat.

And the primer tube on the press gets in the way if you don't remove it as soon as you are done priming, and then theres the issue of stopping the flow of primers before yanking it off the press.
I figured out there are exactly 12 small pistol primers below the point where the pin to stop primer flow is- so, 12 cases before I am done, I put the pin in, finish up and then remove the tube so it doesnt dribble new primers into the spent primer pile.


Tailhunter;n36959 said:
The RCBS with individual shell holders.

But what is wrong with the press?
Click to expand...
 
Alfred said:
Nothing really wrong with using the press- once I got the thing set up right it feeds primers pretty reliably. But it does require me to be at the press which is in an unheated area, instead of being able to prime where I have heat.

And the primer tube on the press gets in the way if you don't remove it as soon as you are done priming, and then theres the issue of stopping the flow of primers before yanking it off the press.
I figured out there are exactly 12 small pistol primers below the point where the pin to stop primer flow is- so, 12 cases before I am done, I put the pin in, finish up and then remove the tube so it doesnt dribble new primers into the spent primer pile.


Tailhunter;n36959 said:
The RCBS with individual shell holders.

But what is wrong with the press?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Ahhh, the being mobile thing, rcbs.
 
Am I the only one here who had issues with the Lee hand primers? As I said one of them flipped primers or they went into the case sideways. One I had before that just broke - it was cast from cheap pot metal and fell apart while using it. I'm not a brand-loyal kind of guy. I like low price tags and I'll use tools from any maker if they work but Lee failed me on this one.
 
I've got a Hornady Hand primer I will sell you. I've never used it, got it as part of a lot and I have no need for it.
 
I started out with the Lee hand primer. It will do the job, and its very affordable. For pistol cartriges its great, but it can be a little tough for some rifle cartridges, especially with tight primer pockets.

A few years ago I broke one of my Lee primers, and went to Mace Sports in Mebane to buy a replacement, and saw the RCBS hand primer. IT cost more, but it looked very solid and ergonomic. I picked it up, and its been my number 1 priming tool ever since. I keep my spare Lee around as a backup.
 
I have used a Lee Auto-prime for lots of years.Mine is the old style with the round primer trays.The wife broke one probably 20 years ago, the pot metal ram part. Sent it back to Lee and they replaced the whole thing.You can machine the bottom off of old press shellholders and they will work in the autoprime.
 
I prime on the press with Lee safety prime tool. Can't recommend a hand held unit, but I can say I'm quite impressed with the Lee safety tooly thingy.
 
Used the Lee handheld for a while had no issues with it other than my hand cramping after a long session. Then Lee introduced the bench prime. Picked one up from lucky13bullets. Literally primed 1000 cases the following day with no issues. Just got my loadmaster setup and the plan is to prime on it going forward.
 
I really like the RCBS with the shell holders. I made a small and a large priming rods .008" longer to seat primers deep for my revolvers works great.

Tom
 
cold1 said:
I have used a Lee hand priming tool for years. Its fast and affordable.
Click to expand...
+1. Can switch out the small tray for the large one in less than 10 seconds if need be.
 
Thanks for the comments, all. Sounds like they all work in one fashion or another, I'm gonna shop once the ice age ends here.
 
Just getting started reloading and I have Lee dies. When we say we like the RCBS because it uses standard dies, those are standard RCBS dies only, right? The RCBS primer won't use standard Lee dies, will it? And what about the RCBS Universal? To quote a cliche, universal means it doesn't fit anything? [video]https://www.midwayusa.com/product/319794/rcbs-universal-hand-priming-tool?cm_mmc=pe_weekly-_-wishcartsale-_-wishcartsale_automated-_-producttitle[/video]
 
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I had a Lee....it broke and I replaced it with a Hornady which I've been very happy with.

One thing I've learned about the Lee equipment is that it typically works just fine BUT the gear from RCBS, Hornady, and Dillon works, feels, operates so much better. It's like the difference in feel you get going from driving an economy car to a luxury car. Both will get you from point A to point B but spending a few more dollars makes the experience more enjoyable

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
 
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I broke several Lee hand priming tools. Bought a Lee Auto Prime Ii and haven't looked back. It is a press priming tool but I'd rather prime on the press, especially if I'm priming Lapua or Lake City with crimp removed.
 
Lucky13bullets said:
After i re read that, i think it may sound like it could be taken the wrong way... it was not meant to sound derogatory in any way shape or form..
Catfish
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No offense taken. I have done quite a bit of griping in response to some inquiry threads.
And I have had significant issues with about half the Lee equipment I've tried - mostly small tools and gizmos.
The other half works as intended (or close enough) and I continue to use it.
Their hand priming tools are in that first half.
 
The Lee ram prime works great with their cheap $30 'C reloader press. Even better when I put one of my kids on that duty when i need to manually prime cases. Otherwise I prime with the round Auto-Prime II that came with my cast turret. I own dies, trays, case prep, and lube equipment from RCBS, Lyman, and Lee but when it comes to something better for the money than a Lee cast 4 hole turret press I havent seen it. My indexing works well enough for me to load moderate amounts of .223 rifle ammo and most pistol. Maybe when i retire and shoot more I will need something faster but I doubt it

If so, it will be blue and be a RL650
 
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