RCBS Universal hand primer problems

If the handle is freezing up as you try to prime, you may have too many primers in the feed slot. Reducing by one should allow room to work. This is for large primers only though. I have never tried small on mine, as I prime on the press. Also need to be sure you are using the correct sized priming rod (small or large).
 
The handle is fine.. after some research, apparently hornady is known for having tight primer pockets sometimes.. I guess my press, has more pressure behind it, therefor itll prime the cases.... I was curious, so I took some of my once fired grendel brass, deprimed a few of them, and put them in the rcbs hand primer, primed all 5 of them perfect!

Now, my question is, after I fire this new brass once, will the pockets loosen up a bit?
 
I have noticed that happen on some Winchester and Federal brass, but don't know about Hornady. I suspect it is better brass, but if it does not, you can always ream the primer pockets. Another laborious step, but you only have to do it once.
 
Last edited:
Can't say I've ever loaded any Hornady brass, I stick to Winchester mainly but for the Hornady to have undersized primer pockets is strange. Have you done any measurements??? I'd be curious to know....
 
primes the same cases on my lee press no problem....

?

If the cases can be primed on a different machine, the problem is not with the cases. Do not alter the cases.

Reaming new cases that do not have crimps and that can accept primers??? I can see running a uniformer into them to groom the bottom of the pocket, but reaming the case to enlarge the diameter of the pocket could very easily result in a bunch of useless cases.

I have one of the old RCBS hand primer tools that I have used for decades and have never used one of the newer universal versions. I can't, therefore, give exact instructions. There must be, however, parts that are specific for large primers and some that are specific for small primers. Are you doing something like trying to mix up large and small primer parts? Doing something like trying to use a large priming rod for small primers would not work on my machine and probably would not work on your machine. One fellow I know had problems with his priming machine denting the primers. All he had to do was turn the priming rod around so the flat end of the rod contacted the primer rather than the round end of the rod. You might need to give RCBS a call if you can not get it working properly.
 
If the cases can be primed on a different machine, the problem is not with the cases. Do not alter the cases.

Reaming new cases that do not have crimps and that can accept primers??? I can see running a uniformer into them to groom the bottom of the pocket, but reaming the case to enlarge the diameter of the pocket could very easily result in a bunch of useless cases.

I have one of the old RCBS hand primer tools that I have used for decades and have never used one of the newer universal versions. I can't, therefore, give exact instructions. There must be, however, parts that are specific for large primers and some that are specific for small primers. Are you doing something like trying to mix up large and small primer parts? Doing something like trying to use a large priming rod for small primers would not work on my machine and probably would not work on your machine. One fellow I know had problems with his priming machine denting the primers. All he had to do was turn the priming rod around so the flat end of the rod contacted the primer rather than the round end of the rod. You might need to give RCBS a call if you can not get it working properly.

Even on my press, with it being tight to prime most of them, odds are, it's not the flash hole?
 
Got it today.. cant get it to prime my new hornady brass, reamed the primer pockets... still no luck..

primes the same cases on my lee press no problem....

Anyone got any ideas?

If it was real hard to prime on the Lee press, then the primer pocket may be a little too tight. You indicated, however, that they were primed on the Lee with no problem and could still not prime with the RCBS even after you had opened up the pockets.

The flash hole has nothing to do with the conversation since the primer does not go into the flash hole.

I think it would help to do what BB asked early in this thread and tell exactly what the tool is and is not doing. People trying to help have a difficult time if they do not have a clear picture of what is happening.
 
If it was real hard to prime on the Lee press, then the primer pocket may be a little too tight. You indicated, however, that they were primed on the Lee with no problem and could still not prime with the RCBS even after you had opened up the pockets.

The flash hole has nothing to do with the conversation since the primer does not go into the flash hole.

I think it would help to do what BB asked early in this thread and tell exactly what the tool is and is not doing. People trying to help have a difficult time if they do not have a clear picture of what is happening.


When I put the new hornady brass in the hand primer, and squeeze, I can see it raise the primer up to the bottom of the case, but it wont go in, if I put enough pressure on it, it pops the case out of the shell holders... some of the cases, (very few) it will prime easy, and some I have so wiggle the case around a little... To double super triple check, I just deprimed 15 of my grendel cases, and used the RCBS to prime them... first try, every time, primers went right in. That is also Hornady brass, that was BLACK/MATCH rounds i got from the store.

When I use my press to prime the new 223 brass, i hear a slight "pop" sometimes, like it had to force the primer into the case, which is why I suggested it must be this batch of brass, and not the RCBS item. When I use the press to prime the 6.5 hornady brass, its not as hard to push in, doesnt pop, but i can tell it seats in the pocket firm.

I apologize for explaining poorly. if theres any other details that I need to provide, let me know.
 
Last edited:
just tried a few of my once fired 223 out of the same batch, it goes in slightly easier but still not as easy and fast as other calibers. I did noticed, after I got the primer in, there was a tiny sliver of brass around the bottom of the case that came off..

So verdict, I got a batch of brass with tight pockets?
 
Back
Top Bottom