Well my old 38 year old Lee Auto-Prime just stopped for its final time.What do you guys think about the RCBS Universal hand Priming Tool? Does it need shell holders?I load 45 acp down in size to 32 H&R.

I have one it works well. But the primer tray is round not square. The shell holders are the same you use in your press.

My old Lee round tray model finally gave out as well. I ordered two of the RCBS with the universal shell holder from Brownells several months ago and returned both. Neither would fully seat primers consistently and seating took more effort than necessary. The older RCBS model that requires regular shell holders is a better tool in my opinion. Whether or not these are still available, I don't know.

I bought a 21st Century priming tool a couple of months ago. It's not cheap and there is no primer magazine, but it works better than anything I've tried and seating depth is adjustable. It's at least as good as the Sinclair tool and I've had one of those as well.

I have been through 2 RCBS universal hand priming tools in the last 10 years. The first one I wore out prematurely doing a lot of large rifle primers. The second one has lasted much longer.

Mine (and the one they currently show on sale at midway) does not use shellholders or require any extra accessories. I do not have any issues seating primers, it does a better job than using the press arm.

I have the cast metal grip with "ears" that hold cases. (No plates) Square green plastic primer tray with center pin and adjustible gate. Works really really well .32 .38/9/.223 .30-30 7.62

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Certified Curmudgeon

After over 10 years of faithfull no problem service,my Lee went to ''primer seaters heaven''.Bought a RCBS and had a problem.I modified it but still doesn't work as good as the Lee.
I put it back in its box and bought the large model(the one you bolt on the bench and works with the appropriate shellholder).
Works like a charm.
Qc

My RCBS Universal Hand Primer was better overall than the Lee or Hornady I had. The Lee had a better flip tray to turn primers over, the Hornady had better ergonomics (for my hands), but the RCBS tray feeds smoothly, never ever flipped a primer, and has a useful unobtrusive shield to guard against chain explosion. Since it doesn't use any shellholders, mine could remain with their dies where they (IMO) belong

The drawbacks are the changeover from large to small primer is a bit more involved and the spring-jaws need a bit of working in to easily accommodate very large cases (specifically 338LM) but it didn't take long.

I did buy a second one to have no changeover between large and small primer.

Got the one as described above:
I have the cast metal grip with "ears" that hold cases. (No plates) Square green plastic primer tray with center pin and adjustable gate.
Works very well, I'll buy another when/if this one fails.

I also have (what I think is) the newest version of the RCBS Universal tool - it does not use shell holders. I thought that it may dimple the primers given how much slack there is between the actual priming rod and the not-heavy duty plastic collar. But, it works like a charm and replacement parts are available from RCBS.

What ever you do stay far away from Lee's new rectangular trayed priming tool. Junk of the highest order. My sp died on my old round tool but the lp works. Lee's current offering is an exercise in futility coming from one who loved to train engineers in how to run what they designed.

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Front sight and squeeze

I have the older Lee auto prime. I next version and one of the newest. All of the later primers are pretty bad and just sit in their boxes! I have found 7 new and used of the original Auto primes and have them labeled as to which primer is in them. For example; Rem 7 1/2 or Federal 215M this way I just slide in the proper shell holder and away I go. (works great for experimenting with load work ups!)

Ivan

I have the RCBS bench primer that I use for large primers, and the old Lee Auto Prime for small pistol primers. I've had one of the Lees since about 1975 that I use a lot and a new old stock one that stays in the box for use when the other one dies. Bought it shipped about a year ago for 20 bucks. They still can be found if you search for them.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

Don't get one that has the stupid safety baffle that only lets one primer at a time in the chamber to be primed. It just messes up something that didn't need fixing.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Thanks everybody for all the comments ,I am still looking and may look in another direction.

What about the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Perfect Seat Hand Priming Tool?

Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Perfect Seat Hand - MPN: 110006


Surely there has to be a decent hand primer out there some where?

My decades old RCBS hand primer is about to bite the dust, and I need a new one.

Keep in mind you can still buy the old Lee model on ebay. There are usually several for sale. A lot of users think it is still the best design ever but sadly not made from very good material. Doing that, the muscle memory you've developed for years is still useful. Any of the newer models mentioned above is like starting over from scratch.

I'll take a look at ebay,too bad someone does not make higher quality replacement parts.

I have both RCBS, the one that uses shell holders and the one that does not. I prefer the one that does not use shell holders. It has worked great for me, but the smallest case I’ve used is 9mm and .223, largest is 44 mag.

Like you I finally wore out my Lee.
During the 20 years I used it I started getting arthritis in my thumb joints and realized I needed a primer with at least a longer handle.
I ended up with the Sinclair. It uses the Lee type holders.
SINCLAIR INTERNATIONAL SINCLAIR PRIMING TOOL | Sinclair Intl
Made of stainless steel with a nice long aluminum handle.
Real easy to use.
Yeah you have to pick up the primers one at a time but after getting going this is almost as fast as the Lee.
This is one of the 2 or 3 best hand primers there is and will last a lot longer than you will.
It is adjustable for depth of seating.
If I was doing it again I would consider the K&M which is similar but is easier to adjust and has an optional depth meter available.
Primer Seater - Primer Tools

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NEMO
"Everything 44"

I have two and also the old style that uses the shell holders. Two because I don't like the setup to switch to a different primer size.

For me the universal is better than the old style mostly because it doesn't use shell holders. Square trays also allow you to lay in square primer blocks. Never did understand the round tray thing.

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That's just somebody talkin.

B y the reads here on this topic it sounds like we all need a manufacturer to perfect their trade and improve the priming tools offered.
I had great luck with my Lee with the old style square trays, then finally the lid broke, called Lee and could no longer get replacement, they told me the new 'triangular' one is the latest and greatest.................I found that to be far from true
I guess I am still on the hunt for a dependable feeding hand primer, as of now I am nursing along my old style Lee in lieu of the new one.
Karl

Be advised that if you have a large variety of non-RCBS shell holders and/or older RCBS shell holders, they will not work in the newer RCBS Hand Priming Tool. I called RCBS about this and they offered to send me the new version holders if I would send them my old RCBS holders. Unfortunately, most of my older holders are non-RCBS, so no deal.
I attempted to "alter" the plastic part that was causing the problem, but weakened it so much that it probably won't last very long. (It's now in the original box and tossed to the back of my loading bench. I suppose I should look into the new version that doesn't use shell holders.)

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446