good priming tool

[SMSgt]

My RCBS hand primer works like a champ.

 

[824tsv]

RCBS bench mounted priming tool

Late to the party as usual...
This is the best priming tool I've used. I bought this at a gun show a few years ago. I'll never use anything else.

 

[Boogsawaste]

I have a Lee Auto Prime II also. The problem with mine is it won't let all the primers feed by gravity due to the curvature of the plastic tubes. The last few have to be pushed into place with a toothpick or paper clip. I've never detonated a primer but I have crushed several. Another issue with it was when using it on their hand press the cover would come off and primers would fly all over the place. I saw the "new and improved" model in their catalog, it looks like it may have been changed to feed the primers better, and to be a lot cheaper for them to make.

It was replaced with an RCBS APS bench mounted unit. My RCBS Piggyback II progressive conversion has the old tube type primer feed on it which works just fine, but I'd rather have the newer auto progressive PB with the APS primer feed. Maybe when I strike oil in the backyard.

I did exactly the same. I still have the auto prime 2 and dealt with the last 10 or so primers using an allen wrench and now use either my pro 2000 or bench aps loader.

Once I got the feel for it I absolutely love using aps. I just went down last night, loaded up 100 primers, primed 100 pieces of brass. Took 10 minutes. I realize some don't like changing or loading the strips (seriously loading 100 takes no time at all once you get the hang of it), but I'm glad I gave it a shot.

I've given lots of others a try along the way including rcbs hand held (non aps), rcbs piggyback, Dillon 550, dillon square deal, ram prime, safety prime or whatever it's called on the classic turret, and I think that's it! Nothing wrong with any but I personally have 100% reliability with aps. With the others they were either reliable but slow (ram prime), or mostly reliable but still dropped or flipped primers on occasion.

 

[Krogen]

I've had really good luck with the RCBS bench mounted priming tool. (I'd provide the exact title, but its out in my shed.) The tool seats primers consistently to the same depth, and is easier on my hands than the hand priming models.

I'll echo this! I've used one since the mid 80's and much prefer it over hand primers. It started dropping primers and I found I had worn down the end of the primer rod. A quick call to RCBS brought two new ones (large and small) at no cost. Good to go for another 30 years!

 

[max503]

I have the Lee tool with the square tray.
It seems sloppy. On average, several primers out of 50 will somehow flip upside-down during feeding.
I'm living with it because I'm too cheap to buy something else.

 

[DanGee]

I still have two original Lee Auto Primes set up for large and small primers. Back when my first Auto Prime cracked at the top where the shell holder goes, I contacted Lee and they sent two bodies gratis. I also use the discontinued Auto Prime II when my thumb arthritis is acting up, especially for long runs of rifle brass. I have no complaints about either system, other than that Lee didn't keep making them.

 

[tlawler]

I opted for the RCBS Universal priming tool

After reading through all the posts and reading a lot of reviews, I opted for the RCBS Universal priming tool. It came in the mail today and after setting it up, I primed about 500 .357 mag casings and a few .40S&W to see how well the universal shell holder did with semi auto casings. I'm definitely happy with it. Priming is fast and accurate. The tray holds more and I like the idea of the load gate to keep queued primers separated from the one being pressed. Now I just have to return the Lee auto prime before my 30 day return window closes.

 

[Skeet 028]

I just found a new in the box Lee hand primer...the old round one with both trays etc. Guy wanted 15 bought it for 10. Yard Sale. Only thing he had in the reloading line. He didn't really know what it was for. And I use the RCBS bench priming tool these days

 

[joeintexas]

I just found a new in the box Lee hand primer...the old round one with both trays etc. Guy wanted 15 bought it for 10. Yard Sale. Only thing he had in the reloading line. He didn't really know what it was for. And I use the RCBS bench priming tool these days

Skeet you find more bargains that anyone I know. Any insight on the lottery, LOL.

 

[Skeet 028]

Ya know...I bought a ticket for the lottery one time...5 bucks. Know what I won...5 bucks. I quit playing. Went to Vegas..lost 40 bucks playing blackjack. The Hotel we were staying at had a small Blackjack tournament. Cost 10 bucks to get in. 3 deck BJ is pretty easy to count cards with. Some of the lesser prizes were cash and prizes that were neat. Know what I won winning the tournament?? 4 days and 3 nights in Vegas. I think they wanted my money. I gave the free trip to our friends son..He loves Vegas..Know what happened to him?? Got mugged...seriously! Guy in a hoodie in June stuck him up and took 500 bucks. Luckily I still have the old Lee flat shell holders that fit the primer seater. I guess My wife can probably sell the darn thing at her yard sale of my stuff...still unused for 5 bucks. LOL Actually much of the stuff I find is because I always ask if they might have reloading items laying around. Many people out here have the tools and don't use them any longer

 

[ggibson511960]

Forster!!

Having been at this reloading pastime for a while I have a medium sized box full of press mounted and hand held priming tools complete with assorted shell holders, all junk compared to that cast iron Forster mounted to my bench. Great feel, no specialized shell holders, primer strips, or miserable pot metal.

 

[prairieviper]

the old style LEE tool has served me well for over 30 years - only problem was years ago when the aluminum body cracked - when it was discontinued I bought three spares at estate sales - they are also usually available on Ebay -

Same for me. I've never had a single problem with it and I continue to use it still. If I ever wear it out I'll look for one just like it on Ebay or gun auctions. Given it's track record to date, I won't worry about it.