Hand held Priming tool

[rjjj]

Hi, I've been reloading for about 15 years but I've never used a hand held priming tool. I'm thinking about getting one. I reload 45 ACP, 38/357, 223 and 30-06.

Which tools should I be looking at? Are there any out there I should definately stay away from?

Thanks

 

[Erich]

I was happy enough with my Lee Auto-Prime that I bought a second one. (I keep one set up for large primers and the other for small.) I'm a lefty and I like that it's ambidextrous. One downside is that you're required to buy special shellholders for the things, but your .45 and .30-06 will at least take the same one.

They have a new version out that's supposed to be safer with a wider variety of primers. While I've never had an issue with them, a few years back Lee said not to use Federals in the Auto-Prime.

 

[valkyriekl]

I have RCBS' hand priming tool. It's OK, but having to (basically) disassemble it to change calibers/primer sizes (or if you only have one shellholder to share between your press and priming tool per caliber) is annoying. Also, the circular primer flip-tray is smaller than most boxes of 100 primers, which means I can usually only dump primers into the tray 10 at a time.

On the plus side, if I'm reloading a lot of one caliber (in my case, either .38 Special or .45ACP) it's a lot faster to leave the priming tool set up for that caliber (I have a second shellholder) and not have to worry about loading primer tubes for my RCBS bench-mounted priming tool (or the priming system on my Rockchucker).

If I could do it all over again, I'd look into RCBS' Universal hand priming tool. No need to disassemble to change calibers/primer sizes, and the square tray looks to be as big as most 100-pc primer boxes.

 

[Rule3]

I have the original (round) Lee handheld. It works just fine and gives you a good feel for seating the primer. It's inexpensive and works every time. I also have the RCBS Universal which is probably a better piece of equipment as far as build quality but is a pain to switch from large to small. Also costs a lot more.

The new Lee would be my choice due to price and the square design you can dump a whole 100 primers in.

Buy the tool and the set of shell holders and it's $32.00 and change.

Midway as usual is out of stock.

Lee Auto Prime XR - Natchez Shooters Supplies

Lee Auto Prime Shellholder Set - Natchez Shooters Supplies

 

[Sully]

Ive got the Lee hand seater. One thing I do is load it with primers and sit on the sofa and watch TV while priming casings. Great little tool those hand primers

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Very hard to beat the Lee Auto-prime.

 

[Frank46]

I definitely am dating myself here, but I have a lachmiller priming tool that I bought in the late 60's takes regular shell holders and has primed I don't know how many cases. Then I bought one of the fancy benchrest priming tools that takes the lee auto prime shellholders and last but probably not least is a lee auto prime. All work as intended and should probably outlast me. Frank

 

[Bob R]

I use the RCBS universal hand priming tool (no shell holders needed) that uses the strips of primers. I also have the strip loader so I can still buy the primers normally and just load up the strips when I need them. It is a reasonably quick way to prime a bunch of ammo.

bob

 

[no dash]

I have the RCBS universal tool that takes the strips also and I love it! I too have the strip loader. It is fast and seats the primers well. I would recommend it if you also by the strip loader so as not to be tied to buying the preloaded strips.

 

[Col Defender]

I love my RCBS hand primer - yes I have to do a partial disassembly to insert a shell holder but I don't mind that at all. I usually prep a tray of cases in my little basement corner and then bring them upstairs to prime while watching TV. Just my opinion

 

[Smith357]

I have been using the Lee tool for 20 years and I am completely satisfied with it. It came with my first reloading kit, a Lee single stage press with all the extra goodies. My handgun gear has upgraded over the years into Dillon presses, but I still use the Lee single stage and priming tool for hand crafting my rifle loads.

 

[Littledragon777]

I have the RCBS hand primer. I only use the hand primer when I am working up a new load or a small number of shells. Usually 50 or less. When I do this I am wanting the utmost in accuracy and double hand weigh each load with my Lyman DPS then double check un the RCBS scale. I agree that I use it also when there is some football on that I need to see or I am cranky the rest of the day also!

 

[Roadranger]

I've been using the new Lee tool for the last few months. It has a big tray that wiil easily accomodate 100 primers. I have the RCBS tool and several of the Lee auto prime units and I think, every Lee shell holder known to exist. I had to get the RCBS unit to prime WSM and Ultra cases as they don't fit in the Lee auto prime. I got my new Lee unit straight from the factory and they modified it to fit the big rifle cases at no charge. You could not go wrong with any of them. Bob!

 

[RidgwayCO]

I've used the old RCBS Hand Priming Tool for years now (after my Lee broke). I tried the RCBS universal model a few years ago, but didn't care for it. RCBS still sells the older version:

RCBS Hand Priming Tool - MidwayUSA

However, I did prefer the larger, square, primer tray of the universal model. The new tray is available for purchase from Sinclair, and works great with the older model Hand Priming Tool:

http://www.sinclairintl.com/.aspx/sid=73487/pid=36055/Product/RCBS_UNIVERSAL_SQUARE_PRIMING_TRAY

 

[valkyriekl]

However, I did prefer the larger, square, primer tray of the universal model. The new tray is available for purchase from Sinclair, and works great with the older model Hand Priming Tool:

http://www.sinclairintl.com/.aspx/sid=73487/pid=36055/Product/RCBS_UNIVERSAL_SQUARE_PRIMING_TRAY

Now there's a thought! I might give that a try!

 

[Cyrano]

I used the RCBS for some years. Then someone gave me a Lee. Now only use the Lee unless I have some weird case they don't make a case holder for.

 

[Rule3]

Why not go all out and get the Sinclair for a nominal $119.75. Shell holders extra.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/.aspx/sid=70817/pid=37732/Product/SINCLAIR_STAINLESS_PRIMING_TOOL

 

[TennTony]

I have been using the Lee Auto Prime for about 35 years. I have actually worn out two of them. I get a better feel with the hand primer than with priming on the press. I too prime while watching TV. Which ever you buy I think you will find you like priming cases this way.

 

[johnjohn]

I have the Lee and have used it since shortly after starting reloading about 16 yrs. ago.

 

[gregintenn]

I have the Lee hand press, and if it ever got gone, I'd buy another one.