Hand primer tools

[Mikeinkaty]

Been reviewing primer tools on YouTube. Anyone here use the Foster co-ax hand primer tool? Several thing about it that appear to be nice. Nothing to wear out. Individual shell holders not required. Each caliber does require some setup, but 95% of what I load is one caliber. Primer loading is different but several videos show homemade jigs that makes it pretty simple. Interested in any comments.

I ordered a new plastic primer feeder for my Lee hand auto primer from Lee Precision. They only charged shipping. Also ordered the large and small metal primer anvils for my press. My small one had hit the concrete floor and broke the pivot tab off. Lee sent everything for $7. So, if my plastic feeder breaks again I'll be in the market for a different hand priming tool.

 

[ggibson511960]

Buy It!

I have an extensive collection of priming tools, Lee, RCBS, etc., both hand and add-on to a press. The Forster tool keeps them in retirement. The priming fixture atop a Forster Coax press is even better, IMHO. It is configured to uniformly seat primers a few thousandths of an inch below the case face, but is slow, requiring handling each primer. The bench mounted Forster is the best I have found to give mechanical feedback through the large paddle. You don't really squeeze it. You lean on it and can feel anvil contact with the bottom of the pocket very accurately. The shellholder jaws are tricky to set up the first time, but I like them. An added, undocumented advantage to the universal shellholder jaws is their adjustability for bent and crooked case rims. I've pounded many a bent case in and out of an RCBS shellholder with a punch. Not a good practice.

 

[rockquarry]

I've been looking for a good hand priming tool myself; just sent back two of the RCBS models the with universal shell holder. The new Lee square tray versions are sorry compared to the old round tray "dangerous" models. Mine finally wore out.

In the interim, I've been using my Co-Ax on-press system for rifle cases and the on-press setup for handgun brass on my Texan turret. Perhaps to get a good hand-held priming tool now, one may have to go with a good one like a K&M or 21st century.

 

[muddocktor]

Instead of a hand priming tool, I use the RCBS bench priming tool. And that is the original that uses tubes instead of those AP strips. It's around $80 or so last time I looked, but I gave $30 for it in the mid 80's for mine. Since I suffer with carpal tunnel, the bench priming tool is much more "wrist friendly" than something that I have to squeeze by hand every time I want to seat a primer. I highly recommend you at least look at it, Mike.

It's not cheap, but then my wrists are worth it.

Here's a link to it at Midway for you to look at. They have it at $85 now. <<<<LINK>>>>

 

[Thomas15]

Instead of a hand priming tool, I use the RCBS bench priming tool. And that is the original that uses tubes instead of those AP strips. It's around $80 or so last time I looked, but I gave $30 for it in the mid 80's for mine. Since I suffer with carpal tunnel, the bench priming tool is much more "wrist friendly" than something that I have to squeeze by hand every time I want to seat a primer. I highly recommend you at least look at it, Mike.

It's not cheap, but then my wrists are worth it.

Here's a link to it at Midway for you to look at. They have it at $85 now. <<<<LINK>>>>

I have the same tool and really like it. I also have the RCBS hand tool (not as nice) and several other tools. For off press priming the RCBS bench tool is what I use. With tools you get what you pay for.

 

[jag22]

Keep in mind you can still buy the old round tray Lee on eBay an GB. I can't imagine priming anywhere else but in front of the TV.

 

[Sam Casey]

RCBS hand priming tool with universal head serves me well.

 

[mikld]

FWIW, I never found a hand priming tool that worked for me. I have 2 in my tool box, tried 2 or 3 others but they don't seem to fit my hands (I have to reset the tool in my hand every squeeze) and I get tired fingers after 100 cases primed. I found ram prime tools and used them for several years and found a Lee Bench Prime tool. My Lee tool has been trouble free (after I read and followed the directions) and I can dump 100 primers in the tray and prime 100 cases non stop...

 

[gregintenn]

Keep in mind you can still buy the old round tray Lee on eBay an GB. I can't imagine priming anywhere else but in front of the TV.

My favorite.....til Lee screwed it up by redesigning it.

I guess an engineer becomes employed of he doesn't find some way to waste his time.

 

[SMSgt]

I have the RCBS hand primer. It does exactly what I expect it to do--seat primers efficiently.

 

[Fide686]

Rcbs bench tool works well. Worth the cost.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have bought 1 Lee square "ergonomic" priming tool. I have 6 of the old round priming tools, They are labeled with which primer they contain (Federal 210M or Win Lg Pistol or Rem 7 1/2). Lee makes the kits of 11 most common shell holders for them, but they don't make a shell holder for 338 Lapua Mag/416 Rigby, but Sinclair International to the rescue, the make one in stainless steel. And that shell holder remains in the Federal 215M priming tool at all times.

Ivan

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

My priming tools.

 

[Rule3]

I have bought 1 Lee square "ergonomic" priming tool. I have 6 of the old round priming tools, They are labeled with which primer they contain (Federal 210M or Win Lg Pistol or Rem 7 1/2). Lee makes the kits of 11 most common shell holders for them, but they don't make a shell holder for 338 Lapua Mag/416 Rigby, but Sinclair International to the rescue, the make one in stainless steel. And that shell holder remains in the Federal 215M priming tool at all times.

Ivan

This chart says it is holder #25?

Priming Tool Shell Holders - Lee Precision

 

[fredj338]

I have the old & new Lee, don't really like either. I prefer the Hornady for the feel.