ambassador
Member
Can someone tell me the proper way to install a primer into a cartrige,using a hand priming tool or a press?.
Primers
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What manuals do you have?
Smithboomer
Member
Keep all oils and cleaning solutions away from the primers.
The primer is placed in the holder with the smooth side down. Be sure to use the proper sized holder; there is one for small primers and another for large primers.
Use the proper-sized case holder for the case you are loading.
The primer will fit into the brass case with a moderate amount of pressure. Be sure the seated primer is far enough into the case. I like all my primers seated slightly below flush.
The primer is placed in the holder with the smooth side down. Be sure to use the proper sized holder; there is one for small primers and another for large primers.
Use the proper-sized case holder for the case you are loading.
The primer will fit into the brass case with a moderate amount of pressure. Be sure the seated primer is far enough into the case. I like all my primers seated slightly below flush.
Smithhound
US Veteran
The Hornady or RCBS manuals do an excellent job of describing this, however here are the clift notes:
Pistol Reloading Basics Ultimate Reloader
and this one, scroll down a little:
Reloading On The Kitchen Table
I watched a neighbor reload as a young man and then learned step by step in 1980 from an RCBS manual. Don't scrimp on books/reference material, it will always be there for you.
RD
Pistol Reloading Basics Ultimate Reloader
and this one, scroll down a little:
Reloading On The Kitchen Table
I watched a neighbor reload as a young man and then learned step by step in 1980 from an RCBS manual. Don't scrimp on books/reference material, it will always be there for you.
RD
Of course you always start with a cleaned and sized case. (Clean the primer pocket too)
Start with light pressure (you will get a feel for it) and you want the primer below the surface .005". If you look in the Lyman Book I'm pretty sure they say between .002"-.007". The idea is to crush the pill inside against the anvil to Sensitize it.
I have put some in as far as .010" and they fired, I was using Winchester Large Rifle Primers in my 460 Mags and Winchester Large Pistol in my 45 Colts.
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Primer Depth
Regardless of whether you use a hand press primer or a table mounted press, make sure you are careful concerning the seating depth of the primer. While you do not want to crush the primer by using excess force, it does need to be installed flush or slightly below the case. My 686 is not happy with primers not fully seated.
Regardless of whether you use a hand press primer or a table mounted press, make sure you are careful concerning the seating depth of the primer. While you do not want to crush the primer by using excess force, it does need to be installed flush or slightly below the case. My 686 is not happy with primers not fully seated.
I have used an RCBS hand priming tool for years. It dosen't take too long to get the feel of how deep to set primers. I also run my left index finger over the primer when I pull it off the tool to make sure it is below the case head
Personally I prefer to use a hand primer tool rather than a press to seat primers, I prefer to be able to get a feel for what I am doing. But then again, I am a dinosaur.
arizona98tj
US Veteran
Back in the '70s when I started reloading, I bought an RCBS Automatic Priming Tool. Any time I use a single stage press, this is the priming tool I go to. I've never had a primer detonate while priming with this tool. It provides the user with a great amount of feel and control. No, you can't sit on your couch and watch TV while priming a bucket of brass. But then again, I don't want to be distracted with TV while performing any of my reloading steps.....except for running a load of brass in the vibrating cleaner. 
