Priming Tool Recommendations

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jakerudy

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For many years I've used only a RCBS Hand Priming Tool. Anymore I spend more time fighting it to get primers to feed smoothly than actually priming brass which dramatically reduces the enjoyment of reloading.

Anybody have a different model that works without drama?
 
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All I’ve ever used since my Lee hand primer broke is an RCBS universal for most calibers and the other RCBS one that uses shell holders for .45 AR and .327FM/.32H&R/.32 Long. For some reason, the lips on the universal just don’t like to hold those calibers. I use the tray that came with the universal with both primers, as I was having similar issues as you are with the tray that came with the non-universal one.

You didn’t mention which RCBS you were using, but the tray may be the issue.
 
I've used a 21st Century hand priming tool for about ten years for all my priming and I prime a lot of brass. Made from good materials to last, easy to use, adjustable for priming depth. One at a time priming but not nearly as slow as I had anticipated. More expensive than the cheap tools but well worth it and you hear no complaints.
 
My RCBS is just called Hand Priming Tool - not the universal one. I've got one that is about 35 years old and one that is about 5. The main difference seems to be the rod to seat the primer is one piece on the newer one and 2 piece on the old one.

The main aggravation is the lip of the primer catching on the Primer Feed. It is the plastic piece the shell holder fits over and the primer feeds through. I'm considering putting a chamfer on it but haven't tried to modify it yet.

I haven't heard of the 21st Century tool but will check into it.

Thanks
 
jakerudy said:
My RCBS is just called Hand Priming Tool - not the universal one. I've got one that is about 35 years old and one that is about 5. The main difference seems to be the rod to seat the primer is one piece on the newer one and 2 piece on the old one.

The main aggravation is the lip of the primer catching on the Primer Feed. It is the plastic piece the shell holder fits over and the primer feeds through. I'm considering putting a chamfer on it but haven't tried to modify it yet.

I haven't heard of the 21st Century tool but will check into it.

Thanks
Click to expand...
I bought two of the RCBS Universals before I bought the 21st Century tool. I sent them back. The RCBS tool you describe is a much better one than the Universal. Good luck with repairing your RCBS.
 
I have had several off press priming tools and my current favorite is the Forester, I like the feel and like this reviewer I mounted in to a board. No extra shell holders to buy. I have some other 21st Century tools and I am sure that it is good stuff as well. Both companies make top notch stuff that will last your lifetime and probably several more as well.

Forster Co-Ax Bench-Mounted Primer Seater – Ultimate Reloader

ultimatereloader.com ultimatereloader.com
 
Is yours the Universal tool? I had the RCBS Universal and it just would not work on .32 S&W Long or 32 H&R. They popped out as the primer was being set.
A call went to RCBS and the gentleman said the Universal is not very good. And he recommended the RCBS Hand Priming Tool part # 90200. He said he would send me one under their Warranty. He also included the correct shell holder.

I am happy.It has worked well.
 
If I critiqued one tool, like one gun, that wouldn't mean much, but using two examples is meaningful. My thoughts on the two Universals I had...
-undue physical effort needed for priming
-didn't seat primers fully with the necessary 100% consistency regardless of degree of physical effort
-universal jaws seemed to have a lot to do with lack of consistency
-didn't have mine long enough to know what cases didn't work at all.

A generally sorry tool that some like, surprisingly. Perhaps the rest of us expect too much. Atypical of RCBS products and I've used them a lot longer than most people have.
 
While I have had excellent luck with the RCBS Universal hand primer (and still use it occasionally), I tried the Forster Hand Priming Tool.
If you simply do some very minor tweaks to either one, they are very good tools.
My only gripe using the Forster is that if you release the spring-loaded handle, it will spit out a primer, as it bounces back. I fixed this by using a small, beaded ball chain and a screw. I drilled a small hole in the base of the tool, where the primers are collected, and the chain is fastened to that base. It only allows the spring-loaded handle to return to its position, but not far enough to spit out a primer by bouncing back. Super easy fix and the tool runs flawlessly.
The shell holder can adjust to most any size needed and has two separate primer 'tubes', plus two primer mechanisms, one for large and one for small primers.
1751857909352.png
 
Why not prime on your press? I prime all of my pistol brass on my dillon 550B or lyman T2s. Used the old lee auto prime [round tray] for rifle ammo for many years. Kept one set up with small primers and the other set for large. Still have them. Tried the rcbs hand tool and didn’t like it. Eventually bought a used rcbs bench priming tool, set it up for large rifle and love it. Not as fast as the lees but my old thumbs can’t work the lees any longer.
 
AJ said:
I use one of these. I have used hand riming tools and the one mounted on my presses. The RCBS Automatic Priming Tool works the best for me. Actually have two. https://shop.rcbs.com/automatic-priming-tool/
Click to expand...

I also use the RCBS bench priming tool after using hand operated priming tools. I still have a RCBC hand priming tool for one off caliber priming.
 
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Lee Ram Prime... set into a Lee Hand Press !

All metal , no feeding problems , no drama ...
and no flinsey plastic parts that don't work !

Try it ... You'll Like it .... I love mine !

Gary
 
Try the Frankford Arsenal Perfect Seat Hand Primer.

Adjustable seating depth.
Heavy duty construction.
It has a nice 'feel' when seating the primers.
 
AJ said:
Everyone is going to have a favorite. Too bad that you can not try them all.
Click to expand...
I've tried a lot of them. If the round tray Lee Auto Prime was made of good quality, long-lasting materials, it would be about perfect. It would also cost a lot more, but I'd be willing to pay the price and amortized over many years of use the cost wouldn't be much at all.

I wore out three or more of the Lee's over the years. I know many say they've had theirs for forty year or more and I don't doubt that, but if you really do a lot of priming, say 10,000 or 20,000 cases per year, parts wear out and the tools won't last very long. I don't want to be in the position of scrounging for parts here and there to keep a hand priming tool going.
 
I've used the Autoprime ever since I got the press and realised I wouldn't be able to prime satisfactorily on it. I've broken/worn out just about every part of it over the years, and made one or two replacement parts, but I've got a box of spare parts someone gave me. It continues to work for me
 
USSR said:
Yep. Mine is still going after 45 years.
Click to expand...
Must have gotten yours about the same time that I got mine. It keeps going as long as I keep going. Bought one for my younger brother (now deceased) the next year, and he loved it. No doubt mine will outlast me.
 
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