Priming Tools

Grayfox

Grayfox

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I was very happy with my old Lee Auto Prime tool for well over 20 years. Two years ago it broke. :( I replaced it with a Lee Ergo-Prime. Frankly, I never really liked it. Today, it broke. :mad:

So now I'm in the market for a new priming tool. I ain't going back to Lee because their current tools suck. What are y'all using and what's good/bad in your opinion?
 
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I have the Lee bench prime and would not recommend it. My next will be the Forster. Hand primers are not something I would consider.
 
I just recently sold my old Lee Auto Prime to a young'un lookin' to start reloading.. The thumb action on that unit was killin' my hands. I replaced it with a RCBS universal priming tool. It's easy on the hands and no shell holder to fool with and it has adequate feel for seating. I'm happy with it.
 
Well, I guess I got the only Lee Bench Primer that works (nah!!). But, I do read instructions, and I know how to use hand tools. I got my Bench Prime about 6 months ago, very soon after I heard about them, and tried I it with 60, 9mm cases. Of the 60, I got 3 OOPS! So I reread the instructions and 1,200 primed cases later, I've had no problems. Dump 100 primers in the tray, insert tray, prime 100 cases, non-stop. The key to problem free use is allowing the handle to return fully to the up position. Sometimes I'll just let the handle "fly" back up and bump against the o-ring bumper. No "short stroking". If something feels "wrong" I'll stop and see what's happening, but this only happened 2 or mebbe three times in the 1,200. A primer dropped into the chute crooked. So, 1,198 out of 1,200 cases easily, quickly primed is pretty good...:cool:
 
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I'm using a 10 year old rcbs hand priming tool.Its my 2nd one.The first broke after 15 years when I dropped it on concrete.
 
I have been using the same RCBS priming tool for almost the past 20 years. I use it religiously to prime my match rifle ammo. I don't know if this particular model is still made, but mine has provided stellar performance for longer than I can remember.
 
Watch Ebay. The old style Lee hand primers still pop up.
That said, it's a rare case these days that I just don't prime on my press as part of the reloading cycle.
 
I now prime my handgun cases on my Dillon 650 but prior to buying that loader, I used the two RCBS hand tools I continue to use for my rifle cases. Never a problem and the feel of seating primers by hand can't be beat.

Ed
 
Lately I've been using the RCBS Universal Hand Priming tool it works well I have no problems. It is a little tedious getting all the primers into the button down anvil up position, primers like to flip when the square cover snaps closed.
Priming on the press with the built in priming arm - no problems it works.
Priming on the press with An RCBS Ram prime tool - no problems it works.
Priming with a bench mounted RCBS APS priming tool - it works a little tedious to load strips & set up the stop screw. If your adept at sensing the feel of the primer seating you wouldn't need the stop screw, I need the positive stop set up.
I have no problem picking up individual primers. The RCBS hand squeeze tool is the fastest.
 
I used an original Lee Hand primer for years, then switched to the Auto Prime. When their Auto Prime II (uses a press, not primed by hand) came out I bought one and have been 100% satisfied with it. When I heard they discontinued it, I found that they still stocked parts for it, so I bought replacements for all the plastic parts just in case.

If I can't use my Auto Prime II I may just stop reloading - its just that good. I believe they can be had to this day on EBay.
 
I started out with the old Lee primer and wore it out. Rather than try to find parts, I opted for the RCBS hand primer and have no complaints. I did not return to Lee because Lee has a habit of changing the shell holders with every new model and aren't interchangeable with previous models. I don't need to collect shell holders...
 
I have been using the RCBS bench primer for all large primers, and Lee Auto Prime for small primers since about 1975 (last century). They still work great. In fact I just bought another Lee Auto Prime that should be here tomorrow.

They just work as advertised.

Leon
 
Take a look at the RCBS Automatic Priming Tool, I have been using it for a few months and I really like it. Much easier on my hands, I haven't picked up my hand held since I got it
 
If one wants to talk about longevity; I got a C-H single stage press mebbe 29 years ago (and it was well used then). I have used the stock priming system to prime thousands of cases, and tried many other methods during the same time. Never had any "mis-primed" cases with the old C-H.:rolleyes:
 
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Received my NOS Lee Auto Prime today, it was just as advertised. It doesn't look like it has ever been used. Deburred the "piston rod" greased it per the enclosed instructions and put it on the shelf. Now I have two, will probably out live me.
 
I have 8 of the old round Lee hand primers and 1 of the new Ergo primes. There was a liability issue with the old ones, I thought, hey even though I never had a single primer detonate, there could be a problem, so I'll spend 3 times as much and be safe. What a bunch of bunk! The Ergo Prime is a very poorly designed machine the lid wont stay in place and then allows stacking of two primers on the elevator. The simplest fix is to not get rid of you old auto prime! the second best fix is to use a BLACK SPRING paper clip that is a match to the thickness of the tray, It will clamp the cover from one side and not allow the double stacking issue. A $.39 fix, that should have been unnecessary! My 8 old Auto prime units are set up for each primer WSP, WLP, 205M, 210M, 215M, 7 1/2, & others. They have a label permanently on the as to what is inside.

IVAN
 
Looks like GOOD hand primers have not been mentioned yet.
They are expensive but will last a lifetime (or more) and provide way more leverage and feel than the Lee.
I used the Lee for years until, yes, it broke.
And I started to develop arthritis in my thumb joints.
I looked around and got the Sinclair primer.
SINCLAIR PRIMING TOOL
I have used it now for a several years and love it.
It is adjustable for depth of stroke (all the good ones are) and is built like a tank/battleship.
Also has a long, metal, arm to ease the stroke.
(And uses your Lee priming shell holders although the Sinclair ones are better made).
Recommended.

There are a couple of other ones in this category that are just as good or better.
K&M - Primer Tools
But I have no experience with them.
 
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