RCBS Primer Tray Question

[PapaWheelie]

I recently bought a Lee Auto Bench Primer and so far, really like the design and nice feel you get seating the primer. The tray, however, is the weak link. Although not a serious problem it is annoying when the primers hang up in the triangular tray.

The question is this - do any of you with the square RCBS primer tray (90202) have any issues with it. Does it feed reliably? I saw the RCBS square primer tray at a local store and believe that a very simple modification could allow the RCBS tray to fit into the Lee priming tool. The thickness of the chute would need to be reduced a blonde hair to get it to fit and a couple passes with a file should do the trick.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I use the square tray with the RCBS hand-held priming tool and have no complaints. That of course doesn't really answer your question.

 

[27 Man]

There have been various Lee hand priming tools over the years. The original all metal ones with the screw in shell holders were the best. The newer ones with plastic parts are for the most part just junk in my opinion. I use the newer RCBS type you reference but don’t use the tray because of past experience with trays.

 

[PapaWheelie]

I use the square tray with the RCBS hand-held priming tool and have no complaints. That of course doesn't really answer your question.

That pretty much does answer it, thanks. All I need is a tray that feeds primers reliably. If I can get it to fit the Lee bench priming tool it should be a winner.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I have three of those square trays, one for each size primer I use. I don't see a problem with them. I replaced all of my round ones because.....because, I can't remember now but I did.

 

[RonPagan]

I just got that lee priming thing, it's ok, especially for the price. My old rcbs hand primer crapped out at around 50 to 60 thousand. Now I need to go adapt the rcbs tray for the lee since I too hate their feed tray. You may want to tell lee you "broke" the little plastic pieces that are large or small primer specific and get some on the way. They're definitely the weak link in the system.

 

[PapaWheelie]

Curiosity got the best of me and I had to try. Very slight modification was required to get the RCBS tray to fit the LEE bench primer. The width and length of the male feed chute were fine but the thickness needed to be reduced from .236" to .220". A couple swipes with a file took care of that. It worked a good "OK". From start to finish it took 8 minutes to prime 100 .357 cases. It still took some tapping on the tray to get everything to feed well, and twice 2 primers clogged the chute trying to get down at the same time, like two guys trying to go through a narrow door at the same time. The slider that closes off the chute took care of that. AND NO PRIMERS ON THE FLOOR! OR BENCH! I really like the feel of the Lee primer and am happy with the combination.

 

[38SPL HV]

Only have the RCBS round tray, which fully satisfies my priming needs.

 

[rockquarry]

I've been there, too, but a good priming tool will eliminate all the problems, makeshift repairs, and modifications.

 

[PapaWheelie]

I've been there, too, but a good priming tool will eliminate all the problems, makeshift repairs, and modifications.

I understand what you're saying but I believe that the bench priming tool from Lee is a good one. It's quick, has good leverage, good visibility, and good feel. Just has/had a lousy tray. I hated crawling on the floor with these tired old knees looking for dropped primers.

Suppose down the road I may end up with a tool that costs X times as much but for now a lot of the fun is in the learning.