What Kind of Priming Tool Do You Use
- Thread starter skrazo
- Start date
joeintexas
US Veteran
RCBS hand priming here too. I just like the feel of the primer seating.
Green Frog
Member
I didn't mention this because it is from the specialized schuetzen game, but I also frequently use the so-called Pope-style re- and decapper. It has the advantage of both taking out the old primer and installing the new. This is especially useful when loading at the shooting bench on the range. I also like to use it sometimes for a couple of cartridges I load at home as well. Like I said before, it's what work best and is most comfortable for you that counts.
Froggie
Froggie
Harrison
US Veteran
K&M priming tool. Very sensitive and built like a tank.
For pistol either Hornady hand priming tool or LNL press, depending on size of batch.
For rifle, Forster Co-Ax bench mounted tool. More leverage than hand tool but still good feel. Also can adjust primer seating depth. Important for service rifles with floating firing pins.
For rifle, Forster Co-Ax bench mounted tool. More leverage than hand tool but still good feel. Also can adjust primer seating depth. Important for service rifles with floating firing pins.
Gopher Slayer
Member
RCBS ram priming unit for "match grade" stuff
RCBS hand priming tool for everything else
RCBS hand priming tool for everything else
sps282
Member
Use the old version of the Lee auto prime.
howlnmad
Member
For rifle loads on the single stage or working up a pistol load, I use the Lee hand primer. When running rounds through the turret press, I let the press do all the work.
Nemo288
Member
I use the Sinclair with a couple of different heads.
If I had known about the K&M at the time I would probably have gone with that.
They are similar. I love the long handle and all metal construction.
I used the Lee for decades. Actually wore a couple out.
It finally got too painful to use because of arthritis in my thumb joints.
I tried the ram seater in my Redding UltraMag press but ended up crushing a few of the primers.
Not enough feel and too much force.
The Sinclair and K&M can be adjusted to seat the primer at the depth you need/want.
The K&M can even be had with a dial indicator showing the depth of each primer.
The Rolls-Royce and Bentley of the field IMHO.
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Nemo
If I had known about the K&M at the time I would probably have gone with that.
They are similar. I love the long handle and all metal construction.
I used the Lee for decades. Actually wore a couple out.
It finally got too painful to use because of arthritis in my thumb joints.
I tried the ram seater in my Redding UltraMag press but ended up crushing a few of the primers.
Not enough feel and too much force.
The Sinclair and K&M can be adjusted to seat the primer at the depth you need/want.
The K&M can even be had with a dial indicator showing the depth of each primer.
The Rolls-Royce and Bentley of the field IMHO.
===
Nemo
Gopher Slayer
Member
With my ram primer you don't need any "feel". You always use a full stroke on the press. The seating depth is adjusted by turning the die in or out. It's a slow process since you have to place each primer in the cup one at a time, but it's very consistent and I've never crushed a primer.
I must be missing something.
Amp
Member
I use the RCBS press for rifle but Dillon Sq for all handgun.
Frank237
Absent Comrade
I use the Sinclair priming tool for almost all of my rifle loads. LOVE that Sinclair precision. And entirely stainless STEEL.
Kilibreaux
Member
I presently use my RCBS single stage press (green one) to seat my primers. It works fine, but is a bit slow. Now that I'm shooting more, I'd like to upgrade to something faster. What do you fellas use (or not). Would appreciate comments both ways.
A few years back when I was running multiple progressive loading setups priming was done during the cycle.
These days I tend to load smaller batches and I actually prefer to HAND prime using a Lee Hand Prime tool. I've worked a lot of presses for seating primers, but a simple hand priming tool is plenty fast while affording a high degree of direct, tactile feedback. Plus you can - and should, visually observe the seated primer as you remove the case which a progressive setup does not allow.
Any form of "press" priming is more likely to result in fliped or crushed primers, or failure to seat to depth...a COMMON cause of first strike failures.
monroe
Member
- Joined
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You're not missing anything. Although the Ram Prime instructions state that you can do it by feel, they also describe how to do it as you are (full stroke). That's how I do it as well. It only takes a few seconds to adjust to get the primer seated a few thousandths inside the case head. Fast and consistent.
Virtually all primer issues I've had were when I was trying to use the silly little arm that comes on the press. Very inconsistent seating.
But, everyone has to find what works best for them. That's why they keep successfully selling the different styles of priming tools.
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Primer built into my lee turret press. Works great for me, resize with downstroke, prime with upstroke. Is there a feel, sure is. Federal and Remington go in like butter, CCI and Winchester take much more. Easily tell the difference.
Lee Auto Prime II, when they were discontinued bought some spare parts and recently found a spare on another forum. Have it mounted on a Lee C press that I use for priming only. Primer sizes are easy to change and uses standard shell holders. Only issue is feeding the last 10 or so primers but solved that with a shortened cable tie, slip it into the trough behind the primers and push it down to insure that a primer is over the priming stem. Works best with CCI, others work but not as well, just a bit more finicky. With a little experience you can feel the primer seat fully. With arthritis the hand primers were painful to use, sold mine and never looked back.
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