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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 321
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 321 |
I’ve said it to myself 5000 times I’ve got to get a better hand primer. Years ago I got started hand loading with a basic Rockchucker kit including RCBS hand primer/hair puller. I’ve been fighting the damn thing since I got it. Anyone who’s used one will know what I mean. What’s a good replacement?
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,899 Likes: 7
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,899 Likes: 7 |
I have used a Lee Auto prime for a long time. It aluminum, and the link wore to the point it wouldn't work right. I think I flipped it, and it's still chugging along. I think RCBS makes one that uses press shell holders and is steel. That's where I would look today if buying. If it's not too heavy. I don't think I would like the bench models. I like to sit outside or do something else while priming, the hand tool makes that easy.
Parents who say they have good kids..Usually don't!
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 110
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 110 |
Scout,
I have used about 7 or 8 different kinds, but the one I use today is the old RCBS dedicated primer press. These things seat to a depth, not to a "feel" or pressure. They work exactly the same every time, and its easy to tell if the pockets are getting loose. I find the groups are actually a little smaller, I think because of uniform anvil preload. They operate by a cam. Problem: Finding one. I have two, and am not selling. One is for large primers, the other for small. I think they became too expensive or something, and were discontinued. Try eBay or maybe somebody on the 'Fire?
Second choice: The handheld units, though they are a big step down from the precision of the fixed press.
I think the key is to use something that involves seating to a dimension, not a force. You can stop if something is wrong.
Good luck.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 19,111
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 19,111 |
I like the old Lee hand primers, the one with the round tray. I tried the square tray one but did not like it. They are making a newer triangle shaped one but I have not tried it. I did not like the RCBS one that I tried that a friend had. I think they make more than one model and others might be better. You can still get the Lee round tray on ebay, as they show pretty regular. miles
Look out for number 1, don't step in number 2.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,445 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,445 Likes: 1 |
IMHO the best for me is the RCBS Bench Priming Tool.
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,911 Likes: 16
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,911 Likes: 16 |
Used the old Lee for years, still have two and lots of shellholders. Now I use the RCBS Universal one and it works well and is less likely to futz up. It can get a bit tiring if the pockets are tight and your hands are old, so a bench tool may be in my future.
What fresh Hell is this?
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 708
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 708 |
Went through several Lee's, bought the latest and it won't digest large primers at all and is so so with small primers.
RCBS was not too user friendly and eventually wore out.
Tried the new Lyman and it didn't work at all, they replaced it and the second one ....same as the first would not seat primer deep enough.
Ended up with a Frankfort Arsenal hand primer and would highly recommend it.
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,073
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,073 |
I don't know what your budget is, but this is what I use; buy once, cry once. 21st Century Shooting
24HCF in its entirety, is solely responsible for why my children do not have college funds, my mortgage isn't paid-off and why I will never retire early enough to enjoy the remainder of my life.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 19,111
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 19,111 |
Do you have to put the primers in the tool one at a time? If not, how does it work? miles
Look out for number 1, don't step in number 2.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,981
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,981 |
I've tried the cheaper ones and finally got a 21st Century. Well made, no plastic, and worth the money, particularly when you consider how much you use a priming tool. It's one-at-a-time, but it's not much slower than using one with a primer magazine.
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,179
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,179 |
Went through several Lee's, bought the latest and it won't digest large primers at all and is so so with small primers.
RCBS was not too user friendly and eventually wore out.
Tried the new Lyman and it didn't work at all, they replaced it and the second one ....same as the first would not seat primer deep enough.
Ended up with a Frankfort Arsenal hand primer and would highly recommend it. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/5...um-series-perfect-seat-hand-priming-toolSame here Frankfort Arsenal. Adjustable seating depth. Comes with shell holders, you don't have to buy them separate. All in a nice case. Have a Lee and have used it for years but recently got this and like it a lot. Especially with Hornady brass of late. Very tight primer pockets.
Some people are educated beyond their intelligence.
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,147
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,147 |
Do you have to put the primers in the tool one at a time? If not, how does it work? miles Link to mfg video
James Pepper: There's no law west of Dodge and no God west of the Pecos. Right, Mr. Chisum? John Chisum: Wrong, Mr. Pepper. Because no matter where people go, sooner or later there's the law. And sooner or later they find God's already been there.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,653
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,653 |
Lee Hand Primer (round tray) is just like the energizer bunny, just keeps on going. My first hand primer was from a Lee Precision kit for the 22-250. I used it for several years and rebuilt it once and retired it when I got the above primer with a tray primer feed. When I prime cases for my, ahem, gilt edge accurate 22-250 I use a Lee Loader die and arbor press.
You're Welcome At My Fire Anytime
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,880 Likes: 4
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,880 Likes: 4 |
Owl, That one at a time primer, would be a pain in the butt, when I am loading 400 to 500 rnds at a time, in 1 day. there are many ways to make that job easier.and faster. wonder how many primers are on the floor were he reloads. Rio7
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,073
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,073 |
I’ve got 2 RCBS hand priming tools. One uses standard shell holders . The other universal jaws. I’m about to pull the trigger on a Forster bench model. A friend has one and it’s the cats meow. Hasbeen
hasbeen (Better a has been than a never was!)
NRA Patron member Try to live your life where the preacher doesn't have to lie at your funeral
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,463
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,463 |
I've always used a Hornady hand primer. Mainly because I could use the same shell holder as my press.
Dan
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,788
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,788 |
I bought an RCBS primer thinking it had to be better than the Lee- WRONG. The RCBS is clunky, difficult to load, and expensive for what you get.
"I didn't realize we had so many snipers in this country." by J23
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,981
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,981 |
I bought two of the RCBS Universals. Neither would fully seat a primer consistently and both tools seemed to take more muscle than other priming tools I had used. The first RCBS that I had was the one that used regular shell holders. While it was a little trouble to change everything over, it was a much better tool than the Universals I returned.
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 150
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 150 |
I have the old RCBS, RCBS Universal, Old Lee, New Lee, and the Frankford Arsenal. Of these, the Frankford is a substantially more heavy duty and the only one I would recommend as quality reloading equipment. It is heavy though. It is also very precise and rivals bench mounted systems for consistency.
Last edited by prose; 09/26/18.
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,520
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,520 |
K&M or 21st century are top of the heap.
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