Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles RCBS Universal shellholder and 22 Hornet?

Hi all,

My old round tray Lee hand priming tool finally broke and I've been looking around for another one. The internet seems to think the RCBS tool with the universal shellholder is the best out there, but I notice that it says the shellholder works with .32 ACP to 45-70. I checked cartridge drawings and the rim of a 22 hornet is just a bit smaller than the back end of a 32 ACP case.

So my question is, does anybody know if 22 hornet brass can be primed on this tool? And while I'm here, I may as well ask if anybody has any other recomendations for handheld priming tools? I'm not dead set on RCBS, I just want to get something that is going to work well and hold up. Meanwhile, I'll just sit here and wish Lee would just bring back their old tool.

Thanks,
Greg

What broke? If it's the handle, the current Lee handles work in my 30+ year old round try model.

I bought two of the Universals from Brownells a couple of months ago; sent both back after trying several different cartridges. To fully seat a primer required far more effort than necessary and I would still get an occasional high primer. I had one of their original versions a number of years ago. Something finally broke on it, but it was a better tool than the Universal model.

gnoahhh,

It was the handle that broke. And thank you, that's good to know. I might order a dozen of them.

lotech,

Thanks for the warning. You know, the more I read up on hand priming tools, the more I get the impression that the old Lee tool is still the best one that has ever been brought to market. Kind of annoying that it's not available any more, but what do you do? I guess I've got mine.

Greg

I am using the Universal RCBS tool for 17 Hornet and it works fine.

I have the early cases with goofy primer pockets, but once sorted out it does the job nicely.

I like mine so much I was thinking about getting another and have one for small primers and one for large primers.

That plan seems a bit too extravagant at present.

I've got two and use one for small and one for large. I actually really like them and have no issues with 22 hornet either. I had an old Lee and I guess I'm the minority because I like the RCBS universal better.

I like the Universal much better than the old LEE as well.

So far the only case it wont function with is the 45 AR.

Thanks for the input everyone. Given that a couple of Lee handles (or a dozen) beats a whole new RCBS tool every which way on price, I think I'm just going to go with that. Especially since the Lee has never given me any trouble to speak of.

Greg