Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Best available hand primer

If you want the best I agree......

You took the words right out of my mouth....

Looking at the Frankfort Arsenal inventory at the local Bass Pro Shop everything appears cheap looking to me.....a friend has one of their co axe loading presses a few years old and it is a piece of crap.

Not sure I would trust any reviews on their junk.

21st. Century is the absolute best hand primer. The quality is second to none. It is not inexpensive but quality never is.

Looks like the Cadillac of priming tools....I don't care for having to touch each primer.

Anyone tried one of these might be easier on the thumbs.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101275795

I too have been using an old Lee hand primer, since the 80’s. The first one finally broke. I found some on E-bay cheap and bought three. I don’t think there’s anything better.

LFC, I replaced my Lee with the hornady. it is truly the biggest piece of handloading chit I ever bought. Poor design, primers flip easy inside the tray without you noticing and it sucks and is dangerous when primers get inserted backwards. The plastic part that attaches to the tool broke and is of a very poor design. It sucks.

I think I am going to buy the Franklin Armory one. Made in China, but seems to get the best reviews.

I've used an RCBS hand primer for 30 plus years...So Far, so good... I did buy 2 others over the years, so I don't have to change shell holders, and they are available for back up if one of them breaks on me for some reason...

Maid didn't make it in this week?

Another vote for the Sinclair.

I've had a Sinclair and it was a good one, far better than any of the cheaper mass produced hand priming tools. It's built of good material and made to last and no one complains about them or looks for parts. Same for the 21st Century.

Its not for high volume loading but for 50 rds or less there is nothing in its class, l have rcbs lee and when new worked ok but things wear our quick my frankfort arms works ok but is big heavy and clunky , I use my Dillon xl650 for all my high volume loading!

Yes I have one & am not a fan. Mine is the older version that requires Hornady shell holders or that you open up the center hole in an RCBS or Lyman. Maybe the new ones are better, IDK. Also it just doesn't feel "right " when I use it. That's purely subjective I know.

Note that over 1/3 of the reviews on Midway are 1 star.

I think much of it is ergonomics. Its got to fit. And a little to do with how many cases you prime in one session.

With me, I rarely load more than 100 cartridges in one sitting. Generally, the cases are primed and waiting for me in an ammo box. I prime as a separate operation, on a different day. I don't have a need for fast priming or auto feed. Others may load considerably more or prefer auto feed.

There are members here who have problems gripping or squeezing the handles. The tool is the wrong fit and difficult to operate. Grip strength is a really factor for some people as well.

I think that's why the reviews vary considerably.

You talked me into one.

I'd honestly never heard of one before this thread.

Yup got the RCBS uni also!

When I got home today from deer hunting my 21st Century hand primer was in the mail box. I’ve been handloading since about 1976 It takes a lot to impress me. Last time I was this impressed is when my high polish stainless steel Wilson shoulder bump/neck bushing die arrived.

I was so impressed when I opened it I had to try it out....not sure if it's going to help my groups any but no other priming tool is or could be precise as this one....what I really liked is it's easy on the hands.

Thanks for the heads up guys.

They used to make one that would accept a Lee primer tray not sure why they quit making it!

Black Friday 20% off sale at 21st Century Inovations


https://21stcenturyinnovation.com/

Coupon code is BlkFri20

Thanks for sharing that BF code. Just ordered their hand primer along with some other things, and got free shipping too. 👍