Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Best available hand primer

I had a Lee hand primer tool that gave unbelievable feel when priming cases by hand. After about 25 years, the casting broke and Lee does not offer replacement parts. I tried a RCBS bench primer and decided I prefer to prime by hand. My current primer is a POS Hornady which is not reliable, the primers can flip in the holder, and the small rifle primer piece already broke. I am fed up.

Who makes the best hand primer at this time?

No idea who makes the best, but I’ve used a RCBS hand primer for years with no issues, ever.

I liked the RCBS hand priming tool---whatever they're calling it these days. The Lee tool worked fine, but it was subject to wear and sometimes breakage and the strain on the thumb was not too much fun when priming large numbers of cases. The RCBS hand priming tool was better in every respect. I went to the RCBS bench mounted tool, though, because it's easier on the hands when they become a bit arthritic. I find that the bench mounted tool offers much better feel than I expected.

Look around for another Lee, I bought several at garage sales and in hole in the wall gun shops.. I love em. I have an RCBS ok but I bought it when I was on a trip and needed it and my old Lee's were home. I never use it nowdays.. They are not for sale.

Have you looked at or tried the Lee Auto Prime?

No I have not tried the new one, I think my old one was the original auto prime. The new ones look cheap but I am up for trying them if someone has positive experience to share. Anything will be better than the Hornady.

Are talking the Lee tool with the attached primer tray or the original that did not have one?

Attached tray.

This.

I've bought enough off ebay to piece 2 good ones together and have some extra parts.

The Sinclair hand primer is a quality tool.

Rcbs universal primer.

After breaking two of the Lee Autoprimes, I learned to clean the pivots and keep them lubed. I have three of them. But these days prefer my RCBS Bench Priming tool.

For future reference it would be good to know if there is a viable hand priming tool alternative though.

I have several RCBS

This. I cling to my Lee tool mainly for nostalgic reasons, it was one of the last things my Dad gave me a long time ago right before he died. When the squeeze handle broke 10 years ago I was mortified and tried several repair methods, none of which held up. I was advised that the "new" Lee parts wouldn't fit the old tool but I bought a new lever anyway to see for myself, and it dropped right in and works to this day. (I put a dab of grease on the friction points periodically to forestall future breakage.)

RCBS universal primer tool

+1 on this one

I’ve used the hand Lee for 45 years. No complaints. I do have a bad thumb now from some previous abuse. I picked up the Lee bench mount and so far so good. Excellent feel of primer going in. EdK

What Jordan Smith said. Unless loading in volume, spend the $ and get the Sinclair. You won't have a reason to ask about replacing parts again.

How about this one?

https://21stcenturyinnovation.com/b...ision-click-head-bench-rest-priming-tool



For a bench mount I love my old RCBS like this one: