Priming tool

[Trapper6L]

Asking what priming tool you use and do you like it. Looking for full reviews, if you will. Currently, I've been using the Frankford Arsenal hand priming tool. I guess I've just hit the end of patience with it. The downside is if you have just dumped primers in the tray and manage to just bump it slightly, the primers go off like popcorn and scatter everywhere. The little bumps on the tray that are supposed to turn the primers up right are sharp as needles and just shaking the primer tray has them jumping all over the place. Yeah, I get it, don't shake it hard. I'm not. Any movement at all they just go off like popcorn. I've had issues with it trying to seat 2 primers at once. It jams. The gate that you can move to shut the primers off from the tool takes both hands to move- it sticks. The thing will load about 5 primers and then you have to shake it up or bang on something as the primers bridge at the tool. That gets real old quick when you're loading a thousand rounds of something. The thing is absolute crap and I've hit the end. I realize I'm eccentric, no doubt, but a tool that doesn't perform function needs to belong to somebody else. So I'm looking for a new priming tool. Wish I could find a NIB old Lee Auto Prime tool. Loved the ones I had but they quit making it, of course. I bought the FA because it looked so much like the old Lee. I was wrong. So what do you have and why do you like or dislike it?

[Kenk]

Evening Trapper, I currently use a RCBS handheld priming devise, but still has it's issues. I also would love to find a device that would function properly

Ken

[gadabout]

I bought the Lyman hand primer tool and it is just like yours!! Mostly junk. See my thread on this for more bad info.  Craig

[The_Shadow]

Trapper6L, I'm using the RCBS handheld primer with the primer tray that slips into the side (it has the ridges that are used to upright and orient primers for loading, it uses the shell holder for the cartridge being loaded.
There is a small bar that is used to block other primers as you are priming.  It has a large priming pin and plastic guide for large primers and a small priming pin and plastic guide for small primers.
It is rare but some times two primers do stack on top of each other as you are priming.  I usually squeeze the handle to seat one enough to be able to remove the case, then place another case to accept the next primer, then place the previous one to insure it gets fully seated.
Draw backs are the priming pin can slide out if the unit is turned upside down.  The primer tray can loose the cover, but using a rubber band will keep it in place.
As with any thing care needs to be taken while using then.
To change or swap the plastic sleeves guides the blocking bar, shell holder and priming pin needs to be removed, taking care that the rest of the handle and guts don't come apart.  That can be done buy keeping some pressure on the handle as not spread out to the point it where it will come apart.

I have like the RCBS hand primer for the feel and inspection part of priming.
Primer pockets that were staked, if not swaged or cut/cleaned to proper size can show issues with tight pockets due to the staking...

[Kenk]

Totally true, Thanks Shady!

[sqlbullet]

The RCBS is my favorite as well.  One issue I have from time to time is that shell holders from other makers may not have enough relief on the bottom for the plastic guide to fit.  I can usually resolve this with a case de-burring tool in a drill.  If not a trip to the Bridgeport does the trick.

[Kenk]

Great idea...Thanks!

[Trapper6L]

I had bought the RCBS unit but none of my RCBS shellholders would go in the thing. A call to RCBS informed me that they changed the bottom of the shellholder and the old shellholders will not work with the RCBS Priming Tool. So to get me working, they overnighted to me 3 shellholders for 223, 308, and 357 mag. Sounds great but the chinese made junk wouldn't take a piece of brass as the slot for the rim was cut too narrow on all three shellholders. Another call and RCBS confirmed that the shellholders they got from china were defective and I would have to wait until a ship came in from china that had more shellholders, arrived. I sent the entire mess back to Midway where I got it from. So if you have old shellholders, they will not fit the priming tool. They are too thick at the bottom.
Been looking at bench mounted priming tools. Doesn't seem to be any relief there either. Not sure why this is an issue. Seems to be a relatively easy thing to make a decent hand priming tool. If we can put a man on the moon we should be able to make a good priming tool. For what they want for one these days it should be near effortless and 100%. None are close to 100%.

[Kenk]

So true, so who makes a functional / easy to use hand priming device? This shouldn't be so difficult with today's technology, Gosh!

[Kenk]

This could be either a handheld or bench mount unit; I would just like something that works as advertised

[Pctechdude]

i Use the RCBS universal handheld priming system. I've had this one since ~2010? I believe. Its been awesome. I've used it for everything from 223 to 45-70govt. Only issue I've had with it is with some crimped 223/5.56 cases with crimped primer pockets that had been swagged. Usually either run the primer pocket tool or just turn the case and it works on the second try. I've used others, that friends have had, and just not a fan. this includes the lyman and lee hand held units. I opted for the universal because of the shell holders, much easier just to use the universal as no changing them out or having issues. I know some handheld units use special shell holders or at least use to when I was looking for mine.

I just had to call RCBS last week because I lost the primer stem tool somehow, I asked about purchasing one, but they sent me one for free. I've had awesome luck with RCBS products and their customer service is tops. They even replaced my power supply for my chargemaster dispenser because the casing cracked. 

[Redneck]

I've had two of the LEE hand priming tools, one set up for small primers the other for large. I broke the thumb lever twice on the old style (S), no issues with the new model (L). I also had two of the RCBS hand priming tools, also one set up for small primers the other for large (dedicated). The RCBS models had a tendency to have the primer tray come out while using. I thought, there's got to be a better way to seat primers. After reading several reviews, I got a RCBS Automatic Primer Tool. It came down to that or the Forster Co-Ax Primer Seater. What made my decision was availability and the RCBS primer tubes hold 100 primers, and the Forster holds 55. I wish I'd have gotten one of these years earlier, seating primers is now a pleasure with this tool over the "thumb busters" I had before.

[Trapper6L]

Quite actually, I have the old RCBS auto prime that fits on the Rockchucker press. It's the exact same thing only it mounts on the press. Uses the same tubes and primer seating stem system. I quit using it as it was slower than dog poo at a drag race. You do have more feedback using though. The handle being obviously longer and directly connected to the ram gives you a lot of feel for how much pressure is being applied and how deep the seating of the primer is. The "quest" for the perfect primer seating tool is still on as I have 2 nephews wanting me load 1500 rounds each of 357 mag ammo. I also have about 2000 rounds to stuff myself so it's going to be 357 mag loading for me for a week or so. Just hate it that I'm going to be doing it with my Frankford Arsenal primer popper.

[Jdcujog89]

Have one of the newer lee hand primer tools and dont even mess with the tray single the load the primers in.  A bit of OCD but also just starting out reloading so ya..

[Alabusa]

If you have the money, the Primal Rights desktop priming tool is the best that can be had.

http://primalrights.com/reloading-equipment