Primer tool recommendations.

[John_R]

Having done my first batch with the primer bar on the RCBS Partner Press, I was wondering which dedicated priming tool might be worth a look.

I am aware the Lee Autoprime used to have a bad reputation but is now improved. Should I get that, or spend a bit more on the RCBS etc?

Thanks,

John

 

[old_realtree]

The Lee " Autoprime " is a great, easy to use bit of kit and at around £16 new, just buy one

O_R

 

[jcampbellsmith]

I use the RCBS hand tool. I got it as part of the RCBS kit and have used since day one. Rgds JCS

 

[Tikka 260]

I have been using the Sinclair Priming Tool for the past 2 - 3 years, and for low volume reloading I find it to be superb, good feel for the seating depth, and pleasing to use. Drawbacks?..... The need to handle each primer, and it is expensive!

 

[JabaliHunter]

+1 on the sinclair - it is a quality tool that should last a lifetime.

 

[Muir]

Lee. I've used the same one for two decades now.~Muir

 

[cjm1066]

Used a Lee Auto Prime for nearly 30 years, the trays are fiddly to change and I brought a second when a friend sold his kit during the pistol ban.

 

[mack8317]

lee auto prime is very good not as well put together as the rcbs but quick and easy to use does the job

 

[stag1933]

I have used this RCBS bench priming tool for over 40 years.
It holds the case firmly in position for the charge to be poured in via the long neck funnel.
It has interchangeable priming stems for large or small primers.
My Rockchucker press is to the right on the bench and has the bullet seating die in place to complete the operation.

As a first task I full-length re-size and de-cap all cases then remove that die and replace it with the bullet seater.
If it is still made it is an item that is perfect for purpose. [Try Aftab Hamid of Oxford for any re-loading gear.]
HWH.

 

[John_R]

Thanks guys. I'll see what the local shops have on offer.

 

[Muir]

I have used this RCBS bench priming tool for over 40 years.
It holds the case firmly in position for the charge to be poured in via the long neck funnel.
It has interchangeable priming stems for large or small primers.
My Rockchucker press is to the right on the bench and has the bullet seating die in place to complete the operation.

As a first task I full-length re-size and de-cap all cases then remove that die and replace it with the bullet seater.
If it is still made it is an item that is perfect for purpose. [Try Aftab Hamid of Oxford for any re-loading gear.]
HWH.

I used to sell these! But I must ask: why not use the priming arm on the press if you're going to use a rig like this? How much of a sense of feel do you get when seating the primer? I like the Lee's sensitivity, myself, having seated primers sideways using a compound leverage press.~Muir

 

[Brithunter]

I use the lee Auto prime. mine has had the steel link fitted for the last decade= at least. Wore the alloy one out. it's been in use now since about 86. I could do with a new perspex tray cover but it works just fine thanks. I also have a Ram prime that i acquired which is useful for when the shell holder is missing or I don't have the autoprime one.

 

[finnbear270]

Four Lee hand primers set up calibre specific, so no mucking about, just tip the primers in, shake to set em the right way up & away you go!

 

[Harry mac]

When I first started reloading it was on a Partner press (it still gets used occaisionally) and one of the things I liked about it was the amount of "feel" you get when seating the primer. I now use an RCBS APS hand-primer, but have to admit that I percieved more "feel" with the on-press facility of the Partner.

 

[User00021]

I use both the lee and the rcbs. Tend to use the lee more as its slightly quicker to swap between calibres, both give a good feel when seating.

 

[enfieldspares]

I've used only three, well four, priming methods and tried five.

The worst was the red plastic hand priming tool that had the steel shellholder moulded in place. I think this was by Lee? It didn't take long for the thing to wear out and it was thrown in the rubbish bin.

The next worst was used for all of five minutes! In March 2011. Really! It was the Lee top of the press priming device. The standard 7/8" threaded bit fits in the press and takes your shellholder. On the press ram you put a device that takes the rod that carries the primer up and as you press the press arm down seats it.

Horrible! I bought it actually to turn the primer arm down to use in something else but thought I'd try it before I did put it into a chuck and machine it down..so I did. Been there now. Glad I only paid secondhand price for it as spares. It was useless. I'd have hated to pay new to buy it actually for using as intended!

The RCBS bench mounted devices. I've had both. I used the one that "STAG" mentions with a "custom" primer rod to re-prime 303 British cases with the large 126 Berdan primer. Still indeed have that rod...although not the shellholder that had to have the centre hole enlarged.

Worked well. But slow! But sufficiently sensitive that I never had a Berdan primer go off when seating it home into the case. Verdict? Slow, does the job 100% efficiently. Safe!

The other RCBS bench mounted device was the one that had a long arm and a smaller arm that carried a tube pre-charged by you with primers. Lifting the arm charged the primer ram then you put a case in the shellholder and it pressed the arm down and seated the primer.

Verdict? Fast! I used it for priming maybe two to three hundred pistol or rifle cases at a time. But if you are not volume loading it is really spending money for no gain.

Last. And best! I just use the standard priming function with the inluded spring loaded arm on my RCBS Rockchucker or Simplex press. You prime on the upstroke of the ram.

I've loaded all my rifle ammunition this way ONLY since the Dunblane hand in scheme and it works. Under one inch groups at 100 yards? It is good enough for what I want! So I use no other.

Verdict. It works. It comes with the press anyway and if only loading fifty rounds at a sitting is fast enough. However whilst I've shot under one inch groups (so it clearly is doing it right) it can crush primers if you are hamfisted! Also if hamfisted you can actually sometimes detonate a Berdan primer as you seat it. So don't use it for those or if you do wear eye protection!

That's my 2p worth.