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How many of you prefer a hand primer vs. press mounted priming? I have always used the RCBS press mounted system with primer tubes but am curious if there is some advantage to the hand priming method? If so which hand primer do you use, recommend, avoid at all cost? I'm always willing to change my process up if there is a true advantage to one method over another.
I use the RCBS hand primer for small batch loading, but doing more than a hundred or two can be a drag, especially if the primer pockets are tight. However, I dislike press-mounted priming systems. My compromise was finding a deal (~$75) on a RCBS benchtop priming system. No more "Popeye forearm", but still has enough "feel" to know whether the primer pocket is too tight or too loose. If it's too loose, I immediately de-prime with the Frankford Arsenal hand de-priming unit, and test the primer pocket with the Ballistic Tools Primer Pocket Gauge. If it's truly loose, it goes in the recycle bucket...if not, I re-prime knowing that the pocket is in spec.
When I started reloading I used the primer set up on my rockchucker. I soon changed to a lee handprimer, it broke. Bought another lee, it broke, so I bought a Sinclair hand priming tool, it was awesome. Ive still got the Sinclair, but currently use the frankford arsenal hand primer. I definitely like hand priming more that press priming. Is there any real world benefit to it? I don’t think so. The benefit to me is being mobile with it, I can prime in the living room and hang out with my wife, I can take it to work and prime brass on slow days.
I use the rcbs universal hand primer, works great for most applications. I like being able to prime away from the press. Don't get a lee! I've tried 3 different ones, they all suck. Cheap plastic parts. I like all the other lee products, just not the hand primers.
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I got tired of fiddling with the priming system on my pro1000, so I started hand priming with the lee hand primer.
I got tired of smashing sideways primers with the lee, so I switched over to the RCBS APS strip tool and loader.
The APS tool works so amazingly well, I didn’t even bother messing with the priming system when I got a loadmaster. But I might eventually look into getting a bench mounted APS primer.
Rcbs hand primer. I like that I can feel how loose the primer pockets are while priming. I prime a bunch of brass and store them in good ammo cans to be ready when I need them.
Thanks all. I got an RCBS APS when I got my current reloading set up some 30 years ago and it's still new in the box. Hell I've never even opened the box to see what it looks like or what was included. Loading the strips to me always seemed like it would be a PITA. I'm thinking I may try the FA hand primer, it got the nod in some of the previous threads on the subject while the Lee sounds like a real POS.
The APS strips aren't that bad to load, but it is an additional step. If you go on YouTube, Iraqveteran8888 has a really good video on using the RCBS strip loader and the press-mounted APS primer. Really quick and easy once you have the strips loaded up, which you can do in advance. However, as far as hand primers go, the FA hand primer would get my vote due to adjustable seating depth. I'm not a big fan of proprietary shell holders, but not a deal breaker. I'm sure you can sell your APS hand primer and recoup most of the cost of the FA.
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Originally Posted by cynjon
The frankford arsenal hand primer uses lee auto prime shell holders. They are definitely not proprietary. It comes with its own set but interchange with the lee.
JTD
Gotcha...never used the Lee Auto Prime so might as well be proprietary compared to the RCBS/Hornady shell holders that I have for all my cartridges already.Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff
I like hand priming because I like the feel. My press doesn't provide the "feel"
I'm with you on that one with my RCBS auto primer. I can feel what they are doing and when something is not right.Quote:
Originally Posted by Muddydawg75
Exactly... its a quality control for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by 72Camaro
And that's why I like the benchtop primer as well. No "feel" with the press-mounted primer due to the mechanical advantage of the press, but I can still easily feel the primer tension when using the benchtop primer without the effort level of a hand primer when doing larger batches. The only downside is that I can't do it while watching TV in my living room. I use my hand primer for small batches though, so there's always going to be a need for one of those as well.
which model is that? I've seen bench primers and always wondered if that was something I wanted... I always thought I'd still have too much mechanical advantage.
I have the Model 9460. They also make an APS version. I found mine NIB for around $75 on eBay. My only complaint is that the plastic tip for picking up primers is a little tight, but my brother uses one at work and he says they loosen up over time. If I end up getting a VibraPrime or FA primer tube filler, then it will be a moot point.Quote:
Originally Posted by Muddydawg75
And I use the RCBS Auto Primer. Took a little bit to get the feel for when something was not right but now I know what feels good and what does not and can usually fix and still save the primer.
I have the Lyman hand primer.... and I might never get away from it. When I'm priming a hunting load, I just feel confident. I appreciate everyone's opinion on the bench primers, and I will certainly read up on some reviews... maybe its something a bit faster for plinking ammo.
I use the Lee square tray for now. Had a round tray model that worked for awhile but never liked the feel of it. Still have some of the pieces for it. The square tray model has its quirks but I ultimately don’t mind it. When it breaks and if Lee won’t replace it, I’ll get the FA model as I already have the shellholders from the Lee
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I use the table top lee primer love it saw it at a friends house went home bought one. i was never a big fan of press priming. now my friends love to prime with the press i am a single stage reloader
I have had a RCBS automatic priming tool for years. Since loading on a 550B the RCBS tool is used less. This machine is reliable and you do have a feel seating the primer. There are several pieces on the RCBS automatic priming tool on YouTube. There was a smaller bench mounted non-automatic primer tool from RCBS. That priming device is my favorite. It's been discontinued. I long ago retired by Lee's.
I HAVE USED THE RCBS HAND PRIME, MESSED UP SOME PRIMERS, USED THE PRIMER BUILT INTO THE PRESS, MESSED UP PRIMERS THERE TOO. i HAVE THE LEE AUTO PRIME BENCH MOUNTED PRIMER AND HAVE NOT MESSED UP A PRIMER YET. CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME OF IT BUT IT MOUNTS ONTO A PIECE OF WOOD AND HAS A HANDLE YOU PRESS DOWN TO SET THE PRIMER. ALL PRIMERS COME OUT AS THEY SHOULD.Quote:
Originally Posted by cynjon