Hand primer recommendations

[FrankenMauser]

I used an RCBS hand priming tool for a long time, after testing all of the available hand priming tools at a Cabela's. Liked RCBS pretty well, other than non-RCBS shell holders often not fitting well. (Solution: Ask for free primer guide replacements, and shape them to work with other shell holders.)

But I bought an RCBS automatic bench priming tool a few years ago.
That hand primer almost never comes out of its drawer, now.
Bench prime is the superior race.

It didn't even take away room on my bench. I stuck it on a corner that had previously just collected crap anyway, but was a good location for priming.

[RC20]

Had not seen that before, actually looks workable for my bench.

[hounddawg]

But I bought an RCBS automatic bench priming tool a few years ago.
That hand primer almost never comes out of its drawer, now.
Bench prime is the superior race.

As a person who did too many deadlifts and has arthritis in his thumbs I agree. If you want to go full tilt anal on the primer loading get Darrel Hollands add on for the unit and you can dial in you seating depth.

Holland's Perfect Primer Seater

[stagpanther]

I recently bought the RCBS APS priming tool, mostly cause the very last primers available were in the plastic strips. It looks like a nice adjustable primer tool which I look forward to using as soon as I get it installed on a bench.

[rc]

I have an RCBS that uses regular shell holders. Got ride of a lee unit. The Lee actually worked better with the special shell holders. The RCBS is a bit safer with a bar that goes back and fort each time but it jams up a lot more than I care to talk about. Would love to hear about the Hornady unit that looks like a 45 in the grip.

[TruthTellers]

I have an RCBS universal hand primer and wish I'd bought one that uses shellholders, some small cases (.32) will not have enough pressure to hold them while seating and fly out of the jaws.

The issue is none of the hand primers are particularly cheap, the best price I've seen for the RCBS has been $50 and if you go that route, get the one that uses shellholders.

That said, if you have the ability to mount a priming tool on the bench or a table, do that, Lee is the cheapest, but you'll have to buy the proprietary shellholders separate.

[FrankenMauser]

Would love to hear about the Hornady unit that looks like a 45 in the grip.

That's just a primer tube filler, not an actual priming tube.
It vibrates to shake primers into a tube.

As for the actual Hornady hand priming tool, I found it hard on the web of my hand and the motion somewhat unnatural. Seemed very likely to pinch me at every chance, as well.
One of my brothers ended up with one, because he didn't like my RCBS hand primer. Verified the pinch theory.
Long story short, I converted him to the RCBS Automatic Bench Primer, as well.

If you want to go full tilt anal on the primer loading get Darrel Hollands add on for the unit and you can dial in you seating depth.

Thanks.
I probably won't be getting one. But it is good to know that the tool is out there.

[stagpanther]

If you want to go full tilt anal on the primer loading get Darrel Hollands add on for the unit and you can dial in you seating depth.

I took a look at that and it looks like a great idea.

[hounddawg]

I always run a primer pocket uniformer on new brass, but mainly that is just to make sure none are too shallow. Anyway I think the USAMU's advice allows plus or minus .003. I bought that mod back when I was going nuts over my ammo when my real issue was lack of wind reading ability

[Bayou]

My all time favorite hand primer is, sadly, out of production, and it has been so for decades. It’s the RCBS Posi-Prime. Uses standard shell holders and has a great feel in the hand when seating primers.

From the descriptions of several above posts, others may still be using the Posi-Prime as well...

Bayou

[RCoulter52]

I have 2 of the RCBS Hand Primers, one for small primers and one for large primers (I'm lazy LOL). I also have the RCBS bench mounted primer. Both types work great for me.

Randie
Fort Smith, AR

[RC20]

The arthritis issue is very valid and I do suffer from hand pain.

So far I manage it and I can do the Universal ok most of the time. Conflicted on keeping hard at it and the pain at bay and the grip stronger or ........

Does not mean you can'g get it and use as needed or if as the precipitation says.

The RCBS auto prime looks like a good solution for that

I have 2 of the RCBS Hand Primers, one for small primers and one for large primers (I'm lazy LOL). I also have the RCBS bench mounted primer. Both types work great for me.

I also have one each of the Universal Small and Large

[Kevin Rohrer]

Annnd another question that has been asked many, many times.

The Lee works well but breaks.
The RCBS unit is dreck.
The Lyman unit is ok.

[wjhenderson]

Originally Posted by jetinteriorguy

This, especially if you have arthritic hands.

Another vote for the Frankfort Arsenal primer. A pleasure to prime even with my arthritic hands. No it's not the cheapest but worth every penny. I have the RCBS Posi-Prime and 2 or 3 different Lee versions also a Hornady unit and once I got the F-Arsenal unit I don't bother with trying to use any of the other hand primers.

[7.62 man]

I have tried many had priming tools the ones with the round tray give me problems trying to get primers from a square holding tray to the round priming tray. The ones with the priming strips are great but the primers are way too expensive. I like the Lee square tray (what I used to use) because it's easy to pick up the primers from the square holding tray that I buy them in then just flip & it ready to go but the Lee wears out very fast, takes special shell holders & is easily broken.

I recently found the Lyman hand priming tool it's made solid fits my hand like a glove, takes the square holding trays to flip to load & uses the same shell holder that the press takes. I couldn't believe the price was under $50. So that's what I used now the Lyman #7777810 do a search for it you will like it too.

[RC20]

The RCBS unit is dreck.

Which one? Some things I am not keen on the hand primer but dreck is not a word I would use. Have not tried the Auto but it looks good though the tube and primer load looks a bit annoying.

I gave up a Lee hand primer as I did not like it.

The RCBS auto primer looks pretty good

Lyman solves the RCBS issue, I like the RCBS universal as it is easier to adjust the feel for the primer going in.

At this point single feeding the RCBS works fine and I would go with an auto primer RCBS or other if it appealed as better.

While not a big Lee fan, this looks like a it has good features the Lee only shell holder issue aside

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5CSkxpomJk

[USSR]

I don't know, for something that continues to work well for 35+ years, I fail to see how the RCBS hand held primer is .....I won't use some of the new additions to the English language that are being imposed on us by the youngsters..... a bad unit.

Don

[RC20]

The Lee unit is out of stock all over the country.

I like it for ease of primer handling (or as easy as it gets and I never saw any of the RCBS strips offered!)

The Lee is quite reasonable if the quality is decent.

[curly45]

After much searching and reading many recomendations I located a RCBS Model 90200 hand primer (new) at about the same price as a used one on fleabay. Most of the reviews were good. Now I can not find the shell holder needed every where I have looked it is on back order. Have left notice to contact me if or when one comes in. Just starting into reloading so have lots to learn. Am trying to locate the #20 RCBS shell holder for the45 colt . Any help welcomed.

[gojones]

I second the FA.

[USSR]

curly45,

That's a good one, congrats. Good luck in your search for the #20 shellholder.

Don

[curly45]

Just bought a RCBS hand primer, the one that uses shell holders (90200) can not find shell holder for 45 colt anybody got one ? Also will this seat primers correctly? Any help welcome.

[Marco Califo]

1. To correctly seat you need to examine primers after seating. You need to squeeze hard, and devrlop a sense of feel, for when the primer is seated just below the case head. You can always twist 1/2 turn and squeeze again. Most people do not seat deeply enough at first. If a primer does not go bang, 99.9% of the time it was not seated deep enough, and the primer seated further when contacted by the firing pin. Second time they go off, 9 out of 10 times.
2. Standard shellholders are interchangeable between brands (except certain obnoxious products that use proprietary shellholders for their priming tools. Hornady, Lyman, RCBS, Redding: thay all work. If I need one for a specific caliber, I will order whatever brand is in stock.

[USSR]

Standard shellholders are interchangeable between brands (except certain obnoxious products that use proprietary shellholders for their priming tools. Hornady, Lyman, RCBS, Redding: thay all work.

Marco,

Not with the RCBS hand primer, they like their own brand of shellholder.

Don

[Marco Califo]

I have an RCBS regular (and universal) hand primers and it works with various brand shell holders. Except some Lee shellholders, like they use the same size for 9mm and 10mm.