RCBS universal hand prime

Update the post after you've been using it for a while. I'm interested in how the Universal priming tool works out for you.

I have both the primer tray version and the APS strip version of the RCBS Universal priming tool. I like them both.

I've had only two issues with the priming tools. It will not prime brass .410 shot shell hulls and once in a while, the case will pop out of the shell holder when a primer is hard to seat or you try to seat a mis-aligned primer. This happens most frequently with small rimmed cases like 45 Colt.

OP, I hope your experience with the RCBS is as good as mine has been. I love the APS strips to be certain. Never a cocked primer, or reversed primer. Straight in, each and every time.

I use mini squeeze clips to use my RCBS primer tool. Can anyone give thoughts on the square tray RCBS. My round tray unit is all I have ever used. It has been a pain but I saw a used one with 2 square trays and grabbed it. It failed completely and needs a look at. I thought one of the tray shapes was more desirable.

Walkalong said:

I bought the hand primer when it went on sale soon after. If works great, but is just harder on my hand as it takes more strength to use it. It limits how many I can do in one stretch with the arthritis in my right hand.

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I can no longer prime lots of cases at one time anymore with a hand priming tool. A healed broken wrist and arthritis gets in the way. 100-200 at one time is about my limit.

I got an RCBS bench mounted APS priming tool for when I gear up for a large loading run. Much easier on the wrist.

I caught the APS hand primer tool on sale and it allows me to use primers already loaded in strips if necessary.

Priming on the APS tool is a bit faster than using the tray tool. Primer feeding to the seating station is a bit more reliable. Down side is, if you have to load the APS strips, that takes some extra time.

icanthitabarn said:

I use mini squeeze clips to use my RCBS primer tool. Can anyone give thoughts on the square tray RCBS. My round tray unit is all I have ever used. It has been a pain but I saw a used one with 2 square trays and grabbed it. It failed completely and needs a look at. I thought one of the tray shapes was more desirable.

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What failed?

You do know that there is a tray, "feed chute", and seating pin for each size primer? "Feed chute" is probably not what RCBS calls it, but it fits in the handle and holds the tray in position. It holds the tray by friction. They do crack which affects the tension holding the tray in place.

There should be a black chute and a white chute. I forget which is which off hand and if it is marked.

The newer square primer trays fits more of the primer containers that the manufacturers are using these days. The large square containers do not work as easily with the older round trays.

I'm sure RCBS made some other "improvements" to the priming tool with the tray redesign. Sometimes, an improvement can be a leap backwards.

I have both the old RCBS and the universal, both accept the square tray. Round trays are obsolete. I kept the old tool for small primers and use the universal for large primers. That way I don't have to break a tool down to switch primer size.

The old RCBS tool leaves a lot to be desired. The new universal tool works just fine. There is a set screw in the handle to lock the tool when changing sizes. That thing can lock itself, mine did, and makes the tool appear to be broken. Just back it out and you're back in business.

I like the new tool enough to buy another. The old tool is a POS.

What, in your opinion, makes the old tool a POS?

What, in your opinion, makes the old tool a POS?

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Several things. When the tool is disassembled the pivot arm gets jammed up in the handle and won't slide into position. Of course there is no reason to be doing that very often but if you do get ready for some cuss words. Also the rod that pushes the primer will fall out if you turn the tool upside down. Other than that it works fine.

I've had the UPT totally apart and no problems. Well designed tool.

I have used the RCBS universal on a wide variety of cases. It works great on all of them. I have not used it with 22 Hornet but it works great with the 218 Bee.

For anyone contemplating buying the old tool... the new one is much better. The old saying still applies, it's a poor workman that blames his tools.

Just poking a little fun at myself here.

RCBS Automatic Bench Priming Tool #9460 Rocks!

After thousands of rounds using my Lee Hand Priming Tool, I decided to upgrade to the RCBS Automatic Bench Priming Tool #9460. I can say that I absolutely love it! I only did 100 rounds so far, but I love the feel and the ease of use. The only minor negative is the loading of the primer tubes. It's a bit slow going. I hope the plastic mouth on the end wears a bit to make picking up the primers easier. But, it's minor. It rocks!

JCmax said:

Well, less than stellar performance priming 45 colt, at least with Hornady brass.
Did not check my Starline brass.

First attempt shot the case two feet in the air... After that experience, I found that by carefully holding the case and turning it as i applied pressure, I could make it work though very tedious..

I'll need to keep my old Lee tool for 45 colt work.

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Yup, review post #28 above.

You can prime 45 Colt just fine in the RCBS Universal hand primer but you really do need to make sure the primer is lined up with the primer pocket.

As I insert the case in the shell holder, I kind of twist and wiggle it so that the springs center the case in the priming tool over the primer.

After a while, you will get the feel when a primer is not lined up which will cause the case to get ejected from the universal shell holder.