Hand primers and arthritis

Been there done that. It's called a bench primer.....Lee and RCBS makes em. I have the APS RCBS one, but a lot of people like the tube-fed one too.

Lee has a relatively new and inexpensive tray-fed one....don't know how it compares to the RCBS one, except that the RCBS has a lifetime guarantee.

I like the Lee ram prime sure it's slow but it don't hurt .

CC

Jesse Heywood said:

Is there a hand primer that is easier on the hands?

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No

I found the Hornady hand primer to be easier, but prefer the lee bench prime to that and my rcbs hand primer.

RCBS Ram Prime is what I use.

GW Staar said:

Been there done that. It's called a bench primer

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+1.

I got mine from Titan Reloading for $25 - https://www.titanreloading.com/lee-auto-bench-prime

GW Staar said:

Lee and RCBS makes em ... don't know how it compares to the RCBS

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No, You can go with a bench priming setup or use your press. I prime on the press, easier on the hands.

I use both the Lyman and RCBS Ram Prime units. Very precise and easy on the old hands.

Hope this helps.

Fred

If you're gonna use a bench primer or some sort of apparatus that attaches to the bench, why not just prime with your press?

Two reasons I can think of: Many who use feel only, consider the lighter action of bench primers provide better feel than the ram and handle of a press.......but it's all relative....what's great feel to me may not be to you. Feel ... meaning whether you can easily tell when the primer cap bottoms in the pocket, compressing the anvil but not crushing the primer cap.

The other reason: With my APS bench primer, there is a seating depth adjustment. Such works well only if one uses a primer pocket uniformer to first insure case pocket depth is the same so seating depth is repeatable.

Doing that also allows more speed using a progressive priming system with a depth setting....you don't have to "feel". I use that press option, when I use my Pro 2000....and will probably do the same with my new Pro Chucker 7 when I start using it vs testing/getting to know it...... as it also has a primer depth stop.

Some on the press solutions are horrible, that's why. Clunky and incredibly slow. I can't think of any single stage types that are reasonable except maybe the Lee Safety prime set up. I've seen most of the on the press priming videos, almost anything else is better.

I use a hand press (Lyman) because I am lazy and want to do it while watching TV.
I have a ram RCBS primer seater which involves handling each shell. Once set up and locked down, it will give absolute repeatable seating depth each time without feel. Any ram primer seater will do the same.

turn the tool around and squeeze with your fingers instead of your thumbs.

luck,

murf

I tried hand priming tools made by Lee, RCBS and Hornady and wasn’t happy with any of them.
I’m now using an RCBS bench mount priming tool that is tube fed and I like it much better.

Another vote for the RCBS bench priming tool. Arthritic thumbs make squeezing things hard or impossible. Pushing the lever is easy. Plenty of feel as the tool seats the primer. I seat primers all the way so the edge of the cup presses against the bottom of the primer pocket. I prime off the press in large batches and keep ready to load brass on hand. I use a classic turret press and size, flare, seat and crimp in separate operations. I have developed a workflow that is, for me, consistent and repeatable. I like it.

Another satisfied RCBS bench primer user here.

I like the one that is on top of my CoAx. For rifle but when my old round Lee hand primer gives up the Ghost I'll get there bench primer for pistol

Been using my RCBS bench primer since the mid '70s and intend on using it for at least a couple more decades.

As I have aged, hand priming has become more of a chore. I broke my wrist at age 50 or so and that has affected my ability to long session hand priming. Great for predicting the weather though.

For short priming runs, 100 or so cases, I still hand prime but for longer runs in excess of a couple hundred cases or more, I've gone to a bench priming tool.

My hand priming tools are RCBS universal shell holder tools, my bench priming tool is the RCBS APS tool. I have a Lee bench priming tool but it is still in the box. One of these days, I'll give it a try.

I also have the RCBS tube fed bench primer and have been using it since the late 70s. It has plenty of leverage so you can avoid tiring your hands, but it also gives you a fantastic feel for seating primers. I've never ram primed, leery of using too much pressure. I load in batches and because of the good feel I get, I can get a nice rhythm going and it doesn't take long to finish a batch. I just clamp it to my bench with a C-clamp and it works well, so you can use it wherever you want. It's a little pricey, but once you use it, I believe you'll love it.

O.P. Just noticed that right now is a good time to spring for such a tool.

Midway has them all on sale.

The RCBS tube-fed is $74 down from $87. plus shellholders $6.80 a piece on sale.
The venerable RCBS APS is $85 down from $99.
The new Lee is $26 down from $29. Plus shellholders. package of 11 for $14.

Besides the depth stop on the APS unit, APS also has the universal shell holder....so you don't have to buy RCBS shellholders.

However you'd need to buy an APS Strip Loader......also on sale for $28.....which is way faster than pecking tubes full......and way safer too. No tube bombs to handle. Speaking of a TV activity, I load strips during CIS.....I store them safely in plastic Walmart trays. The strips are color coded so you don't get the wrong primers.

Hondo 60 said:

If you're gonna use a bench primer or some sort of apparatus that attaches to the bench, why not just prime with your press?

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Priming feel, control, and consistency. I run a Bald Eagle adjustable bench primer, I can feel my pocket tension incredibly well, and it allows me to pick my seating depth to two thou.

I do a lot of priming on my presses - always on my progressives, and often on my turrets, but for precision ammo, especially when I’m seating with chamber dies on an arbor press, I use the bench primer. I often use old round tray Lee Hand primers as well, but as has been mentioned above, there’s no free lunch - Hand primers are hard on the hands.

For those who have or are interested in the tube fed RCBS Bench Primer, but are wishing it had a primer depth control.....Check this out From Holland Gunsmithing:



$120.......or you can make your own if you're that handy. Pretty simple idea.

Check out this video that improves the handle action:

I think I'd combine the two....add a stop screw underneath surrounded by a compression spring and do both. (The APS tool already has both.)