Does anyone else have a hard time priming 45 colt?

[Gumby0961]

using the rcbs universal priming tool, the cases always fly out of it from the jaws. I know it's from the small rim, it's the only caliber I prime on my press. What does everyone else use to prime the 45colt?

 

[dartor]

using the rcbs universal priming tool, the cases always fly out of it from the jaws. I know it's from the small rim, it's the only caliber I prime on my press. What does everyone else use to prime the 45colt?

I prime my 45 Colt using the RCBS automatic priming tool (bench mounted). I use Winchester WLP primers using the RCBS #20 shellholder. I reload with Winchester or Starline cases. I have experimented with a few CBC and Ammo Inc cases also. Never had the problem you describe. I see the tool you're using doesn't require a shellholder. Might be the jaws on your tool.

 

[Walkalong]

Yep, using my old RCBS hand primer that uses standard shell holders I need to be extra careful with .45 Colt, because some can get crooked from the slim rim.

Maybe a different (tighter) shell holder would work better, but the one I have isn't bad enough to make me buy a new one. Maybe I should though.

I haven't tried priming .45 Colt in my RCBS Universal hand primer.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Only time i had a problem was with Federal LPP. They are a tighter fit. I use the RCBS bench tool. CCI no issues.

 

[Charlie98]

using the rcbs universal priming tool, the cases always fly out of it from the jaws. I know it's from the small rim, it's the only caliber I prime on my press. What does everyone else use to prime the 45colt?

Same problem, same tool. Some brass is better than others, some not so much. I can usually muddle my way through a 100 primers without too many issues, but I have had to break out the press top primer for my RCBS single-stage to prime them before. All shellholders are not created equal, either... just an observation based on experience.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have heard several complaints recently about the RCBS "Universal" priming tool not being completely universal.

I use an older handheld RCBS primer and have no problems. Sometimes I have to go a little slower with some cartridges (like the 45 Colt) but I'm usually fine with the older hand primer which uses the shell holders. I have them anyway so there is no additional cost.

 

[Charlie98]

I have heard several complaints recently about the RCBS "Universal" priming tool not being completely universal.

Honestly, with some very rare exceptions (like .45 Colt...) it's a very good tool, and I wouldn't think of going back to my previous Lee hand primer (the old style, with proprietary shell holders.) There is more than one way to skin a cat, and there is more than one way to get brass primed. I don't have a lot of tolerance for tools that don't work... if the RCBS Universal didn't work well, it would be gone from my bench.

 

[Riomouse911]

I used a Lee hand prime for decades. That set up seems to work pretty well, no slippage with .45 Colt that I can recall.

I will say that Winchester brass rim thickness can be a hassle with Lee shell holders for both the hand prime and reloading presses in .44 mag and .45 Colt. The rims of that brand seem to be just a hair too thick to slide in easily sometimes.

Stay safe.

 

[AJC1]

I have heard several complaints recently about the RCBS "Universal" priming tool not being completely universal.

I use an older handheld RCBS primer and have no problems. Sometimes I have to go a little slower with some cartridges (like the 45 Colt) but I'm usually fine with the older hand primer which uses the shell holders. I have them anyway so there is no additional cost.

The only two cases giving me a hard time are 223 and 45c. Getting out all the crimp lis likely the problem in 223 and the colt has a tiny rim. I use the universal a ton, but I have the rcbs bench top primer when my hands get tired or I want to use a shell holder.

 

[johnjohn]

I don't remember which brass I loaded last,but using my old model round tray Lee primer tool ,Winchester large pistol primers went in very easily.

 

[Riomouse911]

Honestly, with some very rare exceptions (like .45 Colt...) it's a very good tool, and I wouldn't think of going back to my previous Lee hand primer (the old style, with proprietary shell holders.) There is more than one way to skin a cat, and there is more than one way to get brass primed. I don't have a lot of tolerance for tools that don't work... if the RCBS Universal didn't work well, it would be gone from my bench.

I hear you. My round Lee was great. After loading a gazillion rounds it finally wore out and I bought the square one. That one I don’t like, the little “safety gate” thing made it jam up all the time. I finally bought a Lee bench top primer. This works much better and doesn’t wear out my thumbs when priming 200 cases in a row.

Stay safe.

 

[Ethan Verity]

I use the Hornady handheld priming tool and corresponding shell holder. No problems at all, though I exclusively reload Starline brass in 45 Colt.

 

[Frulk]

Single stage Press mounted Lee Safety Prime. No problems at all with .45 Colt.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Using the RCBS hand held primer[older one] and Starline brass for .45 Colt. Can't recall any issues. Win LPP.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Only time i had a problem was with Federal LPP. They are a tighter fit. I use the RCBS bench tool. CCI no issues.

when in doughy use CCi! best primers in the World

 

[Mal H]

I use an older handheld RCBS primer and have no problems.

I have to echo that. My RCBS hand primer has never had a problem with any caliber including thousands of .45 Colt cases.

 

[.38 Special]

This will sound like Dillon fanboying, though it isn't meant to be: the SDB I have dedicated to .45 Colt has never slipped a rim even once. I consider that a good bit of luck, as it's the only tool that has never done it, for me. Otherwise, I figure it's a price to pay when loading the old Colt.

I will say that my RCBS universal hand tool is pretty reliable with the cartridge, which surprises me, as it isn't perfectly reliable with any cartridge I have yet tried. (I also will note that I've pitched a couple of .45 Colt shell holders - one from Lee and one from RCBS - that were far enough off-spec to be real headaches.)

 

[doubleh]

No problem at all with my old RCBS hand tool. Forget about doing it with their universal one though. Mine works great with everything except 45 Colt.

 

[mrawesome22-250]

A new bag of Winchester 45Colt brass was the first time I ever had a problem with my RCBS Universal hand priming tool.

 

[deadeye dick]

Been using the Lee turret round body for over 10 yrs with no problems and any brand of primers worked well. Mostly Herter brass.