I am so last century

[MCMXI]

I've been using the RCBS press mounted priming system with primer tubes since '92 on two RockChuckers without touching a single primer and have no problem seating primers correctly with the right amount of force. I have seven primer tubes for different types of primers and find that the RCBS system is fast, accurate and produces excellent results. However, I wouldn't mind trying a hand priming tool just to see what all the fuss is about.

 

[FM-793]

xd45gaper, using the press is quite slow and tedious, and requires handling each primer inidividually.

As mentioned above, this is not the case if you're using the Lee Safety Prime. Lee Safety Prime uses the same tray-type feeding system as the hand primer, so the primers are fed and not touched. In addition, you just prime on the downstroke of the sizing/decapping stage. No extra steps, no handling of primers.

I think it just comes down to whether you like to prime on the fly as part of your loading sequence or batch prime as a seperate operation as part of case prep. I prefer to prime as part of the loading sequence.

In any case, it's hardly a Catholic vs. Protestant or Sunni vs. Shi'ite type issue, even though you infidels fail to see the light.

 

[armoredman]

Perhaps I should have been clearer - I don't have a Lee Safety Prime. I have the 29 year old priming arm and changeable cups on ny RCBS RS press. I also prefer to prime in batches, and store them that way, and it's Ok if you don't, you heathen!

 

[krs]

I've used the Lee hand primer for more years than I can remember because they're cheap, they work, and I can keep one set up for each primer I use which are large and small pistol, large and small rifle. Four primer setups for under $40. and all I have to do is try to remember which is which.

Fastest priming I've ever figured out too.

Oh, and I figured out that I thought loading those silly RCBS primer tubes was dumb forty years ago, dumb and it never fails to surprise you by being empty right at the wrong time - when you're almost finished for a while.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Short magnums in Lee Auto-Prime...

As I have stated in other posts the Lee Autoprime is the only way for me now on, unless I have to load any of the WIN short magnum family, they don't fit the tool even though I have the proper shell holder.

I too like the Lee Auto-prime very much. When I got a .300 WSM, I asked Lee Precision about using a Dremel tool to grind away at the top part of the Auto-Prime so that the WSM cartridges fit in. Not much sense to having a shell-holder for those cartridges if the tool itself won't accept them! Anyhow, Lee's response was "no probbie, go ahead." So I did. Since, I prime the WSM's just like I prime everything else.

When the Auto-Prime tool body broke, later (hey, it IS pot metal!) Lee replaced it w/o question. I pointed out to them that it had been dremeled out to fit WSM cartridges, and their response was that that didn't matter, the tool isn't supposed to break like that.

If Lee made the Auto-Prime out of steel it would never break just from normal use. But then it'd cost like the RCBS hand priming tool. You pays your money and you takes your choice.

Bottom line: The Lee Auto-prime can easily be adapted to prime WSM cases. Doing so doesn't harm the tool, nor Lee's warranty.

 

[jcwit]

I've used the Lee hand primer for years and just switched to the K & M hand primer and gives me much better feel than the Lee, also doesn't make my thumb sore.

 

[ar10]

I think it just comes down to whether you like to prime on the fly as part of your loading sequence or batch prime as a seperate operation as part of case prep. I prefer to prime as part of the loading sequence.

I have a question about the "loading sequence" part.
If you have a screw-up in the loading sequence. How long does it take to fix it? How much powder do you loose? And can you re-use the bullet?
Just seems to me I've read more posts on primers getting stuck in tubes than I have on hand primers,(most have been about sore hands after squeezing the handle, which could be a good thing actually

 

[MCMXI]

Just seems to me I've read more posts on primers getting stuck in tubes than I have on hand primers,

Hmmm ... tens of thousands of rounds loaded over the years both on a single stage and progressive but not one stuck primer. I don't even see how that's possible with RCBS primer tubes.

Anyway, so what's the consensus on the best hand priming tool out there? Lee, Redding, RCBS, Hornady, Lyman etc.?

 

[Walkalong]

I have a Lee and an RCBS. I quit using the Lee 20 plus years ago when I got the RCBS, but the Lee does a good job as well. I like the fact that the RCBS uses standard shell holders. You got to watch it though. Sometimes other brands won't work on it, sometimes.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

I've been using the RCBS press mounted priming system with primer tubes since '92 on two RockChuckers without touching a single primer and have no problem seating primers correctly with the right amount of force. I have seven primer tubes for different types of primers and find that the RCBS system is fast, accurate and produces excellent results

BINGO!

But I do use the priming system on the dillon 650 when running large batches, and my RCBS hand primer on occasion as well.

 

[FROGO207]

Smokey Joe I got out my Dremel tool and calipers tonight. The drum sander was perfect for enlarging the head on the Lee tool. Three minutes and the WSM cases fit fine. Great idea. Thanks

 

[Smokey Joe]

Good!

Frogo 207--Glad it worked for you!