Modified RCBS Hand Primer Good or Bad?

[Timothy]

For what it’s worth:

When I started reloading several years ago I used an RCBS hand primer and have used it ever since.
Being new then and overcautious, as I guess it is good to be, I was uneasy about seating primers too deep (actually about adding pressure after the primer had traveled as far as it could). I don’t know if it could happen or not, but I had this fear of one exploding.
What I did was seat a primer properly and then I measured the travel the handle had remaining before it stopped against the body of the hand primer. I converted this measurement into an equal number of ¼†flat washers. Then I placed the stack of flat washers on the safety blade between the handle and the body. Now I just squeeze the handle until it will go no further and “presto†they are all seated uniformly. Given the existence of un-uniform primer pockets it seems like it shouldn’t work 100% of the time but so far it has.

Good idea or not?

 

[Nero Steptoe]

Not, for the reason that you provided.

 

[Mal H]

I don't think your engineering change is necessary. I've used the RCBS hand tool for a long time also and just squeeze the handle until the projection touches the tool body. I've not had a problem with any type of primer or cartridge, and no primer has ever gone off.

I am a graduate of the Lee Hand Loader, so I have had primers go off when "seating" them (read: banging on them with a hammer until they go in !! ). Folks, it ain't the end of the world. Sure it's loud, but with the proper precautions, you won't be hurt. I use the same precautions with a hand priming tool now as I did then, namely always wear safety glasses and always point the cartridge away from you when seating a primer.