OK guys,

What tool do you use and why? I currently use an RCBS handheld that you have to feed the primers to individually, and I would like to try something else that holds the primers - newer RCBS, Hornady, etc. (not Lee - don't have the Lee shellholders for anything else, and don't want to start).

Thanks.

TXRam,

I've always used the Lee handheld primming tool which uses it's own set of shellholders that don't fit on the press. I thought that RCBS hand primer tools would work with the RCBS shellholder off your press. I don't understand your "one at a time statement". The RCBS prime tool is supposed to hold a bunch and only let one at a time be pressed in, so that if it explodes the whold tray doesn't detonate. BM

The RCBS handheld is what I use, and it does not have to be fed one-at-a-time, and it works with RCBS standard shellholders.

It you have the REAL OLD RCBS shellholders, it will not work, but if you send the old ones to RCBS they will replace them with the newer ones.

[ 09-02-2003, 01:36: Message edited by: ricciardelli ]

Steve, Thanks for clearing that up for me. I thought the RCBS held a bunch of primmers like the Lee does but only allowed one at a time to come down a chute and be pressed in. I'm not sure I want to handle my primmers with my hands. BM

RCBS's first hand primer tool was the Posiprime; it is a single shot. It has the advantage of being able to utilize the larger diameter shellholders for the .348 and for the 24ga. that I use for my .577's. The newer magazine types will not admit the larger shellholders.
Cheers from Gray's California,
Ross

I'm with BlueMoon on recommending the Lee. Just don't like the fact Lee suggests not using Federal primers due to the possibility of chain reactions if one goes off.

What about using Lyman shellholders with the RCBS??? I've read/heard it both ways .... I believe RCBS recommends against it, but others say they've had no problems. I'm getting ready to buy a handheld, and would really hate to have to replace shellholders.

I have been using the Lee priming tool for about 10 years. The only hiccups being the tray lid won't stay on which a rubber band fixes and Lapua 308 and 243 brass does not fit in the shell holder properly.

I am considering the Hornady model but I'm interested in the feedback from others, specifically regarding the tray.

I have tried them all, and broken several, and now use a K&M tool. It uses Lee shell holders and works to perfection. It isn't very fast but it produces very uniform results and I expect it will outlive me.
C.G.B.

I started out using the old Lee hand primer and had one set for small rifle and one for large rifle. When doing large lots I will simply use the primer unit on my Dillon 550B. For smaller quanties, say 200 - 300, I picked up the Hornady and it works great. It has more leverage than the old Lee and uses regular RCBS shell holders which is very handy. The tray will probably hold 200 primers but I normally just load 100 at a time. I like the fact you can swivel the tray and shell holder to whatever angle fits your style. It is also easy to tell when the primer bottoms in the pocket without you exerting extra pressure and crushing it. I had thought about the K&M unit which you can get with a dial indicator for checking seating depth but just haven't felt the need. My last batch of loads had a standard deviation of 4.6 so I figure the Hornady was consistant enough.

[ 09-03-2003, 01:37: Message edited by: Byron ]

Byron,

Can you remove the top off the tray without primers flying all over the room? I looked at the Hornady at a gunshow and thought the two pieces snapped together pretty tight.

Clarification: My RCBS hand primer uses normal shellholders (RCBS, Redding, Hornady, etc.), but it does not have a primer tray with it - it's an older "single shot" (one primer at a time inserted into the primer ram by hand). It is smooth and has plenty of leverage, but I am interested in one that has the primer tray so you do not have to touch every primer.

I am mainly interested in the Hornady and the newer RCBS tools. If neither of these, I will have to save and get a Sinclair (have a K&M neck turner, and while I think the design is great, the workmanship is lacking). I don't like the idea of having to buy all the Lee shellholders - I have plenty of "normal" shellholders already.

I recently bought the RCBS for my 416 Rigby and much prefer my 25 year old Lee's. Never tried the Hornady but do not like my RCBS at all. Too tight on some tolerances and too loose on others that make it slow to use. Maybe mine is a fluke?? I'd suggest you take a look at the Hornady though I could not find anyone in Houston that has them to look at.

Oilburner,

Yes, it is snug but with a slight twist as you pull up the lid comes off nicely. You won't even dump any primers that may still be in the tray. The only thing I have noticed is that although it is constructed like a primer flipper it doesn't work on 100% of the primers and I usually have to manually flip a few.

Thanks Bryon...

ED, Bailey's has the Hornady tool...from 610, take Almeda south to Bluebonnet and take a right.

I'm not sure we're on the same page. My RCBS tool has a long (10" or so) handle and come with two primer tubes, one for large and one for small.
It's a powerful rascal with excellent leverage. I don't think many people use their presses to prime anymore. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal