Ok i have a Metallic Cartage Reloading book from
1988 its the 2nd edition. I dont have it to get reloading data from its just for a reference on how to reload. That being the case i have 2 questions.

This book is very strongly against Hand priming devices. Is that becouse old ones were poorly made and caused problems, or are even the new ones are prone to remove ones hand every once and a while. These guys wouldn't be in a room with one being used. But it's also a 20 year old book.

Next question. If im going to buy a new reloading book. Should i buy one from a bullet maker or a powder maker?

Hey Danny

I never could get the Lee Auto Prime to work right and prefer the primer seater built into my Redding press. It is much more consistant for me.

As far as manuals, my favorite is the Nosler #5. It gives load densities and the "most accurate powder tested", both of which are good indicators for starting loads.

I'm just the opposite of Woods, kinda.

The primer seating feature on the Rock Chucker Supreme press is a royal PITA, you have to handle each primer individually by hand. I prefer the RCBS hand priming unit.

OTOH, if I had a Dillon progressive, I think I'd be in heaven.


as far as manuals, get both!! i prefer manuals by the bullet manufacturer myself, but have and use many

quote:

Originally posted by CharlieHo:
as far as manuals, get both!! i prefer manuals by the bullet manufacturer myself, but have and use many

You'll wind up with more than two. Make sure you get the LEE. roger

I started out using my press. Then went to a Lee never had an issue except the aluminum piece that pushes up the priming rod wore out. I got tired of having shell holders for it and the press so I replaced it with a RCBS. The hand primers give me a lot better feel as to loose pockets.

quote:

Originally posted by Dannyvp:
Ok i have a Metallic Cartage(sic) Reloading book from 1988 its the 2nd edition.

This book is very strongly against Hand priming devices.

I have the 3rd edition published in '96. Author is M. L. McPherson, who by the way, should be told it's time for the 4th edition!!!

He, apparently, now approves of hand priming tools. Lee, for its ease of use, being ambidextrous, and the RCBS model for its safety advantages. K&M offers the greatest precision with its dial indicator. He does note that Lee recommends only using CCI and Winchester primers in their tool; those cautions, however, could have changed in the last 10 years.

If, for some reason, you can't purchase both powder and bullet reloading books, I'd advise to at least buy the powder manufacturers' book, especially Hodgdon. Now that they sell Winchester and IMR powders along with their own brand, they are likely to combine all 3 in their newest bound reloading book.

Well, I'm not going to go against what someone supposedly more knowledgeable than me says in a book but I've never had a problem using the hand held priming tools. I've used the Lee hand primer in the past & it worked well but, as I recall you had to handle each of the primers and you had to use their shell holders. My press is RCBS so I had to have 2 sets of shell holders. A PITA. I got the RCBS hand primer and, after a bit of fiddling with it, it works fine. My rule is to always point the mouth of the case away from me when priming, never put my hand over the mouth of the case and I always wear glasses anyway.
I think they are a lot easier to use than the primer seater on the press. With practice, you get a better feel for seating. Just my opinions. Bear in Fairbanks

Well i just downloaded the Alliant book and bought the lee modern loading book from midway.

I`ve used the Lee hand primeing tool since the late 60s and wouldn`t be without one. Others may not agree but that`s my opinion of them.

If you can only afford one book get the one by the bullet maker you use the most of and check the web for data from the powder makers. Hodgdon has a very good web site with tons of data. They also offer IMR and Winchester and have data for those brands listed along with their own brand.

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

I have the RCBS Automatic Priming Tool. It is very consistent and safe. It mounts on the bench which is the only thing some may consider a drawback, I like that and is why I bought it.

The Tube holder removes the need to handle primers. I would get it again.

If you have a bullet preference get their book… If you use several get them all, they make a good reference

Buy bullet maker and check powder makers on-line for now.

Hand priming is the way to go. Get one of the new RCBS, it has a univeral shell holder, so all you need is the one tool, put in the appropriate priming push rod (both are included) and you're off. No shellholders to fool with--YEAH!!!

Much better feel than on a press IMO.

Good luck--Don

I think the idea of not using a press to prime was with the added mechanical advantage you couldn't feel the primer seat and might over seat the primer, crushing the primer which could lead to misfires or worse.

I've used the Lee hand primer since they came out and really like them.

I think the best book of current publish is the Lyman 48th.