I'm trying to get set up for reloading, primarily NE rounds (470, 450 3-1/4"). I've ordered most of the tools I think I need, but when it comes to installing primers, the reviews are all over the board. Some of the "universal" tools sound like they may not accomodate the rim diameters on the larger NE cases?

Anyhow, if those with experience loading 470 and 450 NE cartridges have some recommendations based on experience, I would certainly appreciate it. Cost is of way less concern than quality, reliability and safety. I'd rather buy the right one one time ....

Thanks

I'm not familiar with those cartridges.

I use the $20 Lee hand primer units and I have 4 of them set up for different purposes.

Why not just prime at the press with your ram?

My RCBS "Universal Hand Primer will do up to 450/400 NE. I'm not sure about 470?

You can only prime those fatsos with a tool that uses your press shell holder.

I think RCBS makes a hand tool that uses press shell holders.

The ram prime tools work also.

The ram prime tool is not a hand tool but then you are way out of the mainstream with those rounds.

Give 21st Century (not the Realtor) a call. They should be able to make appropriately sized shell holders for any of the cases in question.

The RCBS hand unit will also work. I use Redding shell holders with it.

Started using the priming tool on my Rock Chucker. After about 20 years or so went to the RCBS hand priming tool and it does work with 450/400 as well as my 450 NE.
The hand priming tool is convenient but the more I use them the less I like them. I have decided to go back to a RCBS bench primer.

By far my favorite priming tool is the Lee Auto Prime. However, its lips are not large enough to accommodate anything larger than a belted magnum (at least the version I have won't). Mine is too small for even a WSM or RUM case, which has the same rim as a belted magnum but a larger body. So I doubt the Lee being able to accommodate your big rimmed rounds.

But you can't be loading hundreds of these big boomers, so why not just use the priming mechanism, rudimentary as it may be, built into your press?

I have the following auto prime system and the pro's and con's are:

RCBS Universal Auto Prime - Sometimes it catch the primer not in line with the primer pocket. This could cause the anvil to pop out.

RCBS Auto Prime - works nice with shell holders, but it must be RCBS shell holders. Other brands give different seating depts. Only fault in this system is the primer stem that fell out when you turn the system to one side or upside down. Not that it happen a lot, but if it happen you have to look everywhere for the stem.

Hornady Auto Prime - It comes with a primer tray for RCBS and Hornady shell holders. It primes with ease and is softer on the hand than the RCBS systems above.

I use this from RCBS for the 470 & 500

https://shop.rcbs.com/WebConne...index&productId=2884

I use a RCBS but have never tried a 470. But since it uses the shell holder should work fine.

quote:

Originally posted by nhoro:
I'm trying to get set up for reloading, primarily NE rounds (470, 450 3-1/4"). I've ordered most of the tools I think I need, but when it comes to installing primers, the reviews are all over the board. Some of the "universal" tools sound like they may not accomodate the rim diameters on the larger NE cases


Anyhow, if those with experience loading 470 and 450 NE cartridges have some recommendations based on experience, I would certainly appreciate it. Cost is of way less concern than quality, reliability and safety. I'd rather buy the right one one time ....

Thanks

I recently purchased a hand priming tool from 21st century shooting. You won't find a hand primer of better quality, and if they don't have a shellholder for your caliber, all you need to do is send them a case and they'll make one special for you. I expect I'll have my priming tool forever - it's made that well!

I have been using this one for many years and I am happy with it. It uses Lee shell holders. I would definitely call and ask first to make sure it can accommodate your larger cases.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/re...-tool-prod37732.aspx

Lee auto prime II. Ive had one for several years but used to use the hand version. Now I keep my APII set up on my turret and have never looked back. It is a slick system.