The $10 tool will certainly seat a primer, but if you have a benchrest gun and need to get the best accuracy from it then you'll need the Sinclair tool with the dial indicator.
All my rifles (handgun cartridges get loaded with a Dillon progressive) are used for hunting and the best groups I ever get are one half MOA, seven shots, 100 yards. BTW, Oehler says you need a minimum of seven shots to fairly judge consistancy. That's the best groups, not the average.
I've been using the RCBS hand primer for years now. I had considered the Lee but they said using certain primers in their tool was dangerous, so I opted for the RCBS instead. It's quick and comfortable and has that little shield affair to keep the mass of primers from detonating if the one being seated goes bang. I had to 'smooth' the casting flash from the little plastic thing that connects the handle with the shellholder, both for the large and small primers, to make it work properly. It always got 'hung up' the way it came from RCBS. It's silky smooth now and gives a very good seating 'feel'. I think I paid $19 for it. It's so much better than using the primer arm on the reloading press.
Posts: 4799 | Location: Lehigh county, PA | Registered: 17 October 2002
Lee, This year I purchased the new RCBS APS Hand Primeing Tool, and the Strip Loader Tool and it was the best move I ever made! With the Strip Loading Tool you can load whatever type, or brand of primer you wish. The tool works effortlessly. As each strip comes near the end, another strip can be clipped on to it so the feeding process is uninterupted. It also comes with a universal shell holder which will accept anything from .32 ACP up to .45-70 cases. No primers rattling around in a tray, and from box to case, you will never touch a primer. Bill T.
I use the APS hand primer also.Its about the slickest thing I'v seen.The strip loading tool is easy and fast to use after you'v done it once or twice.I'v heard guys say that they dent/mar primers,but I'v been using it for 2-3 years and have'nt seen a dented one yet. Jeff
Posts: 236 | Location: Oregon | Registered: 16 October 2001
I use a K&M single primer hand loading tool. It is about 1/2 the price of a Sinclair loader but it appears to have an equally smooth action and ability to gauge primer load pressure. I do not load hundreds of cartridges and I am more concerned about consistent primer seating.
I'm in the camp with the RCBS hand primers. Very nice feel. Never touch primers as the holding tray is also a primer flipper. So just pour some primers in the tray, shake gently a couple of times and they're all magically business side up. Also like the safety shield that prevents a primer detonation from reaching the ones in the feeder or tray. Uses the same shell holder as the press (Chucker). Excellent basic, inexpensive unit...
FWIW XWind
Posts: 203 | Location: North Georgia | Registered: 23 December 2002
I just bought a second Lee hand primer, this one with the plastic "disk" attachment for holding the primers. I no longer need/want the other one without the attachment. Send me a PM if you're interested.
Russ
Posts: 2982 | Location: Silvis, IL | Registered: 12 May 2001
I use the Sinclair tool. It has to be the best tool I've ever used to prime cases. It's a little pricey, but I feel worth it. It's made of machined metal, not plastic. You can easily feel the primers "seat". Worth the investment.
Bob257
Posts: 434 | Location: Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: 22 November 2002