I am starting to reload (does this indicate a mental problem?).

This priming tool comes as two models either with APS strips or with the round tray. Which do you recommend?

I have only seen CCI primers in the APS strips. Can I load empty strips to use up the one box of non-APS primers I already have? What if I want to use Federal 215 - if I ever find them?

Thank you

You'll have to load those non-CCI primers individually into the APS strips.

There's also a square tray model made to easily load primers from the big Federal packaging.

I own the APS and the shell holder model RCBS hand primers. The APS system is the fastest, most accurate system to prime cases I have ever owned.

There is a problem with the APS system though.

If you want to use primers other than CCI you need to buy empty APS strips, ($$$).

I’ve never seen CCI APS primers around here, so you may need to mail order them, ($$$).

If you want to fill those empty strips quickly, you need to buy the Strip loader, ($$$).

It doesn’t take long to load up 1000 primers with the strip loader but it adds to the cost of the APS system.

It’s no big deal, the side tray model works just fine, and the APS works great. The question is, how much money do you want to put into priming cases?

MickinColo is correct. The APS strips are color coded so one size does not fit all. I bought an RCBS Pro 1000 and it came with the APS system but it also included the strip loader so it's no problem. I was also able to get several different strips from a friend of mine.

Yes, you can load non-APS primers in the strips but unless you want the added expense, go with the round tray primer, it's just as fast.

RCBS makes a bench mounted strip primer that you load the strips yourself. I also have the RCBS hand primer. It is one of my favorites!

If you are using a LEE Classic press try their new Lee primer for the press. Works very nicely. Get the universal shell holder and you will be good to go until you get to Nitro Express flanged cases!

Rusty
I had heard that the Lee hand primer would not do .416 Rigby.

Which RCBS hand primer do you have?

If you haven't already, take a look at the RCBS bench mounted priming system. It works very well and no need to mess with the strips. Here's a pic from Midway

Slatts

Thank you. How hard is it to load the primers into the tube?

It's not hard at all. At one end of the tube there is a hair pin to keep the primers from falling out and the other end has nylon fingers that are slightly smaller than the primer itself. A primer flipper tray helps but is not necessary. You simply flip all of the primers so the flat side is facing up and press the nylon fingers down on them. Once the tube is full you place the hair pin end in the loader and remove the hair pin.

I dunno, we've got the universal hand priming tool with the square tray, and it works pretty well. We can prime anything from 22-250 to 416 Rigby without switching anything and just loading the appropriate primers. For the $50 or whatever it costs these days, it's a pretty good deal. Plus, since it's hand-held, you can sit in front of the TV and watch hunting shows while you prime a pile of brass!