I just managed to break the priming unit in my RCBS press for the second time' and I am wondering if a second unit would be better than a repair job?
I have a couple of Lee auto primes set up for the regular calibers, but need something for my unusual calibers, ie 404 Jeffrey, 505 Gibbs etc.
lee doesnt make a shell holder for the 505 case head that I can find
I was thinking of the bench mounted RCBS autoprime unit; uses the same shell holders as the rpess, but feeds from tubes
How convenient are these tubes? I think the effort required to fill the Lee auto-prime kind of defeats the time savings once its full, and usually, till now have used my RCBS press. Better feel, too
I have also seen some strip fed RCBS hand and bench mounted primers; any experience with those? I use Federal primers.
Thanks for any experience AR members may have had, especially those who have used several priming options.
PS bench space is not a problem.

You can use a regular shell holder by annealing it then cut the collar off the bottom and flat grind or file the bottom flush. I've opened the Lee hand primer up to accept the .555" head of the .300WSM, dunno if you could open it up enough to accept the Gibbs tho.

quote:

Originally posted by Indlovu:I was thinking of the bench mounted RCBS autoprime unit; uses the same shell holders as the rpess, but feeds from tubes
How convenient are these tubes?

Convenient as could be to load the tubes for the RCBS unit. Just pour 50 primers onto a flipper tray to get the the same side up, put on the cover, flip the tray and start loading the tube. It's probably a 2 or 3 minute process altogether to get 50 primers from the box to the tube.

I've never heard a negative word against the RCBS unit. I couldn't be happier with mine and highly recommend it!

Pressing primers into the case pockets is no big deal. I have a press primer, a hand primer, and a bench primer.

The press priming tool was dismantled many years ago, what a pain it the butt.

The hand priming tool (RCBS/Lee) makes my hands hurt after a while.

The bench mount priming tool is what I use, been using one for 15 to 20 years now. Loading the feed tubes is no big deal, it’s just something you need to do.

Pick the priming tool that meets your needs, but get away from the press priming tool, it’s pretty slow and no fun.

take a look at the forester/bonanza tool. works really well and is universal

I also load for the 404j & bought a Hornady hand primer. It is simple & uses your shellholder. The RCBS also works but I did not like the one I bought, too many pieces to keep track of & diff. to change shellholders out.

The newer RCBS universal hand primer (with the square tray) has universal shell holder jaws that work on just about everything. It uses the whole hand, so is less fatiguing after lots of use (like the Hornady). I've since relegated my Lee autoprime to small primers only (I don't use them much), and use the universal for all my large primer needs.

Andy

quote:

Originally posted by BigJakeJ1s:
The newer RCBS universal hand primer (with the square tray) has universal shell holder jaws that work on just about everything. It uses the whole hand, so is less fatiguing after lots of use (like the Hornady). I've since relegated my Lee autoprime to small primers only (I don't use them much), and use the universal for all my large primer needs.

Andy

What he said. I really like the RCBS universal - enough so that I've bought one that I keep as Large primers...and another for just small primers.

I use a RCBS hand primer.

I have two Lee Autoprime tools, one set up for large primers, and one for small ones.
I personally can't see any tool available that is better. And, they're cheap to boot.

Don

Will the universal hand primer handle cases large as 505 gibbs? RCBS ad says it will handle anything up to 45-70. Gibbs case head is .632, if I recall right.

quote:

Originally posted by BigJakeJ1s:
The newer RCBS universal hand primer (with the square tray) has universal shell holder jaws that work on just about everything. It uses the whole hand, so is less fatiguing after lots of use (like the Hornady). I've since relegated my Lee autoprime to small primers only (I don't use them much), and use the universal for all my large primer needs.

Andy

Close, it's .635"

http://ammoguide.com/?catid=476

You could buy the older, round-tray model that uses shell holders from your press. If you want the nicer square tray, RCBS lists an upgrade kit to add it to the older tool.

Andy

I highly recommend the RCBS bench mounted unit. I use it for all my small rifle primer work, and have a Sinclair hand primer for large rifle primers. The RCBS unit is sturdy and easy to use.