Using an RCBS hand primer with the attached primer tray. Am I doing it wrong, since it closes all the way up, before the primer is completely below the case head.

It could be shimmed, but these things must be better designed than that. Is there a trick to this?

Do these things just wear out?

thanks

I haven't had any problem with mine. Do you have the rod in correctly. What shellholder are you using, is it RCBS?

I replaced my shellholder first, then replaced my RCBS hand primer in november, after about 10 years of service. I notice it started seating higher, and then turn the cases 90degrees, which worked for about 3 weeks, then I just gave up.

for $25, it's not worth the risk of a high primer, but try replacing the shell holder first.

jeffe

Call RCBS and tell them your problem. Those rods are not consistent in length. Their manufacturing tolerances will sometimes allow you to end up with a rod too short to bottom the primer. They'll send you another. I use about 4 of these to save trouble of changing the shell holder. I've found that by switching shell holders or swapping the rods between them you can get perfect seating. The rods will vary somewhat in length and yours is probably .010" too short for the shell holder combination.

If you can't get the RCBS to work for you, get one of the Hornady models. Mine works flawlessly. I think it's also available from Cabela's as their house-brand primer seater.

Good luck,
RSY

The bearing surfaces of the operating cam will wear over time, especially if left unlubricated. This results in a shorter stroke of the primer punch and resultant high primer seating.

As one poster mentioned earlier, these tools are cheap; just get a new one.

Make sure you are using an RCBS shellholder. The deck heights of these vary from brand to brand.