I purchased the Horniday hand primer and personaly I think it Sucks any suggestions would be very well recieved.

I use the RCBS hand primer and like it over the press mounted gizzmo.

I personally use a LEE and think its great,but I've never compared it to anything else- never needed to.

I have been using the Lee AutoPrime for 20 years and it is no doubt one of the best hand priming tools available. Only advantage to some of the others is you can use press shell holders with them.

Lee AutoPrime is what I have been using for about 10 years now. I tried to switch to the RCBS version of this tool, but I liked the Lee a ton better - it was just a bunch faster and easier to use. The Lee gives you a nice feel for how hard the primers seat.

I think the RCBS is supposed to have better safety features than the Lee. Fortunately I have never had the Lee "explode" a ton of primers in my hand...

One drawback with the Lee: the "toggle link"-thingie has broken on me. Solution: get a few when you buy the tool, they are also sold in a better material than the standard. I did that, plus I I bought myself a couple of the Lee tools - that way I don't have to switch from small to large primer feeds. The Lee tools are pretty inexpensive ~ 10$ if memory serves.

If you are looking for the ultimate in accuracy, rumour has it there are better tools available - allowing to gauge the seating pressure, depth etc etc. Check out the Sinclair site. Others will be better qualified than I to comment here.

- mike

[ 04-10-2003, 22:15: Message edited by: mho ]

I use and like the Lee Autoprime as well. Pretty hard to beat it. I bought mine with all the shell holders for about $22 or so. Take a look at it.

I've been using the bench mounted RCBS priming tool for over 25 years and could not ask for more in a priming tool.

I have both the Lee and the RCBS hand held. They are quite similar in function which is to say "good, I like em both". I use the RCBS exclusively now for safety reasons. I read a test years past where they worked hard enough to get a primer to blow in both units. In the RCBS due to the bar that separates the the primer being loaded from the resevoir holding the remaining primers the remaining primers did not ignite. In the Lee without the bar they did ignite and it was indeed dramatic(big boom!). Because of the low price of the RCBS I bought one at that time , it works ,in my opinion ,as well as the Lee . The feel is quite similar,as is the function. Due to what I remember them going through to get the primer to ignite (they had to work at it), if my RCBS gave up the ghost I would certainly use the Lee without fear of immanent death and destruction. In other words I used the Lee for years without a problem and I,m not afraid of it. If I were to start over and go buy one having used them both I would by the RCBS---if I win the lottery I'll buy Sinclairs, sure looks nice in the book.---Shoot Safe---montdoug

Like a lot of others, my vote goes to the Lee tool as well.

My experience mimicks MHO's. This is not a plug for Midway, but, the last time they had them on sale I bought three, one for standard, one for small and one for Magnums.

I hear great things about the Sinclair tool but, I haven't gathered the courage to plunk down $100.

I have RCBS a continually have high primer problems.I have talked with RCBS a couple times but can not seem to figure out the problem.Tech support has been good but still not 100% satisfied.I have seen the Lee and probably will purchase one and try it out.

I have a Lee as well.

If I'm only loading a few cartridges I'll just use the priming tool on my Rockchucker.

I've looked at the bench mounted primer tools, but I'm not going to buy one. With the Lee you can sit and watch TV or talk to the wife while priming hundreds of cases and it doesn't even feel like work!

Thanks for the responses

I have to support the Lee primer.
It's the best I've used.

MDH

Been using the Lee hand primer for a good many years. I think it's the best hand prime tool out there. Used a buddies RCBS the other day and didn't care for it at all. Seemed awkward to use and changing the shell holder is a minor pain in the ass compared to Lee.

been using lee autoprime since I was skinny, about 20 years at least. They work great and they are cheap. Works great for me.

Went out and got one last night, you guys are right on it works great, Thanks

I have the one from Sinclair. It's a hand priming tool and the best that I've seen! It's expensive though.

Bob257

I use the rcbs hand primer and I must agree with copyman, I have a lot of high primers if I don't really focus on trying to make sure I get a full squeeze. Been thinking about changing, sounds like the lee primer is well liked out there.

I've had a bench mounted RCBS tool for as long as I can remember, over 20 years and have had great success. Plenty of "Feel" and still more or less effortless.

Howdy,

Sealdoggy, I'm curious as to why you are not happy with the Hornady. I compared it to the Lee and the RCBS, and bought it. I confess that I use different shell holders than it was designed for, but it works absolutely great for me. In addition, the little stand that mine sits in is a huge time saver! Let me know why you were unhappy with yours, and let me know if it is for sale.

Coach

Sealdoggy:
Never thought I'd have this to say about an RCBS product but IMHO, their hand primer sucks and I still prefer the Lee. For years, I've used the Lee hand primer but didn't like the idea of having to have 2 separate sets of shell holders on hand. I ordered the RCBS hand primer tool when I ordered my .338 dies. I tried to prime some .257 Imp. cases with it & ran into a problem, it binds when using the primer tray. I tried to file down a portion of the plastic part the shell holder sits on with no luck. I ended up by priming without the tray, one primer at a time. Add to this the possibility of the priming pin just sitting in the hole & the hassle of changing shell holders (and maybe losing a small part or 2), I've decided to keep the Lee & use it. I'm gonna give the RCBS one to a friend who may just get into reloading & then only for 1 cartridge. My opinion is that RCBS could come up with a lot better design than this. Bear in Fairbanks

Just me $.02,

Lee - sux, constantly wearing out parts.

RCBS - Not very good either. It works OK but not very pleased with it.

The one that i have been interestedin trying is the Forster. It is kinda pricey, must be used on a bench but that is where i do my reloading anyway.


Anyone tried one of these??

Anyone tried this unit from Lee?



or this one



[ 04-12-2003, 23:10: Message edited by: MSSmagnum ]

I use the RCBS model and have primed thousands of rounds with it and it works well for me.

Well, first of all, wear safety glasses when priming and if using a hand held unit, be sure to point the case mouth away from yourself!!

I am saying this as I had a primer blow last week when I was hand priming with the Lee hand unit. Yep, I had the safety glasses on and the case mouth was pointed away, but the noise had me jumping out of the chair. Primer set off as I was seating it in the case.

I also have the RCBS hand unit but the tray is somewhat difficult to insert, and the primers often stick and do not enter the ram properly.

Thinking about a bench mount unit, that Forster looks interesting.

I have used the lee ram primer that you use with your press. In fact, I have one set up for small and one for large but they are really slow. I vote for the lee auto prime. As far as Sinclair goes, I have a problem plunking down $100 when I can get the job done for $10.

FWIW,
I use the Sinclair Priming Tool and find it to be excellent. I do wear Peltor 6 electronic ear muffs and shooting glasses when I prime. I've never had one go off, knock on wood, however I am ready. I think.(grin)

For benchmounted units the orginal RCBS is fairly hard to beat. I used one of my uncle's when I first started reloading. Should have bought one instead of the RCBS APS bench mounted tool. My unit is mounted to my oak butcher block reloading bench, however, the Thompson Tool Mount tends to give too much for proper feel. I think I may remove the idividual plate and buy another press plate as it is a far sturdier affair. I love the APS priming system on my RCBS 2000 Progressive Press. They would be the only way to fly, imho, if I could find primers in the strips... The same thing as the Sinclair Tool, one primer to explode and NOT entire tube...

Regards, Matt.

[ 04-13-2003, 21:55: Message edited by: Matt in Virginia ]

I have had a primer go off but it was not during priming. It is a long story for a different topic. Fortunately I had glasses on. It was long ago and I like to think I am wiser now lol

I used to use the one at a time with the Rockchucker, but now I have a Lee Auto Prime II that sits on top of a press and uses standard shell holders.
http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/556149

I really like it, even though I have to help it along every 10 primers or so, it still many times faster than my old way.

My only problem is if I put too many primers in the tray, and finish priming, what do I do with them when I want to use a different type of primer?

I am thinking of getting 3 more Auto Prime II's and put all 4 in my turret press so at any time I am loaded and ready to prime:
small rifle
large rifle
small pistol
large pistol

I took the Horniday back and exchanged it for the Lee, come to find out that the Horniday was defective. Any way I really like the lee it works perfectly well, Thanks for the all of your suggestions and comments, Regards Steve

I use RCBS han priming tool and I am extrelmy happy with it, I call it TV-priming tool because during one movie you can prime thousand of cases and watch the movie...... I have had also Lee Hand primmer but this one is more confortable and safer.

I really like my sinclair priming tool.

I'm still using the Lee Auto prime I bougnt 10 years ago. Never had a primer go off and never had a part break. I would still have the one I bought about 20 years ago but I went through a divorce. Before that I used a couple of different press mounted primimg tools and since then I use several other types belonging to other people, I still like the way you can feel them seat with a Lee. That's my two cents worth.
Ed

If you want to have the best there is and buy it one time and never look back there is only one choice and that is the Sinclair. It is hands down and without question the best there is. It only takes a moment to change heads and you and your children and their children won't live nearly long enough to even begin to show signs of wear on one.

I have to differ on the assessment of the Hornady tool. I bought one when they came out, and have been perfectly happy with it ever since. Of the tray feeders, it's my favorite.

RSY

I have been using the old model of lee,where you put one primer in at a time by hand and love it,have been trying to find out if they still make it and for mag shells but haven't seen one.
I guess they quit making it didn't see one on their site.

MHO,
I try to avoid the priming operation after having changed the oil on my truck or any other activity that might prove to be a source of contamination. I suppose if one were completely anal about it rubber gloves could be incorporated but I find that washing my hands before handling primers is sufficient. I guess it is a little bit slower but I have never missed my relay yet. Just to be a little bit of a smart ass I have to say that if a person doesn't have the brains to handle primers properly they should probably take up another hobby because its just a matter of time before said person blows his mess sky-high!

[ 04-25-2003, 09:14: Message edited by: Lightnin ]

I'm a long time Lee Auto Prime user... one of my tools is 27 years old!

Tried the RCBS hand prime tool but didn't like them for reasons listed by others here.

No experience with the Hornady.

I like the Sinclair tool and may get one for my varmint ammo, but it is not fast enough to use for mass pistol ammo production in my experience.

I've never had a detonation, but as others have mentioned, one should always be ready for the worst. A little common sense goes a long way when handloading.

Regards,

My vote goes to the Forster. With a modified round primer tray, the tubes can be filled in about five seconds which is something that can't be said of the RCBS tubes. The only previous poster that mentioned the Forster tool said that it had to be used on a bench; let me add that, yes, it must be used on a bench but it doesn't need to be fastened down. In fact, it is quicker to use without fastening it down because the full tubes can be installed without fiddling with a paper clip to keep the primers from falling out.