The Accurate Reloading Forums
Hand priming Tools for small rifles
19 May 2007, 17:21
Claret_DabblerHand priming Tools for small rifles
Can any of you guys recommend an effective hand priming tool for .222 small rifle primers?
I find the RCBS tool supplied with my Rockchucker kit very unsatisfactory with small primers. Primers tumble about and generally don't feed well at all. It works fine with large rifle primers.
Just because you are paranoid, doesn't mean they are not out to get you....
19 May 2007, 18:02
Paul BraskyBrian, Although Lee Precision equipment is often derided as second class or worse, their hand-priming tool is excellent: Inexpensive, sensitive, virtually fool-proof, durable, and comes with parts for both large & small primers. However, you do need to use the flat Lee shellholders with them (also reasonably priced). I have two of these (for large & small primers) and am 100% satisfied with them.
I use the Lee Autoprime as well. I like it a lot better than the RCBS hand priming tool, which I bought to attempt to get a better quality tool. Now the RCBS is gathering dust, and I stock several Lees (and parts) to keep me up and running when the tool eventually dies. Like Paul, I keep one Lee tool set up for small and one for large rifle primers, saves me to have to switch around.
- mike
*********************
The rifle is a noble weapon... It entices its bearer into primeval forests, into mountains and deserts untenanted by man. - Horace Kephart
19 May 2007, 18:49
Jim WhiteBrian, K&M makes an excellent tool and if you want the Cadillac of priming tools get a Sinclair. Pricey but once you get it set it is 100% repeatable and you can purchase extra heads. Jim
99% of the democrats give the rest a bad name.
"O" = zero
NRA life member
The Lee Autoprime is a great tool.
Shooting is FUN, winning is MORE fun but shooting IS fun.
19 May 2007, 19:56
stillbeemanI use two Lee autoprimes. They work well. You do have to be careful with the small set up because the small primers can get edgewise from too vigorous shaking to keep the primers settled. Once you learn a gentle hand, it works great.
quote:
Originally posted by Claret_Dabbler:
Can any of you guys recommend an effective hand priming tool for .222 small rifle primers?
I find the RCBS tool supplied with my Rockchucker kit very unsatisfactory with small primers. Primers tumble about and generally don't feed well at all. It works fine with large rifle primers.
You did change the primer punch to the small cup, didn't you? Sounds like you're trying to use the large primer punch to seat small primers.
+1 on the K&M tool. The lee auto prime works too.
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21 May 2007, 02:41
Birch107Jim WHite: DO you have exoerince with the Sinclair? I have a RCBS Hand primer tool and the Lee. The RCBS puts a half moon dimple in the primer(No rod is not upside down) and the lee shell holders are a pain. I'm leaning towards the Sinclair. What kind of shellholder does the K&M use?
21 May 2007, 07:56
Kiwi VinceHey Birch, why do you find the Lee shell holders a pain?
I have a Lee and reckon its a great tool.
I do have to say though that some of their shell holders arent the best fit to the cartridge. I am particularly referring to the Hornet here.
I got around that by annealing a normal RCBS shell holder and cutting off the bottom bit and it works fine.
I think since I got my Lee quite a few years ago that they may have improved their range of shell holders.
21 May 2007, 23:25
butchlocthe forester priming tool works great and handles everything without buying xtra stuff
21 May 2007, 23:36
StonecreekNo one has topped the simplicity and utility of the Lee tool. Lubricate the aluminum cam points with Vasoline and it will last as long as you do. Otherwise you can and will wear it out in a few thousand primers. After you've worn out three of them, then you will have as much money in them as the next cheapest tool on the market.
StoneCreek,
I gotta lubricate WHAT with Vaseline??? Maybe I'm just lucky, but my Lee Autoprime has served me well for the last 20 years (several thousands of loads) and it's still going great. But I'll put a dab of vaseline in there if it makes you feel happy
22 May 2007, 18:22
Masteriflemanquote:
Brian, Although Lee Precision equipment is often derided as second class or worse, their hand-priming tool is excellent: Inexpensive, sensitive, virtually fool-proof, durable, and comes with parts for both large & small primers. However, you do need to use the flat Lee shellholders with them (also reasonably priced). I have two of these (for large & small primers) and am 100% satisfied with them.
AMEN!
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22 May 2007, 18:41
CharlieHoquote:
Originally posted by Birch107:
The RCBS puts a half moon dimple in the primer(No rod is not upside down)
I've found that when mine does that, it is because I am using WAAYYYY too much pressure to seat the primer. Just a light touch seats the primer just as deep as heavy handing it in there, just without the half-moon dimple you speak of. A light touch reduces the number of blisters too
I use the Hornady hand priming tool and find the action very natural. The hinge is at the top, so it is like a pair of pliers, not at the bottom like the RCBS tool.
Many thousands of cases later it still runs like brand new. It is Vaseline free as well.
Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.
22 May 2007, 21:30
Jim Whitequote:
Originally posted by Birch107:
Jim WHite: DO you have exoerince with the Sinclair?
Yes I do. It holds the case in perfect alignment when seating the primer. The primer enters the pocket perfectly and the rod can't leave a mark on the primer as there isn't enough room for the primer to tilt and enter crooked.
I have a RCBS Hand primer tool and the Lee. The RCBS puts a half moon dimple in the primer(No rod is not upside down) and the lee shell holders are a pain. I'm leaning towards the Sinclair. What kind of shellholder does the K&M use?
99% of the democrats give the rest a bad name.
"O" = zero
NRA life member
Yep, two Lee's, complete set of case holders.
Figured vasaline might melt everywhere so I use dry lube.
23 May 2007, 14:16
Claret_DabblerThanks for all the feed back guys. I do have some bits and pieces by lee - the little case trimming lathe thing.
I'll get an auto prime over the next few weeks.
The big problem with the RCBS is the flow of primers from the tray down the little chute. They seem to tumble, about one in 15-20 ends up feeding side ways. Just not happy with it at all.
Thanks
Just because you are paranoid, doesn't mean they are not out to get you....
I have the Lee Autoprime tool which works well with small primers; never a glitch.
Actually, I have two, one set up for large primers, and the other for small primers.
Don
I bought a USED Lee prime tool at a gunshow for $2.00 about 10 years ago and love it, no greasy kids stuff used here either. I have primed thousands of rounds with it and finally put a rubber band around the primer tray so it wouldnt move on me, but best money ever spent on reloading.
Eterry
Good luck and good shooting.
In Memory of Officer Nik Green, #198, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troop G...Murdered in the line of duty 12-26-03...A Good Man, A Good Officer, and A Good Friend gone too soon
23 May 2007, 23:06
onefunzr2quote:
WARNING!
Users have reported that the primers in the tray of an Auto Prime can explode for various reasons, some of which include: a cocked primer, or an attempt to prime a case which has a primer already in place, or more than one primer on the punch, or priming a military case with the crimp not completely removed. Should an explosion occur, our tests have demonstrated that safety glasses will normally prevent serious injury to the user if CCI or Winchester primers are used, because the explosion is minimal. Other primers, however, can explode with sufficient force to seriously injure the user, or persons nearby. We do not take any position with respect to the quality or performance of primers available on the market. However, only those primers manufactured by CCI or Winchester are recommended for use in the Lee Auto Prime , and when loading those primers, safety glasses should always be used. No other primers should be used with the Lee Auto Prime.
How many Lee Auto Prime users abide by this Lee issued warning? Anyone at all?
Dave,
Never paid much regards to the warning with Lee's primer system.
Kind of figured that someone, somewhere in one of the other companies torqued him off and it is his way of returning the favor.
Personally have gone thru tens of thousands of primers of all makes and never had a problem-wait, tonight I'll probably set off the tray
Usually only use Win & CCI anyway. Are they talking of just ONE other type primer as a problem, or that the whole tray is more likely to go up enmass??
quote:
Originally posted by onefunzr2:
quote:
WARNING!
Users have reported that the primers in the tray of an Auto Prime can explode for various reasons, some of which include: a cocked primer, or an attempt to prime a case which has a primer already in place, or more than one primer on the punch, or priming a military case with the crimp not completely removed. Should an explosion occur, our tests have demonstrated that safety glasses will normally prevent serious injury to the user if CCI or Winchester primers are used, because the explosion is minimal. Other primers, however, can explode with sufficient force to seriously injure the user, or persons nearby. We do not take any position with respect to the quality or performance of primers available on the market. However, only those primers manufactured by CCI or Winchester are recommended for use in the Lee Auto Prime , and when loading those primers, safety glasses should always be used. No other primers should be used with the Lee Auto Prime.
How many Lee Auto Prime users abide by this Lee issued warning? Anyone at all?
The only primers I use are Federals, and have seated thousands of them with my Lee Auto-Prime tools..
Seating primers is the same, regardless of the tool used. What it comes down to is, which tool you like best.
Moron proofing tools isn't possible. If someone tries to seat a cocked primer, or seat a primer in a case that's already primed, the tool is not the problem.
Don
I have used all types of primers and I guess have been lucky. I have had, on a progressive press, primers turn on their side and crushed them into the pocket which I pushed out with deprime die, loaded them upside down and GENTLY pushed them back out to reuse with deprime die. I even had some 38 spec. mil brass with crimp (a five galon bucket I bought for $5.00) and had one round that had not had the crimp removed slip in the plate by accident that I tried to prime and bent the primer without detonation, (I couldnt reuse that one). I might have a primer go off on me tonight, but in the past 27 years I havent had one go off.
Eterry
Good luck and good shooting.
In Memory of Officer Nik Green, #198, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troop G...Murdered in the line of duty 12-26-03...A Good Man, A Good Officer, and A Good Friend gone too soon
28 May 2007, 03:24
desmobob900ssquote:
Originally posted by DMB:
I have the Lee Autoprime tool which works well with small primers; never a glitch.
Actually, I have two, one set up for large primers, and the other for small primers.
Don
Same here. I don't think you can beat the Lee tool for twice the money.
Good shooting,
desmobob
28 May 2007, 05:24
BigJakeJ1sI used to use the Lee autoprime, but grew tired of the thumb having to provide all the seating force. After a couple hundred rounds, the ole thumb starts to complain a bit...
I now use the new style RCBS hand primer, and like it a lot better. The grip is a lot easier, using the strength of the entire hand is a lot easier.
It has a larger square tray that is easier to dump primers into, and it feeds more reliably from the corner of the tray than the Lee circular tray did. The universal shell holder is really nice too.
I still use the Lee autoprime for small primers, since I don't do much of those, and I can keep it set up for small primers and not have to change over the RCBS (not hard to do, but even easier to not do).
Andy
quote:
Originally posted by BigJakeJ1s:
I used to use the Lee autoprime, but grew tired of the thumb having to provide all the seating force. After a couple hundred rounds, the ole thumb starts to complain a bit...Andy
I had the same issue when priming a bunch of cases. I found a product named "egrip" at my local Radio Shack. It comes in rubber like strips of thin synthetic material that is stickey on one side and rubber like on the outside. It was developed for putting on the back of Cell Phones so they wouldn't slip around on a table.
I just cut a strip to fit the part of the priming lever where the thumb engages so I get good thumb purchase on the lever. It's made a huge difference in ease of seating primers with the Lee Autoprime, and makes doing a tray of cases a breeze. I have it on both tools.
Don
28 May 2007, 21:24
SC_Gunnerquote:
A light touch reduces the number of blisters too
Vaseline should help with that too.
I use the Lee Auto Prime II, the one that screws into the top of the press like a die. It is only about $14.00, comes with the stuff to do Lg. and Sm. primers, and it uses regular shell holders. It seats on the up-stroke and has a great feel. ~Marc