Ok, What I'd like to know is what is a tool that you use a lot and really like and why but that doesn't seem to be that popular.

My vote is for my RCBS APS strip priming tool. I've used a bunch of other hand priming tools including Lee's (which wore out quickly), RCBS that use shellholders and the new RCBS with the universal head, a couple benchrest style etc. The APS is IMHO far the best of the bunch.
It's single drawback is loading the strips. It takes 20-30 minutes for me to load up 1000 primers onto the strips, I just do it when I have a little time and have them ready for whenever.
The APS has a universal shellholder so that if you just bought a 9,3x64 or some odd base size calibers it's no problem, just snap it in and load.
You also don't have to waste time counting out primers and trying to get them anvil up in a tray, you already did that when you loaded them. You just zip a strip in and start priming, no fuss.
You also don't have the problem of the primer getting bridged and stuck at the entry point like some of the other tray loaders. You also don't have a tray full of primers sticking out of the side of the loader in the way and waiting to be spilled.

All in all I think the APS hand priming tool is the best hand primer out there and is a highly underrated tool that should be vastly more popular than it seems to be. What tool would you vote for and why?.........................DJ

Lee Zip Trim

They are not that well made but cheap and the job they do for me is indispensable. As soon as one breaks (about every 1000 rounds) I start using the one I have on standby and order another one.

I mount it on a piece of 2x4 and clamp in my bench vise. After sizing I put a case in the Universal Chuck. I then use the cutter installed on the caliber specific case length gauge to trim perfectly square and every case to the same length. Next I then chamfer, run a dab of Flitz along the case and spread it with one of those sponges from a TSX box of bullets, spin it and hold a rag against it to polish it and then hold a 22 caliber brush with steel wool wrapped around it to clean the inside of the neck.

Sounds more complicated than it is. But all my cases are prepped exactly the same.

But nobody believes me.

My favorite is just the opposite of yours.
It is the original Lee hand priming tool with the screw in shell holders. It was around decades before the others you mentioned. While not the best on the planet, for many years it was the best commonly available. As such it beat using a press by mile. My first one cost about $2. I have 6 or 8 of them now picked up for very little. I leave my favorite shell holder sizes in them. I load a large batch of cases in stages so speed of priming is not too important to me.

Another favorite that appears to have been a loser in the market is the AMT/Lyman Autoscale.
Again this is another one that was around for along time before the latest powder dispensers came along. It will dispense stick powders with the accuracy of a balance beam scale. Some complain it is too slow. It works OK for me most of the time but if I need speed I just use 2 of them letting one trickle while I dump the other.

I also have a few tools that are not old enough to vote. The Stoney Point head space comparator tool, that is used attached to dial calipers, is one of the very best items to control the case sizing process. It is also useful to compare the head space dimension produced by different sizers of the same caliber.

Love my Lee hand priming tool. Buddy bought it for me (he was using my set up on a prairie rat hunt at the time) cause he hated to use the faithful priming arm on the press which had served me well for years. First time I tried it I fell in love with it.
Another favorite is my old Lyman #55 powder measure. It's at least 50 yrs old, a hand me down from my dad, and still works great.

My step-daughter was. Now it's one of the neighbor kids.

I have a Redding Oil Dampened scale.It's perfect!!! My loads are "Bang" on accurate. One tiny amount of powder will move it off of zero. I know my loads and everything else weighed is what it says it is!

Forester case trimmer that hooks to a drillpress. Makes quick work of trimming cases and is easy to set up. Pete

I'd go bonkers without a powder dribbler.

Lee Universal Decapper & Lee Factory Crimp die.

Regards
JohnT

Lee Trimmers and a the Lyman VLD chamfer tool.

I like the Lee trimmer and pilots, use them in my dewalt cordless.

I also like the Lee auto prime. I've heard very few say they don't last long but, I've loaded 1000s of primers with them w/o a hitch.

Lee Factory Crimp Dies are nice as well.

Reloader

Redding powder trickler; It's heavy, and doesn't mover around on the bench.
As Ireload mentioned, the original Lee hand priming tools. I have several, and they were a "Best Buy" at a coupled of bucks per. The expensive hand held primeing tools of today are no better than these inexpensive units.
My old CH "H" reloading press. None made today is better, and I bought mine in 1956: "takes a licking, and keeps on loading".

Don

TWO: Dillons primer pocket swaging tool for military brass and their decapping rod and base. I put mine on a short piece of 2x4 and sit and swage while the winter keeps me indoors. Tap primers out in the shop for a couple hours and a thousand 223 or 308 are ready for their primer pockets to be done. I can watch college basketball and swage the pockets. The tool won't let you "overdo it". I've had mine for eighteen years.

Rich
DRSS

LEE trimmers. The Ball handle cutter is an improvement. Handheld to do by TV ( although the "screeech" nerves my Family ), power operated in the basement.

LEE Auto Prime - the hand held one.

ANY Universal decapping die ( I use mine in an elder, cheap C Press )

If you need it: LEE Factory crimp die.

Not sure: LEE carbide factory crimp die. I like the reassurance of running any case for Auto Loaders or Lever Actions through one, without crimping. It may remove a disturbing "buldge" at the bullet heel off loaded 9 mm´s.

Case tumblers are also a fine item!

H

The most underated loading tool ,by me, for a long time, was the El Cheepo Lee powder dispenser. For 47 years I used my Redding but I find it is a little worn to handle the ball powders.

After a little adjusting effort I find the Lee to be the fastest for small quantities and the repeatability ain't all bad. My Lyman 1200 gets little use as does my RCBS drum dispenser. roger

quote:

I've used a bunch of other hand priming tools including Lee's (which wore out quickly), ......DJ

Like the instructions say, put a little dab of Vaseline on the cam contact points and the tool will outlast you. But so what if it wears out? You can buy three of them for the cost of anybody else's tool. Besides, the bulk primer storage is MUCH more convenient than filling those gawdawful primer strips.

Now for the most underrated tools: #1, a supply of clean paper bowls to temporarily hold bullets, cases, or anything else. #2, Q-tip swabs for cleaning and lubricating in tight places. #3, a supply of small envelopes and/or baggies to place small batches of loads, spent cartridges, etc. in for identification.

RCBS casemaster the best $85 I spent.

Vibrashine electric powder trickler....for $20 it makes powder dispensing a breeze.

Lee Dipper set. Wonderful for quick powder charge when not working near max.

Lyman's M expander dies are under rated. I use them instead of standard expander buttons for both cast AND jacketed for straigher necks and more concentric ammo.

sinclair oal gauge works great for seating your bullet on or off the lands or what ever your gun may like and very easy to use

my favorite reloading tool is the Brown delivery truck!

Pencil lead! Good one.

Does that mean the powder residue aint enough lube?

Drill press.

Use mine to trim, chamfer, cut crimps out of milspec cases, neck turn, polish, clean primer pockets, and roll crimp shotgun shells.

Lee taper crimp dies for straight wall handgun rounds. Also, Lee luber sizer dies and an RCBS stuck case remover.

quote:

Originally posted by unique:
Lee Dipper set. Wonderful for quick powder charge when not working near max.

You might pickup a small stainless cream pitcher to use with your dippers. Will hold about a cup of powder and you can easily pour the powder back into the cannister when you are done.

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:

quote:

I've used a bunch of other hand priming tools including Lee's (which wore out quickly), ......DJ

Like the instructions say, put a little dab of Vaseline on the cam contact points and the tool will outlast you. But so what if it wears out? You can buy three of them for the cost of anybody else's tool. Besides, the bulk primer storage is MUCH more convenient than filling those gawdawful primer strips.

My Lee tools were properly greased and they still wore out due to their cheap construction. The RCBS tools also fit my hand far better than the Lee tool. It's far more comfortable to me to use the RCBS tool than the Lee, I suggest that if possible try both and see which you find more comfortable.
I'll have to respectfully disagree with you on the handling of bulk primers. Using the strip loading tool is a cinch once you get the hang of it. The strips make handling both large and small numbers of primers a cinch, I wish my Dillon press used them instead of having to fill primer tubes. I've tried 10's of thousands of rounds with both methods and for me the strips are just easier and better though I do respect the opinions of those who disagree. I just wish the APS strips were even more popular so I could buy Winchester and Federal primers already on them! It would save even more time.............................DJ

Common sense, my brain.
read, think, confer, contemplate, carry on.

muck

Not exactly a tool used TO reload but certainly checks your work: a CONCENTRICITY gauge. Probably gives you 3/4 of the info you need to know about your reloads, and definitely under-rated, or not used at all.

Ireload2,

Nice tip on the little tiny pitcher.

One other little cheap thing I use alot is a tiny funnel my wife bought at Walmart with a set of larger funnels for the kitchen. It just fits in 270 cases and works for the larger stuff. Fits right down in the case and no more tapping like the other funnels. Works like a champ for 270-338.

Another thumbs up for the Lee dippers

Doc,

Certainly agree on the conc. gauge, has helped me out a ton since going to one. I use it for every round.

Reloader

Lee hand priming tool.

How do you wear one out? I have one that I bought in 1981 and have easily primed 250,000 cases on it. I bought a sceond one just so I didn't have to switch between primer sizes.

quote:

RCBS casemaster the best $85 I spent.

Ditto....wish I would have gotten the Sinclair though, it has little bearings where you turn the case....smoother. Lee powder dippers and imperial powdered graphite are two more.

woods

Tonight it was vice grips and a big cresent wrench. I had a VERY stuck case.

The other night it was a Redding case forming die, dremmel cutter, and Wilson trimmer setup.

I got one that no-one else has. I call it my flipper tool. It sizes, decapps, de-primes, and small bases. It can also push the shoulder back if you want it to. Made for speed.


I can post more pics if you guys are interested.

Since I shoot and reload a lot of 17 Remington centerfire and 204 Ruger my favorite reload tool has to be my GMW-Vickerman seating dies.
To tell the truth, if I did not have the Vickerman seaters to use, then I would sell all of my 17 Remington and 204 rifles pronto.
I could not hold the tiny bullets using a conventional seating die, and I won't even get into the better accuracy the Vick's provide.......pg

quote:

Originally posted by Pegleg:
I got one that no-one else has. I call it my flipper tool. It sizes, decapps, de-primes, and small bases. It can also push the shoulder back if you want it to. Made for speed.


I can post more pics if you guys are interested.

Nice Pegleg. Make one with 7/8-14 threads.
I suspect your tool will get ripped off one of these days if you don't market it.

Yea Get a patent