Hand Priming vs. Priming in Press

Flying Beaver

Flying Beaver

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Greetings to all,

I have a newbie question for you reloaders out there.

What is the reason for or advantage of using a "hand priming" setup to prime cases, as opposed to priming them in the press using a primer feeder rig.

I can see where it would be faster than setting each primer in the press, and would reduce handling of primers, but that applies equally to using a automatic primer feeder on a press, doesn't it?

I'm sure the answer is a simple one, but I'm curious.

Thanks
 
I went to the lee hand primer because I found it easier to seat the primers. It's portable and relaxing to sit in a chair and seat some primers while watching TV. You can actually feel them going in. With the press I was over compressing some of them because of the extra leverage.
 
All good answers, and all I need to know. Thanks to you all for your most enlightening replies. I think I can see a hand primer in my future, as soon as the budget recovers from my latest gun purchases. Maybe I I should look for somebody who's got a spare they'd like to let go for cheap.

Anyhow, thanks for the advise and the info.

Jim
 
A hand primer lets you feel just how easily the primer seats into the brass.It lets you feel when primer pockets are oversized,and it is time to scrap the brass.
 
The hand primer works good for bolt guns, but I prefer the press for priming when the rounds are going to be fired in a semi-auto. I believe it decreases the possibility of slam fires due to the primer being set out too far.
 
303carbine said:
The hand primer works good for bolt guns, but I prefer the press for priming when the rounds are going to be fired in a semi-auto. I believe it decreases the possibility of slam fires due to the primer being set out too far.
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I've heard that before, and I don't get it.
Both have a small cut in the shell holder that would allow a very slightly high primer to pass, and I know that if you don't seat a primer pretty close to flush, it won't come out, with either style.
True, a press gives the leverage to ram a primer home, but then, you can feel it seat with the hand primer, so what's the difference?:confused:
 
The hand primer works good for bolt guns, but I prefer the press for priming when the rounds are going to be fired in a semi-auto. I believe it decreases the possibility of slam fires due to the primer being set out too far.
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With the hand primer,you can feel the primer seat properly,so if anything,a hand primer should lessen the odds of an improperly seated primer.
 
I have both and have used both and if you can't feel when a primer is going into a loose pocket or when it is seated with the press I think that there is something wrong with the way you are doing it. :confused:I'm not sure what, but I can easily tell.
 
I find it much easier to feel the primer seat with my LEE autoprime than with my RCBS Rockchucker.With so much mechanical advantage,the Rockchucker is great for sizing brass,but that same mechanical advantage does greatly reduce the feel.Now if a person is using a LEE Challenger,sizing brass takes much more effort,but you can feel the primers seat better than with a Rockchucker.
 
When I load in any volume for the .223 , I use the Lee handprime with the feed tray. For any load development, or small quanitites for the bigger stuff (20 or less) then I use the press.
 
Silverback said:
I have both and have used both and if you can't feel when a primer is going into a loose pocket or when it is seated with the press I think that there is something wrong with the way you are doing it. :confused:I'm not sure what, but I can easily tell.
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X2. I think the TV has far more significance than some would let on.....:p
 
For regular loading, on-press is faster and works fine.

For precision loading - it`s the only way to feel the primer seat properly. First the anvil touches, then the anvil is partially pushed into the primer cup and you`re done. Can`t feel this with on-press priming.
 
I have gone through about three Lee hand prime levers. They last about a thousand primings and then they snap. I am about fed up and might try the auto next.
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My lee hand primer is still on the same lever after at least 10,000 primers.A little lube on the wearing surfaces makes a huge difference.STOS is a great lube that also works great on loading presses.
 
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