Are you still using a hand priming tool? WHYYYY??????!!!

Kevin M.

Kevin M.

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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Location
Edmonton, Alberta
When I first started reloading, I used what almost everybody started off using... a lee hand priming tool. I went through a few brands of hand priming tools over the years, but they always caused my hands to cramp up or get sore when loading anything over 50 primers in a sitting, which is irritating as I like to do a few hundred at a time. I also found that the way the tools are designed always force me to have the whole unit oriented in such a way that I have the cartridge pointing directly at my face when pushing the primer in, otherwise I have trouble applying enough pressure to consistently seat the primers the same.

I have been using this RCBS bench mounted priming tool that I bought used off CGN for over a year now, and I utterly love it. It takes all the strain out of your hands, gives you a much more detailed feel of your primer seating process, and is faster and safer to use than the hand primers in my opinion. Swaps from small to large primers in seconds, and is pretty fast to refill tubes.

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I have never heard many people talk about them before, and I don't know why, but honestly these are the best things since sliced bread when it comes to reloading for me. Makes the whole process faster, more accurate, and more enjoyable. The only thing that is even close is a press mounted priming system, but even then, many of the cheaper systems are much more fussy than this system.

Here's a quick video I just shot of mine in action.


What are your thoughts on bench priming tools? Love them, hate them, or never even heard of them? I'm curious to know what other CGNers opinions are on these wonderful little tools.
 
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When I first started reloading everyone told me to get a hand priming tool. But from using a friends I found the same issues you did... I stuck with using the Lee press priming method and haven't wish I had a hand priming tool in over 5,000 rounds so far..
 
I had no problem with a hand primer, I don't use one now because it was destroyed. My new Dillon primes for me while I load so it's become a non-issue for me.
 
I have a Forster Primer Seater. It appears to be a similar concept but just a slightly different method of execution.

 
I have never had an issue with RCBS hand priming tools..... Lee on the other hand I found to be atrocious!

I have 2 RCBS hand primers now (the ones with the auto shell holder) one each set up large and small, And several different trays.... Small pistol, large pistol, small rifle, large rifle, large rifle match and magnum rifle match.

I don't mind em, and I've primed 2000 223 in a single sitting!

But then I'm a tradesman, with a gorilla grip (from using pliers all day). So squeezing the darn things at a "weird" angle doesn't other me in the slightest! lol
 
Hoag said:
I have a Forster Primer Seater. It appears to be a similar concept but just a slightly different method of execution.

Click to expand...

Interesting tool, I agree, the concept is the same, but the execution very different. I don't like the primer loading system, seems slow and time intensive. With the RCBS, so long as you have a primer flip tray, loading a full tube takes about a minute or so, no fussing around with a tiny screwdriver to put them in like that.
 
I used one until I converted to a turrent press for pistol reloading. Super easy and much faster with the turret press setup. Even on single stage when using the Lee and the primer attachment, once you've got it setup - its fast to deprime, resize the reprime on the downstroke.
 
I have a Lee hand primer but only use it for loading my good .308 rounds. The rest get primed on the press with a Lee safety primer feed. Size and prime in one trip through the press, trim and inside/outside chamfer on the next trip through the press. It saves so much time and effort for plinking loads.
 
Kevin M. said:
Interesting tool, I agree, the concept is the same, but the execution very different. I don't like the primer loading system, seems slow and time intensive. With the RCBS, so long as you have a primer flip tray, loading a full tube takes about a minute or so, no fussing around with a tiny screwdriver to put them in like that.
Click to expand...

i agree but the actual priming step is faster with the forester because it auto loads a primer for you. that being said though if i were to do rifle stuff more i would go with the RCBS because of the easier change over for cases and loading of the primer tube.

if i'm loading pistol stuff on a single stage i would still use a hand primer and watch tv while priming, otherwise the press works for me.
 
I just use the priming system that's built into my Lee single stage press if I'm reloading precision ammo. It does a pretty decent job and seats the primers pretty evenly. For everything else, they'll get primed on my Hornady LNL AP. Though I don't like how the LNL AP primes some cases. Sometimes it leaves a bit of a wrinkle in the primer. One of these days I swear it's going to cook off a primer. Always wear eye pro when reloading. :p
 
I've always used Lee stuff. Seems to work pretty good for me. One of the things I like ( for an unusual reason...I'll clarify ) is that a lot of Lee gear is lightweight. The plastic powder dispenser, the scale, the hand primer...all cheesy cheap compared to RCBS and such, right?
I'm a traveling, all my stuff in the vehicle, Oilpatch guy. An old inclined C &H aluminum press and my cheap Lee stuff...works great to wile away my off hours or slow days. And all that is required is a light, small toolbox.
And it builds decent bullets.
I bought my father an RCBS powder measure. It's so heavy you could throw it through a car windshield! Way too much for a traveling light guy like myself.
And why deviate to another brand for my permanent setup? I'm used to Lee, might as well stay the course.
 
Myself I try not to point my lee hand priming tool at my own face. Because I want to keep it.
And I choose this hand primer to get instant feedback regarding possibly loose primer pockets. Especially important for the Polytech, the Garand and the semi-auto Voere.
I often keep a batch of prepared brass, unprimed and resized.
 
I have used all of the Lee priming tools, both press-mounted and hand squeezed. I don't EVER recall having to angle any rounds toward my face, even when using the original Auto-Prime. I LOVE the new ergo prime. My style of priming as I feel more sensitive handling is achieved.
But, then again, it's not like I needed two hands to squeeze it. I have a fairly decent grip.
 
Hoag said:
I have a Forster Primer Seater. It appears to be a similar concept but just a slightly different method of execution.

Click to expand...

I ended up with this one after trying the Lee ergo and much prefer the Forster doesnt take up a lot of room but can be a little fussy changing from small to large primers ..
 
I still use a hand primer, and I likely always will. I use the RCBS Universal Priming Tool, which operates very smoothly, and requires no shellholders. Why do I use it? Because it is extremely fast, and I get a much better feel as each primer is seated, than I could ever get with a press mounted or bench mounted tool. I can easily load 300 primers or more at a session with no issue with my hands cramping up or getting tired.
 
Sometimes I wonder if I'm just not doing things right. I'm using an old Lee hand primer and haven't had an issue. No hand cramps, no pointing it at my face, works great, super reliable.
I also tumble my brass in dry media and have never had an issue with dust but have read so much about others having problems.
Maybe I'm a wizard and don't know it? ;)
 
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