Best hand primer?

[Gnomon]

I'd like opinions on what is the best hand primer? I've been having trouble with the Lee Auto Prime - it seems to be unable to align the primers with the pockets, and ends up squashing the primers.

Rob

 

[migrant hunter]

I used to use the hand primer, but now I seat them with the press(lee classic) and it's way better.

 

[Billy The Kid]

I like the RCBS as it uses standard RCBS shell holders.

However...

They have to be current production shell holders as they are cut slightly differently.

 

[blacksmithden]

I've got an RCBS. It's the only one I've ever had and it's got tens of thousands of primers through it now......still going strong. It also takes standard shell holders.

Edit in bold. Billy beat me to it

 

[Robmcleod82]

I really like my rcbs hand primer works very well for me, in fact it may be the best $40 I ever spent

 

[Gnomon]

You use the RCBS one that uses that plastic strip that needs to be loaded up? Do you use the loader as well?

rob

 

[Pudelpointer]

I use the auto-prime, have for years, and have never squished a primer, or had one not line up. I must have loaded 10,000 primers or more with mine so far, and I have no plan on buying another. Maybe you got a buggered one. Send it to lee and ask for another.

 

[ajax]

i like the autoprime, my new one isnt as slick as my older unit. maybe it just needs more breaking in!

 

[22to45]

I use the lee auto prime, the hand held one, but I sometimes have to wiggle a case a bit, but I never crush a primer...

 

[444shooter]

Used to use the Lee Auto Prime until the cheap pot metal broke, then bought a Hornady. Works great. The RCBS is good too.

 

[fingers]

RCBS Universal Does not require shell holders.

 

[Levi Garrett]

only one I can comment on is lee, would like better , if there is better

 

[zuke]

I use LEE. One set up for small another set up for large primer's.
Put some grease on the linkage's, make's it all move better and smoother

 

[John Y Cannuck]

I've used my Lee forever, can't complain, it's never failed me yet.

 

[DOUGLAS D]

I have three RCBS and still use 2 of them.
The old single primer unit is retired.

I use the round feed tray/shellholder version for small case 222/223 and leave it set up that way.
Bigger cases get run through the universal head new version with the square primer feed tray.
All three are good. Universal head version is pricey though at about ninety dollars.

 

[heavyBullet]

I use LEE. One set up for small another set up for large primer's.
Put some grease on the linkage's, make's it all move better and smoother

I bought my Lee at a small mom and pop store in the US last year. The first thing the old timer did was put some grease on it before he gave it to me. Works Great.

 

[BrotherRockeye]

Lee here and it has never failed me.Simple and easy to use.and #1 to a dab of grease.
finding certain shell holders around here is a pain tho...
are you using the proper tray for primer size?that could cause alignment trubby

 

[Old30-06]

Lee Autoprime - dab of grease and never a problem as long the proper Small or Large primer tray is used.

 

[Dmay]

Its costly, but the Sinclair is top of the line.
Makes the Lee and RCBS feel like junk (not saying they are) after using the Sinclair.

 

[SandRoad]

Its costly, but the Sinclair is top of the line.
Makes the Lee and RCBS feel like junk (not saying they are) after using the Sinclair.

Have used the Lee for years, +1 on the grease.

However the Lee is not the best fit in my hand. Haven't used any others but it looks like RCBS and Hornady have tried to make them fit your hand a bit better

Most of my priming is done on a press.