Best handheld or other priming tool?
- Thread starter 45C
- Start date
I use the RCBS handheld and find I can find when it hits bottom. I then give it a lil extra.
I find though that after doing I pile now, that my hand hurts sometimes and now Im looking at picking up a DERRACO ENGINEERING PCPS-LITE PRIMER SEATING TOOL SYSTEM or the PCPS gen2 system to try out. I see now they have another new version even.
I find though that after doing I pile now, that my hand hurts sometimes and now Im looking at picking up a DERRACO ENGINEERING PCPS-LITE PRIMER SEATING TOOL SYSTEM or the PCPS gen2 system to try out. I see now they have another new version even.
Not a gimmick.
It removes having to go by feel.
There's still the feeling of resistance but if set properly you'll never crush one.
Plus u can put primers in while sitting in the living room instead of the bench.
I think it's a good tool and been out for many years
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I have used a RCBS benchmount priming tool for over 50 years and probably over 250,000 rounds , never replaced a single thing, works like the day I got it. If you uniform your primer pockets , I use a Sinclair tool but others are available as well. It squares off the bottom of the pockets and you can tell when the primer is bottomed out because it stops with an abrupt thunk. It may not take much off the entire bottom of the pocket but will square the edges so it doesn’t try to roll the bottom edges of the primer which can sometimes make it difficult to tell when it is bottomed out.
I like the RCBS universal hand primer. I like it so much that I got two, one for small and one for large primers : )
No messing around with putting shell holders in and it has a shorter handle stroke than the normal rcbs hand primer.
No messing around with putting shell holders in and it has a shorter handle stroke than the normal rcbs hand primer.
While I love the RCBS universal hand primer and have used one for years after making the switch to a DERRACO I'll never go back. Yes you have to have Lee shell holders for it, but the priming experience is so vastly different. There is no more did I seat that all the way and have to check and no fatigue if doing a lot of cases. They have 3 versions of the primers, adjustable measured off the case or a version measured off the rim and a version without the adjustable seating depth and it's just by pressure.
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I've been using Lee Autoprime for decades, in fact I wore the first one out and I'm on my se3cond one. I have a complete set of shell holders but I had to buy one for the 220 Swift as it isn't included in the set.
Now I see the new ones have a square primer tray to match the boxes that the primers come in.
Now I see the new ones have a square primer tray to match the boxes that the primers come in.
I’ve used a Lee hand held for decades with no issue (round primer tray)
I tried their newer bench model with the triangle primer tray and did not like it.
But I’ve recently switched to the Derraco press mounted tool and while it’s early I’m thinking this is my new go to tool.
I tried their newer bench model with the triangle primer tray and did not like it.
But I’ve recently switched to the Derraco press mounted tool and while it’s early I’m thinking this is my new go to tool.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I owned various Lee priming tools at various times - a unit that may have come with a Lee Loader. Another unit that one could exchange shell holders - once you bought those - they were different than used on the press. Then another version that fitted to the press - I think that one needed a different again shell holder - not same as first unit, and not same as used on the press. So, there was a point where I had three shell holders for each size cartridge - two different shell holders for the Lee Priming Tools and a type for using in the press. Today, I use a bench mounted RCBS "Automatic Priming Tool" - it screws down to the reloading bench and uses the same shell holders as used in the press. It does use "tubes" to hold primers - I think circa 50 or maybe 100 large rifle primers, and another size tube for small rifle primers. I have a very elderly "Pacific" brand "primer flipper" that accepts a full tray of primers - even the Federal and Winchester-Western trays. - Shake it a few times, roll on the lid, and primers are ready to be picked up by the plastic "fingers" on the tube.
For much reloading, I actually prime on the press - can do one at a time or RCBS sold units that used the "tubes" that sort of "semi" automate the re-priming step. I read much ado about seating primers - I was not convinced - anymore, for me, I want the head of the primer at or below the case rim and the primer to be seated "solidly" into the primer pocket - I am not convinced there is an exact setting for all that. For sure, I probably obsess about clean flash holes and flash hole diameter - and square bottoms to primer pockets - other than that, the primer pocket gets a "lick and a promise" and seems to work.
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thirdeye462
Member
- Location
- Toronto, ON.
I use the Derraco PCPS and have to agree here. It's a fantastic unit. Well machined and the results are consistent and easily repeatable.
I have mine in a Hornady Lock-n-Load bushing too. With a MEC metallic reloader, it works just fine and the PCPS' micrometer adjustment knob protrudes adequately beyond the press' frame.
How much u want for it?
Used the Lee hand primer for years until the handle snapped in half... then bought a frankford arsenal hand primer kit and it's actually quite a nice package for an FA product.. but hard brass (Lapua, Peterson, Alpha, etc) can still be fairly taxing on the hand/joints, so I grabbed a Derraco PCPS and never looked back.
Used a couple of Lee’s for years but have bought this Frankford now and it’s GREAT
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The Sinclair stainless steel hand priming tool is the Cadillac of priming tools. Great for priming along with my portable benchrest reloading kit out in the field. But for most everything else the two Dillon 550’s I have do everything well including primer seating. Im happy with 1/2moa results off a progressive machine.
