Need info on Hand held priming tools.

[Cookie]

    I just went to Lee's website to double check and the new hand primer tools still use the same dedicated shell holders the old version uses.  I couldn't find any offer to take an old tool in trade there either.

Yep, you're right...  I'm positive I read some promotional material from Lee saying the new Auto Prime used standard shell holders, but their current material says otherwise. Sorry for the misinformation.

[rickk]

@ Tequila Jim ...

I found this on RCBS's web site....

Q. I'm having trouble with the Hand Priming Tool not seating the primer deep enough. What am I doing wrong?

A. You probably aren't doing anything wrong. The usual cause for "high" primers is caused by the shell holder not sitting down tight on the Primer Feed. This usually happens with older RCBS and other brands of shell holders--they simply do not have enough chamfer on the inside of the primer hole. To check to see if this is a problem, install the shell holder on the primer feed. If you see any daylight between the bottom of the shell holder and the primer feed, the shell holder must be replaced. If the shell holder was manufactured by RCBS, call for a free replacement. If you are unable to locate the problem, call RCBS Customer Service for help at 800-533-5000      (Mon-Thurs, 6:30am-3:00 pm Pacific time), or e-mail us your questions

[Springfield Slim]

The new LEE hand priming tool uses the same special shell holders the old hand priming too used. I sold my old ones to get the new ones as it was suppossed to be safer. If you hold them right they are fine, if you tip them or wiggle when priming the primer can fall out. It would have been simple of them to keep the primer captured the whole time, maybe they wil upgrade them. I have found that LEE relies too much on gravity to run some of their loading tools.  I guess my Dillons spoiled me. Never had a primer explode in any priming tools so far in my 30 years of reloading using everything from LEE hand reloaders to Dillon 550's, and I have crushed a few when they went sideways.

[fourfingersofdeath]

I have used several types over the years.

My first Lee Auto Prime I bought in 1981. After about six months, a burr developed on the sliding part that hinges off the handle with the round disc on the end which rides up and down the handle body. I cleaned the burr up and greased the pivot point and slide and disc with Graphite Grease. Absolutely zero problems since and that unit has loaded thousands upon thousands upon thousands of rounds since with nary a problem. I keep it clean and greased with goopy black graphite grease. I bought another about ten years ago so that I had onbe set up for small and one set up for large primers. The individual shellholders are annoying and I have often been ready to load a new calibre and found that everything ground to a halt for want of the correct shellholder.

As far as breaking handles apart from a faulty casting, I can't imagine anyone breaking one. The idea is to seat the primer, not swage it through the flash hole. Calm down, these things explode! I have only heard of one of these hand held units turning into a flame thrower and my friend who did it cound crush, break or bend anything, so I would err on Mr Lee's side on this occasion.

I bought a Lee Ram Prime because I thought for precision rifle loads it would be able to be adjusted to provide absolutely consistent seating depth, which it does. Mine came with two small primer feed arms and I didn't get around to addressing that for some time. This unit worked fine, butttttttttttttttt, you had to get to know it and only lower the press ram until the new primer dropped into place. Lowering it further often resulted in flipping a primer over inside the unit, which was very annoying. There seemed to be a bit of space around the primers inside the unit, more than was necessary.

The Bonanza priming unit I bought was fiddly, but fine and didn't need special shellholders it had an eccentric cam which adjusted to all sizes. I would only recommend one if you got it cheap. They haven't been in production for sometime, but occasionally crop up.

I heard all sorts of wonderful things about the RCBS priming unit. They are twice the price of the Lees and have a universal shellholder which is spring loaded and clips to fit. I think they do all but the really big cases. I bought two, one for small and one for large primers I was a bit disappointed with them, they work well enough, but have a stiff handle movement with a stiff step in the middle. I like the springloaded shell holder, but found the operation was not as smooth as the Lees.

I have always avoided priming on the press (Single stage types) and lost the primer holder/whatever you call it off my rockchucker. but bought a new a new press and decided to try the press primer feeder (one at a time). These work fine I have found and actualy give a good amount of feel.

If you asked me what to recommend I would say, try using the primer seatiner provided with the press and see how that goes. Secondly I would recommend the RCBS as you don't need shellholders but if you have  a Lee, don't bother 'upgrading' to an RCBS, just strip your Lee, remove any burrs or rough spots, grease up any part that moves (apart from the piston in the nylon carrier of course and kick on with that).