Hand Primers

[bowiemaker]

I made a video comparing the Lee Auto Prime and the RCBS Universal hand primer for those who might be interested.

[pistol1911]

Good video. My only suggestion would be showing how to load the primers in the tray.

[Johnny Dollar]

Good video!  I actually have both RCBS hand primers....  the one like yours and the one that takes the shell holders.  I prefer the universal only because you can just grab it a go without messing with the shell holders.   However I have the same problem of the shells popping out a few times so I hold onto the shell as I squeeze.  For some reason, I only have that problem with the 45 colt shells.  I load 9mm, 44mag and 45acp and don't have that problem with those.   The one that uses the shell holder is a pain because you have to disassemble the hand primer to insert the shell holder.     I thought the shell holder would just snap in like the Lee, but it doesn't.   I'm thinking about buying another 45 colt shell holder and keeping it on that one and use the universal one for my other calibers.

[bowiemaker]

Interesting. I have only reloaded 45 Colt. The RCBS Universal hand primer does OK but usually a couple of cases will go flying per 50.

[Cliff Fendley]

45 Colt cases don't have much of a rim so that is probably the problem. I've been told that was the reason Winchester never chambered rifles for 45 Colt because back when they were balloon head cases the extractor wouldn't eject them.

You don't have to completely disassemble the RCBS one that takes shell holders. I remember the first time with mine making that mistake and it all fell apart and had to be reassembled. Once you know how it is really fast and easy.

Just hold on to the handle and unscrew and slide the bar out, dump the rod out, slide out the piece that holds the shell holder just enough to put the shell holder on and stick it back together. It takes probably all of 30 seconds (if that) to change a shell holder.

Now all that said, mine is a very old one so the new ones that take a shell holder may have changed. I wish my RCBS hand primer had a square tray, mine is one of the old round ones and it is hard to dump Federal primers because of the way they are packaged in the large boxes.

Still I prefer my old RCBS hand primer over any other type I've used.

[Johnny Dollar]

........You don't have to completely disassemble the RCBS one that takes shell holders. I remember the first time with mine making that mistake and it all fell apart and had to be reassembled. Once you know how it is really fast and easy...........

Good tip...  I'll give that a try.   I like the hand primers over the one built in my press.  I find I can feel the primer seat better.  Also, I take it in the house and prime a couple hundred at a time while the tube in on.  I know some folks frown on doing anything to distract you while reloading...  but I only prime like that and after many years of doing it, I've never had a missed primer.  Now....   powder is another story.  When I'm measuring powder my total focus is on my powder dump and scale at all times.