How do you prime the brass?

[Shenandoah]

I've been using a Lee hand loader along with a Lee single stage turret press for the past 20 years. I have the Lyman dies for the cases (56-50), but Lee doesn't make a collet (for the hand primer) for the Spencer rounds to prime the brass.

How do you all prime the brass?

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Different caliber, the .45-75, but I have to prime on the press as the opening at the top of the LEE priming tool is too narrow.

Get the LEE Ram-prime set;

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=gmail&rls=gm&q=lee+ram+prime&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=12744386350972368599&sa=X&ei=8nEXT92UHsOIiALvutyoBA&ved=0CDMQ8wIwAQ

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Ido all my reloading on a LEE turret press, including when I loaded for the 56-56 and 56-50 Spencers.  I used a 50-70 shell holder, and primed on the down stroke after the sizing stroke, before the expander die strike using the LARGE primer arm that swings into place.

[Jbar4Ranch]

I use a Lyman shell holder with the foot cut off in my Lee tool... then I found it was slightly too big to fit... so I ground it down a tad with a Dremel... then I found, like Sir Charles, the shell is too large to fit into the tool... a bit more work with the Dremel, and I was in business.

[FriscoCounty]

I consider de-priming and priming to be brainless pastimes well suited for combining with that other mindless pastime - watching TV.  I also like to de-prime before tumbling. 

For de-priming I use either a Lyman 310 with a universal de-primer (I have one for .38, .44, and .45 sized straight walled cases) or a Lee hand press for cases that the Lyman 310 won't accommodate easily - like the .45-75. 

For priming I generally use a Lee auto-prime I've had for close to 40 years. For cases that the auto-prime doesn't support, like those nifty 12 gauge brass shot shells, I used to just do it on the bench press while I was reloading.  However, I recently got the RCBS Hand Priming tool.  It uses standard RCBS and compatible shell holders.  It works well.  Although changing shell holders is not a simple as I would like.  The number of parts involved and needing juggling during the exercise requires diligent concentration.

[Shenandoah]

Thanks JBar. That sounds like a route I need to take.

I have been reloading for about 20 years (not including muzzle loading). The 56-50 is not a common caliber and it has its challenges. I think I'm going to like it. I just ordered a shell holder for the Lyman dies I had (I assumed there was one included in the die set). Now it looks like I'll have to order another one and machine it to fit.

Frisco, while I was typing this reply, you posted. Does the RCBS have a shell holder that fits the 56-50?

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Here is a handy chart.  I didn't see the .56-50.  But if your basic case is .348 WCF, you're covered.  The RCBS #31 is for .50-70, but RCBS says it is a special order item.

http://www.handloads.com/misc/shellholders.asp

[bowiemaker]

I have a RCBS universal hand primer that has a spring loaded gizmo that works with any cartridge rather than needing individual shell holders. It works great once you get the hang of it. I like it a LOT better than my Lee hand primer as the RCBS has a lot more leverage.

[FriscoCounty]

Here is a handy chart.  I didn't see the .56-50.  But if your basic case is .348 WCF, you're covered.  The RCBS #31 is for .50-70, but RCBS says it is a special order item.

http://www.handloads.com/misc/shellholders.asp

Lyman shows their #22 shellholder for use with the .56-50. Midway and Track of the Wolf both show it in stock.  The Lyman #22 shellholder also is used for .50-70 and .50-90 cases.

[Shenandoah]

Frisco:

The 22 Lyman (I just got one in the mail today) fits the turret press, but not the hand held primer. But, I got a chance to measure it and JBar's suggestion will work. I need to order another one and grind off the bottom ring. then I can put it on a spindle and round it off with a grindstone.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. Also, I got a call Friday about the backordered carbine. I'll call them Monday, it may be back in stock.   

Things seem to be falling in place. 

[FriscoCounty]

Yes, a loading press shellholder won't fit the Lee auto-prime, you need to get one of their auto-prime shellholders or modify an loading press shellholder to fit.  The RCBS hand primer does use the same shellholders as loading presses.

Lee doesn't make a shellholder for its auto-prime that will fit the .56-60.  The rim is very wide, you might want to take some measurements to make sure it can be adapted to fit the auto-prime and still be in one piece. 

I purchased the RCBS hand primer in order to prime brass shotgun shells.  No amount of modification would adapt the 12 ga. shellholder to fit in the Lee auto-prime.  Well, I suppose someone might figure out how to do it, but ...

[Shenandoah]

I have another Lyman shellholder on order from track. It's good to know if I can't modify it, an RCBS hand primer should work.

Thansk for all the advice. My carbine is enroute from TX. 

[wolflobo76]

Yes the Lyman #22 is the shell holder I use in my Lyman single stage press with my 4D dies when I deprime and prime for my 56/56 carbine.

[Capt'n Jack]

I have a Lee priming tool that installs like a die and uses the shellholder from the die set.  I also load 50/70 so already had that shell holder.  I think I paid about 12 dollars for the priming tool which is used in my portable reloading kit.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I have a Lee priming tool that installs like a die and uses the shellholder from the die set.  I also load 50/70 so already had that shell holder.  I think I paid about 12 dollars for the priming tool which is used in my portable reloading kit.

I just got mine;  It makes the LEE handpress into a very versatile hand priming tool as well.

[Preston County Rider]

OK - don't mean to hijack this thread, but just got the Starline 56-50 brass and it works in my rifle conversion - great info on priming the cases - OK - what primer do you all use? I do all my BP CAS loading with large pistol (WLP) and my long guns with large rifle - what should I use for the 56-50?

I know - but I had to ask!

PCR

[Shenandoah]

Large Rifle

[matt45]

...and if you are shooting Black powder or a substitut, I have found the large rifle magnum primers do a little better on the accuracy side

[Herbert]

With black powder I have got much better acuracy with LPP and a under primer wad