Hello Folks,
I'm getting tired of priming hundreds of cases every month with a hand priming tool. I'm looking for recommendations on bench-mounted priming tools.
Thanks, Tom
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Hello Folks,
I'm getting tired of priming hundreds of cases every month with a hand priming tool. I'm looking for recommendations on bench-mounted priming tools.
Thanks, Tom
RCBS Automatic Bench Priming Tool.
I have tried a lot of different priming tools in my 50+ years of reloading.
This one is the best by far in my opinion.
I've got the RCBS, other than the primer tube moving back and forth, I like it alot.
I've used two versions of Lee hand primers, an RCBS hand primer, Lee ram prime(piece of junk) and several iterations of on-press dohickies.
I'll stick with the RCBS Bench Primer.
I still use a round tray LEE. I load at the range/match often, so a handheld is it. Plus I hate picking one primer at a time. so I have kept the old LEE going.
RCBS universal bench primer.
I bet there is one for sale right here https://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...e-powder-drops
Yours is not the first query vis what to purchase. Do a search on this forum, and you will find many. :) As I responded to this question, my answer is the same: The RCBS 9460 Bench Mounted primer tool. Attachment 318034 I have/use THREE of these. One has the larger primer tube; the second has the small-size primer tube; and, the third has a few updates by Darryl Holland. (Holland Shooting Supply: https://www.hollandguns.com/m7/H-PPS...lete-unit.html) Attachment 318035 Holland's unit, bought total, runs about $340.00 USD, but you can purchase (as I did) JUST the add-ons to a plain-Jane RCBS 9460. You can view the RCBS at Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/RCBS-9460-Aut...000NOORXE?th=1.
Often, too, they come up at really affordable prices ;) on both this site's S&S as well as the popular "e" auction site.
Good luck!
geo
And mount the RCBS at a 30-40 degree angle to the edge of the bench, left or right depending on whether you're the spawn of the devil(left handed) or not. It will make the operation much easier. At least I think so.
I’ve seen these, but didn’t realize they were so well liked over the hand priming tools.
I am going to look into one as well.
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I'm glad I asked; the choice is clear. Thank you, all.
Well LEE Challenger Press I prime on press at belling stage of my brass. I batch style do sizing/decapping then later do a bell and prime, keep stored this way it is ready when I want to drop my powder and seat my bullet
I just now ordered the RCBS Automatic Bench Priming Tool. There is a Rebate offered that gets you $25 back through 20 September so better act fast if you want to take advantage of that. I've used either the press or an old RCBS hand tool for 45 years and would like something faster and easier to use. All these positive endorsements got me off the fence to buy something better. I ordered mine from MidwayUSA by the way.
I am using the old Lee hand held round primer tray tool. What is so bad about their newer version?
Yes, RCBS Universal Priming Tool
Comes like this:
https://i.postimg.cc/gkZM5RKN/RCBS_U...IMING_TOOL.jpg
With slight DIY modifications, look now like this:
https://i.postimg.cc/yxGxpWHm/RCBS-U...l-Modified.jpg
Mounted to Pat Marlin ShelfDock. Added spring and string to return lever arm to its full upright position, rather than hand wringing the lever in both directions (tiring). Added cushioning of the lever arm as thousands of up - downs wears on the palm of the hand.
I just add my late vote for the RCBS Bench priming tool.
Odd that nobody mentioned that the RCBS cannot be used right out of the box. The tool must have a 3" riser or have the handle 8" over the edge of the bench or the handle bottoms out on the bench top before a primer can be seated. I do not need an intrusive piece of 3/8"x 1" handle jutting 8" over the edge of the bench to snag my old body on (yeah, I'm an advanced senior). I can live with a tube wobbling back and forth in front of my face, but don't particularly care for it, distracting. Yes I have one and occasionally use it, but mine doesn't seat 100% positively. (before anyone calls me fumble fingered, ignorant; I have been a machinist mechanic for over 55 years and have worked with hand tools since the age of 11 with my mechanic father so I do know how to work with hand and power tools.). If this tool were painted red and had L** on the side the complaints would be endless.
The best but not the fastest priming tool is a ram prime. I have used one for over 33 years and have had zero FTF from improper priming on all my handgun and rifle handloads, large and small, standard and magnum...
Le probably has the fastest priming system in the reloading game, with the New Deluxe APP.
I have Not needed a New one so IDK...I got a Lee auto prime II back about time they first hit the Market...some time ago...
has Not Failed!!!
BTW, I have 4 trays with feeders.. quick to Change Cartridges, primer sizes etc!! I even leave some trays filled and marked with a piece of scotch tape!
Edit; I suspect I would appreciate Any brand that utilized Regular Shell Holders...like the Lee...
Ive use it some. I like it.
https://youtu.be/wlSXYdyhHYY
Mount the RCBS priming tool at the edge of your bench and you do not need a riser.
Noticed issue with those triangle feed trays. The Loadmaster has a couple 'bumps' on it made to 'jiggle' the tray on every stroke. Every now and then the lock thingy still causes a jam up. I kinda wish I had kept my old round feed trays.
Most of the time Lee stuff works well, but, other times they need a 'fix'. Which is why I converted my Loadmaster to manually seat the primers. It now works kinda like a bench mounted primer.
The RCBS with the rocking primer tube has been the best for preventing wear and tear on your hands that I've come across. My Dad has had a number of arthritis-related surgeries and he purchased it for that reason. Good leverage and positive seating.
As you have noticed, the RCBS bench tool is a favorite. Its kind of funny but I prefer to use a hand primer. But whatever works for you is good, to each his own I say!
Although I voted for the RCBS and still find it best for me it seems like they all have their shortcomings.
Another vote for the RCBS bench tool. I use vise grip clamp to attach mine and I get the angle like I want. Mine is 50 yrs old and I've never needed anything else.
For those considering the RCBS bench priming tool (great tool) don't forget to also buy a primer flip tray.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012933152?pid=466211
I like priming with a Lee Breechlock Challenger press. Nothing automatic. I use a flip tray and put the primers in one at a time, by hand. It puts the primers in with feel rather than a generic stop-point, so you get perfect priming even in mixed brass.
It might sound slow, but I get to size pistol cases simultaneously as priming. (For rifle, I generally expand while priming). So it's two birds with one stone. The Breechlock is great for this because you can put the primers in from one side while putting the cases in from the other. And the lever is adjustable. You can set it low enough so you can squeeze the primer in with your fingers wrapped around the frame of the press, ball of lever in your palm.
If you use a progressive for pistol ammo (but don't like the jamming or subpar priming consistency of a progressive), pre-sizing the cases in addition to pre-priming will take out a lot of the lever force.
When I load straight walled cases that must be belled slightly, I prime on my Rock Chucker. Might as well, then I can eliminate the additional step. If I have time, I prime and bell a bunch of cases at a time and put them into Zip-Loc bags marked "Ready".
Iv'e been paying attention to this thread. I started back in the 80's with a lee hand held but got tired of replacing the links so I got a rcbs bench priming tool and it worked great but when rcbs came out with a hand held priming tool with a tray I got rid of the bench unit for one. Now Iv'e worn out the hand primer and am thinking about going back to the bench unit but can't make up my mind. If I could get through to rcbs I'd probably get the parts to repair the hand unit but there robo phone system is a nightmare.
I threw my Lee hand primers in the trash after figuring out how to adjust my Breechlock Challenger lever shorter to squeeze frame and lever together. Gives the perfect leverage and great feel, not tiring or painful. No fiddling, at all.
1. Put case in shellholder with left hand, primer in the cup with my right hand.
2. Pull lever down to [size + decap or to expand] the case.
3. Push lever up, wrapping fingertips around the front of the frame to squeeze primer in, feeling for when it bottoms out and giving a little bit extra force.
4. Drop lever a little ways, so that the now empty primer arm sticks out, ready to load. Take out primed case. With lever set short, it is counterbalanced with the extra lever length sticking out the back. So the lever stays here, rather than falling down due to gravity.
Spent primer system is convenient and 99.5% reliable, out the gate.
Can't have too many SS presses. Entire press is cheaper than an RCBS bench primer.
On the rare occasion that a primer gets started into a crimped pocket, it's easy to feel it before the primer gets squished. If you're sizing/decapping, just run it up again and you can catch the good primer out the slot as it ejects, before it falls into the spent primer hole. If expanding, just get a little decapping rod and do it manually.
I'm sure priming tubes can speed things up if you reload in big lots. But I rarely want to prime tons of cases in advance. Primers are too expensive!
Last night I primed 200 pieces of brass on the Lee Deluxe APP, took maybe 15-20 min. once I got organized.
ive used about all of them. my favorite is one that surprised me. i like the old lee hand primer but wore out many of them and was down to my last one when i saw the new Frankfort arsenal hand primer on midway. thought it would be a good replacement fot the lee. surprised the hell out of me when it came. it is a seriouly stout unit that i doubt youd ever break or wear out and it works as good or better then the lee. buy one you wont regret it
I'm sure the OP's made a decision, but I'll add this. Lee bench prime fitted with an RCBS primer tray.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...79c306b444.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1f3616ad23.jpg
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I have the Lee Auto Bench Prime and like it. Will that RCBS primer tray fit the Lee without any modifications?
Slight modification needed, I followed someone else's idea from a YouTube video. Sand the bottom of the RCBS tray that feeds into the Lee holder. I measured the tray thickness of the Lee tray for a reference, and sanded enough from the RCBS tray, test fitting along the way. I believe I paid 7.50 for the tray on eBay.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...fe38981187.jpg
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