Hand prime, and change Turret press setup?

[ghh3rd]

My Lee turret press has the tool to install primers, but it seems a bit clunky with primers dropping to the floor occasionally, and primers not being seated completely.

I was thinking about getting a hand priming tool (RCBS Universal) so I could get one reloading step done at my leisure, away from the bench, but then it dawned on me -- I have to decap before I can prime.

I'm trying to decide if there is any advantage to hand priming, and why so many folks do it.

My four station turret press is currently set up as follows...
Turret:
station 1. sizer/decap die
station 2. powder drop through expander die
station 3. powder checker (peace of mind)
station 4. seating die

I batch crimp the loaded rounds.

I was thinking of moving the sizer/decap die to my Classic press, decapping all brass
and then hand priming.

Turret:
station 1. powder drop through expander die
station 2. powder checker (peace of mind)
station 3. seating die
station 4. crimp die

Maybe I'm making it more complicated and should just leave well enough alone...

Randy

[VinceG]

I bought the Lee ram-prime tool that mounts on top of the press and primes on the down stroke. It's areal time saver and gives good feel for primer seating. $15

[Artful]

I have Dillon's, Lee Turret - but my process is run thru a press to deprime (universal depriming die) and then clean then prime on a handtool (Lee's) and store so at any time I can use my press to flair, power drop, seat, crimp

I like the looks of the RCBS Universal Hand primer tool but it's cost makes the Lee look good to me.

[w5pv]

After seeing pictures of a guy's thumb and fore finger after a primer went kaboom I strictly use the one on the press now,no more hand priming for me.

[mdi]

No offence meant to the OP, but this is operator error. I've been the proud owner of a Lee turret press for some time and I occasionally prime on press. I rarely have primers falling out of the priming tool/cup. Sometimes I drop a primer, but nuttin' I can blame on the press...
My Lee turret press has the tool to install primers, but it seems a bit clunky with primers dropping to the floor occasionally, and primers not being seated completely.

"Work flow" during reloading is entirely personal preference. If your new process is comfortable for you, then that's the right process for you. I don't charge on my press, I prefer to charge individually and look at the powder levels, but that's my style and may not work for you...

IMO, reloading should be a pleasant experience. I am in no hurry, so my methods may sound "slow" or "old school" and "inefficient", but I enjoy reloading and it's my ammo, my time, and my guns...:bigsmyl2:

[Artful]

After seeing pictures of a guy's thumb and fore finger after a primer went kaboom I strictly use the one on the press now,no more hand priming for me.
RCBS tube has no shield on it's primer feed - Dillon Does

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTmtJj-mick

Lock-n-Load primer accident trying to clean a jammed primer
http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b442/Auguste1/Press%20Detonation/IMG_0373.jpg
http://forums.brianenos.com/index.php?/topic/125449-anyone-had-a-primer-tube-detonation/

https://thefiringline.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-565318.html
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20131031/rapyjuqa.jpg
Don't assume picking up a feed tube of primers is safe.

The RCBS Universal primer hand tool is metal shielding and a seperator between the primer magazine and the work area. Are Lee's less well designed and cheaper materials - yes - does Lee say use Winchester or CCI ONLY - YES - and the feel I have with my hand primer is much better than my bench presses or even my Bonanza bench priming tool. So if you feel any odd pressure requirements STOP and trouble shoot. Also a reminder to clean your equipment as primer dust is extremely dangerous.

[WebMonkey]

After seeing pictures of a guy's thumb and fore finger after a primer went kaboom I strictly use the one on the press now,no more hand priming for me.
OUCH!

I've seen/had a primer go off on fingers using a lee whack a mole loader.

have not had that problem with a lee auto-prime xr.
(hands/fingers are below the 'hot spot')
even when I forgot to true up a primer pocket and had to push a little harder to seat one.

not sayin' it's the best thing ever, but I don't hesitate to use it.
mostly on rifle rounds now though.

I have the older style priming arm (doesn't attach/hinge on the ram) on a turret press that I like very much for pistol loading.