Favorite Priming Tool

I have been using the same RCBS hand priming tool for about 40 years.

Works perfectly for me.

If you are having that many problems with tight primer pockets taking too much force, you have a case problem, not a primer tool problem.

Increased leverage to smash them in kicking & screaming is certainly not the correct answer!

Are these GI cases perhaps?

rc

promer tools

I too have been using the same RCBS hand primer for about 30 years. It has worked great. RCBS now makes a little nicer one, that you don't have to change shellholders in. It runs about $55.00 dollars here. If I had to buy one now, I think I would go that route, just to save the hassle of changing the shellholder every time I change calibers. I guess I'm getting a little lazy with age or something.

Are the primers crimped GI style?
If so, you have to swage or ream the crimp out before you can reload them

It could also just be tolerance stacking.
Wolf primers are known to be a little tighter then some of us are used to.

Perhaps a primer pocket uniformer is what the next step should be.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/product/11248/Primer-Pocket-Tools

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=338732

rc

"I have been using the Lee Auto Prime ever since I began reloading four years ago and have decided to move on to something better."

Good luck. But I've tried a couple and have no reason not to stick with my 22 year old Lee Auto Prime and Auto Prime 2. If one has a problem going in I remove it and find out why. Using the Tim Taylor "use more power" method has never worked well for me on anything mechanical.

I use a Lee hand prime myself for 15 years only complaint is occasionally a small primer will get sideways in the press channel I wonder if the diameter of the channel should be just a bit tighter. but I like the 'feel' of pressing primers in snugly - yes I've noticed Wolf primers seem to be a little snug and require a bit more pressure, haven't miked them as so far no problems and they have all fired first strike - actually the groups I've shot with them in my .380acp and 9mm Para are a bit tighter than with CCI primers.

For lower volume use such as rifle loading my favorite is the press mounted Lee Ram Prime



http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=728999&t=11082005

Another happy RCBS hand primer user.

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+2.

Don

For quality and precision the best pring tool by far is made my Magnum Metal. It is beautifully made of good material and is adjustable for specific seating depth or by feel. A collar around the post squares the case in the holder before primer entry for perfect alignment. The disadvantage of this tool, other than the healthy price, is that primers must be single placed. Another excellent priming tool is made by Sinclair. The hand primer seater once made by Hornady was the best of the auto feeds, but the newer "improved" version is not nearly as good. You can see the Sinclair and Magnum Metal priming tools on their websites. Will attach a couple pics of one of my Magnum Metal tools to show what they look like, especially the collar.

K & M makes one fine primer tool, that uses the Lee shell holders. Its very reasonably priced also and is adjustable for depth. See it at

http://www.precisionreloading.com/

Lee Precision Auto Prime - For $ 12.00 you can get a couple or three for less than one of the other brands and set them up for different size primers. A little grease at the right place and you are in business for many thousands of rounds. Value is why Lee Precision is #1 and the Auto Prime is a good example.

+1 on the Lee Ram Prime

For the price, the K&M is hard to beat. My grandkids will use it.

Mikee Loxxer said:

I am trying to prime Prvi Partizan 7.5 X 55 Swiss cases with Wolf Large Rifle primers. Maybe I need a primer pocket swage tool instead of a better priming tool.

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I use the RCBS hand primer and haven't had any problems priming the Swiss Privi Partizan cases but I've only used Winchester and CCI primers and not Wolf.

Using the Tim Taylor "use more power" method has never worked well for me on anything mechanical.

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It works for me.

If I can't get a primer to seat with the Lee Auto Prime (I check to see if it has military crimp or other problem), then I use the "Tim Tayor" approach and use my single stage/progressive press primer ram to drive the primer into the pocket - works every time and I get to go "Grunt, Grunt"

Besides, I enjoy watching TV/read THR while hand priming.

Walkalong, the Magnum Metal priming tools are still available. I think they are hand-made a few at a time, but not sure. Below is contact to their site. Check out their beautiful rail guns too.

www.benchrest.com/magnummetal

Mikee Loxxer...Sounds like it's time you graduated to the Lee Auto Prime II. A press mounted die that has served me for over 20 years and can still be purchased. Midway USA has them for around $15.00...I have mine mounted in a single stage press, but I do know someone that has it mounted in his turret press...

I suspect that a good portion of the difficulty being experienced by the original poster is due to the components conspiring against him.

Wolf primers being a little large, and Privi brass being a little tight, together would make for an interesting priming experience!

Have a Lee Hand Primer and a RCBS Hand Primer. Like both, both lets you feel when the primer is properly seated.