how many use a hand priming tool.

I always hand prime. That way I can feel better at how the primer is fitting and if its going to be the last loading of the case.

I always resized/deprimed and hand primed my match rounds. This gave me a chance to chamber check for overly bulged cases and allowed me to inspect the primer pockets to see if they needed to be cleaned or not (which you can't do when depriming/bench priming in progressive mode). I also clean the primer pocket and hand prime defensive/near factory JHP practice rounds. For range practice/plinking pistol rounds, I press prime.

I hand prime when I use the single stage press to do load development for new bullets/powders.

For rifle cartridges, I prefer to take it slow as it is my "relaxation" time. I enjoy inspecting each cartridge and hand priming to ensure it is seated below flush around .004".

Welcome to THR, scooter-2.

Yes, always. I drag my finger across the primer when I pull the case out of the priming tool.


NCsmitty

I still use a bench mounted RSBC primer tool.

Not the little one, the one with the long lever.

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/457599/rcbs-automatic-bench-priming-tool

You can feel primers a lot better and is is still plenty fast.

When I first started reloading I did. Used the handy little Lee round version. Now I just prime on the press. I have no problems either way.

Priming by hand does give you that advantage of checking over each piece of brass.

I use a hand primer even with cartridges that I load on a progressive. I have both a Hornady L-N-L and Dillon SDB.

I resize, clean and prep cases shortly after shooting then store them away for a future loading session. Small batches, relatively speaking, do not take much time to process.

When I do a loading session, i hand prime so that I can see the seated primer properly before loading powder and bullet. I can hand prime 100 cases in about the same time as it takes to fill a primer tube.

That said, I am currently setting up an RCBS Pro2000 and plan on using the press mounted APS priming system. I can see the strip index and will, at least, know that a primer is in position for seating. We'll see.

Since I bought the APS hand primer by RCBS I use it and strip loaded primers exclusively.

Hornady LNL, exclusively. I have one set up for small and another for large and just have to swap shellholders.

I like to check the primers when I prime.

Click to expand...

There's not necessarily a good reason why you can't do that on your press. You can batch prime on some presses way better and easier than using any handpriming tool. My handprimer went in the trash a long time ago.

Another HI, to a new member

Yes I like to hand prime as I don't shoot high volume and like to take the time involved in case prep. I do have the Lee turret press with auto index and on press priming system but I like to use a RCBS or Lee hand primers, but due to worsening arthritis will probably have to start using on press more often.

It may be the last thing that prevents me from moving to a progessive setup, or skipping that step in it. I like to hand-prime and touch check every single one.

I have used a RCBS hand primer for years. However I just ordered a progressive press so that will put an end to that in another week or so. I will be uniforming my primer pockets as I frequently have problems getting primers to seat properly even with the hand tool, and I don't want to be monkeying around making multiple seat attempts on a progressive press.

mljdeckard said:

It may be the last thing that prevents me from moving to a progessive setup, or skipping that step in it. I like to hand-prime and touch check every single one.

Click to expand...

I felt the same way for 29 years of single stage reloading and then wanted a new toy to play with.

Just separate the resizing step from the reloading step.

Even with separating the reloading process into two steps, there is less case handling which makes the reloading process quicker and easier on the shoulder.

I resize, clean and prep cases shortly after shooting. A one or two hundred cases goes real fast, I even resize and expand handgun cases on the progressive leaving out the loading dies and powder measure.

i then store the cases away for a future loading session.

When I feel like loading some ammunition, I hand prime then run the cases through on the progressive leaving out the resizing dies.

Yes, my rates are a bit less than someone that loads straight through, but I have fewer jams and stoppages on the press and the process goes slick and smooth when less is going on. I still load more ammunition than I can shoot.

I hand prime all my ammo both handgun and rifle. I even go so far as to use the old time Lee Priming tools using screw in shell holders. Just the way I like to do it.

There are two kinds of priming operations, in-line and batch.

The in-line is what happens on a progressive or turret where at each stroke of the handle a loaded cartridge is completed. An "assembly line" operation where priming is one station on the machine.

Batch is where a quantity of cases are primed at one time and no other operation happens concurrently with the priming. Priming can be done with a hand primer, a bench mounted priming tool or one of several press mounted priming systems.

Which ever batch priming system an individual uses is personnel preference as they all get the job done. There are advantages and disadvantages to each.

While the OP specifically asked about those that hand prime while running a progressive, and that may the information he was looking for. But, he may get a broader response if he asked if folks batched primed off the progressive press and what system they used.

It has been interesting to see the responses so far.

Hornady L-N-L single stage press. I have both small primer and larger primer inserts that can be quickly exchanged without having to unscrew the little cup and spring.

The "feel" of priming on a single stage press is, IMO, as good or usually better than a hand held priming tool. Haven't tried the Sinclair tool, but It might be the one I would use, if I used a hand held priming tool. But $100 bucks is steep, especially if the press works well.
Using auto primer feeders, at least on the Hornady press (I have them) are a waste of time.

I tip out as many primers as I need for the number of cases I am priming, usually in multiples of 10, on a small rubber mat, and load each primer into the press by hand. Nitrile surgical gloves help, both to handle individual primers and to keep oily fingerprints from tarnishing polished cases..

The hand held tools with an attached plate that holds 100 primers are a PITA. And I never cared for using a hand-held primer tool with a primer in the press and pan full of primers next to the one being loaded and both next to my face while I was priming cases.

I use both the Lee LCT and CC and use the Safety prime on both. I had a RCII and bought a LCT for pistol. I liked it so well for the primer catch system and safety prime I sold the RCII and replaced it with the Lee CC. There is nothing wrong with the RCII I just prefer the Lee CC.

Lee hand loader and a Ram Prime. Not the quickest...

Russellc

Me too, Lee hand held primer for all cals.


45 Dragoon

I have a Lee hand primer that came with my kit but I have not used it or the kit yet for that matter.

Joey

Small primer pistol stuff gets primed on the Lee Turret.
Rifle and large pistol gets primed with a Hornady hand priming tool.