I searched the archives for this issue and found a thread from 2010. So I'm wondering if anything new out there works well. I have been using the RCBS Universal Hand Priming Tool for the last 5 or so years. Works OK, but is a nuisance to switch from small to large primers and back again. The other grand nuisance is the primer tray has to be held in with a rubber band. Otherwise it falls out rather easily. Last night I primed 250 rounds and had trouble with the last 50 because the Primer Feed finally broke...it's been cracked for months. Calling RCBS to get a replacement placed me on hold until I finally gave up. So...guys, what works?? BTW I reload only rifles....22 Hornet up to .270. I'm not opposed to buying another RCBS if it's the best out there. Suggestions welcome!!
Best Hand Priming Tool?
- Thread starter Sniper66
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markr6754
Member
Following months of primer seating issues and numerous press and hand primer tools, I picked up the Frankford Arsenal Hand Primer tool. It is a complete toolset with included shell holders for nearly everything. Both large and small primer rams, and a very nicely designed primer tray. It is fully adjustable to primer seating depth, with adjustments by .001” via a thumb dial. You can customize primer seating depth based on your own desires.
I picked mine up from Cabelas.com, but had to wait over a month for back orders to clear. It cost me $60, with free shipping.
It is a solid built tool. It looks to be extremely well designed, and quick once set up. I primed over 500 9mm cases in one sitting without hand fatigue. Someone with stronger hands than me could likely prime for hours without issue.
I picked mine up from Cabelas.com, but had to wait over a month for back orders to clear. It cost me $60, with free shipping.
It is a solid built tool. It looks to be extremely well designed, and quick once set up. I primed over 500 9mm cases in one sitting without hand fatigue. Someone with stronger hands than me could likely prime for hours without issue.
Dudedog
Contributing Member
I really liked the old round tray Lee ones, but they are no longer made
The square tray Lees where no where near as good as the round tray one.
The new ones with the triangle trays are ok, better than the square tray ones but not as nice as the older ones.
That is what I am using now. Works ok to well but just not as good as the older one. Needs specail Lee priming tool shell holders.
If you load many calibers it is sometimes cheaper to buy the assortment they make.
I don't own a lot of RCBS equipment but they have always taken care of me when I had an issue.
I would try giving them another call.
I like the looks of the Frankford, was going to order one at one point in time but could not find one available to order.
markr6754 does it use normal shell holders or are they specific to the tool like Lee's?
The square tray Lees where no where near as good as the round tray one.
The new ones with the triangle trays are ok, better than the square tray ones but not as nice as the older ones.
That is what I am using now. Works ok to well but just not as good as the older one. Needs specail Lee priming tool shell holders.
If you load many calibers it is sometimes cheaper to buy the assortment they make.
I don't own a lot of RCBS equipment but they have always taken care of me when I had an issue.
I would try giving them another call.
I like the looks of the Frankford, was going to order one at one point in time but could not find one available to order.
markr6754 does it use normal shell holders or are they specific to the tool like Lee's?
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Hokie_PhD
Member
I have one of the square Lee priming tools. I agree with the above.
It works but it’s not a very well made tool. For the money it’s ok, but I’d strongly suggest spending a little more and getting something nicer.
It works but it’s not a very well made tool. For the money it’s ok, but I’d strongly suggest spending a little more and getting something nicer.
edwardware
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I'm sure you can spend more than an RCBS Hand Prime, but I'm not sure you can buy more.
I prefer the RCBS unit that utilizes shell holders.
I prefer the RCBS unit that utilizes shell holders.
DukeConnor
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i recently switched from the rcbs to the Sinclair. I feel it is a huge improvement. well designed and engineered
thomas15
Member
Personally I really do not care for hand primers. If I were using them though I would get at least two of them one for small primers the other for large.
YBOT
Member
Not to step on markr6754 response but thought I would add my support for the Frankfort as I have one and think it’s a good unit and have had no issues with it. As to the shell holders It comes with 12 shellholders which cover 652 calibers if I’ve got that correct. Anyway, find it a good priming tool and enjoy using it.
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TheDomFather
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If you are open to something different I have tried both the Lee bench priming tool as well as the RCBS bench priming tool. The RCBS works the best and it is what I have stuck with since. Only pain point is loading primer tubes. The lee has a tray like the RCBS hand priming tool but it is completely unreliable for LG primers and will occasionally flip a SM primer as well.
Here is my review of both. at the time I had a good opinion of the Lee but as time went on I very much prefer the RCBS:
Hope this is helpful,
Dom
Livin_Cincy
Member
I looked at RCBS, Hornady, Lee, & Lyman. The FA was not available when I looked.
I went to Cabalas and held each one as feel is not a mechanical design. The Lyman felt best in my hand.
I could not hold a Lee Ergo Prime. They only had the basic model.
The Lyman uses a press shell holder. Which if you use a single stage or turret is fine. If you use a progressive press with a shell plate you may not own them. For me this was a bonus over LEE's primer only shell holders that are required.
The FA is a really nice unit from all reviews. The adjustable primer depth is interesting. They are the only primer tool that does this. I am not sure how many people adjust it after they set it up.
I went to Cabalas and held each one as feel is not a mechanical design. The Lyman felt best in my hand.
I could not hold a Lee Ergo Prime. They only had the basic model.
The Lyman uses a press shell holder. Which if you use a single stage or turret is fine. If you use a progressive press with a shell plate you may not own them. For me this was a bonus over LEE's primer only shell holders that are required.
The FA is a really nice unit from all reviews. The adjustable primer depth is interesting. They are the only primer tool that does this. I am not sure how many people adjust it after they set it up.
markr6754
Member
Dudedog, they are specific to the tool. The tool ships with 12 shell holders. These cover just about anything you want to load. They look like standard shell holders with the base cut off. They cannot be used with any other tool.
Jim Watson
Member
I am on my second "round Lee" and am sorry they "improved" the product.
It will take me a while to wear this one out as my main loading these days is pistol ammo on a Dillon "once through."
I wish I could get shellholders for my old W.H. English Pak-Tool.
It will take me a while to wear this one out as my main loading these days is pistol ammo on a Dillon "once through."
I wish I could get shellholders for my old W.H. English Pak-Tool.
Update: Just got off the phone and RCBS is sending a replacement Primer Feed, no questions asked. Love RCBS. Think I'm going to buy another one so I don't have to switch the feed and primer plug when switching to large/small cartridges.
Whiterook808
Member
I have the Lee Ergo Prime. It is a well made tool, but I am on my second small primer adapter and it still jams up on me. It works fine with large primers, though. I did call Lee and they did send me that second small adapter, which at least works but jams. The first one wouldn't feed at all. They seriously need to re-think materials or QA on those parts. I just bought a second Ergo for cheap on fleebay. What do you know the small primer adapter was broken. I use the RCBS bench primer for small primers and large batches and I second DomFathers recommendation on that. I still use the Ergo for smaller batches of large primers.
Livin_Cincy
Member
Another option is to buy a Lee Classic Cast Single Stage, the Safety Prime, and a paperclip case ejector on the primer arm to eject the rounds.
Shanghai McCoy
Member
I've been thinking about a spare/upgrade myself. That FA version looks pretty good and I like the fact that shell holders are included.
TheDomFather
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Ive heard good reviews on the FA tool as well.
Shanghai McCoy
Member
FYI Midway has them in stock.
Hokie_PhD
Member
is there a video of this setup somewhere?
LiveLife
Member
Same sentiment here. The old discontinued Lee Auto Prime gave excellent "feel" and wish Lee Precision would simply bring back the old hand primer (perhaps with updated handle shape with a stronger/steel handle).
I was able to easily seat primers to .004" (my desired seating depth) and even to crush depth of .008"(Got the Lee bench primer for my retirement years when I get tired of priming by hand and so far, happy with it).
Dudedog
Contributing Member
I know it come with shell holders but that makes me wonder if they are the same as the ones the Lee hand prime tools use.
That's what the Les look like, a normal shell holder minus then base that snaps into the press.
If Midway has them I might take a look at them again, but I just bought another Lee on sale a while back to have as a spare. One for large and one for small and a spare.
What is involved to change the Frankford from large to small primers?
Quick and easy?
The Lees are qucik and easy to convert, just swap the whole tray assembly.
.
Ks5shooter
Contributing Member
Have the universal good for low volume rifle loading. The shellholder version is great for high volume pistol priming.
Kevin Rohrer
Member
Even though it is made out of pot metal, I really like my Lee hand primer. The RCBS unit is JUNK, and while the Lyman unit is ok, other manufacturers shell holders create a bit of slop when using them.
snuffy
Member
It looks to me that the FA tool uses the lee priming tool shell holders. Not surprising as so does the best, (in my experience), hand primer the K&M hand primer.( https://www.midwayusa.com/product/403299/k-and-m-primer-deluxe-hand-priming-tool ) It's straight up manual all the way including picking each primer up by hand, placing it on top of the punch/ram. But , it has adjustment of primer seating depth simply by how far the head is screwed onto the body. This is for benchresters or other long range precision loading.
As for the FA auto primer, I had to go to youtube to see one in operation. The pics on the Midway website were just not clear enough to show how the primer gets from the tray to on top of the ram/punch. The video's on yuck tube are numerous, just search "FA auto primer" then take your pick.
It looks like a winner, but 60 bucks is a lot of money for this POOOOOR retiree with a few pensions and sociable insecurity.
As for the FA auto primer, I had to go to youtube to see one in operation. The pics on the Midway website were just not clear enough to show how the primer gets from the tray to on top of the ram/punch. The video's on yuck tube are numerous, just search "FA auto primer" then take your pick.
It looks like a winner, but 60 bucks is a lot of money for this POOOOOR retiree with a few pensions and sociable insecurity.
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