Hand Priming
- Thread starter viking499
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Yes, it is better.
I stopped using the on-press priming system on my Rock-Chucker about 1970 something.
I prime everything with an RCBS hand primeing tool.
* It gives you much better feel to tell if the primer is fully seated.
* It makes it possible to tell if you failed to get all the crimp out of GI cases.
* Crushed or partially seated primers are a thing of the past.
* It is faster to dump a box of primers in the feed tray then filling the tubes for the press prime system.
* If you don't fill the tubes, then you handle every primer by hand, which increases the chance of oil contaminating the primers, and takes way more time.
* I can do it at the kitchen table in the evening while watching TV or listening to the wife bitch at me.
In short it's a better faster way to do it.
rc
I stopped using the on-press priming system on my Rock-Chucker about 1970 something.
I prime everything with an RCBS hand primeing tool.
* It gives you much better feel to tell if the primer is fully seated.
* It makes it possible to tell if you failed to get all the crimp out of GI cases.
* Crushed or partially seated primers are a thing of the past.
* It is faster to dump a box of primers in the feed tray then filling the tubes for the press prime system.
* If you don't fill the tubes, then you handle every primer by hand, which increases the chance of oil contaminating the primers, and takes way more time.
* I can do it at the kitchen table in the evening while watching TV or listening to the wife bitch at me.
In short it's a better faster way to do it.
rc
jamesicus
Member
+1 with rcmodel and Walkalong
Jbmoney21
Member
I love it, I use a Lee hand priming tool. I will never go back to priming with a press
243winxb
Member
RCBS FL Dies- 1979 Compared to New 2010 Dies- 223 Rem.
Priming on a Rock Chucker is faster/easier/as good.
But i just run into a NEW problem. 
RCBS FL 2010 die will not let you seat a new primer after flrsing & decapping, without running the case mouth into the expander partway. The 1979 die set has the old style expander/decapper, that sits lower in the die, i can speed load with the old 1979 set. Flrs, decap, seat new prime, fast. (you have to know that brass does not need trimming) No, i dont need to clean the pocket. 
Priming on a Rock Chucker is faster/easier/as good.
But i just run into a NEW problem. RCBS FL 2010 die will not let you seat a new primer after flrsing & decapping, without running the case mouth into the expander partway. The 1979 die set has the old style expander/decapper, that sits lower in the die, i can speed load with the old 1979 set. Flrs, decap, seat new prime, fast. (you have to know that brass does not need trimming) No, i dont need to clean the pocket. 
dagger dog
Member
The Lee hand primer is operated with your thumb, that is one digit compared to four which is what it takes to use the RCBS,Hornady, and others.
The less fingers you have on the primer seating tool= better feed back as to the force it takes to bottom out the primer.
The less fingers you have on the primer seating tool= better feed back as to the force it takes to bottom out the primer.
oneounceload
member
And I'll disagree with RC and the other hand-primers - I have been reloading the same amount of years and have always used my little RCBS Jr. press with the tubes loading everything from 32 ACP to 7 mag with no issues all these years - works just fine and always has.
I'll agree hand priming is better, but for me priming on the press is faster. I don't use the pickup tube, I simply drop the primers on the bench to the left of the press and put them in the seater while the press is going up to deprime/resize, then they seat on the down stroke. Leverage is against you, so you can't crush them, and with a smooth press, feel is pretty good.
Avoids a separate step of hand priming or chasing them with the pick up tube.
Avoids a separate step of hand priming or chasing them with the pick up tube.
BigJakeJ1s
Member
I didn't get much "feel" from my autoprime after a couple hundred rounds or so; my thumb was numb. I prefer the models with the full hand grip. The RCBS Universal hand primer has a large square tray that the whole factory sleeve will lay flat in. And it does not need shell holders. Works well with my Co-Ax press, which does not need them either.
Andy
Andy
Hand priming is the way to go. I use the RCBS tool. It's awsome. And by the way, when rcmodel and walkalong say the same thing in consecutive posts, it automatically becomes gospel.
PS: I've had a mental image of rcmodel in my head for years now. He was an older guy (late 50's) with his glasses slightly low on his nose... very laid back and paternal. His words in that last post, "listening to the wife bitch at me," completely changed my mental image.
PS: I've had a mental image of rcmodel in my head for years now. He was an older guy (late 50's) with his glasses slightly low on his nose... very laid back and paternal. His words in that last post, "listening to the wife bitch at me," completely changed my mental image.
James2
Member
I have primed on the press and with the RCBS hand primer. Much prefer the hand primer. Good reasons already mentioned.
Hondo 60
Member
I hear some say hand priming is better. I don't get it.
I've done it by hand with the Lee hand primer & find that doing it on my press is much faster & much easier.
And high primers are a thing of the past for me.
I've done it by hand with the Lee hand primer & find that doing it on my press is much faster & much easier.
And high primers are a thing of the past for me.
ole farmerbuck
Member
I have a Hornady and RCBS (prefer the Hornady) hand primers but now that i have the LNL's priming perfectly, i use them for feeding the AR's.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I use the Lee Safety Primer on my turret press when loading handgun rounds. I use a RCBS hand primer for all my rifle reloads. I was using a Lee hand primer but it's small lever hurt my hand after a shot time loading. The RCBS has a much larger lever.
qajaq59
Member
Viking, sorry if this hijacks your thread. But since we're taliking about them maybe someone can help.
I've often thought about using one of the hand primers, but I have arthritis in my thumb. I keep putting off buying one because I'm not sure if I could use it. How hard are they on your thumb when you're priming?
And I shoot mainly rifles if that makes a difference.
I've often thought about using one of the hand primers, but I have arthritis in my thumb. I keep putting off buying one because I'm not sure if I could use it. How hard are they on your thumb when you're priming?
And I shoot mainly rifles if that makes a difference.
Tom609
Member
I actually use a thumb-over-thumb grip which makes it easier and gives a better feel. Rifle doesn't seem to be any harder.
Victor1Echo
Member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2009
- Messages
- 424
I like to hand prime cause it is how I started. I like to reload in two day periods. First day, clean brass, resize, and prime. The next day I load powder and seat the bullet. I have a few presses, but I love to use the Lee Loader.
Taurus 617 CCW
Member
I hand prime all cartridges. I like being able to feel the seating depth and having control over the process.
earlthegoat2
Member
I use the Lee Classic Loader the majority of the time for my low volume and non match grade "good enough" ammo.
I never prime on it though. I have an RCBS hand primer for that chore and I use it for at least some of the reasons rcmodel uses it above.
There is nothing wrong with using the press to prime. I just think it takes too long and you cannot get a proper feel on the seating.
I never prime on it though. I have an RCBS hand primer for that chore and I use it for at least some of the reasons rcmodel uses it above.
There is nothing wrong with using the press to prime. I just think it takes too long and you cannot get a proper feel on the seating.
I have been reloading for 30+ years and have used lee wackadie,lee ram prime. lee auto prime and the tube system for the rockchucker. I also have the sinclair hand priming tool. All of these systems work just fine it just depends on the person using it and your needs. Personally for volume I use the auto prime. It is fast and easy with good feel. For my precision loads i use the sinclair tool. Try out the other tools and make up your own mind.Only you know what is best for you. Good luck and good shooting.
Palehorseman
Member
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2009
- Messages
- 736
I really like the Lee hand primer, but when loading lots of ammo, I love my Dillon's.
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