Looking for a recommendation for a hand primer

[TomJ]

I use a Hornady progressive and single stage press and am looking for a hand primer. I tried Hoarnady's a couple of years back and it didn't work well for me. I see Lee, RCBS and 21st Century make them. I'm looking for something simple. Any recommendations?

 

[troy fairweather]

Always used lee, one day I hope to try there bench priming tool.

 

[mrawesome22-250]

RCBS Universal.

 

[9mmepiphany]

The Lee Bench Priming Tool is excellent. Great feel, leverage, and speed of operation

 

[santacruzdave]

I've been using the RCBS bench prime tool for around 3 years now. I like how the long lever gives my hands a break. Lots of leverage means less stress on my ageing infrastructure. Feel is great, with the long lever providing plenty of power for those tight primer pockets. Here is a review:

http://panhandleprecision.com/rcbs-automatic-priming-tool-review/

 

[BullRunBear]

I have a pair of the RCBS Universal Hand Priming Tool. One is set up for large primers, the other for small. They have worked perfectly. I always prime by hand for the positive feel. I used the Lee version years ago but don't care for the current version.

Jeff

 

[TomJ]

I looked at the bench primer. I have a bulging disk in my neck and any pushing motion makes it flare up, even if it’s minimal. That doesn’t allow me to use the Hornady presses I have for priming.

 

[Archie]

I have always like Lee products and priming tools. Except. The bench priming tool has a plastic 'action' that is changed for large or small primers. In my experience, the 'action' will allow more than one primer in the mechanism resulting in a jam that cannot be cleared easily. The folding plastic primer magazine (tray) is far more flimsy than the old style of hard plastic and subject to breakage. I was enthusiastic about it when I first got it and am now so disgusted...

I have a Hornady hand held, repeating primer device. I see you were not impressed in the past. This one works well for me, but does require more ceremony to get it running.

 

[frankmako]

been using a lee hand primer since the early 80's. just works.

 

[markr6754]

I don’t see how one can go wrong with the Frankford Arsenal Perfect Seat hand primer. Large and small rams, shell holder included, no tools to change calibers, and total control over primer seating depth. This is a tool I can use in my recliner watching tv for bulk priming sessions. I’ve loaded up to 600 9mm in a session. Need to catch it on sale for about $60.

 

[rskent]

I use a Hornady progressive and single stage press and am looking for a hand primer.

My favorite hand primer is the older RCBS that uses shell holders.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012925290?pid=329291

 

[Steve51]

I use the Lee hand primers. I have two, one for small primers and one for large primers. I have never tried other brands.

 

[edwardware]

I use the RCBS with shell holders. It's very nice, and has their no-attitude warranty.

 

[rwilky78]

I just purchased the Frankfort Arsenal Perfect Seat hand primer. It does an amazing job .

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1016958988?pid=582486

 

[JFrank]

K&M
Is about as good as I’ve come across, built like a tank with good leverage and adjustable depth.
Hard to go wrong especially for the $
J

 

[Walkalong]

The extinct RCBS & Lee hand primers were the best out there for speed and ease of use. I haven't tried the new Lee ones. The new RCBS takes a lot more hand pressure and it hurts my hands after awhile. Same for the RCBS Universal jaw primer strip one.

I have been bandaging my old RCBS, man I wish they made a better one now.

I have been tempted to try a Lee or RCBS bench primer, that might be the ticket.

I have one primer at a time priming covered, but I need a better one for volume, it needs to be easy on the hand and fast. I tried the Frankford Arsenal, and it dented primers with the rod just like my old RCBS does with small primers, so I sent it back, and I rarely send things back that aren't broken.

 

[Legionnaire]

Another K&M fan here. It's what I use when not priming on the press.

 

[Walkalong]

My favorite hand primer is the older RCBS that uses shell holders.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012925290?pid=329291

While that looks the same, they changed a couple of internal things and it doesn't have the leverage of the old one. I bought one and I can't do more than a couple of hundred at a time. With the old one 6 or 7 hundred is no trouble.

But for all you young dudes with strong hands (Like I used to be), it would be great.

 

[whughett]

Before progressive I used, and still do on occasion, a Lee Auto Prime. It’s been replaced with the XR now.
I’d batch load a few hundred rounds in rifle and the priming step was usually done in the evening while watching the news report on tv

 

[funnelcake]

Old Lee hand prime here - when it gets used, still works great.

 

[<*(((><]

I use an RCBS universal but I’m sure they all work great, not like it’s all that complicated. Probably more a function of what fatigues one less.

 

[LiveLife]

Old Lee hand prime here - when it gets used, still works great.

Same here. I love the smooth "feel" of primer seating. I only broke one handle during my lifetime of reloading and bought extra handles before Lee discontinued the Auto Prime.

I also have the Auto Prime XR and while it lacks the "feel" of the old Auto Prime, with the new "unbreakable" handle, I can really apply force to seat primers to .004", and even to .008" below flush.

looking for a hand primer ... something simple.

The new Lee Auto Prime is quite simple to use but you need to buy a set of Auto Prime shell holders

I have been tempted to try a Lee ... bench primer, that might be the ticket.

I already bought the Lee bench primer for mounting on a piece of plywood for when my hand strength gives out.

Any recommendations?

If you haven't, consider using a piece of wood to mount the Lee bench primer for portable use as it is effortless to prime brass compared to hand primer.

 

[AJC1]

I had both the shell holder rcbs and universal at the same time. They feel exactly the same and are both very nice. The shell holder was set up for 45 Acp and my universal was used for everything else. I sold my shell holder version to a friend last week. I will never let go of my rcbs universal.

 

[hdbiker]

I'm still using my old Lee hand priming tool with the screw in shell holders ( early 70's) .I have shell holders for all my rifles and handguns, and see them at gun shows from time to time. hdbiker

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

I use the Lee hand primer for most stuff, but the Lyman when there is no shell holder for the Lee. I tried the RCBS unit, but the design is junk and threw it away.

If you go w/ the Lee, buy extra parts for it as it is made of pot metal.