New RCBS Bench Mounted Priming Tool System

[mikemyers]

Having read Blarby's recent thread about the primers exploding in his Dillon, I'm even more concerned than I was before, and that was already plenty.

In the 1980's, I used to use a small primer inserting tool, doing one primer at a time as I recall. I had, but didn't use, the RCBS primer machine that uses a long tube to automatically drop one primer at a time in place.

I know that a huge number of people use tube type primer insertion, with no problems whatever. In my mind, and especially now after reading Blarby's thread, I see tubes loaded with primers as a pipe bomb ready to go off.

I've never had a primer go off before, and anything I can do to prevent it seems like a good idea to me, short of not reloading at all.

I started looking around for alternatives to load primers, and found this from RCBS:

http://shop.rcbs.com/Products/Priming.aspx

Here's a video of the kit in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geHLJiX9OjY

I'm not posting this here, asking for advice. I'm just posting it for people to see, who might not know this device even exists. I didn't, until today. As for me, especially after watching the whole video, I can't see any reason to do things the old way. I've already placed an order for most of this from Midway (better pricing than what's shown on the RCBS site), but the Primer Strips are coming from Brownells.

 

[Twiki357]

Maybe it’s just me, but it looks like a solution looking for a problem.

 

[rcmodel]

Myself?

If I don't want to blow myself up with primer tubes?

I don't use a federal primers.

They are known to be more sensitive then any other brand.

I use an RCBS hand priming tool I have used for 30+ years.

I don't use federal primers.

And I can prime 200 cases in less time then it used to take to fill 4 primer tubes and prime 200 rounds with them.

I imagine I could do the same against filling ASP primer strips first before I could use them.

rc

 

[cfullgraf]

I have been dabbling with the RCBS APS primer system over the past couple years. I feel more comfortable with it than the tube systems. If fact, the tube systems have been stripped off my Hornady L-N-L and Dillon SDB presses and I prime off the press when using those presses. Exploding primers is not the only reason, but one of them.

I really prefer to clean the cases between resizing and loading so I have the option with no loss in productivity of using the press mounted priming tool or some off press tool like a hand tool or a bench mounted tool.

The RCBS Pro2000 with the APS priming system is the only press that I have that I will prime on the press. But, with my process on progressives, it really is not gain me anything and I am probably going to return to priming off the press even when using the Pro2000.

Like rcmodel, I can prime 100 cases with a hand priming tool faster than filling a primer tube. So, given the way I use progressive presses, it is faster for me to not use the press mounted priming systems.

But, as my hands age, I cannot prime 500 or 1000 cases at one time any more so I have begun looking at bench mounted priming tools. Enter the RCBS APS system.

I can still prime 100 cases faster than filling the APS primer strips and I can fill 100 primers worth of APS stripes (4 strips, 25 primers/strip) faster than filling a 100 primer priming tube. One advantage to the APS strips is they can be purchased pre-loaded, albeit at premium and limited to CCI primers.

Unfortunately, RCBS has seen fit to offer their new ProChucker presses with only a tube style priming system. This can only mean the APS strip system will eventually be discontinued. There are a few folks on the forum that feel this is a great leap backwards.

At least the strips are reusable, so be prepared.

 

[Magnum Shooter]

I have been using the press mounted unit for about two years now. Been happy with it . Haven’t seen it available for sale anywhere for quite some time now. It may already be discontinued?

 

[Gravedigger56]

After mounting my new RCBS turret press, it was only took a couple of days before I yanked the tube feeder off and put it in permanent storage. I prefer the hand feeder for consistent results, speed and safety.

 

[PhilMc]

Have been concerned for some time about using primer tubes. I have an LNL AP that I don't use the primer system on the press. Faster for me to primer off press then load the rounds on the press.

Been using the older RCBS bench primer system with the tubes. Works pretty well with only minor problems.

Question I have for you guys is: What have you been doing to get the last primer from the pickup plastic nipple into the tube?

Have been leaving that primer in the tube for my next reloading of that tube. Don't like pushing the business end of a primer!

 

[joem1945]

I have one of those but don't use it, (pain in the butt). I also use the RCBS bench top primer tool. I load the tubes until there is no more room, then use a small bamboo stick to push the primers off the little plastic pick up head. Never had a problem in over 20 yrs.

 

[mikemyers]

RCBS offers a new hand priming tool as well:

http://shop.rcbs.com/Products/Priming/Tools/APS-174;-Hand-Priming-Tool.aspx

 

[cfullgraf]

I have been using the press mounted unit for about two years now. Been happy with it . Haven’t seen it available for sale anywhere for quite some time now. It may already be discontinued?

Except for the Pro2000, which RCBS has said is going away, the rest of the APS stuff is still in the RCBS catalog.

There is some discussion on the APS priming system in the thread on the new ProChucker. Here is the thread.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=771686&highlight=prochucker

It does not take a rocket scientist to figure if the flagship press in the RCBS line does not use the APS priming system, the APS system will eventually go away. How fast is the $64,000 question and only the bean counters at RCBS know.

RCBS offers a new hand priming tool as well:

New is a relative thing. The APS hand priming tool has been on the market for at least 3-4 years. I have had one that long.

Loading the strips takes longer than shaking a tray. Buying pre-loaded strips is faster than shaking a tray.

 

[mikemyers]

.......New is a relative thing. The APS hand priming tool has been on the market for at least 3-4 years. I have had one that long......

Curious do you have, and use, the one I posted up above, or the other one:

 

[2011redrider]

Rcbs aps

They are on sale at Bullets.com. Best prices I have seen, 79 for the bench model and 40 for the hand model. They are clearing out all of their RCBS stuff.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=776084

Just bought both and some strips for 3.88. Great service and shipped to me in two days. They also have the loader for the strips for 26 I think.

 

[mikemyers]

Prices look great - is the place for real? They have SO many things on close-out... are they going out of business?


Edit - Update - I checked them out, and I guess they are legit, and people who know about them think it's a good place to buy:
http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/reloading/135039-bullets-com.html


Gee, I could have saved some money over buying from Midway, if I knew this earlier!

 

[2011redrider]

It was the first time I have ordered from them. Saw a post Re: the sale on RCBS stuff on Calguns forum. I would definitely order from them again. The hand press feels alot better than the lee I have. Its built like a tank by comparison.

 

[hanno]

Thanks for the link. I ordered the APS Hand Primer, the sorter tray and some strips. Will see how this APS system works and maybe later the bench priming tool.

 

[2011redrider]

You will need the strip loader too. They still seem to have them in stock.
http://www.bullets.com/products/APS-Strip-Loader/BL3213

 

[cfullgraf]

Curious do you have, and use, the one I posted up above, or the other one:

I have the RCBS APS hand priming tool with the universal shell holder as posted previously. Actually two, I keep one set up for small primers and the other set up for large primers. Having two priming tools also provides me with spare parts to keep me going until I can call RCBS.

I do not have the tool with the tray that uses shell holders that is pictured here.

 

[hanno]

You will need the strip loader too.

Thanks, already ordered. That's what I referred to as the sorter tray.

 

[jmorris]

I have the round feeder version of the RCBS had primer, works well but I have also used tube fed machines for more than 30 years with just about every brand of primer that exists at one time or another and have yet to light one off (as I knock on wood).

If it doesn't feel right stop, don't try and force things.

 

[moxie]

Oh, man, I didn't know until now I was supposed to be worried or concerned about primers! You OCD guys are raining on my hobby. I thought I was supposed to worry about the Lemishine, or not. Now this.

Here I am blissfully priming away with my Lee Autoprimes, using CCI, Winchester, Remington, and the dreaded Federal (or is it Winchester?). Pistols, revolvers, and rifles. When I pull the trigger they always go bang. (And I don't clean the pockets either, ashamed to say.) Otherwise they don't.

What am I doing wrong?

(I do have the RCBS hand tool with the round tray but find the Lee much better, surprisingly.)

I subscribe to KISS and Occam's Razor. As a former munitions guy, with combat EOD under my belt, simplicity has always been my mantra. Is my worldview now misguided?

 

[ElevenBravo]

Curious do you have, and use, the one I posted up above, or the other one:

I have that primer tool and a different one that RCBS sells. I don't particularly like the one pictured as I keep fearing that I'll end up crushing the primer. I've also screwed up a few loads becasue I've accidentally inserted the pusher rod upside down, and it's severely deformed a couple of primers.

The other tool pops them into place, which I prefer.

 

[kerreckt]

APS bench mount works great. I use it for my large caliber (>5.56mm) priming. I use mine in an old LEE challenger press. Loading strips takes a bit of getting used to but all in all....I like it. Again, I do not and never have used Federal primers. The guy I learned from (35+/- years ago) warned me off. I trusted his advice mostly because he had all appendages intact complete with both eyes. Proof enough for me.

 

[GW Staar]

Myself?

If I don't want to blow myself up with primer tubes?

I don't use a federal primers.

They are known to be more sensitive then any other brand.

One thread about DDs (dillon detonations) on Brian Enos, that I read last week, says that a poll taken there suggested that 57.5% of the reported DDs were Federal blowups vs 42.5% Winchesters. I have no idea how accurate that is, but evidently Federal isn't the only source.

And I can prime 200 cases in less time then it used to take to fill 4 primer tubes and prime 200 rounds with them.

I imagine I could do the same against filling ASP primer strips first before I could use them. rc

I don't doubt that. The game changer (if you can be happy using CCI's) is with preloaded strips. The price difference is miniscule to me, seeing that I have 1000's of primers stored safely in strips ready to load. I don't have to load them into tubes or trays.....just prime away safely.....no sideways or upside down primers.

The only things that could still cause a problem is military crimps, small primer pockets on .45 ACP brass, or undeprimed brass. Murphy's to be sure but less scary ones than a full tube detonation.

As for using the RCBS Strip Loader, the way to not slow down loading sessions is to load strips at other times. You can safely load strips in double task mode. I have done a lot during Dancing with the Stars, my dear wife's favorite event on TV, or the ugh, Olympic ice dancing...you get the picture. Together time is important to us, and she doesn't mind me loading strips while I watch, and she likes the company.

The part I like, is being able to store not only 1000s of factory boxed preloaded strips, but 1000s of my own loaded strips.....yup, plenty of Winchester. That's definitely something you can't do with tubes.....well you can, but it would be insanely dangerous to store pipe bombs.

According to the owner of this hand, he was moving a tube to his 550:

 

[mikemyers]

"preloaded strips"..... Can any of you recommend a good source to buy them that way?

 

[2011redrider]

Aps Primer Strips

"preloaded strips"..... Can any of you recommend a good source to buy them that way?

Seen them listed at Powder Valley, Recobs, Grafs, wideners,just 5-7 bucks more per 1000 box.
I've got plenty of strips now from Bullets.com clearance sale, and its really quick to load them with the RCBS loader. Can load 200 in no time.