Okay, RCBS APS true believers, I’m waiting to be converted

[hanno]

There seem to be some folks here who really like the APS system (I noticed the comments in the thread regarding the new RCBS Progressive Presses).

Currently, I use RCBS hand primers and the bench priming tool. No real complaints but the APS system seems to make more sense (I don’t like filling the tubes and the APS ystem seems like a safer way to go).

No desire to buy CCI APS primers as I already have many regular bricks. So, the question then becomes how well does the RCBS APS Strip Loader work? Any problems with it?

Any pros or cons to choosing between the RCBS APS Hand Priming Tool versus the
RCBS APS Bench Priming Tool?

I really am interested in learning, please help me out.

Go for it or is this just an apple and oranges thing?

Thanks,
hanno

 

[VThillman]

I just started using the APS hand primer. It's pretty slick. Played with it with an empty strip for awhile, to get in the swing of it.

The strip loader works. After a 'dry run', I loaded 4 strips without screwing up. It requires a certain amount of 'feel', so experience will improve the process. Loading strips looks like a separate operation from the rest of reloading, sort of a "I'm going to do this for awhile" thing.

 

[TexasDon]

If I may add a comment.
I also use the rcbs hand primer and the bench primer with tubes.
The way I see it is your going to spend time either filling tubes or the strips if you don't buy them filled.

I don't mind the hunt & peck system of filling the tubes, you could also get one of the vibrating tube fillers on the market but I have read comments both ways on them too.
I have extra tubes I fill with primers that helps some from stopping so much to fill tubes while loading.

I'd be interested in seeing what others that have used both priming systems say.

TxD

 

[johnc486]

I have the RCBS Pro 2000 auto index with the APS priming system but use my Redding T-7 turret press to resize, deprime and prime my brass. The T-7 has the tube system which I like better than the APS system, better feel and I check each pc of brass for proper seating of primer. With this said, I can't say the APS system is a better system (no help in your decision).

 

[higgite]

Chevy/Ford
Coke/Pepsi
Thighs/Breasts (chicken, I'm talking chicken!)
scrambled/fried
thin crust/thick crust
APS strips/primer tubes

You pretty much have to make up your own mind.

I'm a Chevy, Coke, Thighs, scrambled, thick crust, APS strips kind of guy, myself. ymmv

 

[cfullgraf]

I have a Pro2000 and the RCBS APS bench priming tool.

The Pro2000 is the only progressive press that I will prime on the press. I have a Hornady L-N-L and Dillon SDB progressives and the priming systems are not reliable enough FOR ME since you cannot inspect the primer after inserting it. With the APS primer system, you can see the strip index so that you know, at least, a new primer is in position.

If you are happy with the tube style priming systems, then great.

Since I prefer to clean my cases after resizing, hand priming off the press is not an issue for me. With the Pro2000, I am seeing if my work load goes down by priming on the press.

I load strips for the bench priming tool and the Pro2000. It takes me about the same time as "hunt and pecking" loading of priming tubes on other presses. I put 50 primers at a time in the strip loading tool and things seem to go smoother than starting with 100 primers. But you'd have to experiment for your self.

I know RCBS recommends using a particular color strip with a particular type of primer. Since I load strips just before using them and I label the primer type on the cover tape, I find that is less necessary to follow the strip color convention. I have found alternating the color of the strips in the priming tool is handy for telling when one strip starts and one strips ends. I am still experimenting with this.

Do not use this method if you do not adequately identify what primer is installed in the strip.

One nice advantage of the APS system is you can see how many primers are left at all times. A disadvantage is there are only 25 primers per strip and it is easy to not attach the next strip soon enough.

 

[VThillman]

I neglected to mention that I had been using the Hornady hand primer tool. The APS is a big improvement over that. I am philosophically opposed to priming on the press, mostly because of 'feel', but partly because I prefer each stage of the reloading process to be separate. I'm a geezer, and am wary of my tendency to lose focus; my days of successful multitasking are way in the past.

[My female friends all say that men can't multitask anyway; seems to me that I could - one upon a time.]

 

[codefour]

I have a auto-index Pro 2000. It is my favorite progressive press. I like the APS system. Buying them preloaded is the way to go. Yet, I also have thousands of boxes of standard non strip loaded primers. The RCBS strip loading tool is actually just as fast, or faster then pecking 100 hundred primers into a tube.

I have placed 200 primers into the strip loader tray. It takes a bit of trial and error but you will get a feel for using the tool.

After I have all the primers anvil side down, I place the clear lid on the tray. I load an empty strip. It helps to keel s mall rod or dowel near by to align the strip holes with the plungers. I then tilt the loader forward and shake side to side. I look to see that all 25 primer holes are filled. I then press down on the lever and the strip is loaded. I press the lever firmly. They will all flatten out fine. I use an empty strip to push the loaded strip out and push the new strip in.

Apparently, RCBS and ATK may be discontinuing the APS strips.

 

[Elkins45]

Apparently, RCBS and ATK may be discontinuing the APS strips.

Where did you hear this from? That wound't be good news because I just bought an APS priming tool.

 

[Potatohead]

I like the hand primer. Can sit and prime while Im watching the old ladys boring home renovation TV shows with her. Much easier to tolerate that way!

 

[cfullgraf]

I

Apparently, RCBS and ATK may be discontinuing the APS strips.

I believe this is conjecture on the part of folks, including myself and I am heavily invested in APS priming system.

Since the new ProChucker presses have the old style tube priming systems, it seems that RCBS may be moving away from the APS system.

I have heard that the APS priming stuff is still in the 2015 RCBS catalog so that is a good thing but if RCBS discontinues the Pro2000 and the priming tools, the strips and pre-loaded primers in strips may not be to far behind.

Time frame, only the RCBS accountants know for sure.

 

[fguffey]

Richard Lee's book on modern reloading has some good reading. Richard Lee was aware of the strip loader when he wrote the book, he thought it would be the greatest primer handler ever. Then he predicted it would only benefit RCBS because RCBS would not share the design with other manufacturers.

One day I started out to bust a primer, three hours later I succeeded, it was not easy. Back to Richard Lee's book, (first) he claimed Federal primers were dangerous, then (later in the book) he claimed he did not test Federal primers because Federal did not donate primers to be tested with his equipment.

Richard Lee's book on modern reloading has some good reading.

F. Guffey

 

[cfullgraf]

Then he (Richard Lee) predicted it would only benefit RCBS because RCBS would not share the design with other manufacturers.

That kind of attitude from manufacturers has killed more good ideas than Carter has liver pills.

 

[jell-dog]

I like the APS hand primer, Potatohead talked me into it

It has a "universal" shell holder, no more changing shell holder for different caliber, just change primer seating rod for large/small primers, I don't load anything (yet) with large primers, so NO change needed for me

Also, I like the ease of priming a short ladder of test cartridges without the hassle of loading a few primers into the tray of my old RCBS hand primer, putting the shell holder on then priming 10-20 cases.

With APS, grab the hand primer, slip in a loaded strip, prim the number of cases you need, pull the strip out with the remaining primers, store and you're done.

Mess up 1 case? No problem, and quick!

So, yes, I have and use and like my APS hand primer unit.
No, I'm not getting rid of my old RCBS hand primer.

I also took advantage of some good sales on primers, so I'll just stock up on strips, I've got a strip loader and once I got the hang of it, I can fill 40 strips (1000 primers) in about 45 minutes.

I can see why rumors are going around about RCBS and ATK may be discontinuing the APS strips.

They wouldn't share the technology (patents) with other reloader manufacturers, along with primer manufacturers, so naturally fanboys of other brands won't buy them (and I don't blame them!), so it becomes a one brand tool with a one brand primer available already in strips (CCI).

Unless you load your own strips

JD

 

[Elkins45]

Midway had a crazy cheap sale on small rifle primers in APS strips so I bought two cases just for the primers. I then found an RCBS bench priming tool and strip loader for cheap on eBay. If the hand APS primer ever goes on sale again I will get one of those too. The bench tool doesn't have the sensitive feel of a hand tool, but your thumb doesn't get tired.

If they discontinue them all I will need to do is buy a case of large rifle so I can have a good supply of strips and I will be all set.

 

[jell-dog]

RCBS APS bench mounted/press mounted tool TECH TIP!!

TECH TIP:

I just recieved my RCBS BENCH MOUNTED primer tool.
Set it up as institutions stated, step by step, adjusted primer depth to consistently get .002"/.003" below flush.

Primed about 76 pieces 380 brass and it jammed.:banghead:

Broke small primer bushing and slightly bent small primer rod getting the brass and shell holder off (using my caveman/gorilla approach) to see what was happening

I should have removed the 4 screws that hold the housing on the top, (using the reloader/thinking man's approach) I would not have broken the small bushing or slightly bent the rod, but hind sight is always 20/20

Called RCBS tech line, explaining my problem, (in a calm tone as I have ALWAYS had great service from techs at RCBS) the fix is "when using small primer bushing to seat small primers, place small primer bushing into large primer bushing then into bottom of correct shell holder. This will better align small primer seating rod in shell holder, reducing or eliminating the possibility of primer seating rod to bind up"
This information is not in the included instructions, but he mentioned this is a known problem and the instructions will be updated.

Tech is sending out 1/2 dozen small and large bushings along with small primer rods. No charge, I'm happy with that!

So, I straightened the rod, (as best I could) put it all back together as tech instructed, finished priming another 200 pieces of 380 brass, NO PROBLEMS

I am now realy happy with this tool, I've had carpal tunnel surgery, and some days I'm lucky to be able to prime 75-100 cases before I'm done FOR THE DAY!

JD

 

[cfullgraf]

Called RCBS tech line, explaining my problem, (in a calm tone as I have ALWAYS had great service from techs at RCBS) the fix is "when using small primer bushing to seat small primers, place small primer bushing into large primer bushing then into bottom of correct shell holder. This will better align small primer seating rod in shell holder, reducing or eliminating the possibility of primer seating rod to bind up"
This information is not in the included instructions, but he mentioned this is a known problem and the instructions will be updated.

I learned about nesting the small and large primer bushings about the same way. The bench APS primer works much better with the bushings nested.

 

[edfardos]

You guys are using the strip loader tray/tool right?

APS just works ... On my pro2000. That's all I know and can't compare it to tubes. Don't hlaf cycle the press, that's the only gotcha iirc.

 

[jell-dog]

You guys are using the strip loader tray/tool right?

APS just works ... On my pro2000. That's all I know and can't compare it to tubes. Don't hlaf cycle the press, that's the only gotcha iirc.

Yes, I am using RCBS strip loader, that way I can pre-load strips with any primer I want to use besides CCI.
However, if I ever see CCI pre-loaded APS strip primers on sale, I'll buy them.
They only cost about $5-$7 more per 1000 than non-APS primers, but to buy strips for 1000 primers costs about $28 (just for the empty strips for 1000 primers!)
Go figure!
JD

 

[stubbicatt]

I use the APS hand priming tool.

1. I like the shell holder that works for any case I choose to load.

2. I've never had a flipped primer, which I have experienced with almost every other system I have tried.

I think it is a little more fatiguing to use than the Lee tool I bought in the 80s, but after I get the hang of it, the "feel" is almost as good.

YMMV.

 

[cfullgraf]

You guys are using the strip loader tray/tool right?

I use the strip loader. It is necessary if you use non-CCI primers. I like Remington 7-1/2 primers in 17 Rem and 204 Ruger.

What works for me is I put 50 primers at a time in the loader tray. If I put a full 100 from the primer package, the first two strips take a bit more time load as there are so many primers in the way.

 

[GW Staar]

Yes, I am using RCBS strip loader, that way I can pre-load strips with any primer I want to use besides CCI.
However, if I ever see CCI pre-loaded APS strip primers on sale, I'll buy them.
They only cost about $5-$7 more per 1000 than non-APS primers, but to buy strips for 1000 primers costs about $28 (just for the empty strips for 1000 primers!)
Go figure!
JD

Grafs has APS small pistol primers (5000) on sale at the moment.

 

[jell-dog]

Grafs has APS small pistol primers (5000) on sale at the moment.

Thanks for the heads-up GW Staar!!

 

[joem1945]

I have both the strip primer device and the bench primer tool. The strip primer tool is a PITA so I don't use it anymore. If you make a primer tube holder to keep the tubes upright you can load as many tubes as you have and prime away.

 

[jell-dog]

Rcbs aps strip reloader modifications

I had trouble with the strip reloader until I found this mod:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/3..._APS_Strip_Loader__Video_Demo_at_the_End.html

This mod makes sure the primers are fully seated into the strip.
I tried the second part of this mod and found it not worth the time, the plastic is to thin in the area that you attach the #2 mod and I stripped out the screws and broke off the feed ramp.
After I epoxied the pieces back together, I found with a little practice you can easily advance the APS strip without #2 mod.
I DO NOT RECOMMEND THE PART #2 MOD, the area is to thin to take the stress!!

I used a .25" piece of aluminum as the bottom support under the exit ramp (#1mod) and epoxied/screwed it into place.



The rest of the mod I did following the authors instructions.

Also, when loading primers onto the APS STRIP LOADER TOOL, I gentley push them forward with a buisness card untill they almost drop into the strip.
Then I place the clear plastic cover on and genty tip the primers forward, shaking gentley to make sure primers drop into the strip.
I then tip the APS STRIP LOADER tool back, a few gentle shakes to gew the surplus primers away from the "compression bar", check to make sure all holes in strip have a primer in it ANVIL SIDE UP, then push down on black handle to seat primers.
This is where you need to get the "feel" right to press down slightly on seating handle untill you can easily push filled strip out with the attached next empty strip.
You have loaded 1 strip!

I use a paper clip bent into a hook to reposition any primers that are not anvil side up.
In my experience, only 1 - 2 primers every so often need correcting.
Maybe once every 4th or 5th strip.

Using the above methods, even when correcting some primers, I have no problems loading 80 strips (1000 primers) in an hour or less.

I know everyone has their way to do things, I'm just sharing what works for me.

Anyone absolutely HATE their RCBS APS STRIP LOADER, send it to me, I would be more than happy to have a spare.
JD