RCBS Automatic Priming Tool

[Alderman]

I purchased a bench mounted priming tool today. Until now priming has been done with RCBS or Lee hand primers and with the Lee Safety Prime on the Classic Turret Press.
First impressions are this is a well built piece of equipment. I primed 300 9mm brass this afternoon.
I got one primer crushed due to a crimped primer pocket.
After I got the feel of it I could tell the crimped pockets before crushing the primers.
With having to load the primer tubes this may not be the fastest priming system, but is much easier on the hands and easy to use.

 

[Krogen]

I have used one of these since the mid 80's. It's an excellent piece of equipment and has served me well. I think you will like it as well.

Amusingly, I used mine enough to wear the end of the priming rods such that it started to drop primers. True to form, a quick email to RCBS brought some replacement parts at no charge. I should be good for another 30 years now!

 

[Milt1]

I've been using one for quite a while now and I find it easier to move the primer into position for seating by moving the primer feed tube by hand rather than using the handle. Works much easier and faster for me.

 

[BGD]

Just wondering how long does it take to change from small to large primers?

I bought 2 of the RCBS hand primers so I could have one for small and one for large without having to change the parts out.

I am always interested in better ways to prime.

 

[Krogen]

Very little time at all. You simply change the primer rod - it drops right in in seconds. Of course you need to load up the correct primer tube, but that applies to either size primer.

 

[nettlle]

I've had mine about a year. Nothing not to like about it.

 

[HOWARD J]

I have had one for a long long time
I have wore out 2 sets of primer rods--maybe 40 years ?

 

[Alderman]

Very little time at all. You simply change the primer rod - it drops right in in seconds. Of course you need to load up the correct primer tube, but that applies to either size primer.

You also need the correct shell holder.

I bought an RCBS 9mm holder today but I tried the Lee shell holder and it seemed to work fine. I have read where there might be issues using shell holders other than RCBS.

 

[2011redrider]

Had one of those years ago and had to sell off all my reloading stuff. Got back into reloading 2 years ago and went with the APS version that uses plastic strips of 25 primers.

 

[HOWARD J]

I use all kinds of shell holders in mine---they all work fine

 

[nettlle]

Redding shell holders fit mine.

 

[stubbicatt]

Had one of those years ago and had to sell off all my reloading stuff. Got back into reloading 2 years ago and went with the APS version that uses plastic strips of 25 primers.

I have the APS hand primer and really like those strips. What a great idea. This bench setup might even be better!

 

[BYJO4]

I've been using one since the 70s and you can't beat it. Seats primers perfectly every time and requires virtually no effort on your part due to excellent leverage. It is also extremely fast.

 

[2011redrider]

And both APS units are about half off at PSA right now. 58 for bench model and 37 for press mount that threads onto die hole. I'll never go back to tubes. Need to buy the cci strips preloaded or the RCBSloader for about 30 bucks.

 

[Crashbox]

I've used one for a few years now and it is superb IMO. One of the best tools I think I've ever purchased, and RCBS' customer service is second to none in my opinion.

I've had some issues with non-RCBS shell holders not working in it due to the center hole being too small, but that seems to be an exception to the rule so to speak.

 

[Paddy]

My cheap set of lee shell holders works fine on mine! If you have one of these, I suggest taking apart the plungers, large and small, deburr the parts a little bit, and reassemble with lock tite on the threads so they don't come loose in operation. Mine were a bit troublesome until I did that.

Also, I wonder why they didn't put the nifty adjustable lever like the aps version has on the bench primer? That's the odd I got about it, it can't actually be mounted to the bench without a piece of wood under it.