RCBS Hand Priming Tool

[RavenVT100]

This thing is so neat that I haven't even tried the other way to prime cases in my 'chucker.

Here's my question. First, my hands aren't that huge so I find it convenient to squeeze the primers in with both hands. When I do that, my right hand is squeezing and my left hand is assisting. My left fingers are right underneath the disc when I do this. I know there's a little "gate" that's supposedly going to stop the explosion if God forbid a primer should ignite. But am I going to lose the fingers off my left hand if this happens? Is this tool intended to be operated one hand only?

Second question: Seating depth is specified to be 3 to 5 thou. I sometimes get up to 7.5 thou seating Winchester LPs in Winchester 45 ACP brass. If I understand correctly, this is technically out of spec but what's the worst that could happen? An insufficient strike and therefore a dud? Why does it seat to this depth? I'm not doing anything to the primer pocket--I'm not even cleaning it.

Thanks.

 

[paperpuncher49]

I have used RCBS hand held priming tools for many years and have never, repeat never, had a primer go off during the process. I typically use two hands because I find I have better control and feel of the primer as it seats. The so-called gate in the RCBS tool is supposed to prevent flash from an igniting primer from setting those off that remain in the disk. In other words, it isolates the primer being seated from those "waiting" to be seated. In the unlikely event that a primer does go off, it will be the one being seated by the ram. Therefore, keep the tool pointed in a safe direction, that is, pointed AWAY FROM your face. While it is important to be extremely careful and cautious when reloading, I don't think you have to be all that concerned about your fingers when using the RCBS tool.

As far as seating depth, if it goes bang when you pull the trigger, then it doesn't matter if it is 3, 5, or 7 thousandths. Unless your weapon is very touchy, a couple of thousandths isn't likely to make a difference. As to why, I would guess sloppy manufacturing tolerances.

 

[Walkalong]

I have seated 1000's of primers with a Lee and for years now with an RCBS hand primer and have never had a primer detonate. I am, of course, carefull, but I just don't see much danger here. I do use just one hand. I think it is a very safe tool.

 

[Rod B]

The only precaution I take is to make sure the mouth of the cartridge is pointing away from me as I seat the primer.

I have been using the RCBS priming tool for over ten years & have yet to have a primer detonate.

Rod.

 

[P0832177]

First off, your safety concerns are not without foundation. Ah you know there is BUT coming don't you! It is common sense on your part. If something is not going right you have to stop, and then reassess what is wrong! IE say a case that did not remove the primer pocket crimp from? or the primer is in the stem off kilter? The primer goes in way too easy?

The explosions of primer have come when people have forced things, ie Lee press mounted primer mechanisms, Dillon 650 Priming systems, and hand seating a primer with a Lee Classic Loader......

I have been loading an awfully long time, and I broke my fair share of the LEE POS Auto Prime, and I have two RCBS hand priming tools (lazy one for small primers 223 and one for large primers 308). I have never had a detonation yet, and I do not know how many thousands of rounds that represents in 34 years of reloading! Yeah I set a couple off with the Lee Loader, but that was me being a bit ham fisted!:banghead:

 

[The Bushmaster]

Over 20 years with a single stage Lee "C" press and Lee Auto Prime II and no primer Boom yet...Darn John...You must be "ham fisted" to set one off in a press mounted Lee Auto Prime...

Seating depth? Never seen a real problem here as long as they are just below the case head. In fact I have never measured inset primer depth. I have always ran my finger over the case head to insure they are below the case head. In most cases you can see if they are below or above the case head.

 

[ranger335v]

The typical spec of .003-5" below case head is a nominal number, it's not an absolute. There is no safety hazard to being deeper if your firing pin is reaching the pimer reliabily.

Variations come from normal manufacturing tolerances in the case primer pocket, the primer cup and the anvil inserted in it. And from the force you use to seat the primer too.

 

[Walkalong]

I have always ran my finger over the case head to insure they are below the case head.

Yep, that's all I do.

 

[GunAdmirer]

I don't worry about primer depth. I just lightly seat them to the bottom of the primer pocket. I've never had a problem.

 

[P0832177]

Over 20 years with a single stage Lee "C" press and Lee Auto Prime II and no primer Boom yet...Darn John...You must be "ham fisted" to set one off in a press mounted Lee Auto Prime...

Lee Classic Loader is a hand operated loader you use a hammer to seat the primer!
You need to learn the lingo BM

 

[The Bushmaster]

Funny...I thought we were discussing hand priming tools. Ah me...Where did I miss the change in subject...Yes...I know what a Lee Classic Loader is.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Hand seating primers

Primers are set off by a sharp blow, not by steady pressure. That is why you "never" hear of a primer detonating in a hand priming device, Lee, RCBS, Sinclair, or any other. These devices push the primer into the case; they do not hit it sharply.

I hesitate to say "no danger" when dealing with primers, but IMHO, the danger of setting off a primer with one of the above would seem to be quite minimal.

Now, the Lee Classic Loader is another matter. You are hitting with a hammer, a rod extending down through the case, which drives the case onto the primer. And I too detonated a small number doing that, back in my Lee Classic Loader days. The case is inside a die, the primer is in a holder beneath it. Loud bang, startlement, and a bit of smoke curls up around your hand holding the case die. Use other pieces from the kit, drive the now-spent primer back out, set up with a new primer, install it more carefully, and proceed. No biggie.

When dealing with live primers, eye/ear/hand protection would always seem to be a good idea.

if God forbid a primer should ignite. But am I going to lose the fingers off my left hand if this happens?

The explosion from a single primer isn't THAT large. I once (stupidly) set one off with a hammer and no hand protection--The anvil was smartly driven into one of my fingers about 1/3 way. Swore, pulled anvil out, went and got a band-aide, and continued with what I was doing--with gloves on. The spot on my finger was numb for a day or so. Can't reccommend doing as I did, but I escaped with no permanent consequences.

Good judgement comes with experience. Experience is what you get when you use poor judgement.

 

[ball3006]

I have been using a Lee auto prime...

since they first came out. After loading a zillion primers with it, you will be able to "feel" the primer seat. I bought two, one for large primers and one for small primers, they are cheap......chris3

 

[duck911]

...........And of course, damage to eyes is not a problem because we're all always wearing our safety glasses when priming.

Right?

 

[kansas45]

Rght! duck911. And I sure as heck wouldn't worry about anymore of the pimers going off because they are gonna' be flying all over the room if that firs one does explode!