Thoughts on RCBS Ram Prime or similar?

[PO2Hammer]

Looking to improve my priming method after reading a recent thread on the subject. I've been priming on the downstroke with the supplied primer seater.

I've been getting more and more high primers and failures to fire.

The hand squeeze seaters are out for me, I have some tendonitis and bursitis and after a long day at work, I don't need another work out, especially with my hands.
The RCBS bench mounted tool looks great, but is out of my price range right now.
I'm not too concerned about speed.

I'm looking at the RCBS Ram Prime unit, affordable, has leverage, should have better feel than priming on the downstroke.

Thoughts?

 

[fguffey]

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=416519



the above link list the system you are asking about



http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=457599



I have the above system plus one that is older that used Herters shell holders. I like the tube with a flip tray.



http://www.gunaccessories.com/RCBS/Priming.asp



for those that use the RCBS Pro 2000 the strips can be loaded with the same machine that is included with the press.

F. Guffey

 

[Rollis R. Karvellis]

I have a dedicated Lee press with a RCBS Ram Prime. It is a nice change of pace for when I do my .308's.
It is slower but very accurate.

 

[GW Staar]

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=457599

I have the above system plus one that is older that used Herters shell holders. I like the tube with a flip tray.


http://www.gunaccessories.com/RCBS/Priming.asp

for those that use the RCBS Pro 2000 the strips can be loaded with the same machine that is included with the press.

Adding to what fguffey said, (all right on), Strips can also be loaded (as fast as loading a tube) with RCBS's strip loader....IUW you don't have to have an RCBS Pro 2000 to use the strip loader. Not only that, but I think it's handier and safer. Downside is the strip loader is an extra $40. Upside is you can store loaded strips just like boxed primers--many years. For me loading strips is a good TV activity, and then I can have thousands ready to go if I want.

F. Guffey

Agree with Duffy....the ram tools is a pretty fair tool, but not even close to either of the RCBS table mount priming systems for efficiency and ease.

My vote is #1- the RCBS APS bench mount tool, #2- the tube mount RCBS bench mount tool, #3- the ram priming unit. Problem with #3 is you're going to want to eventually get a cheap press to use it with....and when you do that you will have spent as much as #2! Plus it has no primer tube or primer strip feature...one primer at a time. Granted #1 is pricey...especially counting the Strip Loader, but the best always is.

 

[rfwobbly]

I also have the RCBS Automatic Bench Priming Tool

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=457599

GOOD: This unit primes on the down stroke and the long lever makes easy work of priming. The "feel" is good, and the handle is padded for the required comfort. Primers are loaded (stabbed) into standard RCBS primer tubes. Swapping between large and small primer takes about 3 seconds and requires no tools.

NOT SO GOOD: This unit has to be bolted to something substantial. At a minimum, a 1x6 long enough to reach under the handle. It requires the use of a standard shell holder for each caliber, which are sold separately. The priming is on the down-stroke, but the primer is loaded on the up-stroke. So the operation requires a full up-stroke then down-stroke to complete a single cartridge. This feels unnatural to me.

If I had a press like a RCBS Rock Chucker, Redding T-7, or Lyman T-Mag which offered an optional in-the-press priming system, then I would much rather use that. The thing that spoils this priming tool IMHO is all the extra brass handling that's required. If you already have the case in the shell holder, I'd much rather make a second stroke and do "in-press" priming. Especially if you are loading 200+ pistol rounds.

However, if your requirements are not speed related, say you only need to load 50 perfect rifle rounds, then this priming tool offers advantages in the way of flexibility and "feel".

 

[jmundy]

I use the Lee Ram Prime unit. I just looked at Wideners and they sell for $9.20. I purchased two of these units and have one set up for large primers and the other for small primers.

I have a Lee Reloader Press dedicated for a de-priming and priming station. These are around $20.00 to $25.00.

I have never had any difficulty seating primers and the set up allows you to have a good feel for when the primer has bottomed out.

I am not an advocate for Lee products per se, but they do make some affordable and useful products.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I use both the Lyman and RCBS Ram Prime units. They are precise priming tools and I highly recommend them.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[loadedround]

PM sent to PO2Hammer this afternoon.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Thanks to all, I think I'll go with the Ram prime from Midway, I have a 7 hole turret press, so I can just keep it on top and not have to re-mount it each time.
I shoot fewer and fewer rounds these days, but always striving for better quality.

 

[rfwobbly]

I have a 7 hole turret press....

Seven holes. Hmmmm? Now where on Earth could he have bought that ?

 

[sig220mw]

The rcbs ram priming unit is a good one. I've been using it for years and never had a primer failure.

 

[fguffey]

Where? The Herters turret has 6 but as an option it could have as many as 12, or one position could have been added, as long as it was indexed (added) on the detente ball.



Then there were the large center post type with the collar,



F. Guffey

 

[PO2Hammer]

Seven holes. Hmmmm? Now where on Earth could he have bought that ?

I'll give you a hint. It's made in America on American made tooling from American castings and it's light green in color.

 

[rfwobbly]

I'll give you a hint. It's made in America on American made tooling from American castings and it's light green in color.

I've been eying those green toadstools myself!