I have both the Lee and RCBS benchtop primers. The RCBS is my go to. Use the Frankford Arsenal Vibra prime to fill primer tubes. No way I’m stabbing at primers to fill those tubes for the RCBS or reloading presses. The Lee works but you have to be careful with the force you use and really pay attention to how it feels when working the handle. I’ve broken it a couple times but that was really on me. Went ahead and pushed when I should’ve stopped and looked. With the RCBS you pay a little more for robust manufacturing. Robust RCBS and Vibra Prime or Lee and be careful. They both work.
Time for a New Priming System
- Thread starter SQLGeek
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SQLGeek
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Thank you everyone. As I expected, the feedback is tilted toward RCBS. Hate to pay that for it but I doubt I'll need another...until I eventually get a Dillon of course.
I'm pretty much there now. Don't need to add more RSI in my priming.
I'm pretty much there now. Don't need to add more RSI in my priming.
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SQLGeek
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Well I bit the bullet and went with the RCBS unit. I thought briefly about buying the APS bench primer that PSA had in stock for roughly the same price but decided to stick with the conventional tubes. Midway had a free shipping promotion today so I went for it.
I had the Lee bench prime and shell holder kit in my cart and almost did that but decided the only reason I wanted that one over RCBS was price so I talked myself out of it.
I had the Lee bench prime and shell holder kit in my cart and almost did that but decided the only reason I wanted that one over RCBS was price so I talked myself out of it.
Almost nothing based completely on price is a good decision. I chose the Lee over the RCBS because I liked the way it handled loading primers better and the efficiency of motion required to prime each case
Glad you were able to afford what you really wanted
rskent
Member
And if you decide you have to much money in the bank, give a Hornady iron press with an auto prime a try. I hated spending the money, till I primed a batch of 9’s with it just to test. Now I love it.
If you have money to burn, look up the Primal Rights competition primer seater...
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SQLGeek
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Heh. I looked at that one and choked when I saw the price. Then read the reviews and some posts on another forum by the creator and the price made more sense. Still too rich for my blood.
The primer handling on the Lee does look easier. Pickup tubes haven't really bothered me and Lee's warning about having to load Federal primers gave me pause because that's what I have right now. I have read plenty on various forums saying they haven't had an issue but I didn't want to chance it.
Federal SPP are what I'm mostly using also...one of the downsides to shooting highly tuned revolvers...but I've always lived a bit on the Edge
I believe that Richard Lee later explained that his lack of recommendation to use Federal primers with his priming tools was a result of Federal declining to provide free primers for him to use in testing his design. So basically, all primers are dangerous but Lee wouldn't say it was safe to use Federal primers because he hadn't tested with them.
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SQLGeek
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I got the bench primer last night and set it up. So much smoother than priming on the Lyman press.
I won't be replacing this until I get a progressive press.
I won't be replacing this until I get a progressive press.
Which one?
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SQLGeek
Member
Sorry. RCBS Auto Prime. I really like it.
berettaprofessor
Member
I've used Lee Hand Primers, primed on press with the Lee Auto Prime, and more recently bought a Lee Bench Prime. If I'm processing handgun cartridges on a Turret Press, I prefer the Auto Prime for speed, although it takes some "up" force to prime. For processing brass off the press, mostly rifle cartridges for me, the Lee Bench prime can't be beat. I don't know how Another_Kelley broke one like that. I will tell you that if you choose a Lee Bench prime, mine took about 100 primers before it smoothly feed one primer to the next, and probably that was a training time for me; you don't need ANY force with a Lee Bench...it feeds best from primer to primer if you literally flip it with one finger.
Another_Kelley
Member
Easy, when I feel a snag or holdup of any kind, I don't 'flip it with one finger', I just say 'hulk smash' and power through....
you know, really lean into it. Those plastic parts and pot metal don't stand a chance against the hulk 
Or I suppose using it to prime thousands of military brass with crimped pockets, inadequate chamfer & processing could be to blame.
I certainly wasn't trying to lose Lee any business.... I think the bench prime is a great addition to someone's priming methods, like I mentioned, but I wouldn't rely exclusively on one.
Another_Kelley
Member
I'm unsure if the second one I broke had the updated adapter. I'm thinking it just hasnt happened again because I make sure the brass I run through it is adequately prepped.
Don't forget about the Lee APP press:
https://leeprecision.com/app-automatic-processing-press/
I don't own one, have never actually seen one in person... it is intriguing though.
https://leeprecision.com/app-automatic-processing-press/
I don't own one, have never actually seen one in person... it is intriguing though.
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