Buckshot Bear Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 G'day pards, My 30+ year old Lee hand priming tool finally gave up the ghost and I need a hand priming tool recommendation. I bought a Lyman one on Friday and it looks great and very modern, but what a POS it is....its being returned. Reading reviews the new Lee ones don't get a lot of love. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 We bought a new Lee deel. Lots of plastic crap and broke right away. Took it back to Grafs and they gave us credit towards an RCBS. Sawmill Mary likes it. https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/14287 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bear Posted October 30, 2021 Author Share Posted October 30, 2021 3 minutes ago, Warden Callaway said: We bought a new Lee deel. Lots of plastic crap and broke right away. Took it back to Grafs and they gave us credit towards an RCBS. Sawmill Mary likes it. https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/14287 Warden what's the shell holder for the RCBS is it just a normal shell holder or do you have to purchase a special one to fit it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene, SASS # 27489 Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 I've used the RCBS for a long time. I use Lee shell holders in it. Which is handy since I use Lee dies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not Dead Ed Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 Lee’s are crap. I bought a Frankfort Arsenal one about a year ago after breaking the replacement parts from Lee several times. Well built, steel and Aluminum, and you can adjust to get the primer depth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 My old Lee broke years ago and I replaced it with an RCBS which is more durable. It is not an ideal tool. A knob is forever loosening and the piston rod that seats primers falls out easily. Still, it gets the job done and will outlast me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene, SASS # 27489 Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 46 minutes ago, Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 said: My old Lee broke years ago and I replaced it with an RCBS which is more durable. It is not an ideal toll. A knob is forever loosening and the piston that seats primers falls out easily. Still, it gets the job done and will outlast me. The newer RCBS have changed the piston a little bit and it no longer falls out. But it takes a bit longer to change sizes now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 2 hours ago, Buckshot Bear said: G'day pards, My 30+ year old Lee hand priming tool finally gave up the ghost and I need a hand priming tool recommendation. I bought a Lyman one on Friday and it looks great and very modern, but what a POS it is....its being returned. Reading reviews the new Lee ones don't get a lot of love. Same here. Sent it back and bought an RCBS Universal. Really like not having to change shell holders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Graybeard Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 I use an RCBS but the one I have needs the RCBS shell holders. I also have an RCBS with the universal jaws...piece of junk. 45 Colt pops right out. Don't like the spring pressure on the jaws. It sets on the shelf. I use the one that takes the shell holders all the time. My Lee shell holders won't work as the chamfer on the bottom of the holder is smaller than what the RCBS are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mustang Gregg Posted October 30, 2021 Share Posted October 30, 2021 I use the newer LEE Auto Prime tools. And I love them. Then (after a hand injury) I quit using the handheld Auto Prime outfit and started using the Bench Prime. The guts all interchange. And with the Bench Prime, you still feel the primers being seated, if you like that. Yes, they do wear out. But LEE has been replacing parts as I need and I bought a few extra adapters. I reckon they ain't for everybody, but I like them. Mustang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickel City Dude Posted October 31, 2021 Share Posted October 31, 2021 I have an RCBS hand priming tool for sale $30 + shipping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted October 31, 2021 Share Posted October 31, 2021 4 hours ago, Buckshot Bear said: Warden what's the shell holder for the RCBS is it just a normal shell holder or do you have to purchase a special one to fit it? The current model of the RCBS hand primer uses the same shell holder as your press. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bingo Montana Posted October 31, 2021 Share Posted October 31, 2021 I have been using an RCBS hand priming tool for years with very good results, easy on the hands. I also have the RCBS with the universal jaws, works good on just about everything but 45 Colt, the rim is just too small to get a good hold on it and it will slip out when trying to seat a primer. I recently bought a Frankfort Arsenal and like it. Very well made, even if a big larger and heavier than the RCBS. You can dial in the seating depth of the primer in .001" increments. Just did 500 pieces of 38 Starline brass and liked how easy it was to use and it was easy on my arthritic hands. Randomly checked the seating depth on about 20 pieces and they all mic'd to 0.003", very consistent. The one complaint I have is the primer tray does not flip primers very well. I always seem to have to flip about 5 to 10 over by hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waxahachie Kid #17017 L Posted October 31, 2021 Share Posted October 31, 2021 I had an RCBS, but replaced it with a Frankford Arsenal one, and I like it much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster Ron Wayne Posted October 31, 2021 Share Posted October 31, 2021 My old Lee was great . When I seen Lee making a new one . I bought It and thought this SUCKS . So I bought three more of the Old Style Lee Hand Loaders for a back up . I now keep one setup for Large . And one setup for Small . And a back up for if ever needed . Unfortunately Lee quit making the Old Style they was Great for a Cheap Hand Loader . So Saith The Rooster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howlin Mad Murdock SASS #4037 Posted October 31, 2021 Share Posted October 31, 2021 3 hours ago, Rooster Ron Wayne said: My old Lee was great . When I seen Lee making a new one . I bought It and thought this SUCKS . So I bought three more of the Old Style Lee Hand Loaders for a back up . I now keep one setup for Large . And one setup for Small . And a back up for if ever needed . Unfortunately Lee quit making the Old Style they was Great for a Cheap Hand Loader . So Saith The Rooster This. Every time I run across an old style Auto Prime at a gun shop or show, I buy it. I have 7 or 8 of them now, and every shell holder. I have them ready to go set up for individual calibers and marked .45, .223, .9mm, .38, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yusta B. Posted October 31, 2021 Share Posted October 31, 2021 13 hours ago, Bingo Montana said: I always seem to have to flip about 5 to 10 over by hand. Keeping tray flat, gently rotate in a circular motion. YMMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bob Posted October 31, 2021 Share Posted October 31, 2021 17 hours ago, Not Dead Ed said: Lee’s are crap. I bought a Frankfort Arsenal one about a year ago after breaking the replacement parts from Lee several times. Well built, steel and Aluminum, and you can adjust to get the primer depth. Also have had a good experience with this one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bingo Montana Posted October 31, 2021 Share Posted October 31, 2021 2 hours ago, Yusta B. said: Keeping tray flat, gently rotate in a circular motion. YMMV Thanks Pard, I will give that a try next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bear Posted October 31, 2021 Author Share Posted October 31, 2021 This is the POS that I'm returning - And now I'm think of getting a bench mounted one to save my hands and wrist from carpal tunnel ? But its a Lee and some of the reviews ain't glowing, but some reckon its great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Von Dutch, SASS # 7995 Posted October 31, 2021 Share Posted October 31, 2021 2 hours ago, Buckshot Bear said: This is the POS that I'm returning - And now I'm think of getting a bench mounted one to save my hands and wrist from carpal tunnel ? But its a Lee and some of the reviews ain't glowing, but some reckon its great. I Have a bench mount RCBS, I have had it for about 9 years and it works great, very well made ! V.D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 If going with a bench mounted one I would buy the RCBS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bear Posted November 1, 2021 Author Share Posted November 1, 2021 1 hour ago, Sedalia Dave said: If going with a bench mounted one I would buy the RCBS. Pricey at Brownells Australia - https://www.brownells.com.au/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=21396 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying K Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 I had an old Lee hand primer and ran 10,000's on it until the lever finally broke (cheap pot metal). I bought another Lee, RCBS, Lyman and Frankford primer tools. Kept the Frankford and returned the rest. Frankford primer was weird to me at first because it was "upside-down" that is the slot for the brass was down instead of up! So you have to hold the brass for a half second while you put some pressure on seating the primer. It took a couple hundred rounds before it became comfortable, but now I just keep a bucket under it and the primed brass just falls into the bucket when I release the handle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TN Mongo, SASS #61450 Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 The Frankford Arsenal hand primer is now on sale at www.midwayusa.com. Click on the link below. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1016958988?pid=582486&utm_source=general-promotion&utm_medium=email&utm_content=product_11_link&utm_campaign=reloading Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakes Peare Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 As a new to the scene reloader, I had tried to use the Lee Turret press to load my primers. Most of them ended up slightly proud, causing me conniption fits at the firing line. Frankford hand tool did the trick perfectly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShadowCatcher Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 On 10/30/2021 at 1:47 PM, Warden Callaway said: We bought a new Lee deel. Lots of plastic crap and broke right away. Took it back to Grafs and they gave us credit towards an RCBS. Sawmill Mary likes it. https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/14287 I use this RCBS hand tool for pistol and rifle priming. It works great. SC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wyatt Earp SASS#1628L Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 While not necessarily a hand tool, if you are looking for an "off press" option, this Lee tool works pretty well. Minimum of plastic parts. Lee Auto Bench Priming Tool (midwayusa.com) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzard Bayne Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 Been using the Lyman model for about 10 years. Before that I had a Lee model for about 30 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bear Posted November 1, 2021 Author Share Posted November 1, 2021 1 hour ago, Wyatt Earp SASS#1628L said: While not necessarily a hand tool, if you are looking for an "off press" option, this Lee tool works pretty well. Minimum of plastic parts. Lee Auto Bench Priming Tool (midwayusa.com) I ordered one yesterday..... Should be here in a few days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 4 minutes ago, Buckshot Bear said: I ordered one yesterday..... Should be here in a few days. Let us know how it works for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bear Posted November 1, 2021 Author Share Posted November 1, 2021 48 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said: Let us know how it works for you I've also ordered a spare plastic thingo for it so when it breaks (if) I don't get caught out waiting for one to come in the mail. Watched a lot of fella's using them on Youtube, I hope it works well as it will be a lot easier on my thumb and hand which ain't gettin' any younger! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wyatt Earp SASS#1628L Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 The nice thing is it uses the auto prime shell holder which they haven't changed in years. The clear plastic part that holds the ram (one for large primers and one for small) is the weak link, I had the small one break but Lee replaced it. And there is no way to shake it if the primers get clogged. You can tap the bottom of the tray every once in awhile to keep things flowing though. It's very positive and you can seat primers with one finger. Good choice. https://youtu.be/r5CSkxpomJk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bear Posted November 1, 2021 Author Share Posted November 1, 2021 28 minutes ago, Wyatt Earp SASS#1628L said: The nice thing is it uses the auto prime shell holder which they haven't changed in years. The clear plastic part that holds the ram (one for large primers and one for small) is the weak link, I had the small one break but Lee replaced it. And there is no way to shake it if the primers get clogged. You can tap the bottom of the tray every once in awhile to keep things flowing though. It's very positive and you can seat primers with one finger. Good choice. https://youtu.be/r5CSkxpomJk That's the vid that sold me. Did you mount yours to your bench or to a board? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Chance Morgun Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 25 minutes ago, Buckshot Bear said: That's the vid that sold me. Did you mount yours to your bench or to a board? They always work flawlessly in the videos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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