Hand primer you recommend

[Go West]

Which hand primer tool do you recommend? I looked online and one recommended Frankford Arsenal Platinum. Thanks.

 

[Warden Callaway]

We went through a couple. Ended up with RCBS.

 

[Boggus Deal #64218]

I prefer the Hornady.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

None.  Don't like any "hand primers".  I prime with my Dillon 650s or for Brass Shotgun, a Lee Classic single stage.  Much more consistent ignition.

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

Avoid Lee hand primers.  Two handles broke on mine and I replaced it with an RCBS model that is more durable.  I replaced some plastic parts and the spring on it but otherwise it keeps working.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Hate'em all, I use my Dillon 550. 

Why do you want to hand prime? 

[Von Dutch, SASS # 7995]

15 minutes ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:

Hate'em all, I use my Dillon 550. 

Why do you want to hand prime? 

I have a Dillon 650 and I hand prime because the 650 priming system sucks! Thats why they changed it on the 750. I have a RCBS hand priming tool and its 35 years old and still going strong!

Edited December 29, 2024 by Von Dutch, SASS # 7995

[Long Hunter SASS #20389L]

I use Frankford Arsenal for my rifle calibers.

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1016958988?pid=582486&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=[ADL]_[PMAX]_[Category]_Reloading&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAg8S7BhATEiwAO2-R6qrCDWeYm0hOLjJXGWiX-18BxFD6hcbn6rkP_smN4Wqy9Z3raftZbBoCZOMQAvD_BwE

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

RCBS for 25 yrs with my Lee Turret. Gotta be careful not to lose the rod on the older one but newer model fixed that. 

[watab kid]

i use an RCBS - the one that uses the real shell holder , NOT the universal - that sucks 

[Dacotua]

1 hour ago, Von Dutch, SASS # 7995 said:

I have a Dillon 650 and I hand prime because the 650 priming system sucks! Thats why they changed it on the 750. I have a RCBS hand priming tool and its 35 years old and still going strong!

I like the priming system on the 650.  I have a complete priming assembly for the Large Primers and a Complete Assembly for the Small Primers.

 

Just two bolts hold them in and its a quick swap out.

 

If its not priming right, you have your press adjusted wrong.

[Happy Jack, SASS #20451]

I use a CPS  from Primalrights.com.  There is NOTHING like it. I have a whole stack of hand primers I don't use, Redding, RCBS, Forester, Lee, etc.

[Go West]

I have a 650 and have used it many years. Now I loaded about 100 .45 ACP using Magtech LPP with unsatisfactory results. The primers did not fully seat, probably 80%. I pulled the case from the primer/powder drop station and stuck the problem rounds back in one at a time and pushed them in again. I could do this for the rest of the 5,000, get a hand primer or do them on a Lyman turret press before putting them back into the case feeder. I didn't have an issue with CCI, Federal or Winchester, so I don't believe it is truly out of adjustment. Another option is to put them on the bottom of my primer stack and ignore the issue for now. 

[Cholla]

Frankford Arsenal is my go-to for cartridges I won't be running on the Dillon 550. I have tried the Lyman and the RCBS, but the Frankford Arsenal works much better.

[Warden Callaway]

We've had a Dillon 450 for a long time. I set it up to load 38 Short Colt, 38 Special and 357. I use the primer function and it works reliably.  We have a 550b I use to load all the large primer stuff.  But I've fiddle farted trying to keep the primer system going,  we just hand prime. It's something Mary can do while waiting for the cookies to get done. 

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

PLUS ONE for DACOTUA!!

 

I've been loading on a pair of DILLON 650s for over 25 years.  There is noting wrong with the priming system when everything (including the operator) is adjusted correctly.

[Wild Eagle]

+1 for the Frankford Arsenal hand primer.  It works very well and comes with most of the shell holders you need and room in the case to store them.  Lee makes a ACP (automatic case primer) that works pretty well too.  It's a bench mounted press just for priming.  It gives you a lot more leverage and seats the primers to a more uniform depth.

[Kid Rich]

45acp is the one caliber that the Dillon presses seem to have a problem with. I can feel when they will not seat all the way. I take that case and finish seating it on my Lee single stage. I'll see you this weekend at Tombstone and we can talk about it if you want.

kR

[Warden Callaway]

The added benefit to hand priming is each case gets another examination for cracks,  etc, and Mary runs her fingertip over primer to make sure it's properly seated.

[Old Man Graybeard]

I like the RCBS for a hand held priming tool...but have gone to the RCBS bench mounted priming tool. It is easier on the hands

[Chief Rick]

I keep a LEE hand primer in the truck and one in the reloading room.

 

It's been a long time since I've had to use either on my reloads (loading on a 550), but I've loaned one out at the range on several occasions for others to take care of high primers.

 

I find the LEE okay to use on an intermittent basis, but I wouldn't want to use one for high volume.  I did break one of the pot metal handles when I was using it primer all of my brass, prior to getting the 550.

 

If I were to need a hand primer to prime a bunch of brass, I would purchase the RCBS.

[Von Dutch, SASS # 7995]

15 hours ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said:

PLUS ONE for DACOTUA!!

 

I've been loading on a pair of DILLON 650s for over 25 years.  There is noting wrong with the priming system when everything (including the operator) is adjusted correctly.

Nothing wrong with the 650 priming system that's why they redesigned on the 750! And I don't think I said anything about it not working? so much for (including the operator)! You DACOTUA read something into the post that was not there! 

Edited December 30, 2024 by Von Dutch, SASS # 7995

[Uncle Ethan # 94321]

I've used Lee since I started reloading.

Never had an issue.

Parts are plastic so will probably have to replace them at some point.

 

 

 

 

[Jasper Agate]

 

I'm still using my RCBS Standard priming tool from the 70's for single stage and a RCBS 4x4 progressive press for everything else.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

21 hours ago, Go West said:

I have a 650 and have used it many years. Now I loaded about 100 .45 ACP using Magtech LPP with unsatisfactory results. The primers did not fully seat, probably 80%. I pulled the case from the primer/powder drop station and stuck the problem rounds back in one at a time and pushed them in again. I could do this for the rest of the 5,000, get a hand primer or do them on a Lyman turret press before putting them back into the case feeder. I didn't have an issue with CCI, Federal or Winchester, so I don't believe it is truly out of adjustment. Another option is to put them on the bottom of my primer stack and ignore the issue for now. 

The issue is from Magtech having NO quality control. 

[Dacotua]

9 hours ago, Von Dutch, SASS # 7995 said:

Nothing wrong with the 650 priming system that's why they redesigned on the 750! And I don't think I said anything about it not working? so much for (including the operator)! You DACOTUA read something into the post that was not there! 

 

Dillion really didn't "Re-design it". They simply used the priming system on the 550 on the 650 which required different machining on the frame (So you can't simply switch the priming system on the 650 to the 750 or vice versa.).

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the 650 priming system. Lets be frank on this, Dillion used the 550 priming system because it was cheaper to produce. The 550 priming system is a lot cheaper to produce than the dial system on the 650.  Also unless you were like me and bought an additional priming assembly, changing out the dials wasn't fun. So I purchased a complete assembly already assembled in the small primers (when I bought my 650 I bought it set up for large primers). Swapping out priming systems is cake when its only two bolts to swap from large to small or vice versa. 

 

Not being a jerk or anything, but if someone's 650 isn't priming right, its not adjusted properly. How do I know? I had an issue once with mine not priming correctly on like every 10th or so round. A call to Dillion and they walked me thru how to adjust the indexing to make the primers seat 100%.  After that I haven't had a issue with mine in years and tens of thousands of rounds loaded.

 

Edited December 31, 2024 by Dacotua

[Buckshot Bob]

On 12/29/2024 at 3:19 PM, Long Hunter SASS #20389L said:

I use Frankford Arsenal for my rifle calibers.

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1016958988?pid=582486&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=[ADL]_[PMAX]_[Category]_Reloading&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAg8S7BhATEiwAO2-R6qrCDWeYm0hOLjJXGWiX-18BxFD6hcbn6rkP_smN4Wqy9Z3raftZbBoCZOMQAvD_BwE

I also have one of these and really like it 

[Dapper Dave]

I am the odd man out - I've been using the RCBS Universal for years with only one issue - it won't do .223 seated all the way. Everything else works perfectly. When I load .223/5.56mm I do it with the old priming arm on my 44 year old RCBS RS single stage press...the same press I started with and still use today. The only thing I've replaced on my RCBS is the priming tray - managed to break the top cover once being a fumble fingered idiot. 

[Rye Miles #13621]

On 12/29/2024 at 3:02 PM, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:

Hate'em all, I use my Dillon 550. 

Why do you want to hand prime? 

Well because I load .45 Colt on a single stage, I don’t shoot them too often. I prime on my 550 for .38’s which is my main SASS caliber.

I have a Lee and a RCBS. I like the RCBS

[Go West]

If my press works with other primers, I fail to see how it isn't adjusted properly when I use Magtech primers. It miraculously went out of time because I filled the tube with that brand? Some primers fully seated, but most did not fully seat. They were not smashed, flipped or otherwise tweaked, just not seated fully in various amounts on .45 ACP. They may work on rimmed brass, but I don't know at this point since I haven't tried them as of yet. The primer pin assembly is fairly new and works as intended on primers I normally use. This is my first experience using this foreign brand, not my first experience loading ammo.

Thanks to everyone for their helpful suggestions, I appreciate it. 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

57 minutes ago, Go West said:

If my press works with other primers, I fail to see how it isn't adjusted properly when I use Magtech primers. It miraculously went out of time because I filled the tube with that brand? Some primers fully seated, but most did not fully seat. They were not smashed, flipped or otherwise tweaked, just not seated fully in various amounts on .45 ACP. They may work on rimmed brass, but I don't know at this point since I haven't tried them as of yet. The primer pin assembly is fairly new and works as intended on primers I normally use. This is my first experience using this foreign brand, not my first experience loading ammo.

Thanks to everyone for their helpful suggestions, I appreciate it. 

Magtech dimensions are all over the place, on all of their components. 

I refuse to use that brand.

Research their history..... 

[Buckeye Pete, SASS # 29941]

Check out the RCBS 9460 Auto Priming Tool.  A friend recommended this over a hand priming tool.  It sets the primer perfectly with little effort.  It uses a tube to store the  primers and it is quick to use.

 

Buckeye Pete

[Buckeye Pete, SASS # 29941]

On 12/29/2024 at 12:02 PM, Go West said:

Which hand primer tool do you recommend? I looked online and one recommended Frankford Arsenal Platinum. Thanks.

 

John, if you like, I'll bring my priming tool to the next LV Match and you can check it out.  I highly recommend this tool.

 

Pete

[Old Man Graybeard]

3 hours ago, Dapper Dave said:

I am the odd man out - I've been using the RCBS Universal for years with only one issue - it won't do .223 seated all the way. Everything else works perfectly. When I load .223/5.56mm I do it with the old priming arm on my 44 year old RCBS RS single stage press...the same press I started with and still use today. The only thing I've replaced on my RCBS is the priming tray - managed to break the top cover once being a fumble fingered idiot. 

I have one of the RCBS universal jaw tools...I absolutely hate it. 45 Colt doesn't have a lot of rim...and the case pops out before you get the primer seated. And the thing is hard to get the jaws to open to get some cases in. I much prefer the RCBS that uses the shell holders

[Go West]

Pete, please bring yours.