I have been using Lee's hand held priming tools from before they had magazines. They were a great improvement over priming with a reloading press or with a Lyman tong tool. However, the arthritis in my thumbs isn't getting any better and the Lee tools don't have a lot of leverage, so am looking for a replacement that you squeeze with your fingers. What should I buy?
John
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I buy all of the old screw-in Lee priming tools I can get. If that is too hard, I would go with the K&M tool.
https://kmshooting.com/product/primer-deluxe/
Has twice the MA of the old Lee, but takes the new Lee shell holders. I can use it with my fingers on the lever instead of just the thumb.
If you decide on this one, give me a PM.
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How about the old RCBS Auto priming tool ? The one that fastens to the bench and uses a primer feed tube.
Long time Caster/Reloader, Getting back into it after almost 10yrs. Life Member NRA 40+yrs, Life S.A.S.S. #375. Does this mean a description of me as a fumble-fingered knuckle-draggin' baboon. I also drool in my sleep. I firmly believe that true happiness is a warm gun. Did I mention how much I HATE auto-correct on this blasted tablet.
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Frankford Arsenal, I switched from using the Lee's for 40 years. I wish I had the FA when I started.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1016958988?pid=582486
David Reiss - NRA Life Member & PSC Range Member Retired Police Firearms Instructor/Armorer
-Services: Wars Fought, Uprisings Quelled, Bars Emptied, Revolutions Started, Tigers Tamed, Assassinations Plotted, Women Seduced, Governments Run, Gun Appraisals, Lost Treasure Found.
- Also deal in: Land, Banjos, Nails, Firearms, Manure, Fly Swatters, Used Cars, Whisky, Racing Forms, Rare Antiquities, Lead, Used Keyboard Keys, Good Dogs, Pith Helmets & Zulu Headdresses. .
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Some thoughts...
Ihave the older Lee ones with the round tray and the yet older screw in ones. What I use most for rifle is the little priming arm that comes with the Lee Presses and I hand feed it with loose primers held in a clean lidded plastic tub dedicated for the task. I have the Lee Press mounted tray feeder rigs with the swing arm and clicker thingamyjig but when primers hit 25c each down here at the long end of the ocean I wasn't prepared to have 2 or 3 in a 100 drop and vanish on the floor any more.
The Lee handheld is fine but yup, arthritis. I do still use it tho for 100 shell runs and swap hands on tge squeeze periodically. A mate has the new Lee bench mounted tray fed primer and swears by it but I have come to love the ease, feel and simplicity of handfeeding the press priming arm, doing runs of 20-50 rds.
I do like the exceptional feel of the Lee Ramprime on a press and when I get my permanent reloading room set up this summer I plan to have my smallest Lee Aluminium Press set up with a RamPrime as a separate station. I also use the Ramprime on my Lee HandPress with some pleasure.
For Pistol its always the Dillon 550. After several years and 3 presses I got out of Lee Pro 1000s. Glad to see the back of that primer system.
If my hands were really struggling to manage handhelds, or to handfeed the Itty bitty things, I would consider batch priming 100 rifle brass at a time on the Dillon. In fact I'd decap, resize and prime in advance then store the brass until I wanted to charge with powder and seat bullets.
When I started reloading I read a lot of cautions about not ever handling primers. Frankly I think its an issue that is overstated to sell overpriced hands free gear half of which doesn't work well enough. Keep your primer handling fingers clean and dry there's no issue. My biggest prob is gnarly old stumps that pass for fingers letting the primer fall.
Good luck.
John - New Zealand
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I've used the 21st Century hand priming tool for at least five years, Better than the others (though the Sinclair comes close), it's an excellent well-made tool but one at-a-time priming. However, any hand priming tool may require too much effort for arthritic hands. I'd certainly look at a bench model tool instead.
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When I started reloading I read a lot of cautions about not ever handling primers. Frankly I think its an issue that is overstated to sell overpriced hands free gear half of which doesn't work well enough. Keep your primer handling fingers clean and dry there's no issue.
Until you start sweating acetone or MEK, clean skin is good enough.
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The "no touch" is because of the original primers that were water soluble, like from sweat.
These first primers used fulminate of mercury (Hg(CNO)2) as a priming compound. Fulminate of mercury is a primary explosive—meaning that it is very sensitive to shock, friction and heat—produces a hot combustion gas that easily ignites propellants like black powder. While fulminate of mercury is generally a good priming compound, it has a few major deterrents: It is susceptible to water contamination, and it leaves behind a very corrosive residue that must be cleaned from the firearm and its casing quickly to prevent rusting of the gun or chemical corrosion of the cartridge case.
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I have been using the basic RCBS for years. The one that requires separate shell holders. You can squeeze using two hands if needed.
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I have two Basic RCBS Hand priming tools, the old version and the new version. The new version is an almost unmeasurable improvement. It is easily used with two hands for more power.
My old tool is set up for ,32-20/.25-20 and the new one for .308/.30-'06. This speeds production.
I also have several other priming tools including the K&M and Lee. The advantage of the Lee is a supply of shell holders for the K&M priming tool.
Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest
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I have one of the Sinclair units with a handful of shell holders. You insert the primers one at a time. Has lots of leverage but also lets you “feel” the primer being seated. Memory says I paid about $85 for it way back when.
The only time I’ve used it is when out of town @ a two-day match and loading in the hotel room, which has been seldom. Most of the time I use a RCBS bench top mounted unit. But…one primer @ a time with it also. I don’t believe in using the tube magazine. Don’t want the “enhanced risk” of the tube detonation!
Tom
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I like the RCBS hand tool except for the loose primer rod. It took me a few sessions before I learned that you can't turn the thing upside down!
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CPA rifles makes a prime de-prime tool that I use and like.
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I like the adjustability of my Frankfort hand priming tool. Lots of purchase for the entire hand and no sore Lee thumbs.
Mike
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How about the old RCBS Auto priming tool ? The one that fastens to the bench and uses a primer feed tube.
Makes 2 of us who like it!And I like it a lot!!!
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Thanks for all the advice on a variety of priming tools. I was surprised that so many of you are using single loaders. Since Lee came out with a magazine fed loader I just assumed that everybody had gone to that faster type. Priming tools are seldom discussed much so we don't know what others are doing I guess.
I know both the tube type feeders and the other configurations have been know to explode. Have any, or many, of you experienced such an event? Lees claims their latest design is very safe but not with Federal primers and they used to recommend certain brands use in their older magazine models.
Is safety the reason for using the slower type?
John
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Is safety the reason for using the slower type?
For me, I seldom load more than 40 cases at a time. It is almost a fast for me to pick them up off of a paper towel, than having flip them to orient, load them and shake the magazine to make it feed.
When I was loading 200 a week for pistol Bullseye and 200 for High Power, I used older round magazine Lee.
Reloading and shooting are my hobbies and I enjoy doing both. I'm not in that much of a hurry these days.
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I have used the Sinclair hand priming tool for a few decades and agree with Tom's comments. I have no problem using the Sinclair but my arthritis is not too bad yet.
I do not think I would prime much faster using a hand held tool with a primer feeding system. I thought the time spent loading tubes or strips would eliminate any time saved using the primer feeder.
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if you load primer tubes one primer at a time it is about as fast just putting the primer in the primer tool cup .....
same with lubing bullets in a sizer >>> why pick up a bullet, put it in a sizer, pull the handle, turn the lube lever, lower the handle, pick out the bullet, set the bullet down, then later pick up the bullet and seat it ...
i just pick up the dry bullet with greasy fingers and seat it ... works at least for plinking fodder ...
ken
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John-
The original Auto Prime round tray "dangerous" (my word) model worked very well, but there were some reported explosions and injuries that caused Lee to do some in-house testing. This was more than thirty years ago as I recall. The testing was written up in at least one gun magazine; I read it but don't recall the publication. I think the subject may also be addressed in the Lee load manual, so none of this is dubious Internet lore.
Lee advised using only CCI and Winchester primers in the tool. The square tray model supposedly eliminated the danger but was a sorry tool. I threw away two or three of these.
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lotech,
You are right, that it isn't dubious internet lore. The instructions with their latest priming tool says it "REDUCES the likelihood of a mass detonation" They further say, "However all types of FEDERAL BRAND LARGE PRIMERS frequently cause the entire tray to explode" Hard to believe it's that bad but I am not going to find out. I wonder what the instructions for other magazine fed priming tools say?
I have been using the Lee square tray model for years and find it works perfectly. Different strokes for different folks.
John
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Is the problem with the Lee and federal primers too much Leverage? I've never had a primer detonate on me.
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I don't think the problem is too much leverage, but don't understand what makes one brand different in a way that would cause it to explode. I have pushed out a lot of live primers and used them later. It usually makes a bump where the firing pin will hit but they seem to work OK -- no explosions.
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I've used the old, round, Lee Auto-Prime for 30-years or more.
One, that I used the most, developed a crack in the connecting rod that I didn't notice. Gradually, the crack widened and the primers weren't fully seating. It was gradually enough that I didn't notice that the primers weren't seating properly. Then the connecting rod broke.
Calling Lee, the connecting rod for the, old, round Auto-Prime is no longer available, and the connecting rod for the new Auto-Prime is not compatible, even though they look the same.
Luckily, I had a second Auto-Prime from when I had a second reloading setup while working overseas.
I've never had a problem with primers exploding. And I've never heard of primers exploding until I read it on the here.
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Make it 4 for the RCBS bench prime, I can load 100 primers in a tube <30secs. Also have an original Sinclair hand priming tool purchased in the early 90s and use that when I'm really picky.
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For rifles I generally use my Jake Simmons tool that I bought when I started shooting single shots. For those unfamiliar with this one, it is an adaptation of one produced around the 1890s by Harry Pope. Otherwise I usually use my first generation Lee tool with the screw in shell holders. I've been told they break, so I have bought up several and a bunch of spare parts, but so far I've never broken one(?)
Froggie
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From the people that I know who have broken them, they are in two categories: trying to seat crimped in primer cases or not centering the case in the shell holder.
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Make it 4 for the RCBS bench prime,
I like that tool, too. A lot. It's what I use in conjunction with the Forster co-ax. Great feel, AFAIC. But the OP asked about hand primers.
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"I do like the exceptional feel of the Lee Ramprime on a press ..."
Ditto here.
Bob .45-70 & .30-30
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Hello to all,
I have had an old round Lee priming tool for a very long time. I have never had an explosion and hope I never do, but there is one thing that mine does that could possibly cause an explosion. Occasionally mine will stack two primers on top of each other in the hole in the shell holder. I'm sure if you have no sense of feel and kept squeezing hard enough that it would blow up. I feel it instantly and quit squeezing and take it out. Yes, they don't agree with arthritis, I put my right thumb on the lever and put my left thumb on top of the right thumb. I guess you would call it the Lee two hand grip.
Mashjburn
David a. Cogburn
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I have the RCBS bench primer and have used it for about 15,000 primers and love it.
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I have used a variety of priming tools over the years. Started out with the Lee Loader wach'em in the got the single priming Lee tool and it was a great improvement. Then the round tray Lee and finally have the square tray Lee. However, way back when I also got the RCBS Bench mounted (I just C clamp it to the bench to use) and I have to say it was/is just about the perfect priming machine. I have tried other hand priming tools but none really worked any better than the Lee with the square feed tray.
That is until.....I recently had a Lyman hand priming tool given to me. I've used it to prime 100 308Ws, 200 223s and 30 45 ACPs.. It works very well and is comfortable to use. The grip handle fits the palm well and the finger lever give sufficient leverage. It uses regular shell holders and it is easy to change them. I strongly suggest the RCBS bench priming tool but If you really want a hand held priming tool then I can strongly recommend the Lyman.
LMG
Concealment is not cover.........
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Still using my old Lee round head hand held priming tool when I prime by hand, one I originally bought when they first came out and picked up another barely used one and some spare parts several years ago so I could have one each for large and small primers. Never had a problem with either one, no mater whos primers I've used.
I take them apart every so often and give them a cleaning and lube all the bearing surfaces and they just work. If the Lees ever give it up, which I highly doubt at this point and I had to primer off the press it would probably be either the Lyman or RCBS that takes shell holders.
'Artisan' in Lead, Brass & Powder.
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I've been using the old Lee round tray seaters for over 40 years. I've tried all the others but
still go back to the Lee. I pick up used and new ones when I run into them at gun shows.
Found a brand new one with both small and large trays at a gun show a few years ago.
The guy had $15 on the box and I asked him if he would take 10. He said no, but I'll take
12. Almost tore my pocket off getting my wallet out. I think it's the best seater ever made.
leadhead
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For about the last 10 years or so, I've been using the slick little 21st Century hand priming tool. They use any of the old, or newer, Lee small & large primer trays. Really nice adjustment for seating depth. But, any old RCBS hand unit is pretty hard to beat. Don't remember the cost of the 21st Cent unit
A day late & a dollar short, story of my life ???
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Have an old bench mounted priming tool. Takes standard shell holders and just pop the primer in the tool and has a small arm that works just like a regular reloading press. Shell holders held in place with a set screw. Painted blue if that is any clue as to who made it. The other one I use is a K&M hand tool that takes the lee auto prime shell holders. I prefer to do all my depriming and priming as a separate operation as I don't want the grit getting on the press ram and like to check out the primer pockets and clean them prior to repriming. Frank
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Lachmiller Engineering Company of San Francisco, CA. Early 1950's used his own shell holders, but by the early 1960's were made to use Pacific or RCBS holders.
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I've used the RCBS bench mounted tool, with the tube primer feed without any problems, other than it was permanently mounted to my loading bench. It got in the way when not in use.
Since then, I've used the old Lee round tray "Auto-Prime" hand priming tool since the late '80's or early '90's.
I wore out the slots on the cover, and used a rubber band to hold the cover on.
Then someone posted a link on the forum for files to 3-D print replacement lids:
. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2551606
I had a couple of lids printed out, and they work well.
Last year, the connecting rod on my old round tray Auto-Prime broke. It cracked over time, and I didn't realize that was the cause of "proud" primers. Connecting rods for the round tray tools are obsolete and not available from Lee. The connecting rods for the newer Auto-Prime tools are not compatible with round tray tool.
I used a Lee Challenger press to prime for a while, until I found a second round tray Auto-Prime I had when living in South Africa. I had a complete reloading setup, so I didn't have to bring stuff back and forth when on leave. Now it's nice to have duplicate stuff.
So I'm back in business, happy as a clam, with the old round priming tool.
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The bench mounted RCBS tool is very good, especially for my wife. She can't use the hand held tools because of her hand strength. I find myself using it more and more. Since I use Inline Manufacturing mounting system, it is not permantely mounted to bench and is not a problem by getting in the way when not in use.
David Reiss - NRA Life Member & PSC Range Member Retired Police Firearms Instructor/Armorer
-Services: Wars Fought, Uprisings Quelled, Bars Emptied, Revolutions Started, Tigers Tamed, Assassinations Plotted, Women Seduced, Governments Run, Gun Appraisals, Lost Treasure Found.
- Also deal in: Land, Banjos, Nails, Firearms, Manure, Fly Swatters, Used Cars, Whisky, Racing Forms, Rare Antiquities, Lead, Used Keyboard Keys, Good Dogs, Pith Helmets & Zulu Headdresses. .
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For loading at the range I like the Sinclair. For batch reloading pistol rounds the Lee seems to work ok.
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