GunBum
Active Member
I have both the Lee Autoprime and the RCBS hand primer. I prefer the Lee. The RCBS one has been in a box for 10 years. The Lee gets used monthly, and has for 10 years.
Hand Primer Recommendations?
- Thread starter Robert1955
- Start date
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Mdphotographer
Active Member
I have been using the Frankford Arsenal hand primer and love it. MUCH better then the Lee Auto Prime I used for years and years. I have no trouble hand priming 600+ rounds an hour
Robert1955
Ultimate Member
Thank you very much for the offer, I am pretty sure I am going to use a separate tool to prime off of the hand loader. Leaning to the Ergo Prime right now.
RetiredArmyGuy
Active Member
I used an RCBS for many years but switched to the Frankfort Arsenal hand primer about three years ago and I love it. It is extremely durable and I like the fact that it comes with its own shell holders and you can adjust the setting depth of the primer.
j8064
Garrett Co Hooligan #1
That's what I use as well.
Many years ago I began hand priming with the old style Lee Auto Prime. I still use that tool to prime 25 acp cases since they are too small for the RCBS tool to handle. It was used so much I wore it out. When I looked for replacement parts I discovered that model had been discontinued. So I ordered the new "Improved" Lee version. Frankly, it was garbage. Getting alignment to prime cases was an issue and the tabs on the tray covers easily broke off. I still have that tool packed away. The current Lee product may be very different than the early version I tried. (
I found parts for the old version on Flea Bay and have a couple of spare sets on hand in case it ever wears out again).Another MDS member pointed me to the RCBS Universal tool. I've been using it so long now I've had parts wear out. RCBS has taken care of me anytime I've needed a part to fix it, Like any tool it has good and bad points. Not having to deal with shell holders is a plus but, with spring tension holding the jaws, cases are not held as tight as a S/H. Having to switch parts from LPs to SP's is not much more of an issue than keeping track of different S/H's.
When using any hand priming tool maintaining an acute sense of situational awareness is fundamental (as during every step when reloading). I've never detonated a primer during reloading and (knock on wood) I plan to never have that happen.
Granted, my reloading is generally smaller (100 rounds or so) batches of various calibers we Hooligans shoot. Batches of anything from 9mm to 45-70 Gov't could be on my bench at one time.
Overall the RCBS Universal tool it works great for me for most hand priming needs.
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lmorrison17
Active Member
- Feb 1, 2008
- 187
I guess I'll be the odd ball. I went through 2 lee hand primers in a few years. The first just plain wore out the second was super sloppy and never worked right. I wanted a good one and speed was not part of the criteria for consideration. Sinclaire was too expensive for what you got imo. I went with the K&M, a single load hand tool. All steel and solid quality with a positive feel. Been using it for over a decade now and never regretted my decision or felt a need to look further. It does use lee shell holds which I already had.
Hand Primer Recommendationj
"I have been using the Frankford Arsenal hand primer and love it."
I agree.
I replaced a Lee Auto-prime with a Frankford Arsenal Perfect Seat Hand Primer. In my opinion, the Frankford arsenal machine is more precisely constructed. Should an accident occur, I believe the a heavy zinc body provides better protection.
"I have been using the Frankford Arsenal hand primer and love it."
I agree.
I replaced a Lee Auto-prime with a Frankford Arsenal Perfect Seat Hand Primer. In my opinion, the Frankford arsenal machine is more precisely constructed. Should an accident occur, I believe the a heavy zinc body provides better protection.
Park ranger
Ultimate Member
- Dec 6, 2015
- 2,328
Very nice and strong. Like it better than my Lee
85MikeTPI
Ultimate Member
A little older post but not necro…
My RCBS was becoming more and more finicky so I saw the Frankfort on sale for $49 and thought I’d try it. The effort is much nicer on the Frankfort, but the tray sux donkey d$#ks. Both large and small primers stick in the tray neck and I have to use the lock gate to push them back or forward. Did I get a dud tray or is there a mod to free it up ?
Park ranger
Ultimate Member
- Dec 6, 2015
- 2,328
I just shake it a little. I know what you mean though.
helps with the stains , lol
Rockzilla
Ultimate Member
some current ones for sale, there are others listed but way more
Old Lee Round tray Autoprimes here (ole yellow trays) since the 70's still got the
original 2, primed 1,000's of cases one for large, one for small. Picked up plenty
more cheap over the years, spare parts. Now they ain't cheap anymore, people
wanting :stupid prices for them. Have the RCBS Universal, Sinclair, but always
go back to "ole round trays"
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Ditto that... I have 3, I think, one setup for small primers, one for large and one for parts. I even found some replacement clear tops for the primer tray a couple years ago, they look brand new now!
Rockzilla
Ultimate Member
I hear ya, a friend I met on another forum was / is 3D printing the tray and lid, there was some
"shade tree" fixes for the broken handles. I used Lubriplate that lithium stuff, that's a pain to get
off your fingers, for the pivot parts that rub / wear. Mine are still going strong
-Rock
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Squaregrouper
Kragaphile
Thread revival.
My Lee Autoprime is getting worn out after 20,000+ loads and I was looking to replace it when I stumbled across this deal on the Frankford Arsenal hand priming tool...
.
Amazon product ASIN B01B7OYUVC
My Lee Autoprime is getting worn out after 20,000+ loads and I was looking to replace it when I stumbled across this deal on the Frankford Arsenal hand priming tool...
.
Amazon product ASIN B01B7OYUVC
I have picked up another Lee or two in the meantime since I last posted on this thread. I have a Dillon setup, but I still prime by hand with the Lee Autoprime. Old habits are hard to change!
I have tried a couple others over the years, but pitched them and went right back to the Lee, it's hard to beat!
I have tried a couple others over the years, but pitched them and went right back to the Lee, it's hard to beat!
