RCBS Hand Primer Does it work Well?

[jasonprox700]

I have been looking at these for a while.  I have a bunch of .223 brass to reload, and I thought sitting in front of the boob tube with my girlfriend while priming these would get her off my back about being a hermit in the basement reloading.  My only concern is not seating them properly.  It seems like you would not get the "feel" like you do on the press.  I've never used one, so I'm not sure.

[Questor]

I've primed thousands of 223's and similar cartridges with my RCBS hand priming tool. It's excellent for that purpose. The feel is as good as any other priming tool I've used, and better than the Lee. 

[KN]

I agree, I have both the Lee and the RCBS. The RCBS is hands down better. The Lee is pretty good but you use your thumb to squeeze and it causes cramps for me. The RCBS I can use my palm and four fingers. A lot less tiring. Esspecially if you have a lot of brass to prime. And as for the feel you get for seating, I think its excellent.   KN

[jpsmith1]

I use the RCBS hand primer tool.  I've used the press to seat primers and the hand tool offers superior feel for seating them.  Start slow so you don't squash the primers and you'll be OK.  I do exactly what you propose.  I prep my brass is big piles, then I have primed and ready brass on hand and it's easy to load up a box for whatever purpose.

[Almtnman]

I started out using the press to seat my primers and then got the RCBS hand priming tool, I like it much better and can actually feel the primers seating into the primer pockets whereas I couldn't with the press. I like my hand RCBS priming tool.

[bigjeepman]

I am with all the rest concerning the "feel" of the RCBS. It is a perfect tool for me and isn't tiring to use. I am not sure if I would prime my brass while in front of the TV but to each his own. I do not even allow myself the pleasure of music in my reloading room. I like total quiet so I can concentrate.

[gypsyman]

I used one of the original RCBS hand primers, when they would prime one at a time. The handle broke on it, and when I sent it back, they sent me one of their new one's.(this was a few years ago) The first day I used it, the plastic lid popped off half way thru 100 primers, and I spent a few minute's picking them up. Thought I probably didn't snap it down tight enough. Second time it did it, a couple of days later, got mad, boxed it up and sold it. Bought a Hornady hand primer, been using it ever since, thousands of primed cases, and been happy. gypsyman

[PA-Joe]

Hornady makes a great hand primer and it uses standard shell holders!

[DWTim]

I've primed hundreds of cases with my new RCBS prime tool. The only babysitting it needs is a tiny bit of oil on the ball every 300 rounds or so. Other than that, it's ergonomic, and I like the fact that I don't need to buy strips or load primers into a tube.

The particular issue I have with all priming tools is that they rely on pressure to set seating depth. I don't know about you folks, but I've yet to have a primer that didn't go off because the anvil didn't hit hard enough. However, I have had plenty of deep-seated primers that didn't detonate because of light firing pin strikes.

How I wish there was a priming tool where I could set the depth with the same precision I can set bullet seating depth.

[gypsyman]

DWTIM, I believe that K&M toll makes a hand primer like what your looking for. Has a dial indacator to check the exact depth of each primer.Not sure of the price, although I can garantee it will not be cheap.-gypsyman

[Bullseye]

DWTim

I have the RCBS Bench Mounted APS priming tool.  It has an adjustable stop on it that you can set and seat all primers to the same depth.