Who makes the best hand priming tool?

[CRNA]

I was trying to learn how my Hornady Lock and Load headspace guage works and get the feel for measuring case length from the shoulder the other day, then I noticed that not all of my primers were seated properly. Some were about .001" protruding from the head of the case. I know this is a bad thing for accuracy, and even worse for safety. I have been priming with my Lyman press. I put a great deal of pressure on the ram to hopefully seat the primers into the pocket deeper. I can't really do much else with the press I'm afraid, so I am considering using a hand priming tool. Can anyone make a suggestion?

 

[Bishop]

Dunno about best, had no problems with this one yet and you dont have to mess with shellholders etc, works pretty nice. Check out the reviews.


RCBS Universal Hand Priming Tool - MidwayUSA

 

[zxd9]

I'll also say I don't know about this being the best but the Lee hand primer works great for me.

 

[royinidaho]

Is there anyway that the case head is floating in the case holder as the primer is being seated? I would seem that if the ram is allowing the primer punch to fully and consistently press the primer to the bottom of the primer pocket you shouldn't have the problem. . . . unless primer pocket depth from case to case is not consistent...

When priming with a press, RCBS Jr., I turned things around so as to prime on the down stroke to have a bit of "feel" when the primer seats.

I don't know if the Lyman can be adjusted to prime on a down stroke of the handle??

I got tired of the switching of the press and went with a Lee hand primer. Works great for me. I really like the "feel".

 

[coyotezapper]

Sinclair Priming Tool - Sinclair

 

[Mikecr]

IMO, K&M makes the best hand priming tool, as it stands alone to provide what no other does:
Precision Reloading: K & M Primer Deluxe Seating Tool with Gauge

 

[tulku]

Best for mass production of Varmint Cartridges .....the old Lee ( I like to FEEL the Primer seat ) .....no experience with the new Lee . Best for BenchRest Type activities : K&M with Dial indicator , Sinclair , and some other Custom Stuff I've seen where you do ...one at a time , and they are built like an old Swiss Watch to last 100 years !

 

[Aldon]

IMO, K&M makes the best hand priming tool, as it stands alone to provide what no other does:
Precision Reloading: K & M Primer Deluxe Seating Tool with Gauge

+1 to Mikecr's choice.

........K&M is sweet set up.

 

[Gene]

I threw away the Lee Auto Prime years ago - the thought of a few dozen primers going off unexpectedly scares me (altho I never had the experience). Have a K&M now, it is great. The Sinclair is just as good Dunno about the RCBS.

 

[cornchuck]

I like Lee's new version of their hand priming tool. Better than the old one. Which I broke the handle on.

The new version has the next primer coming out of the tray when you are priming a case. Plus, you have to have the tool pointed at an angle to make the primers move through the tool. Which I think is safer keeping the tool pointing away from your face.

I tried the press when I broke my first Lee priming tool. Just didn't like the feel.

Jason

 

[Educ8r]

I like my RCBS. Never use my reloading press to prime my rifle cases anymore.

 

[SBruce]

I've used the Lee, the RCBS, and the Sinclair.

My favorite of the 3 is the Lee. Loaded many thousands of PD and varmint rounds with it.

I also like the Sinclair but it's quite a bit slower. RCBS is in between, faster than the Sinclair but slower than the Lee. Don't have as much "feel" with the RCBS as the other two.

I've never seen the K&M tool.

 

[CRNA]

Is there anyway that the case head is floating in the case holder as the primer is being seated? I would seem that if the ram is allowing the primer punch to fully and consistently press the primer to the bottom of the primer pocket you shouldn't have the problem. . . . unless primer pocket depth from case to case is not consistent...

Royinidaho,
Not sure of the cause of the problem exactly, but there is a problem there for sure. I haven't looked into being able to prime on the downstroke, but it would seem to work much better. If the primer pocket depth is inconsistent, then I would first try to blame it on the brass. I clean my primer pockets and feel like I get the fouling out pretty good to eliminate that problem. Oh well, another excuse to buy a new tool.

 

[CRNA]

A big thanks to everyone's advice. I really appreciate the input from the guys that have used the equipment before laying down hard-earned cash for a purchase. Thanks again.