looking for a new primer tool whats everyone use? pros and cons if possible too
- Thread starter cdear23
- Start date
It's a primer tool. Any one of them will work fine. The Sinclair is awesome but it's $100. I have an RCBS that I've literally loaded tens of thousands of primers with and it's fine too. Don't worry about brand, just get one and go.
I have several priming tools. IMO the best for absolute feel is the single load Sinclair. But, slow with single load and having to twist the head to lock the cartridge in place. The K&M single load is also very good (feel) and a bit faster and less expensive. The RCBS with the square tray and spring loaded jaws is ok but the feel is so-so.
The new Lee with the ergo (red) handle, don't waste your time and money.
The 21th Century with the Lee square tray is best of both worlds. Good feel and the speed and conveniece of a tray.
The new Lee with the ergo (red) handle, don't waste your time and money.
The 21th Century with the Lee square tray is best of both worlds. Good feel and the speed and conveniece of a tray.
I used the Lyman with the primer tray for a few years. Then I bought a K&M and never looked back. The Lyman is faster but the K&M is more safe in that if a primer would happen to be set off (never happened to me in 30 years) there is not a tray full of primers to ignite. I just couldn't justify the Sinclair tool at the time, but I've never felt the need to try one after having the K&M.
Ive been using the original lee hand primers and have never had a primer issue with any brand.
To bad they discontinued it and rerplaced it with one thats not worth the $$.
I also have a RCBS bench mounted one w/long tube, both have over 100k + primers through them.
To bad they discontinued it and rerplaced it with one thats not worth the $$.
I also have a RCBS bench mounted one w/long tube, both have over 100k + primers through them.
I like the Sinclair. Even though it is a bit slow it has the best feel of any priming tool I have used.
I use the RCBS hand primer w/ round tray. Works great, but takes time to develop the right feel for setting the primer depth. My friend likes to just squeeze the piss out of it and let the seating depth be up to the casing, but I like them to be just slightly recessed. IMO...
The RCBS runs 50-60 dollars, plus the shell holder for your specific cartridge.
The RCBS runs 50-60 dollars, plus the shell holder for your specific cartridge.
The Sinclair used to be the best single-load primer tool. That is no longer the case. The 21st Century Single-load priming tools is much better. It is a breeze to adjust, very fast to change shellholders and primer sizes. It's really perfection. Talk to anyone who has tried both: they will all tell you the 21st Century is better and most of them have switched.
http://www.21stcenturyshooting.com/S.S_FQUY.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HsdHVLHQwI
http://www.21stcenturyshooting.com/S.S_FQUY.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HsdHVLHQwI
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I just use a RCBS hand primer...have also used the RCBS bench primer tool with great success.
The Sinclair isn't that slow.
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I have RCBS universal. Very good for the money. This is my go to priming tool. Thousands primed. Want another and extra trays.
I have 2 Lee original, one for large primer and one for small primer. I use these extensively with anything that has a base size same as 308/45acp or .223.
If I were to have just one, RCBS uni
I have 2 Lee original, one for large primer and one for small primer. I use these extensively with anything that has a base size same as 308/45acp or .223.
If I were to have just one, RCBS uni
Had (maybe still have) the Lee and now use the Sinclair. I don't find it to be that slow but then again I prime while watching something on TV so I'm basically using relax/downtime to do it so speed isn't all that critical. I do like the feel/feedback that the Sinclair gives me when seating a primer.
I have several priming tools to include the Hornady hand primer, RCBS universal hand primer, Lee round tray hand primer, Lee ram prime, RCBS bench mount auto prime(non-APS), and the 21st Century hand primer that uses the round Lee trays.
The 21st Century hand primer is by far the best available(but I use the RCBS bench primer the most), it has the silky smooth operation and primer depth adjust-ability of their single load tool with the convenience of a tray fed priming tool.
I had the 21st Century tool that uses the square Lee trays but I didn't like the new Lee trays with the POS safety punch, the old Lee trays are much better but almost impossible to find(I found two new and complete old style auto prime tools off ebay for $30 shipped).
EWP
The 21st Century hand primer is by far the best available(but I use the RCBS bench primer the most), it has the silky smooth operation and primer depth adjust-ability of their single load tool with the convenience of a tray fed priming tool.
I had the 21st Century tool that uses the square Lee trays but I didn't like the new Lee trays with the POS safety punch, the old Lee trays are much better but almost impossible to find(I found two new and complete old style auto prime tools off ebay for $30 shipped).
EWP
I really like the K&M priming tool for precision loads. Half the price of the Sinclair tool and uses Lee priming tool shell holders. Gives you a great feel in seating the primer and is adjustable in seating.
http://www.kmshooting.com/catalog/primer-seater-tools/primer-deluxe.html
http://www.kmshooting.com/catalog/primer-seater-tools/primer-deluxe.html
Another 21st Century fan, the adjustable depth and good feel while seating is nice. I still have my ole RCBS which has primed a many thousands and keeps on going.
I've got both the old and new Lee priming tools, bought a RCBS bench mounted tool and I will NEVER go back to hand priming tools again....just try one!
BnC
BnC
The new & Improved Hornady priming tool.
I like the 21 Century also, I use it for my 308 and 300 WinMag easy to adjust and well made.
If you do not listen to anything else in these replies, please listen to what is in bold above. Great idea, very poor execution. And I like a lot of Lee products. If I could buy a couple of NIB Lee hand primers with the old style round tray I would get them. The one mentioned above is TERRIBLE!
funny how some of the newer products are crap...
I have a Sinclair for my 5.56 loading, and one for my 308 loading, and added a third to my 338 Lapua. Do you get the idea I like the Sinclair?
i have never reloaded my rounds before but with the cost im considering it, anyone know where i can get all the equipment to do so?
thank you
thank you
i want to start reloading my 338 lapua rounds, can you help me, i have never reloaded rounds before, where can i get the right equipment and what brass and bullets do you recommend and how do i do it? thank you
Sinclair, Midway-usa and a bunch of others can provide the equipment. Powder Valley, and Bruno's are where I do the most shopping for components. For the 338 Lapua, I use Lapua brass, and Berger 300 gr Hybrids, with a Federal Magmum primer and H-1000 powder. I use a vibratory tumbler with corn cob media, redding turret press with redding dies, with a RCBS Chargemaster for powder throwing duties, and Starrett calipers for the measuring duties. The how to do it part is where the forums and good books come in. Also try to find a reloading mentor. Hang out at your home range, and you will find someone who is willing to help you out. J
Right now I have two Lee priming tools in the closet and enjoy using my rcbs hand tool because it fits my hand much better. Someone tell me how the 21st Century tool fits your hand and is comfortable for priming a few hundred rounds at a time.
thanks a bunch man, sorry i have not been looking at my forum post, i found the stuff i needed to reload a midway and i have been readding up on it alot, i think i will be set, does not seem to difficult, just a lot of variables to concider when loading. thank you again
The Sinclair is certainly cool and has an awesome feel, but the RCBS works great and save substantial time to allow more time to feel my wife, which keeps her happy, which frees up more trigger/bench time at the range. Accordingly, I mostly use my RCBS.
Happy wife = more range time.
Happy wife = more range time.
Primer tools are like any other tool. Some say "Buy this" and others say "no, no, buy this one, it's so much better".
What I find interesting is that among the Bench Rest Shooters that show up during the week while I'm shooting, I see just about every hand priming tool made in use by these guys.
Funny thing is that the "so-so" shooters all have Sinclairs, Century 21's, etc. One guy who has won more BR Matches and titles than anyone else there just uses an old "Round Tray" Lee. Dumps in a tray of primers, loads up some ammo, then proceeds to shoot group after group of single holes. Not ragged, but groups that measure less than .1" more than the bullet size.
Pay $100 or more or pay $20 or so. They all prime cases.
FWIW, I have the Hornady "Improved" hand priming tool and after a couple trips to the range with more primer related misfires than I have has in 30 years total, I went back to a Lee XR that I got to replace my original Auto Prime bought back in the late 70's. No more primer issues.
What I find interesting is that among the Bench Rest Shooters that show up during the week while I'm shooting, I see just about every hand priming tool made in use by these guys.
Funny thing is that the "so-so" shooters all have Sinclairs, Century 21's, etc. One guy who has won more BR Matches and titles than anyone else there just uses an old "Round Tray" Lee. Dumps in a tray of primers, loads up some ammo, then proceeds to shoot group after group of single holes. Not ragged, but groups that measure less than .1" more than the bullet size.
Pay $100 or more or pay $20 or so. They all prime cases.
FWIW, I have the Hornady "Improved" hand priming tool and after a couple trips to the range with more primer related misfires than I have has in 30 years total, I went back to a Lee XR that I got to replace my original Auto Prime bought back in the late 70's. No more primer issues.
