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Bench mounted priming tool

Walt K

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 17, 2008
217
28
Clinton Twp. MI
Hello Members

I've been using the 21th Century hand priming tool with a tray. Not bad.
But now I'm considering using a bench mounted priming tool such as the
Forster or RCBS. Any info, pros and cons, concerning these tools would be
appreciated.
 
I use a Forster Co-Ax and to tell you the truth I never even tried it to prime.
Saw a video of a Forster bench priming tool mounted on a block of wood to make it
easier and more convenient to use. Looked good. Started thinking about giving it a try.
Actually looked like it may be faster and more convenient to use than a hand priming tool.
From viewing videos it looks as the Forster may be easier to set up and operate than the RCBS.
But I would value real world experience much more.
 
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I like the hand primers for the feel of the seat, kinda lets me know when the brass is getting tired.

I can tell the same thing when using my 550b and it's all done in one step.

Anyhow, I'm only familiar with the hand held priming dohickys, so I guess I'm no help to the OP?

Chris
 
I'm old school with the bench mounted primer tools. The older RCBS single prime tool is my go-to method of priming. I have hand-held dohickeys and press tools too but this is my favorite way to prime. Great tactile feel too. You can see them in the pic, I have one set up for both large and small primers.

 
Any reason why you're not using your press to prime your cases?

Chris

I've been loading for 30 years, honestly don't know anyone who actually shoots more than once a month who doesn't reload. I've never known anyone who uses his press to prime cases. I ground my attachment thing off my T-7, and removed the primer parts from my coax as well, I have cute little brass screws on the top of my rams instead.
 
I'm old school with the bench mounted primer tools. The older RCBS single prime tool is my go-to method of priming. I have hand-held dohickeys and press tools too but this is my favorite way to prime. Great tactile feel too. You can see them in the pic, I have one set up for both large and small primers.


That's a sweet looking loading bench. Can you post or PM me the dimensions? I need to get my presses off my work bench and have been looking for a suitable replacement.
 
I've been using a RCBS Bench Mounted Auto priming tool for many years. It has the perfect leverage and feel. Better than priming on a press and I don't want to use my hands. You can place primers one at a time by hand into the punch cup or use the primer pickup tubes to pick up primers from a flip tray. Automatically places a new primer into the cup by cycling the handle. You can easily feel a loose primer pocket or tight one plus feel when the primer bottoms out in the pocket. I wouldn't prime without one. Only thing is if loading on a single stage press you'll find you want to have multiple shellholders, one for the press and one for the RCBS Bench Mounted Priming tool. I've been thinking about buying a 2nd one just in case and should they quit making them?
 
the forrester takes some getting used to, specifically loading the channel with primers
 
I've had a RCBS bench mounted priming tool for about 30+ years and it offers great feel on the primer tension, and the feeder tube holds close to 60 primers. It's about as fast as you want go. I can't imagine one operating any better.
 
I've been loading for 30 years, honestly don't know anyone who actually shoots more than once a month who doesn't reload. I've never known anyone who uses his press to prime cases. I ground my attachment thing off my T-7, and removed the primer parts from my coax as well, I have cute little brass screws on the top of my rams instead.

Hahaha, just the opposite for me and I know a lot of reloaders. I'm no noob here either, but the question is why?

I can see if you like to do some reloading in front of the TV and want to kill two birds with one stone, or perhaps you enjoy priming your cases in your nice music room, while listening to a Mozart piano concerto...sure.

I can tell perfectly, whether a primer has been seated fully, or not, and whether the primer pockets are loosening up, or still pretty firm and at least with the hand primers, I'm not causing my fingers to become prematurely arthritic, lol. Also, it can't be any faster and it's certainly more money to spend on the equipment, at a minimum.

I think the key to seating a primer properly, isn't in the method, but making sure that the primer pockets have all been uniformed as best as possible.

Anyhow, if we all did things the same way as each other, it would be a boring world.

Chris
 
I prefer priming with a hand tool to priming in a progressive or singly in an RCBS press.
I have a cheap Lee Auto Prime XR and it gives me nice feel and control over seating depth.
Also, I can sit in front of the TV with the Missus and prime a few thousand rounds of .223 or .45 ACP while preserving matrimonial harmony.
It is way faster than any of the other methods I've tried, too.

I know you asked about a bench mounted priming tool but this may still be pertinent.

Joe
 
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I use the coax press to prime because of what I read in the instructions:
The primer seater design is engineered with such precision

that no excessive tolerance or “slop” is required in any of the

mating parts.The primer post in the Primer Seater Assembly

moves freely in its channel with minimal clearance.

This extremely tight tolerance delivers remarkably

consistent seating depth, time after time


Which is why I'm twice as accurate as the rest of ya and win all the matches I enter. :rolleyes:
 
That's a sweet looking loading bench. Can you post or PM me the dimensions? I need to get my presses off my work bench and have been looking for a suitable replacement.

I agree, that's a great solution. Lots of bench edge and some real useful storage. Seems whenever I need something it's at the back of the shelf. Those shelves have no back. Brilliant!

Joe
 
The Forster bench primer is awesome. I used to use a hand primer but priming 500 cases in one sitting plays hell on my hands. The Forster Bench primer seems to actually be faster for me.
 
Other than the primer magazine, it looks like it works just like the press itself.

All I prime on is my Co-Ax.
 
I'm old school with the bench mounted primer tools. The older RCBS single prime tool is my go-to method of priming. I have hand-held dohickeys and press tools too but this is my favorite way to prime. Great tactile feel too. You can see them in the pic, I have one set up for both large and small primers.


I'm jealous! I particularly like how you have your presses mounted on top of the legs. Nicely done.
 
The Forster bench primer is awesome. I used to use a hand primer but priming 500 cases in one sitting plays hell on my hands. The Forster Bench primer seems to actually be faster for me.

I lubed the pivots on my Lee Auto Prime XR with never seize, which reduced the effort by probably 1/3. I can prime several thousand cases in a few hours sitting in front of the TV now. Without the never seize I could not do this.

Joe