Hand vs Ram Priming

[Jig Stick]

I was always under the impression that ram priming achieves more consistent primer seating because of the way the press and priming unit is set up, allowing the same amount of force to be used each and every time. However, I have been hearing recently, from a few guys at the range, that they feel that the hand primers are more consistent because they get a better "feel" of the primers seating. It seems to me that getting your squeeze consistent every time with a hand primer would be hard. What do you guys think?

 

[notquiteright]

Re: Hand vs Ram Priming

Well my third girlfriend once told me in is in dont sweat it. I am not so sure being that anal about primer seating pressure is what wins a match. Thinking more like if someone is that anal about that way minor part they were anal about the important steps. Then its 'just a matter of having shooting skills!'

I like my newer model Lee hand primer as it doesnt take alot of pressure to fully seat a primer. It is easy to fill, positive cover lock, way faster than a ram seater.

But to each their own, Good Luck

 

[Silverbullet2]

Re: Hand vs Ram Priming

I have used a Sinclair hand priming tool for the better part of 20 years. It is a very consistant tool. My father has worn out 3 or 4 Lee auto prime units in the 40 years of loading he has done. It works great for him.
It depends on your needs. If your a 1000 yard BR guy, you will have some dial indicator set up on your priming tool. If your plinking at steel at moderate distances, the Lee would be great. I'm in the middle with my slow Sinclair priming tool.
I'm sure others will chime in, good luck, JPG

 

[vman]

Re: Hand vs Ram Priming

hand priming for the win

so much faster.

With my RCBS hand priming tool i can easily feel the differences in force when seating primers. Ultrasonic cleaned cases sometimes feel harder to prime.

 

[former naval person]

Re: Hand vs Ram Priming

When you are young and strong, the hand held primer seater works well. When you get older and the hands get sore and your carpal tunnel syndrome acts up...the bench model gets the vote.

 

[triceratops3]

Re: Hand vs Ram Priming

I have a lee auto prime that i use for .308 and i really like it. its easy, fast and consistent.

 

[token5gtd]

Re: Hand vs Ram Priming

I switched to the RCBS hand primer and haven't looked back. So much faster, and has a better feel. I like being able to feel the primer hit the bottom

 

[tacshooter223]

Re: Hand vs Ram Priming

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: triceratops3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a lee auto prime that i use for .308 and i really like it. its easy, fast and consistent. </div></div>
+1 on the auto prime. Never had a problem with it and it doesn't require a lot of force.

 

[Mike]

Re: Hand vs Ram Priming

Hand Primer.
I recently bought a new RCBS press that came with the auto prime (or whatever it's called) feature and it was a big PITA and a major headache.

The hand primer is quick, accurate, and let's you feel the primer seating.

 

[patriotoutlaw]

Re: Hand vs Ram Priming

Sinclair hand priming tool for me. They are right about the "feel".

 

[Ghogs Nightmare]

Re: Hand vs Ram Priming

I usually use the rcbs hand primer, anyone else see a bit of mark on thier seated primers. After using theirs? More pronounced on some than others, kind like a half moon mark from the seater rod.

 

[Headgear]

Re: Hand vs Ram Priming

I like using the priming system on the Coax. It's fast enough and seats them the same every time. I can spend my time and money on other things to try and get my loads as identical as they can be. I'm confident that the Forster seats them the same every time.

 

[PLeighton]

Re: Hand vs Ram Priming

This is the best that I have found.

RCBS Universal Hand Primer
No shell holders to worry about.
You can feel what you need to.
Uses a square tray. (Never seen a round box of primers before)
More rugged than the Lee.
Has a safety gate that prevents the whole tray of primers from lighting off in the event of a detonation.
You can prime 100 cases quicker that you can fill up a primer tube.
Seating depth is as consistent as your primer pockets allow.

 

[Nessal]

Re: Hand vs Ram Priming

I hand prime for anything precision. Everything else is ram primed in the progressive.

 

[token5gtd]

Re: Hand vs Ram Priming

RE: NIGHTMARE

I got this small "half moon" shape on my primers before I started uniforming the pockets. Since then I haven't noticed it happening. It never hurt my accuracy.

 

[gunsnjeeps]

Re: Hand vs Ram Priming

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ghogs Nightmare</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I usually use the rcbs hand primer, anyone else see a bit of mark on thier seated primers. After using theirs? More pronounced on some than others, kind like a half moon mark from the seater rod. </div></div>

I was told it was from trying to push the primer in to far. The primer is starting to compress. I just quit gorilla gripping it. When the primer stops I stop.

 

[jonaddis84]

Re: Hand vs Ram Priming

I recently broke a Lee auto prime handle off priming some Winny 308 brass. I never really thought it had any great "feel" to it, so I went with the Lee auto prime II this time. That is the press mounted priming system, it screws in like a die, you put a shellholder on top, and go.

Dont let anyone kid you, you can get just as much feel from this setup as with a hand primer if used right. Since you are priming on the downstroke and not on the up like with a factory Rockchucker priming system. I just use two fingers to push the handle down, it definitely feels like Im applying more consistent pressure to the primer, after 20 with the hand prime your hand is numb to any feel anyway! It is also just as fast as any handprimer, aside from the 10 seconds it takes to screw the die in.

Just my opinions though.

 

[lightman]

Re: Hand vs Ram Priming

I always felt that my press mounted priming tool did an ok job.But,I really like sitting in my recliner and using my Sinclair tool.I wore out a couple of the original Lee tools before buying the Sinclair tool.It is very smooth,and the feel is better than the press mounted tool or the Lee tool.Does it matter?I really don't see any difference on the target.Pete