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hand primer tool

geeguygeeguy Member Posts: 1,047 ✭
edited April 2010 in Perry Shooter Competition Shooting and Reloading Forum
In reading several posts the LEE hand priming tool is discussed as being better then using a press. I use a Dillon sq. deal for pistol and do get a high primer every so often. I already single stage case form so I can clean the primer pocket on "match" ammo.

For "match" ammo is there a benefit in using the Lee tool for priming?
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Comments

  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I use the Lee hand tool for everything but 9mm and 45acp. It is fast and you can seat by feeling the pressure it takes to seat equal. I use a SQ.Deal for pistol, but have never got a high primer with them.
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  • bentley47bentley47 Member Posts: 78 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    +1 on the Lee hand primer. I switched 15 years or so back. I used to have to stack primers in a tube for seating on the press. The Lee does away with that step and, IMHO, gives a better feel to seating. Fast and consistent. I keep one set up for small and one for large primers. For what I load, I only need to change the shell holder when I do 9mm.
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  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,438 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Another user of a pair of Lee Auto-Primes. In use for 25+ years now.

    I have had one body break at the top where it holds the shellholder. Lee sent me a whole new unit - so now I have spare parts for anything except the bodies. If you put a tiny dab of grease on the linkage (both ends) every six months, you will never wear one out. If you don't, they wear in a hurry.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
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  • bentley47bentley47 Member Posts: 78 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Right on, Rocky. I had forgotten that my first one split at the mold seam at the top. Must have been a production problem back then and Lee took care of it. I don't load as much as some guys - 2500-3000 a year for prairie pups and a little for pistols. Keep the link joints lubed, like Rocky says.
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  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I use the LEE tool even for my benchrest loads.
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  • ~Mr. Colt .45~~Mr. Colt .45~ Member Posts: 1,546 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by JustC
    I use the LEE tool even for my benchrest loads.


    +1
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  • goldeneagle76goldeneagle76 Member Posts: 4,359
    edited November -1
    I use it for my 50AE and 44mag and love it.
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  • 5mmgunguy5mmgunguy Member Posts: 3,092 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am using an RCBS hand priming tool...never use the press priming tool. The hand priming is much better.
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  • EhlerDaveEhlerDave Member Posts: 5,158 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I use the Lee tool also and love it, have had no problems.
    Just smile and say nothing, let them guess how much you know.
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  • Pistollero1050Pistollero1050 Member Posts: 1,197 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It all depends on how much you shoot. I have a Dillon 550 for my pistol reloading because I shoot 400 rounds a month. For high powered rifle I perfer a Rcbs bench primer press tool because you get a better feel on the seat and you don't wear out you hands.
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  • glockman40swglockman40sw Member Posts: 105 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I switched from the Lee hand tool to RCBS's Handtool and I love it. The RCBS is much crisper when seating primers. I had two newer Lee hand primers and they both gave trouble feeding and seating primers.I now have two Lee hand tools gathering dust.
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  • Colonel PlinkColonel Plink Member Posts: 16,460
    edited November -1
    I given one by a friend who has a very cool old German multi-stage set-up. He never used it. I load every primer with it.
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  • FEENIXFEENIX Member Posts: 10,559 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by 5mmgunguy
    I am using an RCBS hand priming tool...never use the press priming tool. The hand priming is much better.


    +1.
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  • RCrosbyRCrosby Member Posts: 3,808 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you like the Lee concept, but want something a little more (for me anyway) comfortable and substantially build, try the Hornady Hand tool.
    Very nice. That said, and probably appropriate for another thread, I've sold my RCBS powder measure and use my Lee almost exclusively. Light; plastic and aluminum, but very smooth and accurate.
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  • gregoryhart1gregoryhart1 Member Posts: 518 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have both the Lee & RCBS. I've yet to use the Lee because the RCBS feels more comfortable to me, but I have no reason to believe the Lee won't work well. I like to hand prime because I can do up a bunch of brass while catching some tube. I think it makes the reloading process simple too, one less step.
    GH1[:)]
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  • GONESHOOTINGGONESHOOTING Member Posts: 2,450 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Uss the Lee auto prime,works great[:)]
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  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by FEENIX
    quote:Originally posted by 5mmgunguy
    I am using an RCBS hand priming tool...never use the press priming tool. The hand priming is much better.


    +1.


    +2
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  • cowboy38231cowboy38231 Member Posts: 851 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by 5mmgunguy
    I am using an RCBS hand priming tool...never use the press priming tool. The hand priming is much better.


    Same here.
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  • Colonel PlinkColonel Plink Member Posts: 16,460
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by zackla
    Hey if someone has a lee primering tool gathering duct how muck for it lee has rcbs beat all to hell

    Alcohol is not your friend.
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  • B17-P51B17-P51 Member Posts: 2,248 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Not intending to hijack the thread but on the same subject, I have used this tool for 32 years and never gone wrong. Also some of the hand tools are hard when you get old and arthritis sets in. The RCBS automatic priming tool, bench mounted and has a great "feel' for the primers. Very fast and clean.
    http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=457599
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  • AmbroseAmbrose Member Posts: 3,209 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    +1 to B17-P51. It takes standard shell holders, too, instead of the special ones required for the Lee. I have mine attached to a hardwood block so I can put it in my vise when I need it and put it away when I don't.
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  • rotarymetertecrotarymetertec Member Posts: 30 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    +1 to B17-P51 RCBS automatic bench tool works great good feel easy to seat hard primer with less effort just more money though. I use the Lee and it works great best low dollar tool. If your hand gets tired easy go with the RCBS
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  • 264fan264fan Member Posts: 81 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Two reasons why I like the Lee over the bench mount:
    Safety, if a primer ever goes off, I won't have a roman candle
    I don't have to handle my primers one at a time to load the tube
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  • zacklazackla Member Posts: 194 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Well i have been reloading for 26 years and the lee has the others beat all to h l
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  • Dumpster BabyDumpster Baby Member Posts: 291 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This is the kind of priming tool I've used since Day One back in the 1960's - nothing to break or go wrong on it. [:D]

    handtool.jpg
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  • rsnyder55rsnyder55 Member Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Dumpster Baby
    This is the kind of priming tool I've used since Day One back in the 1960's - nothing to break or go wrong on it. [:D]

    handtool.jpg



    Is that a loaded round in the priming tool? Looks like a bullet in the case.
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  • Sig220_Ruger77Sig220_Ruger77 Member Posts: 12,754 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The Lee hand primer is a great tool and is exclusively what I use for priming.

    Jon
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