Rcbs bench priming tools

H

hounddawg

New member
https://usa.palmettostatearmory.com...3K6hVP0X2nGwipl4rQhPz4NNPNiCFpWxoC_bIQAvD_BwE

Anyone have any opinions?

The reason I ask is my old RCBS hand primer is about worn out. The aluminum pivot that attaches to the frame has a divot worn in it and I use masking tape to keep the tray closed snug. I am pretty sure RCBS will warranty it but this unit looks like it will save a little wear and tear on the hands as well.

I think it has a similar primer delivery as the Hornady AP, pick up stick style and I can live with that. Seating sensitivity and feeding issues are what I worry about

the other unit I am considering is the AP bench version

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/713545/rcbs-aps-bench-priming-tool
 
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I haven't heard any negatives about the RCBS tube-fed bench primer.....on the contrary everyone who buys them sing the praises.....

But I still bought the APS version instead, anyway. (I bought the APS Pro 2000 press 9 years ago, so it only stands to reason) I also have the APS hand primer......but after nearly 50 years of designing architecture with computer cad.....I can't use the hand primer for much anymore.....I just had carpal tunnel surgery as a result of that choice of vocation.

So what's my take? I loved the hand primer until my wrist went south. The bench version has been a life saver. Great feel seating primers ..... and no pain.

I have nothing bad to say about APS, except that RCBS's new presses went back to tubes. A case of the market not being ready for a better way, and they want to sell presses.:rolleyes:

If you buy the APS bench primer unit, you won't want to be limited to only CCI primers pre-loaded into primer strips. The supply is still good, but that could change, and besides, I like Federals for some things.

That means you need to buy an APS Loader......the press came with one, but the priming machine doesn't. They are on sale at Midway for $28. So you gotta add that to the $85 priming machine cost (also on sale through tomorrow). But well worth it, IMO, to not to have to load tubes.

Loading a box of 100 primers into 4 strips takes less time than loading a single tube of 100.....but the real advantage is that you can store many strips indefinitely and safely, in plastic bins you can get at Walmart. Once loaded they are ready for the priming machine as it feeds them one after another........or you can put them away....no need to unload tube bombs. :)

Tube-Fed or Strip-Fed, these are the cat's meow.....either way they beat hand primers by a long long way! But make up your mind fast if you want to take advantage of the June RCBS Sale at Midway USA!

Oh! BTW, the APS version also has a primer depth stop if you prefer.......can be set up for each batch/brand of brass to make "feel" unnecessary. Don't think the tube-fed version has that feature. That really works well when you "uniform your brass pockets" on a Trim Mate or other prep center. Speeds things up quite a bit.
 
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I've been using the tube fed version for many years now and never had a problem with it. Still using the original tubes as well....and I'm very happy with the tool.
 
thanks guys, that is pretty much what I expected to hear. Now I just need to decide between the strip fed and the tube fed. I am leaning toward the strip with the loader, I have always thought it was a neat concept and woud be handy when loading odd numbers of cases.. My hands are staring to go south as well so even though I am 90% positive RCBS will send me some new parts for the old hand held I think I will pull the trigger on one today.
 
GWS saved me a lot of typing. Thanks, GWS. :) Ditto what he said. I use mine for priming rifle cases when I have more than a handful to prime. I load pistol ammo on my Pro 2000 and prime on the press.
 
I too use the tube fed bench primer and like it. I'd still rather use their handprimer, but when doing a lot of rounds my old hands just don't cut it anymore. Because of the increased leverage, it's a little harder to "feel" when a primer is fully seated. Only issue I have with it are when priming .380 brass, and that could be the Lee shell holder I use. I have to be careful with the pressure or I bend the rim of the case.
 
The reason I ask is my old RCBS hand primer is about worn out.
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Back when reloaders were having trouble with half moon dents the 9MM case I got involved. I have two of the RCBS Auto Primers and two of the bench type primers and I also have the LockMiller and Herter versions; I also have the Herter shell holders. The difference is the length of the handles between the three. The RCBS is the one with the long handle.

Back to the dents in the primers, I offered to loan my friend two of my Auto Hand Primers from RCBS with one of my Lee Auto Primers with the round tray. I explained to him I use Federal Primers from the BIG BOX. I explained to him I had an adapter-kit for the big box Federal primers.

Shorten the story: My two RCBS hand primers cased the same half moon dents. I was proud of RCBS because they went out of their way to solve the problem. They sent him enough parts to build another hand primer. I called RCBS, I mentioned the reloader/shooters name and they knew who he was. I did not get around to talking to them about a 'fix' before they offered to send me a new shell holder. I declined their offer, I explained to them I was not the one with the problem of half-moon dents and then thanked them.

For me? It is not easy to outdo the old round tray Lee Auto hand primer.

And I have spare parts for the Lee and RCBS round try hand primers.

F. Guffey
 
For me? It is not easy to outdo the old round tray Lee Auto hand primer.

And I have spare parts for the Lee and RCBS round try hand primers.
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I also like the Lee, I have one on the shelf for emergencies but in Winter when Arthur Itus comes to visit my hands not so much.

I have pretty much decided on the strip style, I like the adjustable stop and the ability to preload the strips and see how many primers are in it vs the tube. I have it along with the strip loader and some strips in my shopping cart at Midway right now and am just waiting to see if I want to add anything else before committing the order
 
GWS said:
I haven't heard any negatives about the RCBS tube-fed bench primer.....on the contrary everyone who buys them sing the praises.....

But I still bought the APS version instead, anyway. (I bought the APS Pro 2000 press 9 years ago, so it only stands to reason) I also have the APS hand primer......but after nearly 50 years of designing architecture with computer cad.....I can't use the hand primer for much anymore.....I just had carpal tunnel surgery as a result of that choice of vocation.

So what's my take? I loved the hand primer until my wrist went south. The bench version has been a life saver. Great feel seating primers ..... and no pain.

I have nothing bad to say about APS, except that RCBS's new presses went back to tubes. A case of the market not being ready for a better way, and they want to sell presses.:rolleyes:

If you buy the APS bench primer unit, you won't want to be limited to only CCI primers pre-loaded into primer strips. The supply is still good, but that could change, and besides, I like Federals for some things.

That means you need to buy an APS Loader......the press came with one, but the priming machine doesn't. They are on sale at Midway for $28. So you gotta add that to the $85 priming machine cost (also on sale through tomorrow). But well worth it, IMO, to not to have to load tubes.

Loading a box of 100 primers into 4 strips takes less time than loading a single tube of 100.....but the real advantage is that you can store many strips indefinitely and safely, in plastic bins you can get at Walmart. Once loaded they are ready for the priming machine as it feeds them one after another........or you can put them away....no need to unload tube bombs. :)

{Edit: Removed copyrighted commercial image. See board rules on posting copyrighted material.}

Tube-Fed or Strip-Fed, these are the cat's meow.....either way they beat hand primers by a long long way! But make up your mind fast if you want to take advantage of the June RCBS Sale at Midway USA!

Oh! BTW, the APS version also has a primer depth stop if you prefer.......can be set up for each batch/brand of brass to make "feel" unnecessary. Don't think the tube-fed version has that feature. That really works well when you "uniform your brass pockets" on a Trim Mate or other prep center. Speeds things up quite a bit.
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The old Rockchucker's came with about the same thing, at no extra cost. They had a grove in front at the top that held a small tool, you screwed it on Also had the primer tubes. You would run the case up then push the tool into tht dead primer drop slot, bring the case back down and seat the new primer. I got my Rockchucker used nd didn't come with one. Seem's to me my old Jr had the same set up!
 
I love my auto bench prime with the tubes. Works great. You should be able to get it cheaper than the one in your link.
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Midway has the tube loader at $74 right now and the APS at $85. Of course with the APS strip loader and a few strips the price jumps up to $126. I am still wavering between the two and think there is no wrong decision here
 
Hounddog: If you do get the strip version and its loader, you might like the thread I did on THR on modifying the strip loader. Just made it a better tool. After you fill strips on an unmodified one you have to slide something over the strip bottoms lying on a flat surface (several strips at a time is fine) to make sure there are no edges to catch in the primer tool. I used a cheap wallpaper roller, before I modified the tool....or just slide or roll a pencil.....or something.

There's one thing to communicate on the APS bench tool. They have two little soft plastic inserts, one for each size primer that go in the shell holders. They are tiny and easy to lose.....down the road order a few more from RCBS......doubt they will charge you. That beats losing one and being down while you wait for replacements. Free replacement yes....instant replacement....no.

What I like about loaded strips is that they are ready to go.....you can store them.....indeed like the pre-loaded CCI's. When you need priming done and you have pre-loaded strips you prime cases....you don't load tubes first......and you don't want to load and store ready to go tubes unless you are ready to empty them.....they are bombs in the right circumstances. Strips are safe.
 
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thanks for all the input everyone, it was a very close decision but I went with the tube version. I loved the storage aspects of the strip version as well as the depth adjustment but decided to go with the tube because of lower cost when strip loader and strips were figured in and fewer parts to keep track of
 
I went with the tube version.
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I have two of the RCBS bench primers. I have also seen primer tubes stuck in the ceiling and photos of hands posted by reloaders that had failures with priming systems and who among us old reloaders that do not remember Lee and his 10 primer limit on his equipment and Federal primers.

Just a suggestion but if the primer system uses tubes find a scatter shield.

One of the most gory stores was posted by a 550B reloader. He claimed 'static electricity' got him. I suggested he dropped a tube full of primers and then he panicked. He made a wild grab for the tube; instead of catching the tube he gave the tube a KI-rack shop. The chop folded the tube and crushed the primers at the fold. That was on the CALGUN forum.

F. Guffey
 
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I'm using the RCBS Ram priming unit , works well for me .
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which one is that CW ?

I ordered last eve and had them toss in square primer tray for the handheld RCBS as well. Tomorrow I will call RCBS and see if they will replace the handle, pivot link and looks what might be a pair of primer rod links. Mine is so old is only has a single primer rod link and large and small rods. Anyway I hope to get it back up and running, I have primed thousands of rounds with it and would even pay for parts if needed

Looked up the Ram Prime, it would never work for me I am a patient person but not that patient
 
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I am curious as to whether RCBS will warranty me the parts for the old hand primer. Warranty says must have proof of original purchase and this thing was bought when Bush was PoTUS, there is a supermarket where that gun store used to be. That receipt has rotted away in a land fill many moons ago.

No matter if needed I will pay for parts and shipping, I think I paid 25 bucks for it new so I have got my moneys worth a few times over.
 
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