Thread: Hand held priming tool, school me up ???

For all my target stuff I have for years used a 21stCentury tool. I use CCI primers in those loads. The CCI primers have protruding anvils of various measurements. The 21stCentury (or most hand primers) give good feel to avoid crushing the anvils into the cups. I take reasonable care priming these loads and believe good priming (not crushing) to be important in the overall package.

Press priming is akin to using a sledgehammer, with no feel.

In my non target loads, sporting 308, 22-250, 223, Swiss SR, Hornet, 32/20 I use Fiocchi or RWS primers. The anvils in these two sit flush with the bottom of the cup. These can be seated with a reasonably solid stop till the bottom of the cup contacts the bottom of the primer pocket without crushing the primer. You can obviously still flatten the primer face if too heavy handed.
I usually use an RCBS Universal tool for these.

I bought the RCBS Universal and a Lee at the same time. Tried both and promptly gave the Lee away. The RCBS has much nicer ergonomics. Minor downside is it's a bit fiddly changing between SRP and LRP but this is well offset by not having to have dedicated shellholders. Not sure about the latest Lee's but the RCBS has a safety gate to supposedly prevent setting of the primers in the tray if you have a primer blow whilst seating.