There are a few reasons why you might use a hand priming tool instead of a press mounted priming tool for reloading:
- Safety: A hand priming tool helps to reduce the risk of accidental primer detonation. This is because the primer is not in direct contact with the seating mechanism, so there is less chance of a spark or static electricity causing an explosion, and you can feel with your hand whether you are correctly seating the primer in the case, or busy crushing it or have an edge of it caught.
- Accuracy: A hand priming tool can help you to seat primers more accurately than if you were using a single stage press. This is because the tool provides a consistent amount of force, which helps to prevent the primer from being over- or under-seated, but also because you can develop a feel for how deeply you seat the primers, and how much pressure it takes to seat each primer so it become more consistent. This will also help you to know if you cleaned the primer pockets effectively with your brass prep station.
- Speed: A hand priming tool can be faster than using a single stage press, especially if you are only priming a small number of cases.
- Convenience: With a hand priming tool, you are not stuck to using it in your reloading room or at your reloading bench, it is loose and you can take it with your wherever. So you can go and sit in front of the TV and seat all your primers there getting them ready for the next step in your reloading process.
Of course, there are also some disadvantages to using a hand priming tool. For example, it can be more tiring to use over long periods of time, but I personally just see it as good forearm and hand strength exercises so I vary between using my left hand on one batch and my right hand on another. I do not change hands on the same reloading batch as seating depth and pressure may vary between the two hands.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use a hand priming tool is a personal one. If you are concerned about safety or accuracy, or if you only need to prime a small number of cases, then a hand priming tool may be a good option for you.
So now that you know you want a hand priming tool for your reloading kit, let us consider the best options currently available on the market, so you can decide which hand priming tool is the best one for your needs:
Image | Product | Features | Price |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | LEE PRECISION 90230 New Auto Prime Hand Priming Tool |
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![]() | RCBS 90200 Hand Priming Tool |
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![]() | Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Perfect Seat Hand Primer Seating Tool |
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![]() | RCBS Universal HPT Primer Tray |
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![]() | RCBS 9460 Auto Priming Tool |
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LEE PRECISION 90230 New Auto Prime Hand Priming Tool
This equipment has such an elegant handle, so you’ll be very relaxed by using the tool because it fits perfectly in your hand. The excellent shape will make it possible for you to work quicker too. And also, as this tool is simple and easy, you’re going to be able to work for longer. People can move from larger priming to a smaller one by simply switching the insert.
- Faster priming
- Easy and comfortable to use.
- Compatible and efficient with other brands.
- Very portable and comfortable.
- No shell holder
The Lee hand priming too has a classic look, but no outdated function by any means. The Lee hand-priming tool, is very efficient and easy on the hand to prime cases with. It is easy to press each primer to the same seating depth and pressure with this one.
The most crucial component of this tool is its safety mechanism. This tool integrates with the Elevator Pin and removes the single primer of the tray, which decreases the chances of detonation of the tray.
RCBS 90200 Hand Priming Tool
It is an awesome priming tool from the RCBS. In case you’re not aware, RCBS is a well-known brand and delivers best sellers every time. The greatest thing about this kind of hand priming tool is self preservation, it emerges with a prevention gate that distinguishes the primer that is located on the primer and inhibits the detonation of the tray.
- Easy to Use
- Very portable.
- Extremely Comfortable.
- Highly durable
- Very safe
- No shell holder
With that whole hand primer, people can simply figure 100 rounds in one go, and it varies from person to person. Still other hands may begin to cramp, and some people are doing more than 100 in one go. But you’re not supposed to force, take your time, go slow, and be gentle, trick when pressing in primers, is to try and press each primer to the same seating pressure and depth. The primary concern in this is to do priming correctly, it’s all right if the procedure takes time.
Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Perfect Seat Hand Primer Seating Tool with Case for Reloading , Black
- Extremely comfortable priming tool.
- Very versatile hadn priming tool.
- Includes 12 shell holders.
- Effective primer tray.
- Easy to use.
- Very expensive.
The Frankford Arsenal Perfect Seat Hand Primer will ensure you do not even overwhelm the seat and crush the primer afterward. It includes a dial that computes the seat depth to 1,000th of an inch at a moment with a total adjustment range from 50 thousandths. When you have the seat depth set, you can squeeze the grip as tight as you like and, also with a positive hard stop, the primer may never sit greater depth than the depth set.
RCBS 90201 Universal Hand Priming Tool
- Very safe hand priming tool.
- Extremely comfortable
- Universal shell holder to do priming
- Extremely durable tool
- Reasonable priced.
- Little slower.
The good thing about this primer is that it gets a universal shell plate that allows you to produce a wide range of shells with no need to buy different shell holders. You’re only going to have to change the size of the primer. This is very satisfying.
The safety gate separates the primer activity from its primer supply in order to minimize the risk of detonation of the tray. This safety mechanism is what every hand primer must-have. Looking to move on, the tray that comes with it can hold a few primers securely at a time. The removable primer tray orients its primers for use and fits any manufacturer’s primer packaging. It has accessories for large and small rifles or pistol premier.
RCBS 9460 Auto Priming Tool
It provides you what you’d like to get primed by small or large primers. People can fixed this to either alternative in just a few mins. People also need to adjust the primer tube and the primer rod assemblies, based on the size of the primer. People can fill up the primer tubes with a hundred primers in one go.
- Extremely solid and it will last for a long time.
- Very comfortable for priming tool.
- Construct for heavy duty.
- You can expect no problem for practicing.
- Very affordable.
- May you don’t like flipping primer tube.
You also need proper flip tray to ensure they’re going to flip the right way. Whenever they’re facing the cup-side up, you can use the plastic nipple at the end of the tube to pick it up. Other end of the tube has a holding clip. This retains the primer in (and not falling out) until you place the tube on the automatic feed primer arm.
Conclusion
These are what we consider the top or good enough hand priming tools to consider adding to your reloading kit. As with most good quality products from varying top manufacturers, the ultimate choice about which one is the best for you and will suit your needs and wants, will depend on your own opinion, we merely put this list together so you can effectively compare them on one page to help make an informed decision.
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