Time to Find a New Priming System

[SQLGeek]

Broke the large priming punch on my Lyman press kit trying to remove it to swap out for the small priming punch. Cheap metal stuck in the primer bar and snapped off when I tried to pry it out.

This Lyman priming on press setup sucks. And the primer tube gets in the way of the turret handle. Time to ditch it.

Don't want to hand prime as I'm sure I'm working on a nice case of carpal tunnel from working on a computer all day long.

Anyone use the Lee or RCBS bench priming systems? Different end of the spectrum in price. I'm sure I'd be happier with the RCBS but really don't want to spend that kind of money...I know I know...buy once, cry once. But $100+...sigh.

Maybe I should just upgrade to a Dillon.

Got to say....reloading has not been an enjoyable pursuit thus far.

 

[Axxe55]

Last couple of years, I have been thinking of upgrading to at least a turret style press. Currently do all of my priming on one of the single stage presses that I have. So far, it works acceptable, but isn't fast by any means. If and when I do decide to go to a turret press, I think I'll also look into a faster means of priming the cases as well.

So subbed for the discussions on this.

 

[Maverick44]

I have heard good things about the RCBS and plan on picking one up myself at some point. The priming system on my Hornady progressive press is finicky, so I usually prefer to prime on one of my single stages instead.

I kind of wish I had spent a little extra to get the Dillon instead, but the Hornady is a pretty decent press nonetheless.

 

[Rusty Gun]

Sorry you are having trouble. For me reloading has become almost therapeutic and I enjoy it almost as much as shooting. I got a Dillon years ago and the priming system was a little touchy at first but once I got it dialed in I have had zero problems over about 10,000 reloads.

I Load mostly 9mm & 45 and worked out the change over from small to large pistol primers so it takes about two minutes and works flawlessly.

The only minor complaint is occasionally (2-4 per hundred) a spent primer will defy the laws of physics and somehow escape the primer catch chute and end up on the floor. Tried everything including profanity and cannot figure out why or how it does this. So I sweep the shop...

 

[robertc1024]

The only minor complaint is occasionally (2-4 per hundred) a spent primer will defy the laws of physics and somehow escape the primer catch chute and end up on the floor. Tried everything including profanity and cannot figure out why or how it does this. So I sweep the shop...

Don't you love stepping on them with bare feet? They're like legos, for men.

 

[Rusty Gun]

Don't you love stepping on them with bare feet? They're like legos, for men.

I load in my garage/shop so I am seldom barefoot and I have a vacuum dust collection system so it is pretty easy to suck them up. I just am astonished how far those little suckers can travel when they hit the concrete floor. I have found them 20-25 ft away from the reloading area.

 

[Maverick44]

Don't you love stepping on them with bare feet? They're like legos, for men.

I always got the damn things stuck in the heels of my boots. They'd cut into the smooth rubber of the heel and stick there. I'd have to dig them out with a knife otherwise my boots would make a clicking noise every time I took a step.

 

[jordanmills]

I always got the damn things stuck in the heels of my boots. They'd cut into the smooth rubber of the heel and stick there. I'd have to dig them out with a knife otherwise my boots would make a clicking noise every time I took a step.

Even worse, stuff like that tears up my pretty pine plank floors.

 

[SQLGeek]

My press has a tendency to throw a spent primer across the garage on occasion. It's amazing where I'll end up finding them.

I'll probably breakdown and get the RCBS but man I thought I was done spending money on equipment at least for a little while. :|

 

[jordanmills]

My press has a tendency to throw a spent primer across the garage on occasion. It's amazing where I'll end up finding them.

I'll probably breakdown and get the RCBS but man I thought I was done spending money on equipment at least for a little while. :|

Well that was a mistake. You're never done.

 

[SQLGeek]

I did say "for a little while".

 

[Pistol Pete]

Do most of my loading for handguns on a 550B now, and yes it spits primers, as did my RCBS JR and as does my Lyman T-Mag II. I prime rifle and handgun cases (for the T-Mag) with hand priming tools, either a Lee or an RCBS, trays hold a whole box of primers if you wish and they work well, the Lee isn't too sturdy and may break or wear out but they are cheap and work surprisingly well, the Lee requires special shell holders, RCBS uses standard shell holders. RCBS makes one tool that is universal and does not require shell holders, I haven't tried it.
Shop vac picks up primers off the floor. I bought a device that fits on the T-Mag that funnels the primers into the trash can, I'm still playing with it, it may work, semi successful so far.

 

[TxStetson]

Maybe I should just upgrade to a Dillon.

There's your answer.

I kind of wish I had spent a little extra to get the Dillon instead

I got a Dillon years ago and the priming system was a little touchy at first but once I got it dialed in I have had zero problems over about 10,000 reloads.

I'm seeing a common trend here.

In all seriousness, my Dillon 550 was well used when I got it, and I've ran tens of thousands of rounds through it. I have only had 1 priming issue, and that was user error. The primers would not fully seat in my 357 Magnum cases, which meant they weren't sitting flat and wobbled around when working the press. After searching the internet and driving myself crazy for a couple weeks, and ordering a new small primer bar from Dillon that didn't fix the problem, I discovered I had the shell plate on upside down. Once I got past that little bonehead incident, I've had no more priming issues.

 

[SQLGeek]

There's your answer.

I will...eventually. I'm holding out hope that investing in one more piece of equipment ala bench primer will get me by for a good while.

 

[toddnjoyce]

Just upgrade to a Dillon.

There, it’s been said.

..Got to say....reloading has not been an enjoyable pursuit thus far.

I don’t particularly enjoy reloading, but right now, I can’t justify paying market price for ammo.

 

[rotor]

Do most of my loading for handguns on a 550B now, and yes it spits primers, as did my RCBS JR and as does my Lyman T-Mag II. I prime rifle and handgun cases (for the T-Mag) with hand priming tools, either a Lee or an RCBS, trays hold a whole box of primers if you wish and they work well, the Lee isn't too sturdy and may break or wear out but they are cheap and work surprisingly well, the Lee requires special shell holders, RCBS uses standard shell holders. RCBS makes one tool that is universal and does not require shell holders, I haven't tried it.
Shop vac picks up primers off the floor. I bought a device that fits on the T-Mag that funnels the primers into the trash can, I'm still playing with it, it may work, semi successful so far.

I have the RCBS Universal hand primer. Works good. No shell holders to buy.

 

[MTA]

I just got the Lee Auto Prime this past week. Its been good so far. I had no hiccups priming 100 .223 cases. Took me less than 5 minutes to prime them all.

On my 308 cases I ran into one primer that wanted to feed in sideways. I found that I have to move the handle around a little bit to make sure a primer is there with both sizes. Also you still need to visibly check that a primer made it into the channel for the next case.

For 26$ its awesome. You just need to make sure you buy the lee shellholder kit made for their primer tools. I think in the future I will move to the RCBS as it seems to be the best option

 

[Brains]

The only minor complaint is occasionally (2-4 per hundred) a spent primer will defy the laws of physics and somehow escape the primer catch chute and end up on the floor. Tried everything including profanity and cannot figure out why or how it does this. So I sweep the shop...

If you know someone nearby with a 3D printer, ask them to make you one of these:
Dillon XL650 Spent Primer PZ

If you don't, I might be persuaded to print up a few.

 

[Reinz]

SQL- Just out of curiosity, which Lyman manual turret do you have? Lyman has made 6 manual turrets over the years that I am aware of. I have 3 of those different models.

Even their latest Turret introduced just a few years ago has many complaints about the primer system.

^^^^
Tru-line JR.
Not mine, but own one

^^^^
Spar-T
Not mine, but own one

^^^^
T-Mag
Not mine

^^^^
T-Mag 2
Not mine

^^^^
All American o/s
Not mine, but own at least 3

^^^^
All American n/s- current
Not mine

 

[SQLGeek]

I have the latest, the AA-8. Overall I really like it. When the priming system works, it's ok but it is pretty finicky. Another weak point in the design is that the primer tube blocks the turret handle which makes die positioning a bit tricky especially if you're throwing powder on press like I am.