How do you seat primers ?

[Roosterlund]

Been reloading for years always looking for a better way or a more accurate way to reload. Hearing a lot about primer pocket uniformers and primer tools. Saw the Hornady VersaPrime. Looks like a great tool. But I ask how important is a consistent primer depth? Is my RCBS hand primer been the cause of load development frustration? Or do a lot of you feel these tool are another way to waste your money?

 

[farmer_john]

Been reloading for years always looking for a better way or a more accurate way to reload. Hearing a lot about primer pocket uniformers and primer tools. Saw the Hornady VersaPrime. Looks like a great tool. But I ask how important is a consistent primer depth? Is my RCBS hand primer been the cause of load development frustration? Or do a lot of you feel these tool are another way to waste your money?

What are the issues you have been having with your loads?

 

[M70375!]

I use a Primal Rights priming tool and I love it has adjustable seating depths and no more hand fatigue for my old hands.

 

[meigsbucks]

I’ve used the priming arm on the press, a hand priming tool and a bench mounted priming tool: For hunting loads, I couldn’t see a difference in accuracy as far as method of priming.
Several years ago, I used a primer pocket uniforming tool. I believe it was Reading. I couldn’t tell the difference and quit using it.
I saw the Hornady VersaPrime and it looks like a good tool, but I’m of the mindset: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it and I’m staying with what I’ve been doing for 50 years.

 

[DaddyFlip]

My needs are simple; I prefer to prime one at a time. Primarily, I prime on the Co-Ax press; it has good feel and a positive stop so you can't prime too shallow or too deep. Secondary is the Ram Prime on the Lee hand press; it is just as good or better than the Co-Ax and also has great feel with positive stop. Specialty is hand priming with the Lyman 310 tool for my 32-20 only. Has seated beautifully every time, plus you can watch the primer go in the pocket and seating depth/pressure is infinitely adjustable. (The 310 tool system really is remarkable) To date, I have never cleaned, reamed, or uniformed a primer pocket. I do decap before tumbling and don't mind checking the flash holes for a little media, which I push out with a wooden skewer.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

I use a Primal Rights priming tool and I love it has adjustable seating depths and no more hand fatigue for my old hands.

The Primal Rights priming tool is great! I have the Frankfort Arsenal priming tool with adjustable depth.

To resolve problems I like to gather data. How deep are primer pockets on cases of Nosler compared to those made by Winchester, Hornady, or... ? For that I use this gage from K&M,

If primer pockets are not deep enough, I use this primer pocket uniformer from K&M,

 

[Firebird]

I still use the original rcbs hand priming tool that came with my first “kit.” I’ve added some smaller pieces and parts so I could load smaller calibers.
I like the “feel” of it and can detect too shallow or deep or poor fitting primers. I do clean my primer pockets but I don’t keep brass long enough to have issues with loose primer pockets.
I also am not loading large volume as would be common in AR platforms or handguns.
I suppose it could cause had fatigue but I haven’t gotten there yet.

 

[shootist~]

RCBS Universal hand priming tool, But...

Unifirming the p.pocket or not depends on the brand of the brass. I'm pretty selective on brands I reload for this reason.

I buy and use my uniforimg tool on new Norma brass. Not because the primer pocket depth is off. Norma brass is just so tight it actually needs some lube to properly seat primers without crushing force. Excellent brass otherwise.

I use a tiny amount of Universal sizing wax on the outer edge of my K&M Uniforming tool ( applied with a Q-tip). Tool is in an electric screwdriver.
Two or three turns and the primers seat a hair below flush with normal seating pressure. Relube the uniforming tool withfresk Q-Tip about every four or five pieces.

 

[Roosterlund]

What are the issues you have been having with your loads?

no real problems that I can tell. Using the Rcbs hand priming tool. Was a question of any-inconsistency’s other hand loaders have seen. But have any seen better results uniforming and using a primer tool that has a more consistent way of setting primer depth. Some times you develop a good load that say three shots are in a tight group and the fourth one is a flyer and you feel that it wasn’t you.
Also have been watching a lot of Cortina’s videos and will the discipline of using these tools and techniques make a better load. Like meigsbucks said don’t see the difference in a hunting load. Are these tool really fore the competition shooters? I shoot some PPC but not competitively and is an older Seely Masker rig on a 40X action. Always looking to tighten groups up!!

 

[Roosterlund]

RCBS Universal hand priming tool, But...

Unifirming the p.pocket or not depends on the brand of the brass. I'm pretty selective on brands I reload for this reason.

I buy and use my uniforimg tool on new Norma brass. Not because the primer pocket depth is off. Norma brass is just so tight it actually needs some lube to properly seat primers without crushing force. Excellent brass otherwise.

I use a tiny amount of Universal sizing wax on the outer edge of my K&M Uniforming tool ( applied with a Q-tip). Tool is in an electric screwdriver.
Two or three turns and the primers seat a hair below flush with normal seating pressure. Relube the uniforming tool withfresk Q-Tip about every four or five pieces.

I will try this. Been working on a model 70 in .280 AI. Has a new hart barrel and trying to dial it in. Noticed how much more force it was taking to seat primers sence I’m only using Nosler brass. Thanks for info!!!

 

[skydiver386]

I prefer a Bench mounted priming tool, but with that said, brass and primer combination can be a big factor.

 

[MS 9x56]

With a hand primer tool.

 

[Tanks]

I use the RCBS bench mounted primer tool for rifles. For shotgun and pistol the automatic reloading machine does it.

 

[farmer_john]

no real problems that I can tell. Using the Rcbs hand priming tool. Was a question of any-inconsistency’s other hand loaders have seen. But have any seen better results uniforming and using a primer tool that has a more consistent way of setting primer depth. Some times you develop a good load that say three shots are in a tight group and the fourth one is a flyer and you feel that it wasn’t you.
Also have been watching a lot of Cortina’s videos and will the discipline of using these tools and techniques make a better load. Like meigsbucks said don’t see the difference in a hunting load. Are these tool really fore the competition shooters? I shoot some PPC but not competitively and is an older Seely Masker rig on a 40X action. Always looking to tighten groups up!!

As long as your consistent so will your results be.
I just use primer seater on rock chucker
Ive never seen any difference from a practical accuracy standpoint.
I do try to buy a whole case of primers at a time so there all the same lot. With all components there can be small lot
variations.
I find better scale/powder measure will have a bigger affect

How far are you shooting?

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

Depending on cartridge:

 

[Shootist43]

I've been reloading for 45 years. At times I've purchased new brass that simply was impossible to prime. The pockets were too small and had to be opened up. On other brass the flash holes were punched and consequently had the "extruded" piece extending into the case. Primer pocket uniforming tools were used to correct both issues. I prefer to use the priming system on my Dillon presses when possible. For anything larger than a 375 H&H I use a hand primer. Before getting a de-swaging tool, I used primer pocked uniformers to remove the crimp from Military brass.

 

[Jefferry404]

I will apologize beforehand
As my Tang Soo Doo teacher liked to say:
“How do you seat down in a chair”
“You just sit”

 

[Tex .416]

I have tried several in fifty years of reloading.

This is my current preferred tool. It is similar to the Sinclair tool I previously used. The Franklin tool allows minute adjustments and moves the work along quickly.

Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Perfect Seat Hand Priming Tool

The Frankford Arsenal Perfect Seat Hand Primer will make sure you don’t over seat and crush a primer again. It features a dial that adjusts...

www.midwayusa.com

This primer pocket uniformer is very good to use on every piece of new brass.

SINCLAIR INTERNATIONAL CARBIDE PRIMER POCKET UNIFORMERS

Check out SINCLAIR INTERNATIONAL CARBIDE PRIMER POCKET UNIFORMERS with 30 reviews and an overall rating of 4.7, available Online at Brownells Today and many more Primer Pocket & Flash Hole products are available in our Reloading Department.

www.brownells.com

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

Usually to the right of the speaker...

 

[Tex .416]

The Primal Rights priming tool is great! I have the Frankfort Arsenal priming tool with adjustable depth.

View attachment 749735

To resolve problems I like to gather data. How deep are primer pockets on cases of Nosler compared to those made by Winchester, Hornady, or... ? For that I use this gage from K&M,

View attachment 749730

View attachment 749731

If primer pockets are not deep enough, I use this primer pocket uniformer from K&M,

View attachment 749734

Mark,

what differences are you finding between the brands of brass for longevity of primer pocket measurements? That looks like a very handy gauge, going to pick one up. Thank you for that information.