Post by gws on Jul 3, 2014 18:58:05 GMT -5
RCBS's newest and best hand primer is pictured, and compared size-wise, to the venerable, original, Lee hand primer as well as Lee's current popular improved model with tray. The first thing you notice is, the newer, the bigger...not unlike airplanes. In this case it's an improvement, because the larger trimmer body fits an adult's hand the way a hand primer ought to. The original Lee was designed to rest in your fingers while punching primers with the thumb.....so was the next one with the tray. Thumb bruiser. 
Below: The RCBS package comes with a completely assembled primer tool (small primer plug installed), a large primer plug, an allen wrench, and the knurled primer plug wrench. The "other" primer plug is "stored" by screwing it in to the plug wrench. That might serve as a lever to unscrew an overtightened plug, but for sure it gives the other plug a place to live (and not get lost) until you need it. There are no shell holders except for the built-in universal shell holder which works perfectly with any sized brass I've
tried so far.
Below: The plug wrench actually has 2 female hex holes. You simply drop the hex-shaped primer plug you need into the wrench...it fits either primer plug size. The next two pictures show how easy it is to change primer plugs...
Below: First you squeeze the handle tight, and tighten the recessed set screw with the hex wrench. Important tip!! During the whole operation of changing primer plug size, keep the handle squeezed or if you didn't tighten the set screw enough, the primer plug receiver can fall into the bottom and require total tool dis-assembly to get it back. (Ask me how I know) If you don't make that mistake, then changing primer plug size requires NO dis-assembly!
Below: The actual changing procedure can't be simpler: 1. Place wrench over the plug in the tool...unscrew it and remove it. 2. Then press the plug you want to install into the tool, and screw it in. 3. With the primer tool still squeezed together, loosen (but don't remove) the set screw in the primer tool body. Done! Takes a few seconds tops!
Below: Close-up of the universal shell holders (plural because they are a pair) Of note is the four screws holding the head on. You can reverse the whole thing, depending on your preference: left handed; right handed; finger pull; or thumb pull.
Below: To insert a strip of 25 primers, first squeeze the handle, then push the strip of primers in hook-side first, until it clicks...carefully...because you can push it all the way through...and two clicks means you have to push it all the way through and try again. But I exaggerate the point...you only make that mistake once, and that only if you're a clumsy, heavy-handed bull in a china closet, like me. So when you hear/feel the first click, release the handle and it advances neatly to the first primer on the strip as shown above. (stupid camera focused on my lower thumb instead of the center of the picture primer hole, sheesh)
Below: Since most people load a lot more than 25 at a time, the strips are made to snap together. That becomes really slick when you finish off the 4 strips loaded from a box of 100 primers, and you want to load more...you don't have to pour and shake another box of primers into the 'ole primer tool tray, on this APS tool just keep snapping strips on. Also notice that there is no chance of dropping another primer on top of another primer, or the resulting risk of slamming two primers together. The strip advances only upon release of the handle.
Below: Two things to notice in this picture. First the little one-way sign. It's important, because if bullish types try to pull the primer strip out backwards...you break things inside...don't! I learned that when I first got my Pro 2000 progressive, thankfully by reading reports by people upset with APS and RCBS, because they broke strips. Second, this picture illustrates the hand-hold I prefer.
Below: The other way is shown in the next picture. BTW you end up using your less preferable hold when your hand gets tired. Good exercise though. "Honey I'm not messing with gun stuff, I'm exercising!" Oh, another thing to notice...us arthritic generation types will appreciate the fact that you don't use the thumb joint...either hold. As I said, Lee's tool is designed as a thumb-operated tool. BTW, notice the red strip on the left and the yellow strip on the right.....With a little planning you can start priming another cartridge using Magnum primers without changing anything but the strip. That'd be like pouring two kinds of primers in a tray.....well....you wouldn't do that with a tray would you.
Below: I'm taking the tool's head apart to service it. (or reverse the direction of the head.)
Below: the simple ingenious universal with it's two shell holder parts...that need a dab of grease once in a while on upper and lower surfaces.
Below: A closeup of the left (non-reversible) shellholder. The end with the reverse angle at the bottom goes toward the mouth where the case enters, beveled side up.
Everybody knows I use an RCBS Pro 2000 with a similar press-mounted APS primer system. I also might have stated more than a few times, that the primer system was the deal maker for me (as opposed to the great Dillon 650). So it was a no-brainer that I'd eventually get and try this APS hand primer. I wasn't disappointed. I actually gave away my trusty Lee tool to a good friend, and I don't feel bad about it.....good tool. (But my old original one-at-a-time Lee tool...stays til I die.....it was the first.
)
Pros:
What do I like about the new tool, besides that it uses the APS strips that I already use in my progressive:
1. It feels comfy in the hand and the leverage is good but still sensitive. No edges that hurt after a while.
2. No shell holders to buy or keep track of
3. It's reversible for lefties...or whatever.
4. It doesn't spill primers if you set it down and the tops not just right, nor does it drop a primer when you're not ready.
5. Its fast to use, to change primer plugs, to change strips (different primers), its just always ready to go as long as you got strips loaded.
6. Its versatile, being just as easy to load one case, several half dozen test loads in varying calibers, or a 1000 rounds of one thing.
7. You never have to touch a primer.
8. Lifetime RCBS guarantee.
(prices quoted below are probably out dated as this was written a while ago.)
Cons: One...Price. If you haven't already noticed, this is a lot more expensive than the Lee tool. At Midway it sells it's on sale at the moment for $46.00. Most of these RCBS trimmer products are on sale this week! Strips, at the moment, are $5 for 8 strips. At the very least most people would need set of 8 for each, Lg & Sm Rifle, Lg & Sm Pistol. That's another $20 bucks. Then, unless you have a Pro 2000 (which comes with it), you need a Strip Loader. That's on sale for $30 at midway. Add it together....a cool $96. Like I said, pricey. You can add up the cost of a Lee Primer tool, and the needed shell holders to compare if you want. But cost-wise Lee always wins. So why'd I spend the money? This is kinda like comparing the RCBS swager and the Dillon swager. On swager tools, there's more than a few willing to part with a $100 to get the better easier to use tool. I'd wager that most of us will use a hand priming tool just as much or more.
You don't have to use a Pro 2000 to get addicted to primer strips, this tool will do it. 6mmbr.com-ers agree This APS tool is perfect for most single station press users who could also end up with the popular bench mounted version.
Below: The RCBS package comes with a completely assembled primer tool (small primer plug installed), a large primer plug, an allen wrench, and the knurled primer plug wrench. The "other" primer plug is "stored" by screwing it in to the plug wrench. That might serve as a lever to unscrew an overtightened plug, but for sure it gives the other plug a place to live (and not get lost) until you need it. There are no shell holders except for the built-in universal shell holder which works perfectly with any sized brass I've
tried so far.
Below: The plug wrench actually has 2 female hex holes. You simply drop the hex-shaped primer plug you need into the wrench...it fits either primer plug size. The next two pictures show how easy it is to change primer plugs...
Below: First you squeeze the handle tight, and tighten the recessed set screw with the hex wrench. Important tip!! During the whole operation of changing primer plug size, keep the handle squeezed or if you didn't tighten the set screw enough, the primer plug receiver can fall into the bottom and require total tool dis-assembly to get it back. (Ask me how I know) If you don't make that mistake, then changing primer plug size requires NO dis-assembly!
Below: The actual changing procedure can't be simpler: 1. Place wrench over the plug in the tool...unscrew it and remove it. 2. Then press the plug you want to install into the tool, and screw it in. 3. With the primer tool still squeezed together, loosen (but don't remove) the set screw in the primer tool body. Done! Takes a few seconds tops!
Below: Close-up of the universal shell holders (plural because they are a pair) Of note is the four screws holding the head on. You can reverse the whole thing, depending on your preference: left handed; right handed; finger pull; or thumb pull.
Below: To insert a strip of 25 primers, first squeeze the handle, then push the strip of primers in hook-side first, until it clicks...carefully...because you can push it all the way through...and two clicks means you have to push it all the way through and try again. But I exaggerate the point...you only make that mistake once, and that only if you're a clumsy, heavy-handed bull in a china closet, like me. So when you hear/feel the first click, release the handle and it advances neatly to the first primer on the strip as shown above. (stupid camera focused on my lower thumb instead of the center of the picture primer hole, sheesh)
Below: Since most people load a lot more than 25 at a time, the strips are made to snap together. That becomes really slick when you finish off the 4 strips loaded from a box of 100 primers, and you want to load more...you don't have to pour and shake another box of primers into the 'ole primer tool tray, on this APS tool just keep snapping strips on. Also notice that there is no chance of dropping another primer on top of another primer, or the resulting risk of slamming two primers together. The strip advances only upon release of the handle.
Below: Two things to notice in this picture. First the little one-way sign. It's important, because if bullish types try to pull the primer strip out backwards...you break things inside...don't! I learned that when I first got my Pro 2000 progressive, thankfully by reading reports by people upset with APS and RCBS, because they broke strips. Second, this picture illustrates the hand-hold I prefer.
Below: The other way is shown in the next picture. BTW you end up using your less preferable hold when your hand gets tired. Good exercise though. "Honey I'm not messing with gun stuff, I'm exercising!" Oh, another thing to notice...us arthritic generation types will appreciate the fact that you don't use the thumb joint...either hold. As I said, Lee's tool is designed as a thumb-operated tool. BTW, notice the red strip on the left and the yellow strip on the right.....With a little planning you can start priming another cartridge using Magnum primers without changing anything but the strip. That'd be like pouring two kinds of primers in a tray.....well....you wouldn't do that with a tray would you.
Below: I'm taking the tool's head apart to service it. (or reverse the direction of the head.)
Below: the simple ingenious universal with it's two shell holder parts...that need a dab of grease once in a while on upper and lower surfaces.
Below: A closeup of the left (non-reversible) shellholder. The end with the reverse angle at the bottom goes toward the mouth where the case enters, beveled side up.
Everybody knows I use an RCBS Pro 2000 with a similar press-mounted APS primer system. I also might have stated more than a few times, that the primer system was the deal maker for me (as opposed to the great Dillon 650). So it was a no-brainer that I'd eventually get and try this APS hand primer. I wasn't disappointed. I actually gave away my trusty Lee tool to a good friend, and I don't feel bad about it.....good tool. (But my old original one-at-a-time Lee tool...stays til I die.....it was the first.
)Pros:
What do I like about the new tool, besides that it uses the APS strips that I already use in my progressive:
1. It feels comfy in the hand and the leverage is good but still sensitive. No edges that hurt after a while.
2. No shell holders to buy or keep track of
3. It's reversible for lefties...or whatever.
4. It doesn't spill primers if you set it down and the tops not just right, nor does it drop a primer when you're not ready.
5. Its fast to use, to change primer plugs, to change strips (different primers), its just always ready to go as long as you got strips loaded.
6. Its versatile, being just as easy to load one case, several half dozen test loads in varying calibers, or a 1000 rounds of one thing.
7. You never have to touch a primer.
8. Lifetime RCBS guarantee.
(prices quoted below are probably out dated as this was written a while ago.)
Cons: One...Price. If you haven't already noticed, this is a lot more expensive than the Lee tool. At Midway it sells it's on sale at the moment for $46.00. Most of these RCBS trimmer products are on sale this week! Strips, at the moment, are $5 for 8 strips. At the very least most people would need set of 8 for each, Lg & Sm Rifle, Lg & Sm Pistol. That's another $20 bucks. Then, unless you have a Pro 2000 (which comes with it), you need a Strip Loader. That's on sale for $30 at midway. Add it together....a cool $96. Like I said, pricey. You can add up the cost of a Lee Primer tool, and the needed shell holders to compare if you want. But cost-wise Lee always wins. So why'd I spend the money? This is kinda like comparing the RCBS swager and the Dillon swager. On swager tools, there's more than a few willing to part with a $100 to get the better easier to use tool. I'd wager that most of us will use a hand priming tool just as much or more.
You don't have to use a Pro 2000 to get addicted to primer strips, this tool will do it. 6mmbr.com-ers agree This APS tool is perfect for most single station press users who could also end up with the popular bench mounted version.
My daughter came from Missouri, my son and grand son, my wife and I had a nice dinner of grilled "porter house" pork chops, corn on the cobb, my son, G'son and I share 10/5. G'son is 4 minutes early though @ 10/4.
Pooh I hope you find to right house . 
