Any suggestions for a good quality hand primer for an old busted up guy with arthritis in the thumb joints?
Hand Priming Tools for aging Hands
- Thread starter Pistolero
- Start date
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
The new RCBS Rock Chucker and the Lee Classic Cast press will both prime cases using the ram. I suppose other will as well. 
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
Here is another ram-prime that works on the up-stroke.
http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/416519/rcbs-ram-priming-unit
http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/416519/rcbs-ram-priming-unit
Jim Puke
Hunter
https://fsreloading.com/lee-precision-auto-bench-prime-90700.html
OP
Gentlemen,
I appreciate your info. The LEE bench model looks interesting and the price is right. The RCBS bench primer has a good reputation and the ram-prime sound looks pretty promising too.
Thank you,
I appreciate your info. The LEE bench model looks interesting and the price is right. The RCBS bench primer has a good reputation and the ram-prime sound looks pretty promising too.
Thank you,
Chuck 100 yd
Hunter
The ram prime tool is a great set up for the price but I don't prime in my loading area. I prime standing up at me other work bench away from the loading area all together.
I used a LEE for years but it hurts. I switched to RCBS as it uses a different hand movement and is less painful. When I was loading LOTS of .223, I bought a Forster bench primer. Works great and doesn't hurt the thumbs, although it will cause some elbow pain if used in volume.
Rick Courtright
Hawkeye
Hi,
Though I still do most of my priming with a Lee hand tool, I've started doing more of my rifle cases with a Lee ram prime tool. My brother in law has used the RCBS ram prime tool exclusively for the several decades he's been reloading.
A buddy is just learning to reload, and bought an RCBS kit which has the RC Supreme press, with its "new and improved" (?) on press primer, as well as their "new" (to me) hand priming tool. I don't like the on press primer any better than the "old style" most everybody used for years (there's a drawer full of those I've taken off presses somewhere here), but the new hand tool, while a bit fiddly compared to my old Lee, feels ok. I introduced him to the ram prime just to show him "another way" to do the job, and he ordered one the next day! His hands are still pretty good at 73, but he just liked the feel of the ram prime best...
Rick C
Though I still do most of my priming with a Lee hand tool, I've started doing more of my rifle cases with a Lee ram prime tool. My brother in law has used the RCBS ram prime tool exclusively for the several decades he's been reloading.
A buddy is just learning to reload, and bought an RCBS kit which has the RC Supreme press, with its "new and improved" (?) on press primer, as well as their "new" (to me) hand priming tool. I don't like the on press primer any better than the "old style" most everybody used for years (there's a drawer full of those I've taken off presses somewhere here), but the new hand tool, while a bit fiddly compared to my old Lee, feels ok. I introduced him to the ram prime just to show him "another way" to do the job, and he ordered one the next day! His hands are still pretty good at 73, but he just liked the feel of the ram prime best...
Rick C
George
Blackhawk
I have a old Lyman press it's there old Acculine press that used the ram primer but it uses it on the down stroke. No work to it. You could set a primer with one finger. Also once setup you can't screw it up no over press or crushed primers. You do however have to place each primer on the ram primer one at a time by hand. This could still be a issue for you but I'm not sure.. George
Jim Puke
Hunter
Most times, I just push them in with my thumb...don't have to bother with any tools. :lol:
OP
I am now using the primer arm attachment that came with my old Lyman Turret press and it is working pretty well for me. When I am ready for a bench primer, it will be a Lee or RCBS. I appreciate all the information that I have received.
George
Blackhawk
I never tried this!! I'll give it a go! George
Jim Luke said:
Srb08 said:
Same here. I bought the bench priming tool the day i bought my Rockchucker in ~83 never looked back.
J. R. WEEMS
Single-Sixer
Had both version of the hand primers and problems developed with each in time. First one got to the point it would not fully seat primers in 30 carbine cases. All pockets cleaned etc. The second one, the universial style got so the brass would 'jump' out
after pinching my finger nice and good I had thoughts of something else. My buddy had an auto prime ( the bench style) in stock and said take it and try it- I could return it if I didn't care for it. Fast forward, this thing is great and I mounted it on a 1" thich piece of nylon cutting board block left over from another project. Now I can move it around to where needed and just clamp it down-- all is well with the world. 
Oh yeah, I put a couple small eye bolts under a couple of the new shelves I installed a couple months ago and the little tubes cannot get damaged.
after pinching my finger nice and good I had thoughts of something else. My buddy had an auto prime ( the bench style) in stock and said take it and try it- I could return it if I didn't care for it. Fast forward, this thing is great and I mounted it on a 1" thich piece of nylon cutting board block left over from another project. Now I can move it around to where needed and just clamp it down-- all is well with the world. Oh yeah, I put a couple small eye bolts under a couple of the new shelves I installed a couple months ago and the little tubes cannot get damaged. Similar threads
