RCBSRCBS 9460 Auto Priming Tool

Oh man, I just got one of these and I love it!I tried the Hornady auto-prime add on to the L_N_L Classic and it SUCKED. HARD. It basically just dumped primers on the floor all the time, no matter how I adjusted it. Returned that. I hate hand priming, I like priming on the press, but putting one primer in the press at a time is SLOW.I looked up a bunch of priming systems and it looked like the RCBS one got great reviews. Decided to go for it, knowing I can always send it back if I need to. But man, it IS great. It uses the same type of primer tubes as the Hornady, but the tube is blocked on the bottom by a detent backed up by a spring, very similar to an AR safety detent. Press down on the handle all the way, the tube swings up and deposits ONE primer, lift the handle up all the way, place a case, press down until seated. Lift all the way, remove primed cases, rock and repeat.I have had it spit out an extra primer twice when I was moving too fast and the arm came back up and - because there was already a primer in the cup - it spit another one out that fell on the bench. No biggy. Compared to the Hornady which would drop one in the cup and 19 on the floor EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. this is not an issue, just me not paying attention.And, considering the absolute *** Hornady was $XX and this is a full bench-top system for $XXX, I'd say it's totally worth it. I've primed about 500 10mm cases and 200 9mm on it and it works great. I started out on a Lee Pro and I'm just used to seating primers with the press lever, and this feels just like that. I can feel when the primer is seated fully, or when it is not going in, or when it needs to go in further. I cannot get used to the Hornady hand primer that came in my kit, and I keep feeling like I am going to detonate a primer every time I seat one, so this is primer seating heaven for me.EDIT: You're going to need a primer tray that flips them all one direction so you can pick them up in the tubes, unless you spring for one of the primer vibes that feeds tubes. Which would about double the price, so I got a cheap RCBS tray. Shake them unitl the anvil is up on all of them, put the top on and flip it, load the tubes from the top.

They knocked it out of the park on this one! Used Lee auto loader since they came out. Jamming issues on and off with the two I went through. Getting anvils in the down position is the biggest aggravation. Getting the last primer out of the plastic pickup is the most nerve racking. Other than that. The machine works slick! Primed 150 rounds in no time. I’m impressed. Even the stubborn ones went in. No issues at all. Gonna order more tubes! Love it!

This tool is the best way to prime, bar none. There just isn't another tool that does it as well, and effortlessly as this one. If you're not banging out 9mm, or 223, in massive quantities, then this is the tool you'll want to use. It's just a pleasure to prime with. That said, I do use it to prime 5.56, and some 9mm, before I turn to the progressive.If you have the Frankfort Arsenal Vibra Prime, or Hornady's new tube filler, then filling the tubes for the RCBS Auto Priming Toool is super fast too. No quite as fast as loading a hand primer tray, or Lee tray, but next best thing.If you've got a combo of new/tight primer pockets and hard primers, then this is also the tool you want to use.If you're new to reloading, then start with this tool. Why? Well you can prime on the press, but you'll have better feel and do it more effortlessly with this tool. I've got a single stage, a couple of turret presses, and a progressive press, and a couple of hand priming tools, and I use all of them to prime with for different brass/loads, but the I do the bulk of my priming with the RCBS Priming tool. It's just that good.**************************Some observations on use:It's best if this tool is level. If your bench isn't level, then you can level it with some shims. The reason it is best leveled is that gravity lets the ram move back down after the primer is inserted. If that ram is leaning to one side, it might catch the opening in the shell holder and hang up. So, leve the tool.Use a RCBS shell holder. Use any shell holder but give the shell holder opening a slight chamfer. That's the hole in the center of the shell holder and the chamfer should be on the opening as you look down into the shell holder. The reason for this is that you want the ram to drop down through the shell holder without hanging up, and sharp edges could make it hang up.You can modify for comfort, and convenience, by adding some cushioning or an extension. This will make the tool even more comfortable and effortless to use. I've tried several way, (bicycle cushion grips, soft tape, ...) but wound up using a schedule 40 pipe (the white ones at the hardware store, 1" I think, just look at the handle size) that extends the reach of the handle to where my hand wants to be. This way I can use the tool sitting down and have my arm resting on my chairs' arm rest, and I can push, mostly straight and down, to seat the primer. Ergonomics is important to me, as I sometimes prime 5.56 lots of 1,000+, to later load progressively. The excellent feel this priming tool gives, guaranteeing each primer seated properly, makes this extra step worthwhile. Plus this way I can charge powder, flare, check powder, seat the bullet and remove flare and not have a single speck of powder on the press when done. See picture.It's very easy to change from small to large primer rams, but it's also easy to put the wrong size ram when changing rams. So, if you're flipping primers, or the primers aren't inserting properly into the ram cup, then double check that you've got the correct size seater ram installed.

Excellent product, fast shipping

I have Aguila small primers. they are hard and this priming tool makes it easier. no more hand pain. Really ingenious innovation.