RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

[Jer]

I did a search but didn't come up with an answer. If this has been covered already then please point me in the right direction.

So if you could have only one which would it be and why? Does the universal perform as well as the standard one? I worry about 'universal' claims on objects because it generally means they sacrifice to some extent across the board. If the universal works as well as the regular one then I will go that route but if the regular one works better somehow then that's the way I will go.

I think the square primer tray might be nice if you're dumping a whole box of primers and it sounds like switching from large to small primers can be a bit difficult with this.

Thanks for the help!

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

I have a universal version. It works well for my 223/5.56 and my 308/7.62.

Can't say about anything else.

 

[orkan]

Re: RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

I have the hand priming tool with the round tray. You can dump a whole 100ct box in there no problem. I can blaze through 100 cases in no time flat with that thing. You get a nice "feel" for how the primer seats too, so I can identify loose pockets very easily. I have had no need to use anything else.

 

[Jer]

Re: RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

Thanks for the input but I'm more looking for differences between the two available. I think both will do what you've mentioned for the most part. I'm trying to see which does what better. I guess I'm leaning more towards the universal tool unless someone says 'No, it's horrible at....' or 'I don't like how it...' or 'You can save $15 getting the standard one and it's better because...' type statements. I do appreciate that it works well and have used the non-universal one myself and having nothing to compare it to I can say it did the job quite well on a few hundred cases of .338 Lapua.

 

[Bacarrat]

Re: RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

The stock universal will not work with a .338 LM case. The bolt face of the .338 LM (.590ish vs the .530ish of the normal magnum). I think RCBS has a adapter to make it work. But other then that, I love my universal hand primer.

 

[Jer]

Re: RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

Ah, that's what I was looking for. Since I am starting with loading .338LM it would be the WRONG thing to buy the universal tool since it won't work with the cases I intend to load. That's the info I was looking for and would have been upset to find this out when I finally sat down to load some ammo. Looks like I'll be ordering the standard one for now. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[BobinNC]

Re: RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

Jer,

The only thing the Universal Tool does, that the Hand Priming Tool does not, is work without a shellholder. If you already have a shellholder, then no advantage. Why pay more for a something you don't need????

Also if RCBS makes the shellholder, you can use the Hand Tool. No so the Universal. If you load weird cases, like flanged 375 H&H's, 404's, and others, then stick with the Hand Tool.

If your tastes run 223, 308's 30-06, 300 Win Mags, either will work. But again if you got the shellholder, why pay for something you don't need????

BTW: on being able to hold and load 100 primers with both tools. The most explosive thing your ever going to handle when handloading is the damn primers. If you load the tool with 20 primers. Use them and load up twenty more. It will take you exactly 2.75 minutes longer to prime 100 cases.

But your not holding 100 little round blasting caps in a frigging plastic housing. Think about it....

 

[Jer]

Re: RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobinNC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Jer,

The only thing the Universal Tool does, that the Hand Priming Tool does not, is work without a shellholder. If you already have a shellholder, then no advantage. Why pay more for a something you don't need????

Also if RCBS makes the shellholder, you can use the Hand Tool. No so the Universal. If you load weird cases, like flanged 375 H&H's, 404's, and others, then stick with the Hand Tool.

If your tastes run 223, 308's 30-06, 300 Win Mags, either will work. But again if you got the shellholder, why pay for something you don't need????

BTW: on being able to hold and load 100 primers with both tools. The most explosive thing your ever going to handle when handloading is the damn primers. If you load the tool with 20 primers. Use them and load up twenty more. It will take you exactly 2.75 minutes longer to prime 100 cases.

But your not holding 100 little round blasting caps in a frigging plastic housing. Think about it....


</div></div>

That's actually great advice and I wasn't aware of that. I helped someone load ammo and he just measured out how many brass we were loading (usually 50 at a time) and primed away. I will now heed this advice though and load 20 at a time. As for shell holders, I need a die set too so is there one that includes a shell holder or is that an item I buy separately?

 

[orkan]

Re: RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

Oh come on... I understand safety, but jeezuz... I have a few THOUSAND primers sitting in ammo cans not 10ft from where I'm reloading, and they are all in plastic containers which are wrapped in heavy paper boxes.

Frankly, the more you are handling them, the higher risk for problems. Hence why I prime 100 at a time. Hell, I prime 1000pcs of brass and throw them in ammo cans so I can just grab the cases and go when I'm ready.

 

[BobinNC]

Re: RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

Okan,

Your missing the point. In their cardboard and plastic shipping containers, they are secure from sympathic detonation. Not so in a primer tray where they are all rubbing together. So is it safe to hold a 100 in your hand? Sure it is:

But understand that Lee has been sued for primer detonation and injury with their hand priming tool, which looks remarkably like the RCBS tool, so it can and does happen.

If fact, if you buy a Lee tool they have a warning not use it with Federal primers. Which are more sensitive than other brands. But I do use Federal Primers, in hand priming tools, so I take a prudent measure, and load only 20.

So again 100 primers are "safe", except when they are not. But 20 primers are "safer" yet. Of course, you may do whatever makes you feel comfortable, as I do.

Regards,

Bob

 

[Jer]

Re: RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

I plan to add the RCBS primer tool as well as the Rock Chucker press to my list and order. The next question is what shell holder? RCBS, Hornady or Redding? It also looks like there are a couple versions in each manufacturer so what is the difference and which will I want? I also assume I'll want two of whatever I get so I won't have to move back and forth between the press and the primer tool, correct?

 

[BobinNC]

Re: RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

Jer,

Shellholders are generally sold separately. You need one shellholder for the 223 headsize family, one the 308/30-06 family, one for the 300 Win Mag (375 H&H parent case), et al.

They are not expensive. $4-7 dollars depending on brand. Since you need the same shellholder to reload a brass case, as to prime the same case in an RCBS Hand tool; if you have it for one use, you'll have it for the other. Note: you only need one, move it from priming tool to press, and back again; lather, rise and repeat.

Bob

 

[Bacarrat]

Re: RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

One big difference. Lee sucks and the RCBS doesn't. I have both and the Lee would double feed and flip primers all the time. The RCBS is made to tighter tolerances to where there is no double feeds. Lee makes their trays extra small so that there is no way to flip a full 100 primers onto the try without having them fall all over the place. No such problem with the RCBS, even with the huge FGMM 100 primer packs.

If one was that paranoid, might was well handle one primer at a time and load it with a Sinclair seater.

 

[BobinNC]

Re: RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

Jer,

Just IMHO. RCBS Hand priming tool, Yes. New, RCBS Rockchucker NO. Try, a new Redding Big Boss II, for around the same price point. If your feeling flush, the Forster Co-ax is the "best" single stage press you can buy.

If you buying a used press, the old Rockchucker, in the light green flat paint, is a good one. The newer "improved" Rockchuckers, in dark green shiny paint, is not as robust or as well made as the old ones. Again, IMHO....

As far as shellholders go, I buy Redding if I have a choice, but I have RCBS or Hornady, and Lyman shellholders as well. They all work. Lee I generally stay away from, but some of there stuff is good and cheap, like their Factory Crimp Dies.

Bob

 

[Jer]

Re: RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

What's wrong with the RCBS rock chucker? I used one at a buddies that was an older model and other than having to tip the top in first to press it worked flawlessly. I assumed that the new one was the same thing only a little taller for longer rounds which would be perfect. What's wrong with it and what makes the Redding Big Boss II a better press?

 

[BobinNC]

Re: RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bacarrat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">One big difference. Lee sucks and the RCBS doesn't. I have both and the Lee would double feed and flip primers all the time. The RCBS is made to tighter tolerances to where there is no double feeds. Lee makes their trays extra small so that there is no way to flip a full 100 primers onto the try without having them fall all over the place. No such problem with the RCBS, even with the huge FGMM 100 primer packs.

If one was that paranoid, might was well handle one primer at a time and load it with a Sinclair seater. </div></div>

You do have a point about the LEE. And I'm not paranoid, but I do have an old Bonaza Co-AX primer seater on my bench, that takes primers one at a time, very slowly.......

Don't use it anymore, but there it is.....

 

[BobinNC]

Re: RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

Jer,

I don't want to start a flame war. Let's just say, that new RCBS presses are not cast in the USA, and leave it at that. Older Rockchuckers were and are great. Hard to wear the damn things out.

On the other side, the Redding Big BOSS II has a primer catcher system that will prevent spent primers and priming dust from bounching around get all over everything.

The Redding Big Boss II has a hollow handle, and the primers go down it and into a tube, that you can run right into a trash can.

The Forster Co-AX also has a hollow handle, and the primers go down it into a sealed cup.

It's just a better mouse trap. The Big Boss II is similar in price to the RCBS Rockchucker, so why no buy a better system, if you are buying new.

The CO-AX is more money, however. But it is a superior single stage press.

 

[eleaf]

Re: RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobinNC</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bacarrat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">One big difference. Lee sucks and the RCBS doesn't. I have both and the Lee would double feed and flip primers all the time. The RCBS is made to tighter tolerances to where there is no double feeds. Lee makes their trays extra small so that there is no way to flip a full 100 primers onto the try without having them fall all over the place. No such problem with the RCBS, even with the huge FGMM 100 primer packs.

If one was that paranoid, might was well handle one primer at a time and load it with a Sinclair seater. </div></div>

You do have a point about the LEE. And I'm not paranoid, but I do have an old Bonaza Co-AX primer seater on my bench, that takes primers one at a time, very slowly.......

Don't use it anymore, but there it is.....

</div></div>

All I use that is Lee is dies. They have been rated very good and are much less expensive. Everything else on my bench is green (RCBS and my lone Redding Comp .308 seating die).

I'll likely switch out dies as I go to Redding Comp dies. The Crimping die I will never get rid of as it is the best I have seen or read about.

I have the Universal Hand Primer as all I load are standard rounds (.308, .223, .17, .20 ,9mm and 45ACP) so they work great, and it does work great.

I have multiple shell holders, even if only for use as backups.

 

[Jer]

Re: RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobinNC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Jer,

I don't want to start a flame war. Let's just say, that new RCBS presses are not cast in the USA, and leave it at that. Older Rockchuckers were and are great. Hard to wear the damn things out.

On the other side, the Redding Big BOSS II has a primer catcher system that will prevent spent primers and priming dust from bounching around get all over everything.

The Redding Big Boss II has a hollow handle, and the primers go down it and into a tube, that you can run right into a trash can.

The Forster Co-AX also has a hollow handle, and the primers go down it into a sealed cup.

It's just a better mouse trap. The Big Boss II is similar in price to the RCBS Rockchucker, so why no buy a better system, if you are buying new.

The CO-AX is more money, however. But it is a superior single stage press. </div></div>

If it was the same price or within a few bucks I wouldn't have as many questions but Midway has the RCBS for $129 and the Redding Big Boss II is $174 so it's not the same price and is about $45 more which is almost 50% more than the RCBS so that's why I want to know specific differences. The RCBS has a tray for primers too, right? I don't mind advice but one thing I don't plan on doing is spending more money simply because 'it's better' w/o any concrete reasons. I've got a LOT to spend here on lots of items so if I save a little on each item it adds up quickly. The difference in these two will more than cover 1,000 primers or the primer tool for instance. Not saying I wouldn't spend the extra money but I've seen a RCBS press first hand and it worked just fine so it will take more to convince me to buy something I've never used.

 

[orkan]

Re: RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

Since the safety issue was mentioned...

If you don't wear safety glasses when you prime cases, no matter your method, you probably better start.

 

[rrflyer]

Re: RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

i've been using the lee hand priming tool for the last 2 years and thousands of rounds. Its hurts your hand after a couple hundred cases but works fine. The RCBS hand primer is a lot nicer and doesn't seem to hurt my hand near as soon.


As for presses. They're just a tool to hold the die. Buy the good lee press and use the money you saved for some RCBS competition dies.

 

[Bacarrat]

Re: RCBS Hand Priming Tool vs RCBS Universal Tool??

Since we are talking about presses, sorry to bring the thread even more off-topic.

Reasons why I like my Co-Ax compared to that of a Rock Chucker.

No shell holders needed
Primer catch system
Ability to switch out dies in about 2 seconds
Cam over design
It is said that since the dies float and the shell holder auto adjust to the case and alignment of the dies, it improves concentricity of your loaded ammo.