The more I reload, the more I can appreciate hand priming. I have a progressive press. It is my first and only press purchase. At the time, I liked the idea of “cranking out” the cartridges, but the reality is I get much more joy and satisfaction from taking my time and enjoying the process.
Interesting. I too prefer to take my time and load slowly & carefully, not that there's anything wrong with using a progressive press to make a lot of ammo much more quickly.
Got mine about 3 years ago.. I have been reloading for over 25 years and this primer tool has been the best I have ever used... primed 1000s of cases 0 issues
I've tried a few different hand primers now (Lyman, RCBS, Lee, and this one) and to date this one is my favorite because I've ran into primers not seating deep enough with all the others... I've seated thousands of primers with it and it's still going strong. Definitely a solid purchase and it's very reasonably priced along with coming with everything you need. Great video as always keepem coming brother!!!
I own this tool. I had tried a few from different manufacturers (Hornady, RCBS, etc.) and found this one to be the highest quality tool for hand priming. It is as you said, good and solid with a little bit of heft and it has not let me down. I expect that it will last me a long time with no problems. I find it to be very consistent as well. I paid a bit more money for it than the other hand tools but still affordable and worth every cent.
I’ve been using this one for a few months now and love it. Feels solid in the hand and you quickly get a feel when seating is going well and when it is not.
I use an RCBS hand priming tool. Never liked priming/deprimimg on a progressive press, no opportunity to clean the primer pockets and as you mentioned you don't have the postive feel when the primer is seated. Works for me, i'm not ina rush to reload my ammo, it's a pleasure.
Having been a continued fan and owner/user of the Dillon 650XL progressive reloader for many years, I've come to appreciate single stage reloading (Forester Co-Ax), hand de-capping and seating primers for my lower production runs where i need a bit more precision; typically 7.62x51/.308, 6.5 CM, 30.06 & 10mm. Being a retired engineer w/ plenty of time, I enjoy the tactile feel of precision reloading.
Greetings from just north of you again, it's always good to see my cyber friend Guy. When I finally wore out my ancient Lee hand primer, I bought a new model since I had most of the shell holders. Honestly there's a bunch about it that I am not fond of and seeing this video would give one of these a try for sure. Thanks and all the best.
Picked one up a couple months back and love it! Very solidly made, and has held up well for close to a thousand primers so far. Only downside in my opinion is that the primer tray doesn’t flip them over as well as some others, but that’s the only negative in my opinion. Review on my channel as well!
I picked one of these up after my progressive press primer was damaged, and I was waiting on the replacement parts. It works great, and the price to quality is hard to beat! It is really nice especially when you come across a case that didn't get swaged (enough). No need to interrupt an entire progressive operation. As far as I'm concerned it's a must have in any hand loading arsenal, even if only for a backup if something goes south.
Things can and do go wrong, the priming arm on my press launched the priming punch and spring to places unknown. Yeah yeah the garage has those places we've been in the house almost thirty years. The new priming arm for this brand is not compatible with my vintage 1970s press. Hand priming is what I do now, interested in this product. Currently using an equally old hand priming tool and it's not making me happy.
Just got one from optics planet for $55! I’ve been acquiring tools and components while I’m deployed so I can get into reloading when I get home. Your videos are great, I watch them when I can, learning plenty. Happy holidays, be safe
I am a new reloader and I use a RCBS hand primer for straight wall revolver calibers (38/357, 41, 44 & 45). Because I am new my tool is also new and I probably will not cast it aside, but man! I wish I had known about this Franklin Arsenal product beforehand. The case and the adjustable seating depth feature would have sold me for sure! Good review👍
Got this as a cheap alternative to the primal rights competition primer seater ( one day I’m going to get one, but need to save some money for that ) to load F class ammo and I am very happy with my purchase. The adjustability is great. It is a solid tool, That is for sure. The kit is amazing and Comes with everything that you need for whatever caliber you were working with.
dec 2023 just bought this and it was the most frustrating 100 colt 45 (long) shells i have ever primed in the past 30 years of reloading. destroyed 19 primers, had to pry out of tool then use hornady press to push out primers as they were canted sideways. It seems to me that the shell holders are way too loose to the brass and the primers are not centered in the tool. measured slots in the shell holders and the #11 measured out at .527 brass rim measured out at .509 on average, tried s&b winchester and remington brass outcome was the same. the tool itself seems great like the heft and the ability to set depth, did i get a poor set of holders??? I miss my worn out 15 year old hornady hand primer.
Been using a Mk1 Lee Autoprime since Day 1 of my reloading journey which began at least 20 years ago. Regular stripping, cleaning and greasing the bearing surfaces has kept it going with absolute reliability for tens of thousands of cycles, both for large primers and small. Personally I prefer the thumb actuation over the brake lever type, as I find the thumb type to have more feel when coming to the end of the stroke. With small primers it’s all too easy to force a primer into a crimped primer pocket and waste the primer. With thumb actuation I can stop before it’s too late and rescue the primer. Over the last few years, for Christmas, I’ve been given a Lyman Ram Prime tool, a Hornady L’n’L hand primer and I’m pretty sure another likewise quality priming tool for when my old Lee Autoprime finally shuffles off this mortal coil. They’re still sat in the cupboard waiting to be pressed into service. Maybe next year. I like the fact that the Frankfort Arsenal kit, as well as the above are analogue tools, requiring nothing more than hand operation. Our fingers and thumbs are much better at feeling resistance and pressure than any multi-hundred dollar digitech gizmo, and if looked after properly, will last the entire lifetime of the user. Guaranteed!
I’ve got a world class reloading setup but except for progressive loading, I use exclusively hand primers. It’s so nice to get the feel when seating. Instant notification of when something is wrong
I just got a new Lee Classic Turret Press with the built in priming system, which I thought would be awesome after 30 years of hand priming with a Lee tray-fed tool. I immediately noticed the lack of tactile feedback with the auto system and was not a big fan of the triangular primer feeder. This FA unit attracted me most with the flip tray feature, the all-included shell holders, the adjustable seating depth and the organizing case, so most of your points resonated with me. Just ordered one of these. Great video as always from UR, thanks!
I'm currently using a hornady hand held priming device for both pistol and rifle. I do like hand priming , however I occasionally have an issue with the hornady priming tool not having a way to keep from crushing the primers when being installed into the case. The Frankford arsenal priming tool looks perfect to keep that from happening
I have always hand primed. Started with a Lee, after that broke it's toggle link and parts weren't available I bought a Lyman. The Lyman was leaving the primers a little proud but there are a pair of stops on the operating handle that I filed down to get the proper seating depth. What I like about it the most is it uses standard shell holders and you can buy extra primer trays. I have 4 total, 1 for each type of primer. It saves a lot of time and mess when changing calibers. I like the Frankford set, if you could purchase extra feed trays it could be a winner although a little pricy.
I use the FA hand primer and I love it. I load 223 308 and 6.5 grendel 9x19 357mag just to name some of them. It works great on rifle pistol and revolver cases with either size primers
I own FA and RCBS reloading equipment. Have to say the FA stuff is always the highest quality. Most of my reloading is done on Dillon presses and their priming system is great. Never had an issue feeling the primers seat especially competition revolver cartridges which have to be seated deep. I agree with your comment the hand priming might be more dedicated towards rifle. Haven’t picked up this hand priming tool but its the one I’m most interested in.
I have the same tool. Overall I like it. Use with small pistol or rifle primers they can jam sideways. Think there should be a distinct large and small primer assemble rather than having to switch the one colette between the two.
I have had this hand primmer for years. I’ve used others and always come back to it. Need to take it apart and powder coat the handle. After thousands and thousands of rounds and years of use the handle has gotten really rough. I’m assuming the oils in my hands have warn away the finish. Love it!
Have used the Frankford Arsenal Priming tool for several years and won't use anything else now. It sure beats the old Lee hand priming tool I used to use.
i have been using this exact one for about a year now. hold it on an angle and it will feed every time. i want a primal rights bench primer but this is a great forearm workout after 300 cases or so lol
Bruce I picked up the FA priming tool after getting frustrated priming on my RCBS press. After 6000+ rounds I am very satisfied. Also, it is so easy to single feed the primers that I rarely use the flip tray anymore.
Frankford Arsenal customer service is top notch. I was surprised to reach live customer service quickly on the phone. Being new had questions, he answered them all spending a fair amount of time and replaced the part immediately. Now where can I find these rare items called primers? OBTW Excellent tutorial 👍
I use this hand primer and I really like it. I might occasionally use the priming function on my Hollywood press but I find myself using the FA more and more.
I've been loading since 1958. I began with an Ideal/Lyman 310 tong tool. Used the bench press priming device with the Lyman Spartan press and the SparT turret press. However, I returned to the old 310 for priming. It is the ultimate in feeling the primer seat. One can also partially see the primer seat in the process.
@@ronmorse5624 Yes sir, reckon us old guys gotta stick together! 😁 I've got 310 dies for about 15 different calibers. And still use an Ideal No.5 powder measure. But mostly load with the SparT press these days. That's my "high tech" press!👍
Hey I know that you are mostly about precision shooting. But I would love to see a video about P.O. Ackley's joke cartridge, the Eargslitten loudenboomer, to see if you could get it to work with something like Hornady's 90gr A-TIPs. Thanks for the great content you produce.
I have this same one for over a year and I would not trade it, very comfortable to use, heavy construction for long life and a nice carrying case to keep it all together. In my opinion, for the price, you cannot find a better priming tool.
As I read through all the comments, no one addressed the issue that to hold the brass in the shell holder, you have to start to depress the handle while holding the brass. That is with the primer tray located above the brass you are starting to insert the primer. I dislike this design as it seems backwards. Lee’s old cheaply made hand primer positions the primer tray above the brass which is just pushed in and doesn’t require to be held onto until pressure from squeezing the lever/handle is applied to keep the brass in the shell holder. This looks like a well made piece of machinery, with some nice features. But, Why didn’t they position the primer tray in the same orientation as Lee’s hand primer? RCBS’s older design (which I purchased years ago and gave away, as it had the primer tray in the same orientation as this FA one. I think it’s a design flaw. Lee’s old, cheaply made, pot metal plastic parts hand primer, works great. I have two, one set up for large primers, and the other for small. Pick the right shell holder, load the primer tray with your primers of choice, position the brass into the shell holder (no holding of the brass as with other models of hand primers ~ the Lee’s enclosed back side holds the brass so it doesn’t drop out), push the thumb lever in to seat and release. Pull the brass out, check depth, and repeat. It by no means a perfect hand primer, but for me it’s design is correct, and safer. My .02 cents only. I’m glad there are other hand primers available to suit each and every one of us. Thanks for the review, but I had to agree that this one sounded a tad bit like a infomercial… . Sorry, but it did.😔
I use Lee AutoPrime XR. Very similar concept, although I think the Lee Ergo-Prime is closer to that one's design. I never had any issue with failure to seat with it and have loaded for 13 years so far with this particular one. 8)
RCBS universal hand priming tool. No shell holder necessary. I use it for 9mm, 10mm, .357 mag, .44 sp/mag, .243, .30-30, .30-06, 6.5 creedmoor, etc. The only cartridge it doesn’t work well on that I have tried is .45 colt due to the small rim. It tends to pop out of the jaws.
The case holder that came with this kit that was supposed to fit my 6.5 SAUM was totally miss aligned (#8 or #2, I can’t remember now). I like the 20 year old version of the lee ergo prime the best, but this is second best. I do really like the priming force. I think AMP should make a primal rights tool with force meter though.
I've been using the primer seater on my Forster Co-Ax for years. It has a great feel when seating the primers and always seats to a perfect depth. The only issues are setting it up and adjusting the 3 shellholder "jaws" can be a bit tedious to get just right, and you have to handle each primer individually to place them in the primer ram. I also use the Safety Prime system on my Lee presses which works good, except for the technique aspect of feeding the primers and of course it never loads the last 2 primers. I've been looking at one of these for a while to speed up the process from my Co-Ax, but after reading a lot of the reviews on Amazon and Midway, I'll stick with what I know works perfectly, regardless of the quirks.
I picked up one of these and did a few batches with it went back Ironically to the rock chucker seater on the press.. @7:12 you can see a primed cartridge. Mine also marrs the primer like.. not sure how or if it affects the load but its the first primer seater I have used that leaves marks like this on the primers. If you press really hard the marks are even more visible. Concerned about adding inconsistencies to hand loads from "crushed" or "impacted" primers. Its tough to get any consistency when the tool allows increase of depth based on hand pressures despite the setting on the dial? How do you measure hand pressure for consistency? At least with the press method you get consistent seating pressure and it leaves no marks. I'll give it a thumbs up for being much less painful to operate than the Lee hand held primer seater (even that cheapo didn't maar the primers like this one), but in the end It looks like I will end up with the forster bench primer.
I bought one recently and like you I could not control seating depth due to hand squeeze pressure. It is a nice tool but not having consistent seating depth control is a no go for me so I returned it.
I am currently using the older RCBS hand priming tool. I load mostly rifle cartridges but also the occasional .45 ACP and 9MM. It’s easy enough to switch primers sizes and she’ll holders but there is too much play/slip in the fit between the plastic part and the seating pin. How is the fit/tolerance on the Frankford?
Will it prime 44-40 brass? (I've struggled too long with the primer station on my Dillon 550 ; mechanism not picking up a primer, all primers in the magazine falling out, etc.)
All of the short-barreled cartridges I load in quantity are primed in my various Hornady L-N-L AP's. For rifle cartridges, I use a Sinclair hand setting device where I have to insert the primers individually by hand. This is somewhat cumbersome and changing the LEE case holders provided for this purpose with tiny grub screws annoys me to say the least. In this respect, the Frankford Arsenal Hand Priming tool presented here sounds interesting. Are case holders for the .460 and .500S&W Mag. already included? Greetings from Germany Michel
I hand prime for small batches of big cartridges. I have a hornady classic single stage press. I will prime with the press and expand at the same time sometimes. I will also hand prime big batches, just sit on the couch and do like 300 or more as long as I finish loading the next day.
Using a Lee primer tool to load .45 ACP, 9mm, .38/357, .44 mag, .45 Colt and .300 Savage/ 30-30 WCF. I have loaded some .223 and 7.62 NATO but not often.
I have used Lee, FA, PR, RCBS and Hornady priming tools. The original Lee with the round tray is by far my favorite. The FA is a good tool and its a good set, but it is also the only hand priming tool that allowed a primer ignition while priming.
I have had several hand seating primer tools including this one. I test the seating consistency using an accuracy one primer comparator tool and because it does not have positive stop it is inconsistent. Also because the runout is poor it disfigures the primers being seated if they have thinner cups like do most match grade primers. I have gone back to the forester press priming tool as it gives me the most consistent seating depth -.005 +/- .0005 so far. It indexes on the case head -.005 every time. No need for primal rights comparison primer seater because the jury is in on the primer optimum depth @ -.005
This is the first priming tool I bought when I started reloading earlier in the year, and I couldn’t see using anything else works for my 8mm Mauser to 9mm without fail.
Had a couple of Lee Hand Prime's. The pot metal handle breaks first on those. I made my own replacement handle, but I think I'll get a Frankford Arsenal. UR have a discount code by chance?
I have only ever hand loaded 38-357-45-500 etc Rifle, 223,3030,303,4570,270, All with Lee hand primer ,have worn only one out, been reloading for 20 years .
I have one.I love it.The thing I like is its adjustable seating depth.With that Said .... I also seat on my Forster Co-Ax.It needs no shell holders.If it's handle " V" was taller its all I'd usè
I just bought this primer set up about a month ago without a doubt the best one on the market! I gave up on the priming system on my Lyman eight turret press, love the press didn’t like the priming set up
I have used various hand priming tools for years, without a single issue. But ☝️ Safety first. Unintended detonation can occur. Highly unlikely, but can happen. I use a light goat skin work glove on the hand actuating the lever. Like the white ones from Harbor Frieght. I start the primer into the pocket & tip the tool away from myself upon fully seating the primer. This keeps the open case mouth pointed away from me & the primers in the tray, slide to the opposite end of the tray, away from the one being seated. Detonation of one primer has a surprising amount of power, can damage the tool & sends micro debris flying. I do not know what a detonation of an entire tray would do. But I bet it wouldn’t be good. Load safe !
I got myself 1 of these a while ago and I love it the best 1 out there...before I had the lee hand priming tool and that was a piece of junk...since I got this 1 I enjoy priming a lot more ...I even prime my 9 mm cases even I got an Hornady AP press...just the system I use and it work for me.
I've been using the RCBS hand-priming tool. It's easy and fast, but depth isn't at all consistent for me. I have to do a second step to get the depth right. I just got one of these Frankford Arsenal primers today. Haven't used it yet, but I'm hoping it will get me the consistency I need. Press priming is very precise, but slow. I'm hoping for fast and consistent on this.
I been using the RCBS hand prime tool. I have noticed the tool isn't fully seating the primers to the bottom of the primer pocket. I have did both rifle and pistols primers with it.
The problem with all these hand primers with a tray is the tray is designed for large primers. Small primars get jammed in the feeding area because there is too much play. They need to supply a small primer tray and a large primer tray to avoid the jamming.
I have been hand priming with a Lee hand primer for years. After a few thousand primers the Lee tool has started getting a little less precise, even slightly sloppy. Maybe it is time for a new priming tool.
I use a Forster co-ax priming tool and sometime my Lyman Amarican 8 to if I only load a small amount of cases loading 9.3, .270, .303,6mm mus and 357. I prefer the forster if a do a lot and for the 357 it work better
The more I reload, the more I can appreciate hand priming. I have a progressive press. It is my first and only press purchase. At the time, I liked the idea of “cranking out” the cartridges, but the reality is I get much more joy and satisfaction from taking my time and enjoying the process.
Interesting. I too prefer to take my time and load slowly & carefully, not that there's anything wrong with using a progressive press to make a lot of ammo much more quickly.
Same here but I got a 4 turret lee press and the Lee APP press, yet it is much more enjoyable take time on each round.
Got mine about 3 years ago.. I have been reloading for over 25 years and this primer tool has been the best I have ever used... primed 1000s of cases 0 issues
That is one heck of an endorsement.
I've tried a few different hand primers now (Lyman, RCBS, Lee, and this one) and to date this one is my favorite because I've ran into primers not seating deep enough with all the others... I've seated thousands of primers with it and it's still going strong. Definitely a solid purchase and it's very reasonably priced along with coming with everything you need. Great video as always keepem coming brother!!!
I own this tool. I had tried a few from different manufacturers (Hornady, RCBS, etc.) and found this one to be the highest quality tool for hand priming. It is as you said, good and solid with a little bit of heft and it has not let me down. I expect that it will last me a long time with no problems. I find it to be very consistent as well. I paid a bit more money for it than the other hand tools but still affordable and worth every cent.
I’ve been using this one for a few months now and love it. Feels solid in the hand and you quickly get a feel when seating is going well and when it is not.
I use an RCBS hand priming tool. Never liked priming/deprimimg on a progressive press, no opportunity to clean the primer pockets and as you mentioned you don't have the postive feel when the primer is seated. Works for me, i'm not ina rush to reload my ammo, it's a pleasure.
Having been a continued fan and owner/user of the Dillon 650XL progressive reloader for many years, I've come to appreciate single stage reloading (Forester Co-Ax), hand de-capping and seating primers for my lower production runs where i need a bit more precision; typically 7.62x51/.308, 6.5 CM, 30.06 & 10mm.
Being a retired engineer w/ plenty of time, I enjoy the tactile feel of precision reloading.
Greetings from just north of you again, it's always good to see my cyber friend Guy. When I finally wore out my ancient Lee hand primer, I bought a new model since I had most of the shell holders. Honestly there's a bunch about it that I am not fond of and seeing this video would give one of these a try for sure. Thanks and all the best.
Yes, this tool is all metal- big difference!!!!
Picked one up a couple months back and love it! Very solidly made, and has held up well for close to a thousand primers so far. Only downside in my opinion is that the primer tray doesn’t flip them over as well as some others, but that’s the only negative in my opinion. Review on my channel as well!
I picked one of these up after my progressive press primer was damaged, and I was waiting on the replacement parts. It works great, and the price to quality is hard to beat! It is really nice especially when you come across a case that didn't get swaged (enough). No need to interrupt an entire progressive operation. As far as I'm concerned it's a must have in any hand loading arsenal, even if only for a backup if something goes south.
Things can and do go wrong, the priming arm on my press launched the priming punch and spring to places unknown. Yeah yeah the garage has those places we've been in the house almost thirty years. The new priming arm for this brand is not compatible with my vintage 1970s press. Hand priming is what I do now, interested in this product. Currently using an equally old hand priming tool and it's not making me happy.
Just got one from optics planet for $55! I’ve been acquiring tools and components while I’m deployed so I can get into reloading when I get home. Your videos are great, I watch them when I can, learning plenty. Happy holidays, be safe
I am a new reloader and I use a RCBS hand primer for straight wall revolver calibers (38/357, 41, 44 & 45). Because I am new my tool is also new and I probably will not cast it aside, but man! I wish I had known about this Franklin Arsenal product beforehand. The case and the adjustable seating depth feature would have sold me for sure!
Good review👍
Got this as a cheap alternative to the primal rights competition primer seater ( one day I’m going to get one, but need to save some money for that ) to load F class ammo and I am very happy with my purchase. The adjustability is great. It is a solid tool, That is for sure. The kit is amazing and Comes with everything that you need for whatever caliber you were working with.
I picked up one of these several years ago. It is the only priming tool I use for both rifle and pistol cases. Mostly .38 special and 9mm.
dec 2023 just bought this and it was the most frustrating 100 colt 45 (long) shells i have ever primed in the past 30 years of reloading. destroyed 19 primers, had to pry out of tool then use hornady press to push out primers as they were canted sideways. It seems to me that the shell holders are way too loose to the brass and the primers are not centered in the tool. measured slots in the shell holders and the #11 measured out at .527 brass rim measured out at .509 on average, tried s&b winchester and remington brass outcome was the same. the tool itself seems great like the heft and the ability to set depth, did i get a poor set of holders??? I miss my worn out 15 year old hornady hand primer.
Been using this hand primer for years and love it!
Been using a Mk1 Lee Autoprime since Day 1 of my reloading journey which began at least 20 years ago. Regular stripping, cleaning and greasing the bearing surfaces has kept it going with absolute reliability for tens of thousands of cycles, both for large primers and small.
Personally I prefer the thumb actuation over the brake lever type, as I find the thumb type to have more feel when coming to the end of the stroke. With small primers it’s all too easy to force a primer into a crimped primer pocket and waste the primer. With thumb actuation I can stop before it’s too late and rescue the primer.
Over the last few years, for Christmas, I’ve been given a Lyman Ram Prime tool, a Hornady L’n’L hand primer and I’m pretty sure another likewise quality priming tool for when my old Lee Autoprime finally shuffles off this mortal coil. They’re still sat in the cupboard waiting to be pressed into service. Maybe next year.
I like the fact that the Frankfort Arsenal kit, as well as the above are analogue tools, requiring nothing more than hand operation.
Our fingers and thumbs are much better at feeling resistance and pressure than any multi-hundred dollar digitech gizmo, and if looked after properly, will last the entire lifetime of the user. Guaranteed!
I’ve got a world class reloading setup but except for progressive loading, I use exclusively hand primers. It’s so nice to get the feel when seating. Instant notification of when something is wrong
I just got a new Lee Classic Turret Press with the built in priming system, which I thought would be awesome after 30 years of hand priming with a Lee tray-fed tool. I immediately noticed the lack of tactile feedback with the auto system and was not a big fan of the triangular primer feeder. This FA unit attracted me most with the flip tray feature, the all-included shell holders, the adjustable seating depth and the organizing case, so most of your points resonated with me. Just ordered one of these. Great video as always from UR, thanks!
I'm currently using a hornady hand held priming device for both pistol and rifle. I do like hand priming , however I occasionally have an issue with the hornady priming tool not having a way to keep from crushing the primers when being installed into the case. The Frankford arsenal priming tool looks perfect to keep that from happening
I have always hand primed. Started with a Lee, after that broke it's toggle link and parts weren't available I bought a Lyman. The Lyman was leaving the primers a little proud but there are a pair of stops on the operating handle that I filed down to get the proper seating depth. What I like about it the most is it uses standard shell holders and you can buy extra primer trays. I have 4 total, 1 for each type of primer. It saves a lot of time and mess when changing calibers. I like the Frankford set, if you could purchase extra feed trays it could be a winner although a little pricy.
You can use either the Lee trays or the RCBS. Nothing unique about the FA factory tray
I love my Lee bench prime...... I always prime off the press with this thing..... so relaxing!!
I only hand prime because it gives you the best feedback. As soon as I start squeezing I can 'feel' that something is off.
Exactly why I like using a hand priming tool.
Had one for a year now, no complaints, I like the hefty build, and is much easier to convert vs RCBS.
I bought that same primer kit this month.
✅ Good quality !
I don't think it will prime .410 shotgun shells ?
I use the FA hand primer and I love it. I load 223 308 and 6.5 grendel 9x19 357mag just to name some of them. It works great on rifle pistol and revolver cases with either size primers
I own FA and RCBS reloading equipment. Have to say the FA stuff is always the highest quality. Most of my reloading is done on Dillon presses and their priming system is great. Never had an issue feeling the primers seat especially competition revolver cartridges which have to be seated deep. I agree with your comment the hand priming might be more dedicated towards rifle. Haven’t picked up this hand priming tool but its the one I’m most interested in.
I have the same tool. Overall I like it. Use with small pistol or rifle primers they can jam sideways. Think there should be a distinct large and small primer assemble rather than having to switch the one colette between the two.
Same here, I have also small issues with primer feeding.
I have had this hand primmer for years. I’ve used others and always come back to it. Need to take it apart and powder coat the handle. After thousands and thousands of rounds and years of use the handle has gotten really rough. I’m assuming the oils in my hands have warn away the finish. Love it!
Have used the Frankford Arsenal Priming tool for several years and won't use anything else now. It sure beats the old Lee hand priming tool I used to use.
That is a nice tool. I have one and love it so far!
I actually have this in my Amazon wish list lol glad to see the review. This pushes me over the edge to go ahead and get it.
It's worth every penny.
Just seen one on gun broker for 50 dollars.
i have been using this exact one for about a year now. hold it on an angle and it will feed every time. i want a primal rights bench primer but this is a great forearm workout after 300 cases or so lol
Bruce
I picked up the FA priming tool after getting frustrated priming on my RCBS press. After 6000+ rounds I am very satisfied. Also, it is so easy to single feed the primers that I rarely use the flip tray anymore.
Frankford Arsenal customer service is top notch. I was surprised to reach live customer service quickly on the phone. Being new had questions, he answered them all spending a fair amount of time and replaced the part immediately.
Now where can I find these rare items called primers?
OBTW Excellent tutorial 👍
Got this in last week. Love it!
I use this priming tool and love it.
Thanks for demonstration i have both a rcbs and lee and both of them are lacking and frustrating.
I'm new to reloading this is the primeing tool I bought haven't used it yet but it is definitely well built
I use this hand primer and I really like it. I might occasionally use the priming function on my Hollywood press but I find myself using the FA more and more.
This is my favorite hand priming tool. Good quality at a great price point 👍
I've been loading since 1958. I began with an Ideal/Lyman 310 tong tool. Used the bench press priming device with the Lyman Spartan press and the SparT turret press. However, I returned to the old 310 for priming. It is the ultimate in feeling the primer seat. One can also partially see the primer seat in the process.
I was surprised to see that you started in 1958 because thats when I started also. I also have a lyman 310 tool and dies.
@@ronmorse5624 Yes sir, reckon us old guys gotta stick together! 😁
I've got 310 dies for about 15 different calibers. And still use an Ideal No.5 powder measure. But mostly load with the SparT press these days. That's my "high tech" press!👍
Hey I know that you are mostly about precision shooting. But I would love to see a video about P.O. Ackley's joke cartridge, the Eargslitten loudenboomer, to see if you could get it to work with something like Hornady's 90gr A-TIPs. Thanks for the great content you produce.
I am using this priming tool. I've done several thousand and it is nice to do while watching a movie.
best hand priming tool I have used.
others had issues seating deep enough in 338 lapua, this one not so much..
I have this same one for over a year and I would not trade it, very comfortable to use, heavy construction for long life and a nice carrying case to keep it all together. In my opinion, for the price, you cannot find a better priming tool.
I'm new to loading and I bought mine to start out hand priming until I figure out everything, before I set it up on my turret press.
Looks like a good addition. If we can ever get any primers, I will buy one.
As I read through all the comments, no one addressed the issue that to hold the brass in the shell holder, you have to start to depress the handle while holding the brass. That is with the primer tray located above the brass you are starting to insert the primer. I dislike this design as it seems backwards. Lee’s old cheaply made hand primer positions the primer tray above the brass which is just pushed in and doesn’t require to be held onto until pressure from squeezing the lever/handle is applied to keep the brass in the shell holder. This looks like a well made piece of machinery, with some nice features. But, Why didn’t they position the primer tray in the same orientation as Lee’s hand primer? RCBS’s older design (which I purchased years ago and gave away, as it had the primer tray in the same orientation as this FA one. I think it’s a design flaw. Lee’s old, cheaply made, pot metal plastic parts hand primer, works great. I have two, one set up for large primers, and the other for small. Pick the right shell holder, load the primer tray with your primers of choice, position the brass into the shell holder (no holding of the brass as with other models of hand primers ~ the Lee’s enclosed back side holds the brass so it doesn’t drop out), push the thumb lever in to seat and release. Pull the brass out, check depth, and repeat. It by no means a perfect hand primer, but for me it’s design is correct, and safer. My .02 cents only. I’m glad there are other hand primers available to suit each and every one of us. Thanks for the review, but I had to agree that this one sounded a tad bit like a infomercial… . Sorry, but it did.😔
I use Lee AutoPrime XR. Very similar concept, although I think the Lee Ergo-Prime is closer to that one's design. I never had any issue with failure to seat with it and have loaded for 13 years so far with this particular one. 8)
RCBS universal hand priming tool. No shell holder necessary. I use it for 9mm, 10mm, .357 mag, .44 sp/mag, .243, .30-30, .30-06, 6.5 creedmoor, etc. The only cartridge it doesn’t work well on that I have tried is .45 colt due to the small rim. It tends to pop out of the jaws.
I use a RCBS , I love it. Looks like all the others out there, I’m sure it works great.
I use RCBS hand primers when not on my progressive press. I love RCBS's universal shell holder.
Great tool. I use it for both rifle and pistol. It buries the RCBS hand primer on the ease of switching over from small to large primers and back.
The case holder that came with this kit that was supposed to fit my 6.5 SAUM was totally miss aligned (#8 or #2, I can’t remember now). I like the 20 year old version of the lee ergo prime the best, but this is second best. I do really like the priming force. I think AMP should make a primal rights tool with force meter though.
Haan old Lee I still use every day.
Great feel
I've been using the primer seater on my Forster Co-Ax for years. It has a great feel when seating the primers and always seats to a perfect depth. The only issues are setting it up and adjusting the 3 shellholder "jaws" can be a bit tedious to get just right, and you have to handle each primer individually to place them in the primer ram. I also use the Safety Prime system on my Lee presses which works good, except for the technique aspect of feeding the primers and of course it never loads the last 2 primers.
I've been looking at one of these for a while to speed up the process from my Co-Ax, but after reading a lot of the reviews on Amazon and Midway, I'll stick with what I know works perfectly, regardless of the quirks.
Great video and great information
Thanks, Guy 😁
I picked up one of these and did a few batches with it went back Ironically to the rock chucker seater on the press.. @7:12 you can see a primed cartridge. Mine also marrs the primer like.. not sure how or if it affects the load but its the first primer seater I have used that leaves marks like this on the primers.
If you press really hard the marks are even more visible. Concerned about adding inconsistencies to hand loads from "crushed" or "impacted" primers.
Its tough to get any consistency when the tool allows increase of depth based on hand pressures despite the setting on the dial? How do you measure hand pressure for consistency? At least with the press method you get consistent seating pressure and it leaves no marks.
I'll give it a thumbs up for being much less painful to operate than the Lee hand held primer seater (even that cheapo didn't maar the primers like this one), but in the end It looks like I will end up with the forster bench primer.
That Forster bench primer is a good tool. We reviewed it last year.
It can happen if the primer pocket is too tight, IMO. That slight "crushing" would also happen with an on-press system using that case too.
I bought one recently and like you I could not control seating depth due to hand squeeze pressure. It is a nice tool but not having consistent seating depth control is a no go for me so I returned it.
I use the Forster bench primer,I like the feel of the primer being seated.
That Forster bench mounted priming tool is a good one for sure. We reviewed it several months ago and I have to admit that I like it a lot.
I am currently using the older RCBS hand priming tool. I load mostly rifle cartridges but also the occasional .45 ACP and 9MM. It’s easy enough to switch primers sizes and she’ll holders but there is too much play/slip in the fit between the plastic part and the seating pin. How is the fit/tolerance on the Frankford?
Will it prime 44-40 brass? (I've struggled too long with the primer station on my Dillon 550 ; mechanism not picking up a primer, all primers in the magazine falling out, etc.)
All of the short-barreled cartridges I load in quantity are primed in my various Hornady L-N-L AP's. For rifle cartridges, I use a Sinclair hand setting device where I have to insert the primers individually by hand. This is somewhat cumbersome and changing the LEE case holders provided for this purpose with tiny grub screws annoys me to say the least.
In this respect, the Frankford Arsenal Hand Priming tool presented here sounds interesting. Are case holders for the .460 and .500S&W Mag. already included?
Greetings from Germany
Michel
I hand prime for small batches of big cartridges. I have a hornady classic single stage press. I will prime with the press and expand at the same time sometimes. I will also hand prime big batches, just sit on the couch and do like 300 or more as long as I finish loading the next day.
Using a Lee primer tool to load .45 ACP, 9mm, .38/357, .44 mag, .45 Colt and .300 Savage/ 30-30 WCF. I have loaded some .223 and 7.62 NATO but not often.
I have used Lee, FA, PR, RCBS and Hornady priming tools. The original Lee with the round tray is by far my favorite. The FA is a good tool and its a good set, but it is also the only hand priming tool that allowed a primer ignition while priming.
I have had several hand seating primer tools including this one. I test the seating consistency using an accuracy one primer comparator tool and because it does not have positive stop it is inconsistent. Also because the runout is poor it disfigures the primers being seated if they have thinner cups like do most match grade primers.
I have gone back to the forester press priming tool as it gives me the most consistent seating depth -.005 +/- .0005 so far. It indexes on the case head -.005 every time. No need for primal rights comparison primer seater because the jury is in on the primer optimum depth @ -.005
This is the first priming tool I bought when I started reloading earlier in the year, and I couldn’t see using anything else works for my 8mm Mauser to 9mm without fail.
Had a couple of Lee Hand Prime's. The pot metal handle breaks first on those. I made my own replacement handle, but I think I'll get a Frankford Arsenal. UR have a discount code by chance?
I have only ever hand loaded 38-357-45-500 etc
Rifle, 223,3030,303,4570,270,
All with Lee hand primer ,have worn only one out, been reloading for 20 years .
I have one.I love it.The thing I like is its adjustable seating depth.With that Said ....
I also seat on my Forster Co-Ax.It needs no shell holders.If it's handle " V" was taller its all I'd usè
Would of been good to see the consistency of seating depth
I just bought this primer set up about a month ago without a doubt the best one on the market! I gave up on the priming system on my Lyman eight turret press, love the press didn’t like the priming set up
Thanks for this. I'm curious though: how accurate and repeatable is the adjustment? Has anyone reliably measured whether it does what it claims to do?
I have used various hand priming tools for years, without a single issue.
But ☝️ Safety first.
Unintended detonation can occur. Highly unlikely, but can happen.
I use a light goat skin work glove on the hand actuating the lever. Like the white ones from Harbor Frieght.
I start the primer into the pocket & tip the tool away from myself upon fully seating the primer.
This keeps the open case mouth pointed away from me & the primers in the tray, slide to the opposite end of the tray, away from the one being seated.
Detonation of one primer has a surprising amount of power, can damage the tool & sends micro debris flying.
I do not know what a detonation of an entire tray would do. But I bet it wouldn’t be good.
Load safe !
Loaded over 10k cases with this perfect tool. Laying on the couch with the dog while watching nascar is the best way to prime
Awesome!
very nice and well done
I got myself 1 of these a while ago and I love it the best 1 out there...before I had the lee hand priming tool and that was a piece of junk...since I got this 1 I enjoy priming a lot more ...I even prime my 9 mm cases even I got an Hornady AP press...just the system I use and it work for me.
Love mine...first tool i bought after i got my press
Two Sinclair (one set up for large primer and the other for small primer). Use for rifle and pistol (mostly precison rifle)
The Sinclair tool is truly excellent. No doubt about it.
Frankfort armory. Love it!
Had one for a while now.. its not bad
I've been using the RCBS hand-priming tool. It's easy and fast, but depth isn't at all consistent for me. I have to do a second step to get the depth right. I just got one of these Frankford Arsenal primers today. Haven't used it yet, but I'm hoping it will get me the consistency I need. Press priming is very precise, but slow. I'm hoping for fast and consistent on this.
I been using the RCBS hand prime tool. I have noticed the tool isn't fully seating the primers to the bottom of the primer pocket. I have did both rifle and pistols primers with it.
I went from a Lee hand primer to the Frankford Arsenal one. Night and day difference. The Frankford Arsenal are better in every way, shape, and form.
Nicely presented, Guy. Thanks! 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸
I wish they could swage and prime. That would be a cool upgrade
Would be nice if they made one for shotgun hulls!
Nice, looks like it does a good job. Sold me, thanks!
The problem with all these hand primers with a tray is the tray is designed for large primers. Small primars get jammed in the feeding area because there is too much play. They need to supply a small primer tray and a large primer tray to avoid the jamming.
i works well only with new brass, if the brass rim is not perfect the primer sits under angle
I like it. Especially if your press can’t load primers
I have been hand priming with a Lee hand primer for years. After a few thousand primers the Lee tool has started getting a little less precise, even slightly sloppy. Maybe it is time for a new priming tool.
I've replaced several of them. Mr. Lee has a fine priming tool, but like anything else it can wear out.
At 4:17, what is the second round from the left? Thanks.
Far left is the 45-70, next is the wonderful old 375 H&H, which I've used to take several bears.
@@guyminer2384 Cool. Thanks. That big stubby thing looks like something I might need. It isn't. But it looks like it.
Does this tool have a shell holder for 6mmARC and 6.5 Grendel?
I use a Forster co-ax priming tool and sometime my Lyman Amarican 8 to if I only load a small amount of cases loading 9.3, .270, .303,6mm mus and 357. I prefer the forster if a do a lot and for the 357 it work better
I start reloading in 1988 and start with Lee stil have my Lee hand Priming tool
is this made in chiny ????
None of the included shell holders work correctly with 6.8 SPC. I emailed FA, a few weeks ago asking for help and I haven't heard back.
I've used mine 2-3 years does everything great except 223/556. Shell holder has too much slip especially with LC