Best way to prime cases with Federal primers?

[Shiloh13]

I understand that Federal primers are a little touchy and should not be loaded via tubes in a press. What is the best / safest way to prime cases with Federal primers? I am not crazy about holding 100 primers in a hand held priming tool... I have gotten comfortable using opposable thumbs. :D

I was thinking of going to the RCBS APS system and loading the primers into the strips, and using the strips in a hand or bench top loader, Federal primers or not. Anyone using this system?

Any suggestions or advice?
Thanks as always!

[bohoki]

sounds like a lot of bunk fed primers act just like winchester or cci to me

[Voo]

I've used CCI, Winchester, Wolf, and Federal small pistol primer through a 550 and my 650..

I dont know if the manufacturer states it, but thats crap that you can't load it through a tube. Who comes up with this stuff?

Yes, the cup on Federal primers is thinner and they're more sensitive, but all it takes is to NOT BE A MONKEY and it'll be fine to reload.

[5hundo]

I am not crazy about holding 100 primers in a hand held priming tool... I have gotten comfortable using opposable thumbs.

:confused:

You'd rather they be contained in a tube, restrained at one end and pointed directly at your face?

[qbi2001]

I use only federal primers and a RCBS hand priming tool. It works great, I've never had a problem with it.

[freakshow10mm]

:confused:

You'd rather they be contained in a tube, restrained at one end and pointed directly at your face?
You load ammo with your face directly over the primer tube?

There's a foot of distance between my face and the primer tube, which is housed in the primer tube shield. I wear safety glasses as well. I mostly use CCI primers but Federal comes along sometimes. Never had an issue with Federal primers in tubes.

[J-cat]

What's wrong with hand priming???

[freakshow10mm]

It's slow and overrated.

[J-cat]

Only when you're making less than perfect ammo.

[freakshow10mm]

:rolleyes:

[Black_Talon]

Only when you're making less than perfect ammo.

Right-on bro! (but I'm a benchrest shooter)

[J-cat]

I shoot handgun benchrest ;) 9mm mostly LOL

[OB_WAN]

I use only federal primers and a RCBS hand priming tool. It works great, I've never had a problem with it.

sorry feedback is from a newbie reloader but so far I think I have it figured out. I am using Federal LP primers with a RCBS hand primer. mine is the universal hand primer. RCBS separates the primer being pressed from the rest in the tray so if it goes bang, it's only the one primer.

when I loaded my first few primers, I was just quickly squeezing on the hand primer but I noticed I was squeezing too hard and causing the primer to indent a bit. good thing it didnt' go bang.

I then started "feeling" the primer being seated in the pocket with slower more precise squeeze of the hand primer and things are much better. I do notice that some brass will have a tighter pocket and will require some finesse and a few extra presses but it seems to be working just fine.

so even a newbie and I haven't had a problem yet with the federal primers.

[Shiloh13]

Thanks for all the reply's.
I am glad to hear the reports appear to be exaggerated.

[sargenv]

Fed primers are a bit more sensitive than the other ones, as far as light hammer tension goes. I have had friends have a mass detonation using Federal primers in a Dillon 650. Usually something goes BANG at once, and they find the primer weight thing in the ceiling and the tube that contained the primers split like a peeled banana..

This has only happened with Federals that I know of.

Now, I use Winchesters, Remingtons, and Federals in equal amounts. I've been using Federals for over 20 years on and off and have never had an issue in a Dillon 650 or RCBS Rock Chucker (with the bulk tube). You just need to be careful and follow instructions..