Primer seating problem (newbie)

[ar15barrels]

If you go with a hand primer, look at the RCBS.
Everyone I know that has one likes them a bunch.
They are WAY better than the Lee.

[Chris M]

That spring loaded cup has more travel than it needs so that the spring does NOT go to coil-bind in normal use.

Check the travel of the primer ram into a case WITHOUT a primer.

How do I go about doing that? The adjustment on this thing is nowhere near precise....Loosening the set screw, and manually moving the primer ram up/down with your fingers is the only way to adjust this thing.

I'm just going to chuck it and get a hand-priming tool. The lower part of this ram is all jacked up, anyways. At first, the set screw wasn't holding the ram in place, and seating a primer would cause the ram to slide into the aluminum arm. I had to over-tighten the set screw in order to keep the ram from moving. This thing's a piece of crap.

[FLIGHT762]

If you go with the RCBS priming tool, I'd suggest this one.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp;jsessionid=GDD3ZSPZP3LCRLAQBBKCCNVMCAEFKIWE?id=0037484216103a&type=product&cmCat=froogle&cm_ven=data_feed&cm_cat=froogle&cm_pla=1230111&cm_ite=0037484216103a&_requestid=99387

I bought the first model RCBS tool and didn't like it at all. Too much fussing changing shell holders and it bound a lot, plus you had to use newer style shellholders that have a steeper bevel cut into them. I couldn't use my old shellholders and had to buy new ones.

I went with the new style Hornady hand primer and am happy with it. I like the Hornady tool because to seat the primers, you squeeze the tool like a pair of pliers on a down stroke. The RCBS tool squeezes upward. Check out the photos of the tools and you'll see what I'm talking about.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=756549&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=free&utm_campaign=9315

I haven't tried the new RCBS tool, but it looks like they fixed the shellholder problem by using a universal shellholder.

[sv_1]

Adjust the rod out farther and seat them by feel instead of using the outer part as a stop.

I'd also steer you away from the lee, the shell holders for mine are garbage.

[Chris M]

I just placed an order at Cabela's for the RCBS Universal Hand Priming Tool, along with a few other small items that'll come in handy.

This Lyman Primer feeding/seating system is going in the trash.

[ar15barrels]

Adjust the rod out farther and seat them by feel instead of using the outer part as a stop.

+1 to this.

You should FEEL the primer bottom out.
Don't rely on a mechanical stop as there will be inconsistencies in the brass that the mechanical stop does not account for.

[tamalpias]

I have the strip APS priming system from RCBS. If you want swing by my workplace and I will bring my hand priming tool and show you how it works and check it out for you. My shop is in North San Jose if you wanna hit me up.