Tired of having the incorrect shellholder for your hand primer? Ever have a shellholder go missing at the most inopportune time? The RCBS Universal Hand Priming tool eliminates the need for shellholders!
Disclaimer
Ultimate Reloader LLC / Making with Metal Disclaimer: (by reading this article and/or watching video content you accept these terms). The content on this website (including videos, articles, ammunition reloading data, technical articles, gunsmithing and other information) is for demonstration purposes only. Do not attempt any of the processes or procedures shown or described on this website. All gunsmithing procedures should be carried out by a qualified and licensed gunsmith at their own risk. Do not attempt to repair or modify any firearms based on information on this website. Ultimate Reloader, LLC and Making With Metal can not be held liable for property or personal damage due to viewers/readers of this website performing activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this website. By accepting these terms, you agree that you alone are solely responsible for your own safety and property as it pertains to activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this website.
About the Universal Hand Priming Tool
The RCBS universal hand priming tool accommodates both rifle and pistol cases from .32 ACP to .45-70 Government – without any shellholders!
This priming tool also has a unique safety gate that prevents a chain detonation should a primer go off while being pressed into a case.
From RCBS:
The Universal Hand Priming Tool features a universal case holder. The case holder can accept cases from .32 ACP to .45-70 Government. A safety gate isolates the primer seating operation from the primer supply. The removable primer tray orients the primers for use and will fit all primer manufacturer’s packaging. The Universal Hand Priming Tool includes accessories to seat both large and small primers.
-
- Features a Universal Case Holder
- Primer isolating safety gate
- Large Primer Tray to fit all manufacturer’s packaging
- Accessories for both large and small primers. (Rifle and Pistol)
- RCBS® Limited Lifetime Warranty
What’s in the Box
The hand primer comes with a primer tray, a small seating plug, large seating plug, plunger, set screw, hex key, and an instruction manual.
Set-Up and Use
The first step is to install the set screw into the hand primer body using the included hex key.
I decided to start with large primers, so I selected the large seating plug and set it inside the plunger installation tool.
Next I closed the priming unit handle and tightened the set screw. This not only holds the handle but prevents the internal rod from rotating around during plunger installation. The threaded plunger screws clockwise into the unit.
There is an opening for further tightening the plunger with the included hex key, but I decided to leave it hand tight. With the plunger installed, I loosened the set screw until the unit regained full functionality and the plunger protruded through the top of the unit.
The RCBS primer tray holds 100 primers and is generously sized to accommodate various primer packages. It also has a safety gate to prevent primers from spilling. I donned a pair of safety glasses, slid the cover off a package of CCI large rifle primers, placed the base of the primer tray over top, and flipped the primers onto the tray.
Next, I lightly shook the tray back and forth. Concentric ridges in the tray help orient the primers anvil up.
It’s important to ensure no primers cover the hole in the center of the tray where the lid snaps into place. I gently set the lid over top with the primer safety gate shut and snapped it into place.
After verifying that all primers had remained anvil up, I installed the tray onto the hand primer body, opened the safety gate, and let a single primer fall into place. I slid a piece of virgin Lapua .308 brass into the universal jaws, and depressed the handle with my right hand until I felt the primer seat.
I generally avoid hand priming as I have smaller hands, but I had no issues priming on the RCBS Universal Hand Priming Tool.
I held the unit at a slight angle away from my face, both to encourage a primer to fall into place and to ensure that if a primer did go off, it would do so in a safe direction.
While the primer tool operation is the same, there are a few steps to convert the primer from small primers to large primers. I started by closing the primer safety gate and working the handle to ensure all was free and clear. Secondly, I removed the priming body from the tray and deposited all of the large rifle primers into a storage bin. (Don’t worry, I put them back in the original packaging later.)
To reverse the earlier process, I closed the priming unit handle, tightened the set screw, and used the plunger tool to remove the large plunger. Next, I slightly loosened the set screw and depressed the handle halfway.
I loosened the knurled knob on the priming body and allowed the handle to slowly move forward. (Do NOT let the handle fly forward during this process as it can put the unit out of alignment.) At this point I could remove the safety gate and the large primer feed adapter.
Though it is tempting to install the appropriate adapter at this point, it is important to install the small plunger first, following the same procedure as for the large plunger.
Finally, I installed the small adapter, safety shield, and knurled knob.
With the priming tool set for small rifle primers, I filled the tray with small primers and primed some of our processed .223 Mojo Precision cases.
Conclusion
I was very happy with how the RCBS Universal Hand Priming Tool performed.
Not needing a shellholder was not only very convenient, but allowed me to keep my shellholders with my presses and dies, leaving me one less thing to look for. Though I’m in the minority, my favorite priming method is still on-press priming. (I use the RCBS Ram Prime.)
Get the Gear
Purchase the RCBS Universal Hand Priming Tool directly from RCBS or from Midsouth Shooters Supply!
Mojo Precision – Use Code UR10 to Save 10% on All Casings
Lapua .308 Winchester Brass at Creedmoor Sports and Midsouth Shooters Supply
Primers at Midsouth Shooters Supply
Don’t miss out on Ultimate Reloader updates, make sure you’re subscribed!
Thanks,
Kyle Shields
