Reloading: Hand Priming

Priming on a press is a pain and I certainly prefer the hand priming option! So Lyman’s new E-ZEE Prime is a variation on a common theme. Similar to others, a clip-off lid allows a quantity of primers to be tipped onto the ribbed surface. Two trays are supplied (small and large primers) and a gentle agitation soon has them all anvil-up ready for insertion.

STANDARDS

It uses standard shell holders you already own and use on your press, which is a distinct advantage. Though Hornady’s own design machine has been doing this for years! It does mean any case can be primed even the larger magnums and belted types.

Useful is the fact you can lock the shell holder in position too by a simple clip system. Lyman suggest operating the lever with fingers but this seems counterproductive to me as you need the feed tray above the case to allow a slight wiggle of the wrist to jiggle the primers and encourage them to slip along the feed slot with gravity. It also maintains the case mouth facing away from you and not that I would suggest trying it, I’m assuming any detonated primer being pressed into position would eject its sparks away from you too! Lyman advise wearing safety glasses and using no more than 100 primers in the tray at once! I operated the lever with my palm. Another useful feature is the small shutter integral to the tray lid, which allows you to close off primer feed.

REPETITIVE FINDINGS

I used the tool to load up 100X .308 Winchester cases that have what I would judge to be tight primer pockets and found the leverage and `feel` offered to be superior to others. It has a longer lever travel than other tools of this type to minimise muscle strain. The mechanism toggles over centre at the limit of its stroke so cannot really go wrong, just squeeze until it clunks onto the stop.

The main safety issue with any hand primer is getting two or more primers jumbled up and accidentally detonating one of them, and hopefully no more! Rather than use additional handling mechanisms, Lyman minimises this risk by keeping the primer in motion more physically distant from its companions. Although I did on one occasion manage to get two lifting on the ram inline and actually pressed one into the case, effectively using the other as the ram head itself?

No damage done here but watch out for it as you grow accustomed to the E-ZEE Prime. All primers were seated uniformly flush and my only real issue was that the gap between tray and feed mechanism was large enough to allow spillage of the odd primer if carelessly applying more than a light jiggle.

FOR

Larger magnum cases will work Uses regular shell holders Toggled lever retains good feel alongside force

AGAINST

Primer spillage still possible Room on the ram for more than one primer

VERDICT

Certainly a refined option with good leverage and feel but still not the magic solution