Smartreloader SR916 Hand Primer

**killzone** · 12-10-2019, 20:00

Good day.

Any members here have experience with this item ? I am planning on replacing my Lee Hand primer that's giving me frequent headaches.

Mrs Google has conflicting reviews and this bothers me. If I had more ching I would settle for the RCBS, but I can get the SR916 at a special price.

Your thoughts please.

Regards.

KZ

**driepootx** · 12-10-2019, 20:10

Have you had a look at the Lee Bench Primer?

**KK20** · 12-10-2019, 20:16

How about the RCBS HAND PRIMING TOOL?

**griffin** · 12-10-2019, 20:19

KK has a point, the RCBS is very sturdy. Quality looks much better than the Lee.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

**KK20** · 12-10-2019, 20:21

Originally Posted by driepootx

Have you had a look at the Lee Bench Primer?

This is a PIA

**A-R** · 12-10-2019, 21:54

I have the Lee Ergo prime. It uses the same primer feed system as the Bench Prime, just it is hand held.

The primer feed mechanism is a PITA. It frequently manages to get a primer jammed somehow. When this happens, the primer does not detonate, since the housing gives way and cracks. Very safe and a huge pain. Lee will mail you a new part, but only one at a time. And the mail takes time. Lots of time.

I have 2 of the original Lee Auto-Prime hand-held priming tools. They have given me excellent service for may years. They are also wearing out and parts are not available anymore. When that happens, I will be stuck with more basic, much slower priming tools.

I have heard a few good things about the RCBS hand-held priming tool. No first-hand experience yet. If it works, it may be well worth the somewhat hefty price.

I also have an older bench-mounted RCBS priming tool of the older type that still works with the brass tubes. There are some risks to using the tubes, as quite a few have managed to detonate. It also puts some strain on muscles that I seem not to use frequently, so higher volumes tend to get painful. However, it till works well and seats the primers much more positively that any hand-held tools that I have used.

I know nothing about the Smart Reloader priming tool.

**treeman** · 13-10-2019, 07:05

Originally Posted by KK20

This is a PIA

************
I hope you wrong, I really want one. Its the first priming tool I have seen that is designed in a way that makes sense to me. Only negative I could see with out using it is that its not so prime where and when you want.
What was your experience leading to PIA statement - ( hopefully of value to OP as well).

**KK20** · 13-10-2019, 07:22

I am faster with my handheld than with this one. I have a better "feel" of the primer seating than this one. The ergonomics makes me rather use the auto prime unit on my LEE C press.

( this thread made me remember that a member of GS borrowed my RCBS unit as well as my RCBS uniflow and has not returned it gone 2 years now ..)

**KK20** · 13-10-2019, 07:37

Originally Posted by treeman

************
I hope you wrong, I really want one. Its the first priming tool I have seen that is designed in a way that makes sense to me. Only negative I could see with out using it is that its not so prime where and when you want.
What was your experience leading to PIA statement - ( hopefully of value to OP as well).

The OP asked about hand priming unit ..

The RCBS unit may be more expensive but it worth the money.

**killzone** · 13-10-2019, 10:25

Thank you for the replies everyone.

Yes K, if my budget allowed for more I would invest in a RCBS. Honestly the Lee gave me fairly good service. I mangled mine when using Unis Ginex primers last year.Ever since it is very unreliable.

I do a lot of handpriming. I was hoping for firsthand experience of anyone on GS.

I can get the SR for R275 (50%) on the last one and old stock.

Otherwise I must save myself more pain and save up for the RCBS.