RCBS APS Priming Tool User Manual

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APS Bench-Mounted Priming Tool APS Press-Mounted Priming Tool

PRODUCT INSTRUCTIONS

APS

PRIMING TOOL

IMPORTANT

Before using the APS Priming Tools from RCBS, read this instruction manual carefully to learn how to safely operate the products. Failure to properly operate the tools may result in personal injury and/or equipment damage. If you have read these instructions and still do not understand some operation, call us at 800533-5000 or 530-533-5191 and a technician will assist you. Our customer service hours are listed on the back side of this instruction manual.

These instructions contain specific safety and operating information. It should be considered a permanent part of your reloading equipment and remain with the equipment at all times for easy reference.

SAFETY

Reloading is an enjoyable and rewarding hobby that can be conducted safely. But, as with any hobby, carelessness or negligence can make reloading hazardous. This product has been designed from the beginning with the user’s safety in mind.

When reloading, safety rules must be followed. By observing these rules, the chance of a hazardous occurrence causing personal injury or property damage is minimized.

GENERAL

• Use all equipment as the manufacturer recommends. Study the instructions carefully and become thoroughly familiar with the operation of the product. If you do not have written instructions, request a copy from the equipment manufacturer.

• Don’t take short cuts. Attempting to bypass established procedures is an invitation to an accident.

• Observe “good housekeeping” in the reloading area. Keep tools and components neat, clean and orderly.

Promptly and completely clean up any powder spills.

• Reload only when you can give your undivided attention. Do not reload when fatigued or ill. Develop a reloading routine to avoid mistakes. Don’t rush – load at a leisurely pace.

• Always wear adequate eye protection to protect your eyes from flying particles. You assume unnecessary risk when reloading without wearing safety glasses.

PRIMERS AND POWDER

• Store primers and powder beyond the reach of children and away from heat, dampness, open flames and electrical equipment.

• DO NOT use primers of unknown identity.

• Keep primers in the original factory container until ready to use. Return unused primers to the same factory packaging for safety and to preserve their identity.

• DO NOT store primers in bulk. The blast of just a few primers is sufficient to cause serious injury to anyone nearby.

• DO NOT force primers. Use care in handling primers.

• DO NOT smoke while handling powder or primers.

LOADING DATA

• Use only laboratory tested reloading data. We highly recommend the use of the SPEER Reloading Manual.

• OBSERVE ALL WARNINGS ABOUT THE USE OF MAXIMUM LISTED LOADS.

RECORD KEEPING

• Keep complete records of reloads. Apply a descriptive label to each box showing the date produced, and the primer, powder and bullet used. Labels for this purpose are packed with SPEER bullets. Never attempt to guess at the identity of your ammunition.

• This product is intended for use by persons familiar with proper handloading practices and their own loading equipment. If you are uncertain as to the operation of any of your equipment, contact the equipment manufacturer for additional assistance.

Because RCBS has no control over the choice of components, the manner in which they are assembled, the use of this product, or the guns in which the resulting ammunition may be used, no responsibility – either expressed or implied – is assumed for the use of ammunition reloaded with this product.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT APS PRIMING

The APS Priming System is an entirely new way to prime cases. It’s fast, it’s safe and it’s convenient. This revolutionary system eliminates the handling of loose primers and the contamination that goes with it. Plus, it insures a smooth feed and a highly sensitive feel with every primer seated.

There are two APS tools; one is

bench-mounted

and the other is press-mounted. Each one is designed to fit specific reloading needs. The

bench-mounted

tool is for the reloader who likes to prime cases on a separate dedicated piece of equipment. This way the priming tool is always ready to use when you need it. The press-mounted tool works the same way as the bench-mounted tool except it attaches to your reloading press. It has standard 7/8x14 threads to fit in the die station.

Both tools use the new APS primer strips. Each strip is color-coded for identification and holds 25 primers. With each handle stroke, a fresh primer is seated into the case and the primer strip advances through the APS body to position another primer for seating. The primer strips

are designed to connect to each other for continuous feed. See photo #3.

Please call us if you have any questions at any time while assembling or operating this equipment.

APS BENCH-MOUNTED PRIMING TOOL INSTRUCTIONS

Carefully unpack the priming tool and look for the following items:

• APS bench-mounted tool

• APS handle

• One small bushing

• One large bushing

• Small primer plug

• Large primer plug

• Cam lock pin

Photo #3

• Hex key wrench, 3/32

• Hex key wrench, 3/16

• 1/4-20 socket head cap screw (2) Securely fasten the APS tool to a

sturdy bench using the four slots in the base. This APS tool can also be mounted to an RCBS Accessory Base Plate-2. Mounting the priming tool to a solid surface like the base plate gives the tool added stability.

Using the two cap screws attach the operating handle so it is in a comfortable position. The mounting holes allow you to position the handle from below horizontal to vertical. See photo #4.

Now, select the correct size primer plug for the primer size you will be using. There is a small primer plug for seating small primers and a large primer plug for seating large primers. Each primer plug has a shoulder on it and is bigger on one end. See photo #4. IMPORT ANT: LOWER THE HAN-

DLE ON THE PRIMING TOOL BEFORE YOU INSERT THE LARGE END OF THE PRIMER PLUG INTO THE HOLE ON TOP OF THE TOOL.

If you tried to install the primer plug before you read these instructions, you probably did not first lower the handle. And if that’s the case, you’ll notice

that the primer plug has disappeared down inside the body of the tool. If that happens, you’ll need to disassemble the tool to retrieve the primer plug. To do this, remove the four flat head screws on the top cap. Lift off the top cap and the top plate and then remove the plug. Reinstall the top plate correctly for clearance and safety and replace the top cap and the four flat head screws. And the next time, remember to lower the operating handle before installing the primer plug. Make sure you seat the primer plug firmly in the cam hole.

Next, select the correct size plastic bushing for the primer size you will be using. There is a small bushing for small primers and a large bushing for large primers. Here’s a quick way to tell which is the large bushing and which is the small. Just remember the small bushing has a seam, the large bushing is smooth. These bushings center the primer when the primer rod pushes a primer up through the shell holder.

Take the correct size plastic bushing in one hand and the shell holder you will be using in the other and place the bushing into the bottom of the shell holder. See photo #5. Then raise the handle and insert the shell

Photo #4

Photo #5

holder and bushing into the slot on the tool. By rotating the shell holder counter-clockwise while pressing unit firmly to the rear of the slot.

Peel a strip from the package of APS primers and take a look at the ends. One end of the strip is cut square and the other end has two little hooks on it. See photo #6. The end with the hooks is the end that feeds into the tool. Hold the strip so the primers are anvil-side-up and insert the strip into the tool until it clicks in place. See photo #6. If the strip does not slip in easily, it is probably because the “step” where the hooks connect to the strip is hitting the face of the tool. To help it into position, you may need to lift up on the square cut (left) end of the strip to get the step under the edge of the tool. If the strip is inserted backwards (square end first) the primer plug can wedge in the strip and you will have to disassemble.

Insert a case into the shell holder and lower the handle to seat a primer. Then STOP with the handle down! Insert the the cam lock pin to adjust the primer depth. See photo #7. The cam lock pin will stop the strip from advancing while making this adjustment. Use the primer adjustment screw on the base of the priming

tool. Raise the handle and remove case and check for primer seating depth. Turn screw clockwise for deeper seating depth and counterclockwise for less seating depth. See photo #7. The adjustment screw limits the handle travel at the seating depth you want (flush – .004 deep) and prevents crushing primers. If you did not use the pin to stop the strip from advancing, another primer is in place to be seated. Do not return the primed case to the shell holder and try to seat the primer deeper without clearing the second primer from the machine. Remove and discard the second primer.

Once you are satisfied with the primer seating depth you are ready to prime cases. With the handle down, pull the cam lock pin out of the tool and start priming. Be sure to operate the handle through the full stroke – all the way up and all the way down. Remember, the primer strips are designed to connect to each other. So for continuous primer feeding, just connect another strip onto the end of the strip in the tool when there is at least one inch of the ramp available to support the new strip. See photo #8. The strip can be removed at any point in the process by pushing or pulling the strip through the right-hand side of the tool.

Photo #6

Photo #7

APS PRESS-MOUNTED PRIMING TOOL INSTRUCTIONS

Carefully unpack the press-mounted tool and look for the following items:

• APS press-mounted tool

• One small bushing

• One large bushing

• Small primer plug

• Large primer plug

• Cam lock pin

• Adjustment rod assembly

• 7/8-14 lock nut

• Hex key wrench 3/32

To install the APS Press-Mounted Priming Tool, first install 7/8-14 nut on the tool adapter. See photo #9.

Thread the tool into your reloading press approximately seven turns. The ramp on the tool should be pointing to the left. Then tighten the lock nut.

Install the adjustment rod assembly into the ram of the press just like a shell holder. See photo #10. Slowly lower the press handle to the bottom of its travel. If it stops before reaching the bottom of its travel, stop, raise the handle and either adjust the toolhead up a couple of turns, and/or the adjustment rod down. See photo #10.

Now, select the correct size primer plug for the primer size you will be using. There is a small primer plug for

Photo #9

Photo #10

Photo #8

seating small primers and a large primer plug for seating large primers. Each primer plug has a shoulder on it and is bigger on one end. See photo #11. IMPORTANT: LOWER

THE HANDLE ON THE PRESS BEFORE YOU INSERT THE LARGE END OF THE PRIMER PLUG INTO THE HOLE ON TOP OF THE TOOL.

If you tried to install the primer plug before you read these instructions, you probably did not first lower the handle. And if that’s the case, you’ll notice that the primer plug has disappeared down inside the body of the tool. If that happens, you’ll need to disassemble the tool to retrieve the primer plug. To do this, remove the four flat head screws on the top cap. Lift off the top cap and top plate and remove the plug. Reinstall the top plate correctly for clearance and safety and replace the top cap and the four flat head screws. And next time, remember to lower the operating handle before installing the primer plug. Make sure to seat the primer plug firmly in the cam hole.

Next, select the correct size plastic bushing for the primer size you will be using. There is a small bushing for small primers and a large bushing for large primers. Here’s a quick way

to tell which is the large bushing and which is the small. Just remember the small bushing has a seam, the large bushing is smooth. These bushings center the primer when the primer rod pushes a primer up through the shell holder.

Take the correct size plastic bushing in one hand and the shell holder you will be using in the other and place the bushing into the bottom of the shell holder. See photo #12. Then raise the handle and insert the shell holder and bushing into the slot on the tool by rotating the shell holder counter-clockwise while pressing unit firmly to the rear of the slot.

Peel a strip from the package of APS primers and take a look at the strip ends. One end of the strip is cut square and the other end has two little hooks on it. See photo #13. The end with the hooks is the end that feeds into the tool. Insert the strip into the tool until it clicks in place. See photo #13. If the strip does not slip in easily, it is probably because the step where the hooks connect to the strip is hitting the face of the tool. To help it into position, you may need to lift up on the square cut (left) end of the strip to get the step under the edge of the tool.

Photo #12

Photo #11

Insert a case into the shell holder and lower the handle slowly and carefully. The press handle should go all the way to the bottom with very little resistance. Remember you have the

mechanical advantage of compound leverage. More than enough leverage to crush primers, bend the primer plug and bend the rim of the case – so don’t force it! If the

handle stops part way down, insert the cam lock pin. The cam lock pin will stop the strip from advancing while making this adjustment. See photo #14. Then lift the handle back up and turn the adjustment rod in the shell holder depth adjustment assembly down a little and try again. When the handle travels easily to the bottom of its stroke, check the primer seating depth. For high primers, back the adjustment rod out a little. If the primer cup is flattened (crushed), turn the adjustment rod down a little further until you get the correct seating depth.

When the proper priming seating depth is achieved (flush – .004 deep) with the handle all the way down, remove the cam lock pin. Then raise the handle and tighten the 1/4-28 lock nut.

You’re now ready to prime cases. Remember, the primer strips are

designed to connect to each other. So for continuous primer feeding, just connect another strip onto the end of the strip in the tool when there is at least one inch of the ramp available to support the new strip. See photo #15. The strip can be removed at any point in the process by pushing or pulling the strip through the right-hand side of the tool.

PRIMER STRIP COLOR ID CHART

APS Primer Strips are color-coded to prevent confusion and misidentification. To minimize the number of colored primer strips, we not only used the

Photo #14

Photo #15

Photo #13

various colors for designating primer type but also for primer size. For example, there are two white primer strips; one for large pistol primers and one for small pistol primers.

White Primer Strip:

#300 Large Pistol, Standard #500 Small Pistol, Standard

Red Primer Strip:

#350 Large Pistol, Magnum #550 Small Pistol, Magnum

Yellow Primer Strip:

#200 Large Rifle, Standard #400 Small Rifle, Standard

Blue Primer Strip:

#250 Large Rifle, Magnum #450 Small Rifle, Magnum

Black Primer Strip:

#BR2 Large Rifle, Benchrest #BR4 Small Rifle, Benchrest

Orange Primer Strip:

#34 7.62mm (Military) #41 5.56mm (Military)

CUSTOMER SERVICE

After reading these instructions, if you have any questions or need additional help in using the APS Priming Tools, call us at the factory. We’ll be glad to help.

APS STRIP LOADER INSTRUCTIONS

The APS Strip Loader is for those reloaders who may have a supply of CCI primers in conventional traytype packaging and now, because of the APS Priming Tools, they need those primers loaded into strips. As the name implies, the strip loader allows you to fill empty primer strips with your favorite primers. With each push of the handle the strip loader will quickly seat 25 primers into a strip. After loading the strips with primers the strips are ready to be used in an APS Priming Tool.

The tape covering CCI strips of APS primers is an important safety feature of the packaging. The tape serves to prevent the detonation of a single primer from causing detonation of other primers in close proximity. Always cover loaded primer strips, not in use, with APS tape. Never store quantities of loaded primer strips without covering them with tape. Covering the primers with APS tape also serves to protect them from contamination during storage. To apply the tape, simply peel the backing from a section from the tape. Lay the tape on a flat surface with the adhesive surface up. Lay up to four loaded strips, side-by-side, anvil side down and press firmly into place.

IMPORTANT: Before you operate the strip loader it is vitally important that you read these instructions and fully understand how this product works. Become familiar with the loader by going through a few “dry runs.” Along with these instructions there are some handy tips and suggestions that will make the tool easier to use.

Carefully unpack the strip loader and look for the following items:

• Strip loader assembly

• Handle lever

• Tray lid

• Strips

• Tape Place the strip loader on a flat sur-

face and attach the handle lever as shown in photo #16. You may need to depress or push down on the primer seating bar so the handle lever will slip into the four slots at the back of the tool. See photo #16. Under the primer seating bar you’ll see there are 25 pins...one for each hole in the primer strip. These pins help to locate the empty strips in the tool and to position the primers in the strip. Once the handle lever is installed, push down on the lever and watch what

happens. While pushing on the handle lever, notice the 25 pins will retract allowing insertion of strip.

Now it’s time to try a “dry run.” Don’t put any primers on the tray just yet. The dry run will help you become comfortable with installing and removing the primer strip from the tool. With a little practice you’ll soon learn the “feel” for how far to depress the handle lever.

First, take an empty strip in your right hand. Hold it by the square end

and with the flat side of the strip facing up. See photo #17. Now, with your left hand, push part way down on the handle lever until the 25 pins are just flush with the bottom of the primer channel. See photo #18. At the

same time insert the empty strip into the loader from the right-hand side of the tool. The strip should slide right into the tool. See photo #19. If it does not, it is because the handle lever is not pressed down far enough or is pressed down too far. Try moving

Photo #18

Photo #19

Photo #16

Photo #17

the handle lever up or down until the strip feeds into the loader. Slide the strip into the loader leaving about 1'' of the strip out of the tray. Do not release the lever. Attach another strip by inserting the hooks of the strip into the square end of the first strip. See photo #20. This will help you to position the first strip fully into the loader. There are two little guide

marks etched into the tray, one on the left side of the tool and one on the right side of the tool. These marks are used to line up the strips as shown in photo #21. These should help you to position the strip over the top of the 25 pins. Move the strip

in and out of the tool and keep in mind that the goal is to align the holes in the strip with the pins. Practice these steps until you’re comfortable with the process.

Now you’re ready to add primers to the tray. Make sure there is an

empty strip correctly positioned in the loader. Also make sure the strip is the correct color and size for the primer being loaded. Never, ever, under any circumstances, load primers into a strip that is not the correct color for the primer being loaded. See the color coding chart on page 9 for the correct color. Using the wrong color strip can lead to misidentification of the primers. Using the wrong primers in a handload can create a dangerous condition that could result in damage to your firearm and physical injury. Place a pack-

age of primers upside down on the grooved surface of the loader and slide the sleeve off the primer package. See photo #22. Shake the strip

loader right to left so the specially grooved surface flips all the primers right-side up (anvil side up). Place the

tray lid on the strip loader.

Photo #21

Photo #20

Photo #22

Next, tilt the strip loader away from you until there is a primer in each hole of the strip (you may need to rock the tool to the left and right to move the primers into position.) See photo #23. Then tilt the tool towards

you to move all the extra primers back away from the strip. Check to confirm there is a primer in each hole, but no extra primers are in the strip area. See photo #24.

To seat the primers into the strip, first read and then follow the steps listed below. (Remember the dry run.)

• Be sure there is a primer in each hole of the strip.

• Press down on the handle lever (apply firm, even pressure). See photo #25.

• Do not release the pressure on the handle lever.

• Slowly raise the handle lever while gently pushing on the right end of the strip with the empty strip. See photo #26.

• As the lever raises, you will be able to push the strip through the tool with the empty strip.

• Attach another empty strip to the second strip as described above, and repeat these steps. See photo #27.

Photo #23

Photo #24

Photo #25

Photo #26

If the primer strip does not come out

check to be certain the primers are seated deep enough. If primers

are not seated to flush or below, they will not function in the APS tools.

Continue this process until you have filled all the strips you need. Return any unused primers to their original factory packaging.

If you have any questions or are having difficulty, don’t struggle, ask the folks who built it. Call 1 (800) 533-

5000.

Helpful hints…

1. You may have to straighten strip if

flat surface is bowed.

2. It helps to have a strip in place on

each end while using the strip loader.

3. You may wish to color the etched

guide marks with a felt pen for better visibility.

4. If strips do not index correctly in the

APS tool, check: a. strip inserted correctly (hook

end first)

b. to see that strips have not devel-

oped physical damage from misuse.

Photo #27 Photo #28

7200528/0803

CCI • SPEER • RCBS

OUTERS • RAMLINE • ORBEX • FEDERAL

PRECISIONEERED®RELOADING EQUIPMENT

We think that we make the very best

reloading equipment in the world.

If you agree, please tell your friends.

If you disagree, tell us - we want to do something about it!

Customer Service

1-800-533-5000

(US or Canada) or

530-533-5191

Hours: Monday - Thursday, 6:30am - 3:00pm (hours may vary)

e-mail: rcbs.tech@atk.com • www.rcbs.com

RCBS • 605 Oro Dam Blvd. • Oroville, CA 95965

RCBS APS Priming Tool User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual