RCBS 88515 APS Unprimed Primer Strips for Magnum Large Pistol 8 Per Pack

The Ultimate Guide to Efficient and Safe Priming: RCBS 88515 APS Unprimed Primer Strips for Magnum Large Pistol

For serious handloaders and ammunition reloaders, consistency, speed, and safety are paramount. Whether you’re a competitive shooter, a precision hunter, or a hobbyist dedicated to crafting the finest ammunition, the journey from spent brass to a perfectly loaded cartridge involves meticulous steps. One of the most critical of these is the priming process. This is where the RCBS 88515 APS Unprimed Primer Strips for Magnum Large Pistol emerge as an indispensable tool, specifically engineered to streamline and enhance your reloading experience. Available from trusted sources like DEGuns, these strips are a cornerstone for anyone utilizing the innovative RCBS Automatic Priming System (APS).

Who Is This Product For?

Are you a reloader who values efficiency and desires to minimize direct handling of primers? Do you frequently reload cartridges requiring Magnum Large Pistol primers, such as those for .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .454 Casull, or even certain large-caliber rifle rounds that utilize a large pistol primer size? If you’re already invested in the RCBS APS system – including the APS Priming Tool, Summit Press, or Pro 2000 auto indexing presses – then these strips are precisely what you need. They are designed for reloaders seeking:

• Enhanced Safety: Reducing direct hand-to-primer contact, minimizing the risk of accidental primer detonation.
• Unmatched Efficiency: Pre-loading primers into strips allows for continuous, high-volume priming without constant primer tray refills.
• Superior Consistency: The APS system, coupled with these strips, ensures primers are seated precisely and uniformly every time.
• Cleanliness: Less primer dust and residue on your hands and reloading bench.
• Organized Reloading: Keeping primers neatly organized and ready for use.

This product is an essential consumable for anyone looking to optimize their priming operation within the RCBS APS ecosystem.

Understanding the RCBS APS System and Its Benefits

The RCBS Automatic Priming System (APS) revolutionized the way reloaders handle primers. Unlike traditional methods that involve handling individual primers from a tray or using cumbersome priming arms, the APS system utilizes pre-loaded or user-loaded primer strips. The RCBS 88515 strips are an integral part of this system for Magnum Large Pistol primers.

What problems does the RCBS APS system, enabled by these strips, solve?

1. Primer Handling Risk: Primers, by their nature, are explosive. Directly handling them increases the potential for an accidental discharge. The APS system, using these strips, significantly reduces this direct contact.
2. Slow and Tedious Priming: Manually placing primers one by one into a tray or onto a priming arm can be slow and interrupt the reloading rhythm. APS strips allow for rapid, continuous feeding.
3. Inconsistent Primer Seating: Manual methods can lead to varying seating depths, which impacts ignition consistency and, consequently, ammunition accuracy. The APS system promotes uniform seating.
4. Mess and Contamination: Primer dust and residue can accumulate on hands and equipment. Strips keep primers contained until they are seated.

By adopting the RCBS APS system with these dedicated primer strips, reloaders experience a noticeable increase in priming speed, a significant boost in safety, and a marked improvement in the consistency of their ammunition. It's a foundational upgrade for any serious reloading bench.

Diving Deep into RCBS 88515 APS Unprimed Primer Strips

The RCBS 88515 pack contains eight (8) unprimed primer strips, each designed to hold 25 Magnum Large Pistol primers. This means each package provides capacity for 200 primers. The strips are specifically molded to fit Magnum Large Pistol primers snugly, ensuring they remain secure during handling and feed flawlessly into your APS tool or press.

Key Features and What They Mean for You:

• "Unprimed" Designation: This indicates that the strips come empty, allowing you to load them with your preferred brand of Magnum Large Pistol primers. This flexibility is crucial for reloaders who have specific primer preferences or who purchase primers in bulk. It empowers you to maintain control over your component choices.
• "Magnum Large Pistol" Specificity: This is not a one-size-fits-all solution. These strips are precisely engineered for the dimensions of Magnum Large Pistol primers. Attempting to use them with standard large pistol, small pistol, or rifle primers will result in improper fit and potential feeding issues. This specificity ensures reliable performance and primer integrity.
• 8 Strips Per Pack: Providing 200 primer capacity per pack offers a substantial amount of priming before needing to refill strips or open a new pack. For many reloaders, this amount allows for several reloading sessions, reducing the frequency of component reordering. It also provides a ready supply of pre-loaded primers, enhancing workflow.
• Durable Polymer Construction: RCBS crafts these strips from a resilient polymer material designed to withstand repeated use. They are robust enough to hold primers securely and feed smoothly through the APS system without deforming or breaking, ensuring long-term reliability.
• Integral Part of the APS System: These strips are the "magazine" for your APS priming tool. They are essential for its operation, allowing for continuous, hands-off primer feeding directly into the case.

How to Use the RCBS 88515 APS Unprimed Primer Strips

Utilizing these strips is straightforward and contributes significantly to a smoother reloading process. Here's a general overview of their application:

1. Loading the Strips:
   • Take your desired brand of Magnum Large Pistol primers.
   • Using an RCBS APS Strip Loader (a separate, affordable tool), or even carefully by hand, insert the primers into the individual cavities of the unprimed strips. The strip loader significantly speeds up this process, allowing you to fill all 25 primer slots in a strip in mere seconds.
   • Ensure the primers are seated correctly and uniformly, anvil-side down (the open end facing away from the strip).
2. Integrating with Your APS Priming Tool or Press:
   • Once loaded, insert the primer strip into the designated slot on your RCBS APS Priming Tool (like the APS Bench Priming Tool) or into the APS primer feed system of your RCBS Summit Press, Pro 2000, or other compatible RCBS press.
   • The system will automatically feed primers from the strip as you cycle the priming mechanism.
3. Priming Operation:
   • With the strip loaded, simply place your case into the shell holder and actuate the priming arm or press lever. The APS system will retrieve a fresh primer from the strip and seat it precisely into the primer pocket of your brass.
   • Continue this process until all 25 primers from the strip are used, or until you complete your batch of cases.
   • When one strip is empty, simply remove it and insert a new, loaded strip to continue priming seamlessly.

This efficient process minimizes pauses and allows you to focus on the quality of your case preparation and primer seating, rather than fumbling with individual primers.

Optimizing Your Reloading Workflow with APS Strips

Many experienced reloaders look for ways to optimize every step of the process. The RCBS 88515 APS Unprimed Primer Strips are a prime example of a product that directly contributes to this goal.

• Batch Preparation: Load multiple strips at once before starting a priming session. This creates a continuous supply, minimizing interruptions. Imagine having 200, 400, or even 1000 primers pre-loaded and ready to go!
• Dedicated Setup: Keep your APS system ready to go. Once you've processed your brass (de-primed, sized, trimmed, chamfered/deburred, cleaned), you can move directly to priming with pre-loaded strips.
• Safety First: Always use proper eye protection when handling primers and operating reloading equipment. The APS system significantly reduces direct contact, but vigilance is always key.
• Storage: Store loaded or empty strips in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures, just as you would with your primers.

Why Choose RCBS? A Legacy of Precision and Reliability

RCBS (Rock Chucker Bullet Swage) has been a trusted name in reloading since 1943. Their reputation is built on designing and manufacturing high-quality, durable, and precise reloading equipment that stands the test of time. When you invest in RCBS products, you’re not just buying a tool; you're investing in a legacy of craftsmanship and a commitment to the reloader.

The APS system, and by extension, these primer strips, are a testament to RCBS's dedication to innovation that directly benefits the user. They understand the nuances of reloading and continually strive to make the process safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable for handloaders of all experience levels. Products like the 88515 APS Unprimed Primer Strips embody this philosophy, providing a critical component that enhances the overall RCBS reloading ecosystem. For those seeking reliable performance and longevity from their reloading tools, RCBS is a brand that consistently delivers.

Common Questions Reloaders Ask About Priming and APS Strips

• "What are the best tools for primer seating consistency?" While many tools exist, the RCBS APS system, utilizing these specific strips, is highly regarded for its ability to seat primers uniformly and consistently to the correct depth, which is vital for consistent ignition and accurate ammunition.
• "How do I speed up my reloading process, especially priming?" The RCBS APS system with pre-loaded strips (like the 88515) drastically reduces the time spent handling individual primers, making the priming step much faster and less tedious. Loading strips in advance allows for continuous operation.
• "Is there a safer way to handle primers?" Absolutely. The RCBS APS system minimizes direct finger contact with primers by keeping them contained within these strips, significantly enhancing safety by reducing the risk of accidental detonation due to static electricity or impact.
• "Are these strips compatible with all primer brands?" These RCBS 88515 strips are designed for Magnum Large Pistol primers from all major manufacturers, as long as they adhere to standard Large Pistol primer dimensions. This allows reloaders flexibility in their primer choice.
• "How many primers do these strips hold?" Each individual strip holds 25 Magnum Large Pistol primers. Since the 88515 pack contains 8 strips, a single package provides capacity for 200 primers.
• "Do I need a special tool to load the unprimed strips?" While you can load them by hand, the RCBS APS Strip Loader (sold separately) is highly recommended. It makes the process of filling strips with 25 primers incredibly fast and efficient, easily turning bulk primers into ready-to-use strips.
• "Where can I find these RCBS APS primer strips?" The RCBS 88515 APS Unprimed Primer Strips for Magnum Large Pistol are readily available from reputable reloading suppliers. You can often find them at DEGuns, ensuring you receive genuine RCBS products for your reloading needs.

Investing in the RCBS 88515 APS Unprimed Primer Strips is more than just buying a consumable; it's an investment in a more efficient, safer, and ultimately more enjoyable reloading experience. By integrating seamlessly with your RCBS APS system, these strips help you produce consistent, high-quality ammunition with greater ease and confidence.