Cleaning brass - The Firearms Forum

upsguy · 02-01-2011, 10:03 PM

When you guys clean brass, do you leave the primer in or take it out? Also, does the cleaning media leave a residue inside the case?

312shooter · 02-01-2011, 10:19 PM

I tumble first,usually. With some of the finer grade walnut you can avoid jammed primer pockets if you resize prior to tumbling. Also tried ultrasonic with ok results, I personally don't concern myself with inside case cleaning too much

woolleyworm · 02-01-2011, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upsguy

When you guys clean brass, do you leave the primer in or take it out? Also, does the cleaning media leave a residue inside the case?

Most pistol cases get tumbled and then sized/primed on the press. If I need to clean out primer pockets, I'll decap with the univ decap die and then size afterwards.

Rifle brass gets two cleanings, one after decapping and another quick run after sizing to remove any residual lube.

Cleaning media will only leave a residue if you have too much polish or don't let the polish FULLY mix into the media prior to adding your brass. I just changed my media, I gave the new stuff 3 capfuls of Roosters polish and let it run for an hour; I will add a capful every other batch, this I let run for 30 min before adding my brass.

upsguy · 02-02-2011, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woolleyworm

I will clean the pockets and tumble them if I find any significant build up though.
Cleaning media will only leave a residue if you have too much polish or don't let the polish FULLY mix into the media prior to adding your brass.

How do you clean the pockets? Is there a primer pocket cleaning tool?
I didn't know about adding the media polish having to blend into media first... I tumbled 500 rounds and it looks like media "dust" inside the case, is this gonna effect the powder when it goes bang? Or am I gonna have to wipe that stuff out of every case? Sorry about the stupid questions...

JohnTheCalifornian · 02-02-2011, 04:46 AM

I would rather you ask a stupid question than do something stupid....

This is not a stupid question, just something you dont see discussed in the reloading manuals.

Anyhow the dust is normal when you tumble. A lot of people throw in a used dryer sheet with the cases and that cuts down on the dust. No need to worry about the dust inside the case.

There are several different tools out there you can buy to clean the primer pockets, some people bother to clean them, some dont.

http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Brow...**731***695***

I have the LEE pictured first in the list. Its really the simplest and I think the cheapest out there. One side is for large primer pockets, the other is for small. The pockets dont need to be cleaned back to a shiny like new state. Just need to get any of the built up residue that may be there off.

Hope this helps!

Alpo · 02-02-2011, 05:13 AM

I started with the Lee. Decided it was a piece of crap. I now use the RCBS primer pocket brushes. Before I got them I used a 1/8" flat screwdriver. Same principle as the Lee, but a lot easier to use, and it did a better job.

howlnmad · 02-02-2011, 07:31 AM

With pistol brass, I tumble then deprime and size, I don't usually clean the pockets. With rifle brass, I deprime, tumble, size and clean the pockets using the brushes from RCBS.
Don't worry about the dust inside the cases, it won't affect the powder.

upsguy · 02-02-2011, 12:55 PM

Cool, thanks alot guys I really appreciate it.

gdmoody · 02-02-2011, 03:10 PM

I also deprime/resize after tumpling, I do use the dryer sheet trick, and I do not clean the primer pocket (normally). I have cleaned the pocket on rifle brass but never have on pistol.

upsguy · 02-02-2011, 04:15 PM

Whoo hoo!!! I've already cleaned 1500 rounds of once-fired .45ACP brass. I still have a duffel bagfull more .45acp, .38spl and .45 colt...

shorter260513 · 02-02-2011, 05:44 PM

I rinse my cases in alcahol to get rid of any residue and dust is this ok I let them dry before working with them

TheGunClinger · 02-02-2011, 06:24 PM

Why waste good alcohol?

I just take mine out of the tumbler and load them.
As long as you let them dry real good I dont see a problem as isopropyl alcohol is like 70% water. I never felt it was necessary go to such lenghts though. JMHO.

Clipper · 02-02-2011, 06:47 PM

After tumbling my brass, I dump the media and add about 2 pounds of dry rice. It does a fine job of removing the dust, and when it gets too dirty, I discard it. Rice is VERY cheap, and does a nice job.

Claudius Valarium · 02-03-2011, 10:06 PM

Dryer sheets and rice . . . . sure glad I found you guys. Thanks.
CV

02-01-2011, 10:03 PM	#1
upsguy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: CROOK Co. Illinois Posts: 77	Cleaning brass When you guys clean brass, do you leave the primer in or take it out? Also, does the cleaning media leave a residue inside the case? __________________ Your best weapon is your brain, don't leave home without it. -->

02-01-2011, 10:19 PM	#2
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,148	Re: Cleaning brass I tumble first,usually. With some of the finer grade walnut you can avoid jammed primer pockets if you resize prior to tumbling. Also tried ultrasonic with ok results, I personally don't concern myself with inside case cleaning too much __________________ "Democracy is based on citizenship- perhaps the greatest gift the United States has given to the world- Power is vested in the people themselves, and government flows from the people" James M Henslin

02-02-2011, 04:46 AM	#5
JohnTheCalifornian V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bakersfield Posts: 432	Re: Cleaning brass I would rather you ask a stupid question than do something stupid.... This is not a stupid question, just something you dont see discussed in the reloading manuals. Anyhow the dust is normal when you tumble. A lot of people throw in a used dryer sheet with the cases and that cuts down on the dust. No need to worry about the dust inside the case. There are several different tools out there you can buy to clean the primer pockets, some people bother to clean them, some dont. http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Brow...731695** I have the LEE pictured first in the list. Its really the simplest and I think the cheapest out there. One side is for large primer pockets, the other is for small. The pockets dont need to be cleaned back to a shiny like new state. Just need to get any of the built up residue that may be there off. Hope this helps! __________________ Im not a complete idiot.... parts are missing

02-02-2011, 05:13 AM	#6
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: Cleaning brass I started with the Lee. Decided it was a piece of crap. I now use the RCBS primer pocket brushes. Before I got them I used a 1/8" flat screwdriver. Same principle as the Lee, but a lot easier to use, and it did a better job. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

02-02-2011, 07:31 AM	#7
howlnmad Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Harriman, Tn Contributor Posts: 2,566	Re: Cleaning brass With pistol brass, I tumble then deprime and size, I don't usually clean the pockets. With rifle brass, I deprime, tumble, size and clean the pockets using the brushes from RCBS. Don't worry about the dust inside the cases, it won't affect the powder. __________________

02-02-2011, 12:55 PM	#8
upsguy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: CROOK Co. Illinois Posts: 77	Re: Cleaning brass Cool, thanks alot guys I really appreciate it. __________________ Your best weapon is your brain, don't leave home without it.

02-02-2011, 03:10 PM	#9
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,334	Re: Cleaning brass I also deprime/resize after tumpling, I do use the dryer sheet trick, and I do not clean the primer pocket (normally). I have cleaned the pocket on rifle brass but never have on pistol. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

02-02-2011, 04:15 PM	#10
upsguy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: CROOK Co. Illinois Posts: 77	Re: Cleaning brass Whoo hoo!!! I've already cleaned 1500 rounds of once-fired .45ACP brass. I still have a duffel bagfull more .45acp, .38spl and .45 colt... __________________ Your best weapon is your brain, don't leave home without it.

02-02-2011, 05:44 PM	#11
shorter260513 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 262	Re: Cleaning brass I rinse my cases in alcahol to get rid of any residue and dust is this ok I let them dry before working with them

02-02-2011, 06:24 PM	#12
TheGunClinger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SW Florida Contributor Posts: 2,382	Re: Cleaning brass Why waste good alcohol? I just take mine out of the tumbler and load them. As long as you let them dry real good I dont see a problem as isopropyl alcohol is like 70% water. I never felt it was necessary go to such lenghts though. JMHO. __________________ New England Patriots Rule Next year.

02-02-2011, 06:47 PM	#13
Clipper V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Amarillo, TX Posts: 381	Re: Cleaning brass After tumbling my brass, I dump the media and add about 2 pounds of dry rice. It does a fine job of removing the dust, and when it gets too dirty, I discard it. Rice is VERY cheap, and does a nice job.

02-03-2011, 10:06 PM	#14
Claudius Valarium V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South Central Texas, AKA the Middle of Flyover Country Posts: 459	Re: Cleaning brass Dryer sheets and rice . . . . sure glad I found you guys. Thanks. CV