Cleaning brass

[Parts]

I will admit straight away that I'm new to shooting and reloading. But I found this very useful.

I've purchased a used press from the EE, picked up some dies, and been reading what I can, when I can. My next intended purchase was a tumbler of some description. Either a Franklin arsenal corn cob media set up, maybe a SS wet setup if I found a great deal.

I had read the trick that a couple had shared on here about a simpler way. Hot water, a bit of dish soap and a tiny bit of lemon juice. I had picked up some range brass last time I was shooting indoors, all 9mm. Mostly mine but a few from other shooters who weren't concerned if I picked up their spent brass. IT WORKS VERY WELL!!

I used an old laundry pod tub, and added everything in. Gave it a swish around after an hour or so, then let it sit again. Next time I checked on it, it looked like new brass. I did the whole process again, due to some dirty cases. But, easiest thing imaginable.

I layed out the cases on some paper towel after a good rinse, and will start on depriming them soon.

Thank you to all who share the tips,
Parts

 

[ice2152]

I wet tumble my brass so the pins will clean the primer pockets. On a plus side they are shiny! I do use just a squirt of dish soap and lemon juice. Simple and works.

 

[Parts]

So you de-prime before cleaning? I've heard of doing it both before and after.

Do you find your die gets dirty/ damage from plunging dirty holes?...lol

 

[sure as shootin]

So you de-prime before cleaning? I've heard of doing it both before and after.

Do you find your die gets dirty/ damage from plunging dirty holes?...lol

I like to use my sonic vibrator system for about 20 minutes before depriming and sizing. I tumble in dry media after that to get all the lube off and to make them nice and shiny,,,,not necessary but it makes them look nice and it's not like I'm sitting there wasting my time watching them get polished up. Then I trim, deburr, and chamfer. I have found that since I clean before depriming/sizing that that my dies stay a lot cleaner,,,,probably less wear and tear, too.

I told a friend who's just gotten into reloading to try the peanut butter jar, hot water, a little dish soap, and lemi-shine or Nu Finish (from CT) method and it went really well for him. Just shook it for 5-10 minutes while watching the Super Bowl and they came out looking really good. Sure can't beat the price so if you're not loading hundreds of rounds it sure sounds like a good, economical way to go!