Cleaning up shot shells

rem74283

rem74283

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Hamilton Area, Ontario
Ok disclaimer, I haven't been reloading long.
Been working two mec 600jr's for less than a year running 28 and 410


I'm wondering if anyone does anything to clean their shells before reloading them again.
The rifle and handgun guys tumble their brass. I'm wondering if if the shotgunners among us have their solutions to the soot covered shells we reload.
 
I think youd be fine just warm soaking them with some soap in a bin if you want. Dont think its necessary. Shotgun loads arent precision based like rifle loads. Bit of grime or residue wont really do anything in my opinion.
 
Loaded many tens of thousands of rounds and never cleaned one. By the time they got that dirty they usually split and couldn't be reloaded again.
 
I never cleaned one either. But I did hear of a fellow once who recommended placing them in a nylon mesh bag and throwing them in the washing machine.

I didn't think that sounded wise for the hulls, the machine, or the husband, but that was the idea.
 
Don't get the Federal hulls wet, they have paper base wads in them (or correct me if I'm wrong).

In all my years of reloading shot gun shells I have never cleaned any other than wiping the mud off them. I load em until they split and even then try and squeeze a few more out of them.
 
BattleRife said:
I never cleaned one either. But I did hear of a fellow once who recommended placing them in a nylon mesh bag and throwing them in the washing machine.

I didn't think that sounded wise for the hulls, the machine, or the husband, but that was the idea.
Click to expand...

I have a feeling my wife would be just a wee bit unimpressed with me if I tossed a bag of hulls into the washer lol
 
I came across some "blue magic" Remington hulls that had spots of greenish tarnish on them. I spun them with BPI spin doctor or skiver (can't remember which I have) and just held steel wool on the brass area. They came out looking like they were brand new.
Some 410 hulls I use had # 6 printed on them but I just used rubbing alcohol to remove that after I reloaded them with #9s.
Most other hulls get no cleaning.
 
I have done this 100's of times. When reloading slugs. I put them in my wet tumbler. But only the right hulls. And let them air dry for days. I remove all ink, and my slugs look just like mom used too make.
 
I picked-up a couple of thousand once fired AA's years ago after a shoot ... they were covered with sand and it had rained over-night.
Put them in a couple of the washing machines at my apartment, as was, and then ran them in the dryers ( late at night, no one around) ....sure were noisy !
No problems in cleaning them up ! All worked just fine afterwards.... and no "Please Don't" notes on the Laundry Room bulletin board.
 
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