Cleaning brass ... critical to accuracy?

[Tikka223]

I am curious what your thoughts and opinions are on cleaning brass prior to reloading. I'm assuming the carbon left behind in once fired brass will have some sort of impact on:
1) Neck tension
2) Case volume
3) Fouling of the barrel
Would all three be in trivial amounts?

I am not in the habit of putting my brass through the ultrasonic cleaner each time I reload, mostly to save time in the process. I also don't think I've ever noticed any significant differences in accuracy between clean and dirty brass. However, results speak for themselves, so some of you may have evidence or experience that could sway me towards more cleaning.

Thoughts?

 

[silverfoxdj]

I clean my brass mostly to keep the press clean, ease inspection, etc I'm not convinced it will have any impact on my shooting if I don't

 

[Aniest]

I am not sure if I have any fact to base this on, but it is my opinion a case needs three things cleaned:
1. The outside (and inner neck on shouldered cases) to prevent any scratching of the die that could cause sticking or issues in the future.
2. The neck for tension.
3. The primer pocket and flash hole for consistent ignition.
Unless there are large amounts of particulates in the case, I don't believe a "dirty" interior is an issue.

Also, much of that is based on type of use: I clean and inspect every precision target shooting case as above, but only clean "rough" cases for plinking rounds.

Just my opinion though.

 

[Mystic Precision]

For me, cleaning is exterior and helps to protect my dies and chamber.

For my bolt rifles where the brass never hits the floor, it may never see a tumbler

For my semis, a long tumbler treatment to get rid of soot and dirt.

Beyond that, I do not worry about the internal soot "plated" to the case.... neither do SR BR shooters

Jerry

 

[stampede]

I run my pistol brass in a tumbler with corn cob media for an hour or so. Not to get shiny but enough to get the loose stuff off to protect the dies.

I then size using lube and decap.

The brass is then soaked in hot water with a bit of dish soap to remove lube and any dust inside. Dried off using a metal strainer and heat gun. I heat them up to the point where they are too hot to handle and repeat a couple of time.

I then do a close inspection prior to inserting the primer and reloading.

 

[Magellann]

I know two very experienced shooters who have reloaded for decades, and neither one has cleaned their brass. They can both out shoot most fellas easily.

 

[dan belisle]

Do it when I feel the need, or its some particularly skungy brass. - dan

 

[silverfoxdj]

Do it when I feel the need, or its some particularly skungy brass. - dan

I clean every time but just because I like the shine and can see defects easier

 

[Gentle Ben]

Keeps your dies in good shape. Depending on the make dirty cases can scratch them pretty bad. Plus it makes the rounds look way nicer.

 

[hend238]

For me, cleaning is exterior and helps to protect my dies and chamber.

For my bolt rifles where the brass never hits the floor, it may never see a tumbler

For my semis, a long tumbler treatment to get rid of soot and dirt.

Beyond that, I do not worry about the internal soot "plated" to the case.... neither do SR BR shooters

Jerry

That's not entirely true about SR BR shooters, Jerry. We (most) do pass a nylon brush in and out of the neck a few times to ensure any carbon deposits are taken care of and that whatever is left behind is smooth and even. Why? Consistent bullet release plain and simple.

 

[sheep100]

I clean my brass mostly to keep the press clean, ease inspection, etc I'm not convinced it will have any impact on my shooting if I don't

And nice clean brass look so much better.

 

[hometownhero]

I ss tumble all my brass every time. Pistol brass I usually do it twice once before and once after sizing.

 

[Magellann]

And nice clean brass look so much better.

Your right, you can't beat the look of nicely polished brass, they look like jewelry when you have them nicely packed in the boxes.

 

[MIRAMICHIER]

I use a LEE mandrel that goes into my cordless drill and shine the brass with a green Scotchbrite pad.The brass comes real nice and shiny just like a brass monkeys nuts.

 

[silverfoxdj]

And nice clean brass look so much better.

+1 Agreed I just feel better

 

[tjhaile]

Cleaning foreign debris from cases to prevent scratching your sizing die is all that is necessary. Fired cases that haven't been on the floor or ground are fine to resize as-is.

That said, clean brass is nice to have. It looks good, is cleaner to handle, and makes it easier to spot defective cases.

 

[Tikka223]

The brass sure is pretty when it's clean. It's good to know this isn't essential when I feel like hitting the range on short notice and don't have any bullets loaded.

 

[Magellann]

A wipe with a rag on some dirty ones is all you need to make them usable most times.

 

[Forest1488]

If you believe in cleaning brass fully, what is the best medium to use in a tumbler?

 

[tjhaile]

If you believe in cleaning brass fully, what is the best medium to use in a tumbler?

Wet tumbling with stainless pins. The traditional dry walnut or corncob media can get brass shiny on the outside, but it still dirty enough to turn your fingers black when you handle it.