case cleaning with spent primers

[Denn0001]

Can I clean my spent cartridge cases with the spent primer still in it? I figure it would be easier on the dies if I decap the old primers after cleaning. I have to clean the primer pocket afterwards anyway. Sorry if this topic has come up before.

 

[204saskman]

Ya i leave mine in. Sure makes it alot easier cauase then it doesnt get into the primer flash hole.

 

[Pathfinder]

I always leave it in. I clean the primer pocket with a small tool after I resize.

 

[ipscgraz]

I tumble everything before I size. On those calibers I don't have carbide dies for I tumble after sizing to get rid of the lube.

 

[maynard]

I always tumble after resizing to clean the lube off. At one time I thought I would clean before (so it would be easier on the dies) and after but that's just way to much work. I use extra fine un treated corn cob that is so small nothing gets caught in the flash holes. Cleaning primer pockets is a waste of time.

 

[Budweiser2]

I always tumble after I size my bullets.

 

[Denn0001]

thanks guys.

 

[Pathfinder]

come to think of it I end up tumbling after sizing too because of the sizing wax / lube . Its no big deal either way.

 

[maynard]

come to think of it I end up tumbling after sizing too because of the sizing wax / lube . Its no big deal either way.

I'm working with 1800 Lapua .308 cases. It is a big deal if I am running them twice Seemed like that tumbler was running for weeks. Only did that once and now I just tumble after resizing them.

 

[joe-nwt]

I tumble first to clean and then just wipe the lube off with a rag after sizing.

 

[GeoTrekr]

I tumble first to clean and then just wipe the lube off with a rag after sizing.

x2

Brass seems to wipe clean enough after.

 

[yukoncoyote]

x2

Brass seems to wipe clean enough after.

Seems to work for me too. I like nice clean brass when I start. I find it easier to see any problems with the case.

 

[mississauga trucker]

The RCBS handloading DVD shows the brass being tumbled with the used primers inplace