Case tumbler

I tumble ny brass before I start the reloading process. Depending on the caliber I trim rifle brass after resizing and depriming I then clean out the primer pockers before priming and loading the rounds.

Pistol, I just tumble then size, prime and load. .357 cases may get trimmed once just to ensure a uniform crimp the remainder of my pistol cases never get trimed. I never clean the primer pockets on pistol cases.

Take Care

Bob
 
Yes you can tumble them, you should check the primer holes after tumbling for media stuck in the flash hole. Hold back the ones that are plugged, seat your decapping pin way out so it can poke out the media without having to lube the case, or use a pick to poke the media out.

In the future, tumble before sizing/decapping to avoid having to do this step.

I find less stuck media in the calibers that use Large primers (22-250, 308, 7MM RM etc.) over the ones that use small primers such as .223 and 6BR
 
I would of tumbled them first but I just bought it after doing all that work. I have a lee trimmer so I'll use that to poke out the flash holes. In the future I think I would to deprime and then tumble, will that clean the primer pockets out?
 
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Interesting... I also am in the process of getting a tumbler, but my thoughts were to resize first, so that if necessary, one could use the flash hole to blow out any stuck media.

Anyway... good advice, I'll have to try both and see what's best.
 
Tumbling after depriming does not do much in the way of cleaning the primer pockets out. The best way is to use a primer pocket cleaner.

I use the RCBS Trim Mate to clean the flash holes on my cases as it does most of the work for me as well as the chamfering. A good investment in my opinion.
 
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For me tumbling first makes sense because I dont' want to resize a cruddy case . No sense taking a chance scratching the inside of my die. I worry about the flash holes and primer pockets later on.
 
When I went for a tumbler I chose the RCBS Sidewinder. My thought was for normal cleaning & polishing, I could use the dry media such as crushed walnut. However, with the more stubborn cleaning requirements, with this unit I have the option of using a liquid chemical solution.
I've cleaned cases prior to resizing & decapping, and in other instances after that step. Both methods work fine but doing the cleaning & polishing after decapping, I use a 5/64" drill bit or cutting torch tip cleaner to ensure the flash hole is clear of dry media or crud build up.
 
Polishing media does very little to clean a primer pocket, it just gets stuck in the pocket. I find it best to polish all cases before doing any other step, it protects your dies from whatever may be on the outside or inside of the case. Then sizing and depriming will remove any media in the primer hole or pocket. Now clean your primer pockets if you feel they need it. This might be the time to remove any lub on the case. Now continue the reloading.
 
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