Cleaning primer pockets?

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lpel

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Just wondering how many guys do this? And do you find it is worth the effort?

I shoot mainly paper and gophers. Like small groups but not a bench rest type shooter. So just wondering other folks thoughts and how many swear by it.

Thanks.
 
For paper and gophers I don't think I would bother, maybe for the gophers. Certainly not for any handgun rounds.
 
i do it every time. i also uniform the primer pocket and cleanup the flash hole on every new batch of brass. i think the attention to detail pays off.
 
I do with my rifle brass. Not something I'd even consider for pistol brass especially if you are using a progressive press.
 
Well I a definitely not talking pistol brass. Life is too short for that. Really only looking at rifle. Thanks for the input so far. Keep it coming.
 
I do it. I use the Lee pocket cleaner and bought it for a few bucks many years back. I also use an RCBS hand priming tool to seat my primers and really notice the difference in ease of seating.

Sure it adds time and sure it's a little dirty but I'm in no hurry when reloading so no big deal to me.
 
I do not clean primer pocket purposely. If they get cleaned in the ultrasonic clean or they don't get clean in the tumbler, it doesn't matter. Your #### won't fall off and I doubt that you would be able to tell the difference between cleaned and dirty primer pockets.
 
maynard said:
I do not clean primer pocket purposely. If they get cleaned in the ultrasonic clean or they don't get clean in the tumbler, it doesn't matter. Your #### won't fall off and I doubt that you would be able to tell the difference between cleaned and dirty primer pockets.
Click to expand...

Quoted for truth!! Dave.
 
After de-priming,I inspect each case under a strong light looking for bulges, flaws splits etc. If the primer pocket look particularly crudded up I give it a quick twist with a a piece of fiberglass chopstick shaped to fit.
 
I clean all the primer pockets in rifle brass because it's a habit I've kept up since starting into reloading. I may stop or at least try a few batches without cleaning based on the plethora of people I've read posts by on various forums who say they don't and haven't noticed a difference.

Gotta keep doing it with my black powder loads though :(
 
I am pretty sure you know what my process is...... LOL

Dirty habit I have of deburring flash holes and uniforming/cleaning primer pockets.

Does it help in a factory rifle? Hard to say but it is all about taking out as many variables to achieve consistent ignition from round to round. I just did another 100 223 Winchester cases for the Tactical, the flash holes were UGLY....
 
Before I toss my brass into the tumbler I brush out the heavy crud from the primer pocket and check the flash hole. This will ensure consistent ignition. In my opinion, as a reloader, I strive for consistency round after round, so why take a chance on a fouled primer pocket.
 
I clean the primer pockets.............I weigh the crut that comes out and then separate the carbon from
the brass that I scraped, then I weigh the brass alone and mark the case with the weight loss.
I then fill the primer pocket with water and check the volume, finally a quick check with caliper.
I then weight the case to confirm the weight loss and add it to other cases of the same weight.

"SARCASM OFF"

I do a quick clean before seating a new primer, it's just part of my cleaning process and visual
inspection of each case.
 
Just wondering how many guys do this? And do you find it is worth the effort?
Click to expand...

Only for my revolver brass used in competition. They need to be uniformed as well, requires 10-14 depth with a Federal primer to run my trigger setup.
 
Well interesting debate! As I thought it would be. I think I will go with Cet's approach. It is the best one so far. I will need to locate a carbon scale.

Actually I will stay the course and not bother. I may try with one or two of my more accurate rifles to clean 50 and leave another 50 as is. See if I notice a difference.

Thanks for the relies.
 
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