Clearing the primer pocket necessary for small calibe?

[RifleDude]

Primer compound contains lead stephanite. The residue of fired primers will probably contain lead, So, I remove this stuff before putting the cases in my dry tumbler. I don't want any lead particles in my tumble medium or at least minimize it. If you wet tumble, you can just flush it down the drain when you are finished and I wouldn't bother removing the residue before tumbling. And besides, I'm a little OCD so that's another reason I remove the primer residue.

 

[Gatehouse]

I never realized I had to clean the lube off the case. I usually keep the lubricated cases press directly into the bullets

Depends what lube you use.

Small batches using Imperial sizing wax I don't bother to remove the lube as you use so little. Large batches I will use lanolin/alcohol lube and spray it on liberally and that stuff is pretty greasy if you don't remove it.

 

[Ganderite]

I tumble my de-primed and sized brass for 3 hours or overnight. This give the nice shine I like. And it also cleans out the pockets a bit.

I use the Princess Auto Fine Walnut and it does not clog up the flash holes.

I do not and have not routinely cleaned flash holes.

 

[aakoksal]

To me, this is a hobby and I try doing my best in how I reload. If I'm trying to get the best accuracy out of any round, I'll prep cases as best as I can. If I'm preparing ammo for a CQB match as an example which is a short-range fired course, I would not use my best-prepped cases... Uniforming the flash hole may have more impact on your pressures compared to how clean your primer pocket is...

 

[gewehr76]

[Gewehr76: Leaving the carbon residue in front of the primer is twice likely to cause crooked seating of the primer, not fully seated cup and expansion of the primer pocket as well as erratic or inconsistent ignition.]

No possible way to verify this. 50+ years of reloading has taught me to differentiate facts from conjecture.
We'll just have to agree to disagree Dave.

What ever works for you sir, don't change a thing. with your 50 years of experience your golden. Some people don't live that long or have a chance to learn from their mistakes let along from mistakes of others.

 

[LONEWOLF]

I loaded 300,000 9mm over the last 45 years never cleaned primmer pockets.Never any problems here.

 

[cycbb486]

I have OCD when it comes to reloading. I debur the flash holes, clean up the primer pockets, and run thru my case trimmer after every firing. That is just me.....

But

I do not shoot a lot of rounds when I go to the range. It is about the entire process from start to finish. Not how fast I can reload or amount of rounds I fire downrange.....again just me.....

I should mention that is just for rifle. My pistol and revolver just just the vibratory.

 

[pete dobinson]

For all you naysayers about cleaning primer pockets I got this to say, Thanks! I will skip this tedious step from now on.