I notice that you guys clean brass before depriming?

prosper said:
Tumbling is reserved for brass that's picked up out of the dirt, or really sooty brass that comes from cowboy loads. Otherwise, I find it's a big waste of time.
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This is me. I normally only tumble suspect brass (ESP range pick-ups) and every time I reach a 5th reloading on a particular batch. Helps with inspections.
 
Paatz said:
So what I'm gathering here is that it is OK to resize and decap fired brass without cleaning it first? Because that's a whole lot easier. I have an ultrasonic and would rather have it clean the primer pockets.
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As one other has suggested here, and I concur, the use of a universal decapper prior to an initial (pre-sizing) tumble will prevent the brass from potentially scratching your actual resizing die because, in this scenario, it only sees action on 'clean' brass. I then clean my sized brass again to eliminate any residual case lube, especially on the inside of the neck. One does not want the bullets moving around once seated due to a lube residue in this location. Also, the primer pocket is exposed to cleaning throughout the process. I don't shoot enough that the extra time involved is a problem. Besides, as also mentioned, clean brass is easier to assess for damage/fatigue. My $.02.
 
I lube(inside case neck too) decap, size. Into the ultrasonic cleaner, with some Lagostina cleaner, for 10 min, rinse, dry,(oven on low or on heat vent). Inspect cases, reload. I found it faster to use the US than wipe the case lube off by hand, also removes any oils left in the neck and cleans primer pocket/flashhole . Never had an issue this way.
 
what about hornady one shot?
(or lee can be used 1:10 in alcohol I think too, and dont need to clean before load).

So, deprime on single stage with deprime die, SS pin tumble, LEE lube in a spray bottle w alcohol, then progressive reload FTW ????
 
joedude said:
Depends what kind of lube you're using. I know that the Lee sizing lube is safe to load without removing. I think I remember that the RCBS imperial sizing wax is like that too (but I may be wrong).
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I switched to Imperial because I got sick of cleaning RCBS goop off my cases after resizing. Never bother now - no misfires.
 
Kryogen said:
do we have to remove the lube before reloading anyway?
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I have only ever used one brand of case lube, but everything I have read says that the case needs to be completely free of lube before firing. This is because the expanding case, gripping the chamber walls, is what keeps rearward movement of the case in check. Makes sense. Then again, sounds like some lubes are specifically designed to be 'grippy'? ;) When in doubt.....
 
I used to tumble before decamping when I used a tub vibratory tumbler with dry media. Now that I use stainless steel pins in a Thumler Tumbler with water, I decap before cleaning. I use a universal decapping die for rifle brass and I often use my sizing/decapping die for straight walled pistol brass before cleaning.

Works for me. YMMV
 
I also use SS media, and decap everything before tumbling.
I've sold used brass to guy's and a couple day's later they call back and ask if I have anymore deal's on new brass.
 
Generally I resize and decap then tumble. If the brass is a little more dirty etc than usual, I'll add a couple of spoonfuls of Brasso to the walnut shell media. When cleaned, I'll tumble again but with another batch of walnut shell media with a polish added. After cleaning/polishing, for brass made in North America, I'll poke a 5/64" drill bit through the flash hole to clear any out and walnut shell media or other crud. A slightly smaller drill bit for Norma brass. A welding or cutting/burning tip cleaner might be another idea.
 
Tumbling.

I've always inspected, wiped off any grit then lube/re-size cases. Then give a quick wipe to remove excess lube before tumbling. Although a pain to clear media from flash hole at least there's no trace of lube inside of neck that could contaminate powder. Never given it much thought over the last 30 years.
 
Since I do not lube the inside of my necks with any "wet" lube, preferring powdered graphite or Motor Mica, the powder contamination worry is eliminated.
I have some cases, used for competition, that have been reloaded 6 or 7 times, and have yet to be tumbled.
All I have done before sizing is wipe them with a clean cloth and cleaned the outside of the neck with some X-fine steel wool.
Regards, Eagleye.
 
I find a final short tumble cleans off the lube without me having to wipe down the brass before priming, and charging. Clearing the flash hole of media is part of my visual inspection of the brass.

Sounds like a lot of personal preference though. No right or wrong answer here.
 
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