So i'm just getting into hand loading and starting to pick up the stuff i need to start. I just bought a tumbler and was wondering if i need to remove the old primers from the brass before i put them through the tumbler? I was going to buy the lee 50th anne kit but the store was sold out, so i'm kind of hoping i can at least clean all my brass and have them all ready for when i do get the reloading kit.
tumbler and primers?
- Thread starter notyalc
- Start date
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
No. But with the primers removed it might be more effective in cleaning the inside of the cases. If you clean with the primers removed using the tumbler, make sure all the media is out of the casing before you reload it.
Cleaning your brass with the primer in would be fine but the primer pockets won't get cleaned. That my cause problems but most likely not. I wouldn't trust them to working after that ad the media will most likely get stuck in the flash hole.
Cleaning primer pockets is a waste of time better spent doing other things.
I tumble with the old primers in, and then the decapping pin clears the flash hole
at the same time as it pushes out the spent primer when resizing.
Cleaning tumbling media out of flash holes is a nuisance job, IMHO.
Cheers, Eagleye.
I tumble with the old primers in, and then the decapping pin clears the flash hole
at the same time as it pushes out the spent primer when resizing.
Cleaning tumbling media out of flash holes is a nuisance job, IMHO.
Cheers, Eagleye.
I always pop the primers before cleaning. I use the Lee Universal Depriming Die and just pop them all out before tumbling. If you want to get your brass clean, why go half-assed and prevent yourself from cleaning in the primer pocket?
rifleman1377
CGN Regular
I tumble every time I fire, its a good practice since it will keep your dies nice and clean too. If the brass is clean then an hour or even 1/2 an hour will do but if its dirty it might take up to 4-5 hours. As for the primer question. I would leave them in since the media can't really clean such a small area and its a pain in the ass when media get stuck in the flash hole.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
While it's not critical, I resize and deprime before I tumble the cases. I find it helps in cleaning the primer pocket but using crushed walnut shell media, you have to check and sometimes clear media bits stuck in the flash hole. For this, a 5/64" twist drill or an oxyacetylene tip cleaner comes in handy.
As for the cleaning and/or polishing function, I clean & polish, whenever I decide I want more shine.
As for the cleaning and/or polishing function, I clean & polish, whenever I decide I want more shine.
I have never removed primers of handgun cases before tumbling, and never will. But sometimes remove primers of rifle cases.
As above, I use the Lee Universal Decapping Die. It is just a die with a large interior so any case won't touch the die. You can also use any die that is larger than the cartridge you are decapping, (or adjusting the decapping pin down on a standard rifle die, just make sure the die is seated higher in the press..... )
As above, I use the Lee Universal Decapping Die. It is just a die with a large interior so any case won't touch the die. You can also use any die that is larger than the cartridge you are decapping, (or adjusting the decapping pin down on a standard rifle die, just make sure the die is seated higher in the press..... )
It depends. If the cases are dirty enough that I dont want them in my dies, then they get tumbled with the primers in. After cases are sized I will generally tumble them again to get the lube off. My fine walnut media doesn't plug flash holes.
As near as I can tell, tumbleing with the primers out doesn't do anything to clean primer pockets or insides of case necks. From there its not a huge leap to thinking that it doesn't clean anything from the insides of the cases either.
As near as I can tell, tumbleing with the primers out doesn't do anything to clean primer pockets or insides of case necks. From there its not a huge leap to thinking that it doesn't clean anything from the insides of the cases either.
deadeyes40
CGN Regular
- Location
- nova scotia
i usually tumble ever 3 reloads,with the primer removed.as for the media getting stuck in the flashole,makes little difference since the stuff gets caught/stuck in the case and has to be cleaned out manually anyway.i have tried tumbling before resizing and after it makes very little difference in how much media gets stuck in the cases.fine walnut might be better than the corncob.
I have switched to stainless steel media and water inside a thumler tumbler since doing so I deprime and resize first, brass comes out like new, and primer pockets are cleans as the outside of the casing. The absolute best way to clean brass in my opinion.
