The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > Handloading, Reloading, and Bullet Casting

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old December 20, 2013, 06:59 PM   #1
Chili Palmer
Member
 
Join Date: July 15, 2013
Posts: 52
Media in primer pocket after re-tumble

This is another "I'm sure I know the answer - don't do that"...

I've been reorganizing my load/reload loot and decided some of the brass I had cleaned and re-sized / removed primer weren't shiny enough compared to some other newly tumbled brass. I tumbled it again overnight, wow it came out shiny.

As I was inspecting I noticed tumble media stuck in the primer 'blast hole' if you will. Wouldn't come out with a jiggle, happened to have that de-primer die in the press and punched it out.

Here's where I know the answer.. just not how bad it would be. If I loaded a primer in a cartridge that was blocked / semi blocked... would it fizzle and be a dud or would the primer blast it right out of the way and pow with the powder?

I think I know the big answer - don't re-tumble brass after you remove primer... but if you didn't and the above happened..?

thanks!
Chili Palmer is offline  
Old December 20, 2013, 07:51 PM   #2
Panfisher
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 30, 2010
Location: Missouri
Posts: 1,337
I always re-tumble after resizing/depriming to remove the case lube and get the final "shiny". Checking the flash holes is just part of the routine, any small pointy tool will quickly dislodge the granule of tumbler media. I honestly don't think that the blockage would cause a complete mis-fire, the primer should blow it out easily, however it can't see that it would in any way be a good thing to have to rely on. Keep on tumbling them, and clean the flash holes when you are done, no problems.
Panfisher is offline  
Old December 20, 2013, 07:53 PM   #3
rg1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 6, 2001
Posts: 1,125
I just accept that some primer flash holes will be blocked with media and inspect every case before priming. No scientific data here but I "think" that most media would be blown out of the flash hole and ignite the powder BUT it seems some blockages are so tight especially with corn cob media that it would prevent firing or cause a delayed ignition? Media blocking flash holes is a standard reply when someone asks about having a few misfires. While I think this is true, most misfires I think comes from primers not seated to the bottom of the pocket and "armed". It's a good practice to inspect all flash holes before priming.
rg1 is offline  
Old December 20, 2013, 07:54 PM   #4
Sierra280
Junior member
 
Join Date: July 29, 2013
Location: Gardnerville, NV
Posts: 569
Yep, just clean the flashholes after tumbling. If they are punched flashholes, uniforming and de-burring is also a good thing to do.
Sierra280 is offline  
Old December 20, 2013, 07:56 PM   #5
Sure shot wv
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 25, 2013
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 137
Companies make different "size" media. You can always change your grade of media so it won't get stuck in the flash hole. This happens to me all the time but my decapping pin takes care of it. I ultrasonic clean then tumble to dry and ad that extra shine. Eventually ill change media but since I've started using the ultrasonic about a year ago my media doesn't get very dirty. So... I can see the media I have lasting about another 5-10 years.
Sure shot wv is offline  
Old December 20, 2013, 08:06 PM   #6
Chili Palmer
Member
 
Join Date: July 15, 2013
Posts: 52
Thanks a ton - I'm good with what I thought it seems!
Chili Palmer is offline  
Old December 20, 2013, 08:25 PM   #7
jcwit
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 28, 2007
Location: Upper Indiana
Posts: 609
The primer WILL knock the media out of the 'flash hole' with no problem when shot. This has been discussed and cussed on most every reloading forum out there.

Now then why not get the 20/40 grit media so as to not have the problem in the first place. You can have it shipped to your nearest Grainger for free and pick it up their. It also available from Zoro tools.

http://cart.zorotools.com/s.nl?sc=3&c=1326902&n=1&ext=T

http://www.grainger.com/product/ECON...26s_pp%3Dfalse
__________________
U.S. Army Veteran
NRA Certified Range Officer
jcwit is offline  
Old December 20, 2013, 10:48 PM   #8
Oldbuck30
Member
 
Join Date: June 23, 2013
Posts: 39
Any welding

supply house has 20/40walnut too small to stick in hole. I buy 30 pounds for 19.00. Last for ever in that amount. Best value I have found except for being able to pick up all the brass I want at the range.
Oldbuck30 is offline  
Old December 21, 2013, 12:39 AM   #9
Nick_C_S
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 21, 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 5,514
Been there. Done that.

I just pulled up a chair outside and started digging the media out of the flasholes one at a time with a pick I use for gun cleaning.

It's a real . . . Uh, it's tedious.
__________________
Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself.
Life Member, National Rifle Association
Nick_C_S is offline  
Old December 21, 2013, 12:42 AM   #10
Reloader2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 18, 2013
Posts: 263
I bought a cheap air compressor and just blow the media out with a quick shot of air. Also removes tumbler dust.
Reloader2 is offline  
Old December 21, 2013, 01:06 AM   #11
Bongo Boy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 18, 2008
Location: Colo Spgs CO
Posts: 517
Sounds like you're not using a progressive press? If you were, you could simply run the brass normally...through the deprime/sizing die--and the media would be removed by the deprimer pin.

Another alternative is: stop tumbling. Ultrasonic produces far cleaner cases and clean primer pockets (in my experience)...but I don't do either any more and am not likely to clean brass ever again. But, I shoot handgun and you may be talking rifle. I think my entire reloading process became about 1000% cleaner when I stopped tumbling--no rouge and no dust and no garbage everywhere. Just water everywhere.

I simply don't clean my brass much anymore--it's a complete waste of time as near as I can tell. Off the floor, into the press. Done. Haven't done it in quite a while and haven't noticed one tiny bit of difference in anything at all, except I save a lot of pointless fuss.

The loaded ammo looks about as clean as the cleaned brass reloads to my eye. I'm not handloading precision bench rest rifle stuff--so naturally that makes a difference in your perspective.
__________________
NRA Benefactor Member
“If I had to live my life again, I'd make the same mistakes, only sooner.” T Bankhead
"I think only the authorities should have weapons." The New American Electorate
Bongo Boy is offline  
Old December 21, 2013, 01:31 PM   #12
Sierra280
Junior member
 
Join Date: July 29, 2013
Location: Gardnerville, NV
Posts: 569
I guess it's largely personal. I just really like the look of bright shiny brass.
Sierra280 is offline  
Old December 21, 2013, 03:28 PM   #13
RC20
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 10, 2008
Location: Alaska
Posts: 7,014
I have a sizing tool that has a small dull shaft on it and I use that to clean them out when I got that route (mostly I tumble after if there is any build up)

Not a clue what would happen if not cleaned but not going to find out!

Quote:
I bought a cheap air compressor and just blow the media out with a quick shot of air. Also removes tumbler dust.
You might want to rethink that and go with a mechanical pin, punch or the like.

The dust won't be good for you
RC20 is offline  
Old December 21, 2013, 03:32 PM   #14
WESHOOT2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 20, 1999
Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country)
Posts: 14,324
I have ruined numerous sizers from dirty or grit-embedded cases.
__________________
.
"all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"
WESHOOT2 is offline  
Old December 21, 2013, 03:49 PM   #15
skizzums
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 1, 2013
Location: Douglasville, Ga
Posts: 4,615
i use the fine walnut media from harbor freight, super cheap btw, it does not get stuck in holes at all, at one time i put nushine car wax in the media and did not let it dryenough before addng the brass and that was a mess

i personally would not want media stuck in the flash hole even if its proven to get blown out, i would just change to a finer media, btw i think over 50% of us retumble after size/deprime
__________________
My head is bloody, but unbowed
skizzums is offline  
Old December 21, 2013, 04:04 PM   #16
Unclenick
Staff
 
Join Date: March 4, 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 21,024
The main threat from the media particles in the flash hole is that if your sizing die is used afterward and has it's decapping pin in place, the media particle can steer the pin to the side where it hits brass and breaks off. If you miss getting a particle out and are not running another decapping pin through after the second tumble, the primer can push the particle out of the flash hole for the same reason it can push powder out of a flash hole. It doesn't wait for plugging powder grains to finish burning; the primer is done much faster. For match grade rifle loads it would be best to knock the media out of flash holes because it can, as it is blown loose, alter the spark spray pattern and that may affect muzzle velocity variation a little. It's mainly a long range consideration.
__________________
Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member
CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor
NRA Certified Rifle Instructor
NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle
Unclenick is offline  
Old December 21, 2013, 07:11 PM   #17
Snyper
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 16, 2013
Location: Eastern NC
Posts: 3,047
I use welding torch "tip cleaners" to clear the flash holes on mine
__________________
One shot, one kill
Snyper is offline  
Old December 21, 2013, 07:47 PM   #18
rdmallory
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 10, 2009
Location: Deltona FL
Posts: 953
I messed up one time and purchased some corn cob media from a pet store that was too large and ended up sticking in my .223 brass I was tumbling.
Started using a welding rod to try picking it all out and gave up and scrapped it. It had not been deprimed and a air hose would not do the trick.

Doug
rdmallory is offline  
Old December 21, 2013, 09:08 PM   #19
jcwit
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 28, 2007
Location: Upper Indiana
Posts: 609
Quote:
I have ruined numerous sizers from dirty or grit-embedded cases.
Yet to ruin a sizing die from sizing any kind of cases, even when using hardened steel dies used for rifle calibers, this is in 50+ years of reloading. However I do rinse my cases before sizing.

I rinse and let dry
Deprime
Resize
Tumble to polish
Reload

Mayhap I'm just 1 lucky little pup!
__________________
U.S. Army Veteran
NRA Certified Range Officer

Last edited by jcwit; December 21, 2013 at 09:15 PM.
jcwit is offline  
Old December 21, 2013, 09:14 PM   #20
Nick_C_S
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 21, 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 5,514
Unclenick covered it (again).
__________________
Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself.
Life Member, National Rifle Association
Nick_C_S is offline  
Old December 25, 2013, 10:42 PM   #21
Major Nickmo
Junior Member
 
Join Date: December 25, 2013
Location: Utah
Posts: 1
I deprime then run my brass in a Thumler's Tumbler with Stainless Steel media. My primer pockets are spotless! 250 cases of 9mm for 45 minutes and it is the prettiest brass you've ever seen.

www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com
Major Nickmo is offline  
Old December 25, 2013, 10:58 PM   #22
DannyB1954
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 10, 2013
Location: Pahrump Nv USA
Posts: 480
I seen a youtube video about adding BB's to the media to help clean. If you decap first though, the BB's are just the right size to get stuck in the primer hole, (Small Pistol).
DannyB1954 is offline  
Old December 26, 2013, 12:29 PM   #23
Ashbane
Member
 
Join Date: May 29, 2013
Posts: 48
I keep a bent paper clip handy after tumbling. I like to handle each case anyway to look for signs of wear. I will scoop up 3 or 4 out of the bucket, tip them back and forth to shake out any loose stuff, and if there's a kernel stuck in a hole I drop the good ones and pop out the blockage.
Ashbane is offline  
Old December 26, 2013, 06:52 PM   #24
oneoldsap
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 16, 2009
Location: I live in the foot of the Green Mountains of Vermont
Posts: 1,602
A number 7.5 Torx bit , is the best tool I've found for cleaning media out of primer pockets and flash holes . Has a rough edge , and it's the perfect size for anything that uses large rifle primers !
__________________
Don't forget to have your liberals spayed or neutered !
oneoldsap is offline  
Old December 27, 2013, 10:09 AM   #25
F. Guffey
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 18, 2008
Posts: 7,249
"If I loaded a primer in a cartridge that was blocked / semi blocked... would it fizzle and be a dud or would the primer blast it right out of the way and pow with the powder?"

If tumbler media is abrasive and the primer was able to blast it our of the way with the powder there is a chance tumbling media would not be good for the barrel.

I do not have anxiety attacks when reloading, I have time to remove media from the flash hole. The list of tools available for cleaning media/debris from the flash hole is endless.

F. Guffey

Last edited by F. Guffey; December 27, 2013 at 10:11 AM. Reason: remove is endless
F. Guffey is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:55 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.06556 seconds with 10 queries