Cleaning Primer Pocket's

magnumtrails · January 12, 2007, 07:26 PM

I have wonder if I'm the only shooter that still cleans out primer pocket's on both revolver & semi-auto's. I have several different tools that perform this task. I still wonder if it is worth the time.

Ausserordeutlich · January 12, 2007, 07:31 PM

You're the only one, and no, it's not worth anything...time or otherwise.

cloudcroft · January 12, 2007, 07:38 PM

I do, but I'm the only one here who does.

-- John D.

XD-Guy · January 12, 2007, 07:43 PM

I do too. I decap before I tumble and that takes care of most of them. The rest I do by hand

Ausserordeutlich · January 12, 2007, 10:09 PM

Compulsive-obsessive.

Ripplingh2o · January 12, 2007, 10:30 PM

When I first started reloading (close to 25 years ago) I use to ALWAYS clean the primer pockets. That lasted about 2 weeks.

swmike · January 12, 2007, 10:33 PM

Only on my Rifle reloads. If I can get the de-capping tool through the hole I figure the primer will do the job.

CERBERUS · January 12, 2007, 10:43 PM

I clean them, but nothing fancy, once I have them all sized and decapped i use the lee thing and a few turns to remove some of the carbon so the new primer will seat alright. Takes me like 2mins to do 50.

rwilson452 · January 12, 2007, 11:22 PM

If I was an olympic class bullseye pistol shot I would clean the primer pockets on my pistol brass. For anything else I wouldn't. Rifle brass is another matter.

cloudcroft · January 13, 2007, 12:30 AM

Ausserordeutlich,

No, I'm diagnosed with some other mental illness (70% VA disability rating), but thanks for the free psychiatric exam anyway...they usually cost a bundle.

Cleaning the primer pocket -- besides doing a high-quality reloading job -- is an indicator of one's work ethic. Yours apparently differs.

Although there are lots of "technicians" nowadays, you don't see many "craftsmen."

-- John D.

XD-Guy · January 13, 2007, 06:03 AM

Ausseroreutlich:
All you do is criticize. Have you nothing better to do? Judging by the user name you picked out, you must have a very high opinion of yourself so why are you so miserable? For a guy who can't even operate a camcorder you sure have a lot to say

qajaq59 · January 13, 2007, 06:12 AM

I clean mine. But when I start getting brass from the manufacturer that has crap in the primer pocket then I'll know it is supposed to be there and I'll stop.

JDG · January 13, 2007, 08:53 AM

I still clean each and every case

RERICK · January 13, 2007, 09:06 AM

I do for all rifle or match quality pistol loads.
No for just normal practice handgun loads.

WSM MAGNUM · January 13, 2007, 09:26 AM

You`re not the only one. I clean primer pockets after 3 reloads to keep them from building up too much deposits. It`s common sense that they will build up with carbon deposit eventually and cause some type of problems.
Besides, you can inspect the web area and flash hole better if you clean them now and then.

Thirties · January 13, 2007, 09:31 AM

Let's get it clear (talking here about straight-wall handgun ammo reloading), when you de-prime before tumbling, then your primer pockets are perfectly clean, although you may have pieces of tumbler media stuck in some of the holes.

When you tumble your dirty shells before de-priming, then you will still have some crud in the primer pockets when you de-prime. So far, I'm just stating facts that we can all agree are true.

Opinion and personal experience follows...

As to whether you clean the crud out or not, obviously it is your own business and not mine. But I have found that the dirtier the primer pockets, the more difficult it is to seat your new primers. You can feel an inconsistent resistance when using a hand tool, making it difficult to judge if you have seated the primers properly.

In my very humble opinion, the very short time it takes to twist that little tool in the primer pocket while you are otherwise handling and inspecting your clean brass is well worth it. The priming becomes much more consistent, trouble free, and it shortens the time you will spend priming the brass.

Hayhook · January 13, 2007, 09:39 AM

On my rifle re-loads, I clean every one, every time,& enjoy the whole process.
"If it's worth doin, it's worth doing right'.

cheygriz · January 13, 2007, 11:11 AM

Is a waste of time and energy.

Buckythebrewer · January 13, 2007, 12:22 PM

Always have,always will

It's SO easy,even a cave man can do it

I just like to keep the HIGH PRIMER possibility away,As well as be sure the primers are seated 100%(helping eliminate the possibility of a misfire
Im only loading for semi-auto's so I take every step to make sure there is no possibility of slamfire(except for cheating from time to time with a collet die

,Well I have the tools to measure shoulder displacement so bite me

)..

cloudcroft · January 13, 2007, 12:49 PM

Sorry, Buckythebrewer, my Mother's calling...I'll put it on speaker...

-- John D.

kenneth owens · January 13, 2007, 01:00 PM

I always clean my primer pockets, any small amount of build up could effect accuracy. thats for my benchrest loads if I am shooting for accuracy

I will go a couple of firings for pistol( 9mm)

mrawesome22 · January 13, 2007, 02:54 PM

I do it for consistent primer seating depth. It only takes a couple minutes to clean 100 pockets, so why not do it? Nothing like seeing all that black crap, then seeing nice clean brass afterward.

kenneth owens · January 13, 2007, 03:04 PM

from one buckeye to another amen

Shoney · January 13, 2007, 06:44 PM

I’ve reloaded for 46 years. I started out cleaning pockets religiously, but then the old timer who showed me the ropes did the s[color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color] n giggle. I tested cleaned vs. non-cleaned pockets for accuracy over a 5 year period in 222, 6mmRem, 270 and 30-06. No difference in group sizes.

I have never read an article that said primer pocket cleaning increases accuracy.

Foxman · January 13, 2007, 06:57 PM

I do it, +1 on the work ethic, the crud is better out than in and it is one less variable.IMHO

January 12, 2007, 07:26 PM	#1
magnumtrails Junior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Location: Ormond Beach, Florida Posts: 7	Cleaning Primer Pocket's I have wonder if I'm the only shooter that still cleans out primer pocket's on both revolver & semi-auto's. I have several different tools that perform this task. I still wonder if it is worth the time.

January 12, 2007, 10:33 PM	#7
swmike Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2005 Location: Marysville, WA Posts: 670	Only on my Rifle reloads. If I can get the de-capping tool through the hole I figure the primer will do the job. __________________ My definition of Gun Control--- A steady grip and hitting your target. "In God we trust, all others are suspects." "If I shoot all the ammo I am carrying, either I won't need any more, or more won't be of any help". ____________________________________________

January 12, 2007, 11:22 PM	#9
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	pistol primer pockets If I was an olympic class bullseye pistol shot I would clean the primer pockets on my pistol brass. For anything else I wouldn't. Rifle brass is another matter.

January 13, 2007, 09:26 AM	#15
WSM MAGNUM Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 750	You`re not the only one. I clean primer pockets after 3 reloads to keep them from building up too much deposits. It`s common sense that they will build up with carbon deposit eventually and cause some type of problems. Besides, you can inspect the web area and flash hole better if you clean them now and then. __________________ Henry - Life NRA Member, USCCA Shield Member If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?

January 13, 2007, 11:11 AM	#18
cheygriz Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2002 Location: high up in the rockies Posts: 2,289	Cleaning primer pockets Is a waste of time and energy. __________________ If you think a mighty military force is expensive, wait 'til you see what a weak one costs.

January 12, 2007, 07:31 PM	#2
Ausserordeutlich Junior member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 996	You're the only one, and no, it's not worth anything...time or otherwise.

January 12, 2007, 07:38 PM	#3
cloudcroft Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 565	I do, but I'm the only one here who does. -- John D.

January 12, 2007, 07:43 PM	#4
XD-Guy Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2006 Posts: 102	I do too. I decap before I tumble and that takes care of most of them. The rest I do by hand

January 12, 2007, 10:09 PM	#5
Ausserordeutlich Junior member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 996	Compulsive-obsessive.

January 12, 2007, 10:30 PM	#6
Ripplingh2o Member Join Date: December 29, 2006 Posts: 27	When I first started reloading (close to 25 years ago) I use to ALWAYS clean the primer pockets. That lasted about 2 weeks.

January 12, 2007, 10:43 PM	#8
CERBERUS Member Join Date: November 4, 2004 Posts: 50	I clean them, but nothing fancy, once I have them all sized and decapped i use the lee thing and a few turns to remove some of the carbon so the new primer will seat alright. Takes me like 2mins to do 50.

January 13, 2007, 12:30 AM	#10
cloudcroft Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 565	Ausserordeutlich, No, I'm diagnosed with some other mental illness (70% VA disability rating), but thanks for the free psychiatric exam anyway...they usually cost a bundle. Cleaning the primer pocket -- besides doing a high-quality reloading job -- is an indicator of one's work ethic. Yours apparently differs. Although there are lots of "technicians" nowadays, you don't see many "craftsmen." -- John D.

January 13, 2007, 06:03 AM	#11
XD-Guy Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2006 Posts: 102	Ausseroreutlich: All you do is criticize. Have you nothing better to do? Judging by the user name you picked out, you must have a very high opinion of yourself so why are you so miserable? For a guy who can't even operate a camcorder you sure have a lot to say

January 13, 2007, 06:12 AM	#12
qajaq59 Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2005 Posts: 139	I clean mine. But when I start getting brass from the manufacturer that has crap in the primer pocket then I'll know it is supposed to be there and I'll stop.

January 13, 2007, 08:53 AM	#13
JDG Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: West Michigan Posts: 673	I still clean each and every case

January 13, 2007, 09:06 AM	#14
RERICK Junior member Join Date: July 9, 2005 Posts: 369	I do for all rifle or match quality pistol loads. No for just normal practice handgun loads.

January 13, 2007, 09:31 AM	#16
Thirties Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2001 Location: Where the Red Sox meet the Black Bears Posts: 561	Let's get it clear (talking here about straight-wall handgun ammo reloading), when you de-prime before tumbling, then your primer pockets are perfectly clean, although you may have pieces of tumbler media stuck in some of the holes. When you tumble your dirty shells before de-priming, then you will still have some crud in the primer pockets when you de-prime. So far, I'm just stating facts that we can all agree are true. Opinion and personal experience follows... As to whether you clean the crud out or not, obviously it is your own business and not mine. But I have found that the dirtier the primer pockets, the more difficult it is to seat your new primers. You can feel an inconsistent resistance when using a hand tool, making it difficult to judge if you have seated the primers properly. In my very humble opinion, the very short time it takes to twist that little tool in the primer pocket while you are otherwise handling and inspecting your clean brass is well worth it. The priming becomes much more consistent, trouble free, and it shortens the time you will spend priming the brass.

January 13, 2007, 09:39 AM	#17
Hayhook Junior Member Join Date: November 24, 2006 Posts: 3	On my rifle re-loads, I clean every one, every time,& enjoy the whole process. "If it's worth doin, it's worth doing right'.

January 13, 2007, 12:22 PM	#19
Buckythebrewer Junior member Join Date: April 15, 2006 Location: Jefferson, ME Posts: 700	Always have,always will It's SO easy,even a cave man can do it I just like to keep the HIGH PRIMER possibility away,As well as be sure the primers are seated 100%(helping eliminate the possibility of a misfire Im only loading for semi-auto's so I take every step to make sure there is no possibility of slamfire(except for cheating from time to time with a collet die,Well I have the tools to measure shoulder displacement so bite me )..

January 13, 2007, 12:49 PM	#20
cloudcroft Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 565	Sorry, Buckythebrewer, my Mother's calling...I'll put it on speaker... -- John D.

January 13, 2007, 01:00 PM	#21
kenneth owens Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2006 Posts: 355	rifle yes,pistol sometimes I always clean my primer pockets, any small amount of build up could effect accuracy. thats for my benchrest loads if I am shooting for accuracy I will go a couple of firings for pistol( 9mm)

January 13, 2007, 02:54 PM	#22
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	I do it for consistent primer seating depth. It only takes a couple minutes to clean 100 pockets, so why not do it? Nothing like seeing all that black crap, then seeing nice clean brass afterward.

January 13, 2007, 03:04 PM	#23
kenneth owens Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2006 Posts: 355	from one buckeye to another amen

January 13, 2007, 06:44 PM	#24
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	I’ve reloaded for 46 years. I started out cleaning pockets religiously, but then the old timer who showed me the ropes did the s[color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color] n giggle. I tested cleaned vs. non-cleaned pockets for accuracy over a 5 year period in 222, 6mmRem, 270 and 30-06. No difference in group sizes. I have never read an article that said primer pocket cleaning increases accuracy. __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

January 13, 2007, 06:57 PM	#25
Foxman Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2005 Posts: 466	I do it, +1 on the work ethic, the crud is better out than in and it is one less variable.IMHO __________________ Better the man suspected of being a fool keep his mouth shut, than to open it and remove all doubt.