Do you clean your primer pockets?

spleify · May 20, 2011, 07:23 PM

I am gonna ask some questions here as I have been doing things the same way for over 10 years now and I'm wondering how others are doing things or if things have changed any.

I have always cleaned all of my primer pockets on all of my different cases. Pistol and rifle. I have heard rumblings of folks not cleaning there primer pockets and I was wondering what folks are doing, or not doing.

Thanks

Hog Hunter · May 20, 2011, 07:26 PM

I clean mine. Choose not to but when the spark dont reach the powder its hte loaders fault. Thats the way I see it.

Don H · May 20, 2011, 07:29 PM

Other than on precision rifle cases, I haven't cleaned primer pockets on either handgun or rifle brass in over 40 years with no noticeable issues.

sserdlihc · May 20, 2011, 07:33 PM

I clean every piece of brass I reload. Sometimes the media gets stuck in the flash hole.

thetoulman · May 20, 2011, 07:47 PM

I clean pockets on all rifle brass, but I only clean really foul looking pockets on handgun brass.

DANNY-L · May 20, 2011, 07:50 PM

I clean them all,why do only 3/4 of the prep. + thats what the trim mate is for.

Sky Master · May 20, 2011, 07:59 PM

I load only for handguns and never clean my primer pockets. If a piece of clean media ever gets stuck in the primer hole, the decapping pin will knock it out along with the primer.

**Shane Tuttle** · May 20, 2011, 08:27 PM

Same here, Sky Master. Not worth the time for pistol and not conducive to perform the process while trying to make use of a progressive press...

Bamashooter · May 20, 2011, 08:29 PM

I clean every primer pocket on every piece of brass. I cant really see a downside to doing it.

LarryFlew · May 20, 2011, 08:32 PM

No particular reason but I do on my rifle rounds and do not on pistol rounds.

Loader9 · May 20, 2011, 08:42 PM

I have a Remington 40X in 30/338Mag that has a certified one hole group out of the infamous Houston Warehouse. I've never cleaned a primer pocket in my life. The flashole is far more important than a little black residue that in most cases doesn't hardly amount to dust once removed. If accuracy is yer thang, are your flasholes deburred? If not, yer wastin time cleaning primer pockets.

That'll Do · May 20, 2011, 09:01 PM

I don't even consider cleaning primer pockets on pistol brass. I did when I first started reloading, but that practice went out the window really quick.

Rifle brass does get the primer pockets cleaned, although only when I'm trimming the brass, as primer pocket brush is right next to the case mouth deburring tool on my RCBS Trim Mate case prep center.

Sevens · May 20, 2011, 09:56 PM

Quote:

but that practice went out the window really quick.

Minor correction: That practice went out in a USPS priority flat rate box and ended up in my man cave.

(I've been burning through that 9 recently and used some of it for a shoot last weekend!

)

Shoney · May 20, 2011, 10:11 PM

What Don H said. except no cleaning for over 45 years.

jepp2 · May 20, 2011, 10:11 PM

I clean all primer pockets before tumbling the brass. I don't do it for accuracy reasons, I just like seating primers against smooth clean brass. I wouldn't necessarily tell someone else they needed to, but I will keep doing it.

That'll Do · May 20, 2011, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sevens

Minor correction: That practice went out in a USPS priority flat rate box and ended up in my man cave.

(I've been burning through that 9 recently and used some of it for a shoot last weekend!

)

You're right, I forgot about that batch of brass I traded you. That was probably the last bunch I cleaned. It sure did look nice, all spiffed up.

Sevens · May 20, 2011, 10:41 PM

Shot nice, too. I'm about out of it.
(well, I still have most of it... but the primer pockets aren't clean anymore... and they never will be EVER again!

)

FrankenMauser · May 21, 2011, 01:39 AM

As other shooters have suggested ...

I only clean the primer pockets on rifle cases that have had the flash holes deburred, but not all of them. I do it for loads with which I am seeking absolute perfection. For other rifle loads, I don't really care (and, honestly, can't tell the difference).

For pistols... it's a big 'nope'. ...waste of time.

DarthNul · May 21, 2011, 02:05 AM

I reload for pistol only. At first I cleaned them all (at that time, "all" meant 9mm only) with a Lyman pocket cleaning tool. I also reamed all S&B brass the first time through to avoid tight pocket issues.

I stopped for a while but when I started loading .45 auto, those large primers seemed to seat a lot closer to "flush" (or not) than small primers on 9mm so I went back to cleaning them.

Now I clean 'em all but it's strictly ultra-sonic batch cleaning. No more risk of repetitive motion injuries from twisting pocket cleaning tools.

hooligan1 · May 21, 2011, 07:24 AM

+ 100 Frankenmauser.. ditto for me.

oneoldsap · May 21, 2011, 06:27 PM

I deburr flashholes and give the pocket one twist of the Lee tool ! But I'm Type A with OCD . Never had a dud in 45 Years !

chris in va · May 21, 2011, 06:38 PM

I did for a bit when I first started reloading, but soon discovered it wasn't necessary, especially when reloading thousands of pistol and rifle rounds. I can see how you'd want that with benchrest/target loads though.

Really I just make sure the pocket and flash hole are clear of obstructions and continue with the next steps.

EDIT: I tumble/clean my range brass before decapping so I don't have to worry about media getting stuck in the flash hole.

floydster · May 21, 2011, 07:00 PM

Have never cleaned a primer pocket in 55 years of reloading, rifle and pistol.

chiefr · May 21, 2011, 09:38 PM

Agree with most, I have been reloading for over 40 years and have never cleaned pockets. I can't even remember anyone selling pocket cleaners years ago when I got hooked on reloading. Don't plan to start either.

hammered54 · May 21, 2011, 09:59 PM

I haven't been reloading as long as some of you guys ..but I do clean them all.

May 20, 2011, 07:23 PM	#1
spleify Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 151	Do you clean your primer pockets? I am gonna ask some questions here as I have been doing things the same way for over 10 years now and I'm wondering how others are doing things or if things have changed any. I have always cleaned all of my primer pockets on all of my different cases. Pistol and rifle. I have heard rumblings of folks not cleaning there primer pockets and I was wondering what folks are doing, or not doing. Thanks __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ NRA Member Survival Paracord Wraps & Bracelets Like us on Facebook

May 20, 2011, 07:29 PM	#3
Don H Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2000 Location: SLC,Utah Posts: 2,704	Other than on precision rifle cases, I haven't cleaned primer pockets on either handgun or rifle brass in over 40 years with no noticeable issues. __________________ Don http://www.utahconcealedcarry.com/forum/

May 20, 2011, 07:33 PM	#4
sserdlihc Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2008 Location: S.C. Posts: 1,454	I clean every piece of brass I reload. Sometimes the media gets stuck in the flash hole. __________________ Familiarity breeds contempt, while rarity wins admiration. Aupleius If someone doesn't like you, that's their problem! Milton Childress

May 20, 2011, 08:27 PM	#8
Shane Tuttle Staff Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 9,443	Same here, Sky Master. Not worth the time for pistol and not conducive to perform the process while trying to make use of a progressive press... __________________ If it were up to me, the word "got" would be deleted from the English language. Posting and YOU: http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting

May 20, 2011, 10:11 PM	#14
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	What Don H said. except no cleaning for over 45 years. __________________ 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

May 20, 2011, 07:26 PM	#2
Hog Hunter Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 386	I clean mine. Choose not to but when the spark dont reach the powder its hte loaders fault. Thats the way I see it.

May 20, 2011, 07:47 PM	#5
thetoulman Junior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 6	I clean pockets on all rifle brass, but I only clean really foul looking pockets on handgun brass.

May 20, 2011, 07:50 PM	#6
DANNY-L Member Join Date: April 1, 2010 Location: way upstate ny Posts: 71	I clean them all,why do only 3/4 of the prep. + thats what the trim mate is for.

May 20, 2011, 07:59 PM	#7
Sky Master Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2009 Posts: 136	I load only for handguns and never clean my primer pockets. If a piece of clean media ever gets stuck in the primer hole, the decapping pin will knock it out along with the primer.

May 20, 2011, 08:29 PM	#9
Bamashooter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2010 Posts: 1,860	I clean every primer pocket on every piece of brass. I cant really see a downside to doing it.

May 20, 2011, 08:32 PM	#10
LarryFlew Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2009 Location: Minnesota CZ fan Posts: 902	No particular reason but I do on my rifle rounds and do not on pistol rounds.

May 20, 2011, 08:42 PM	#11
Loader9 Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2008 Posts: 949	I have a Remington 40X in 30/338Mag that has a certified one hole group out of the infamous Houston Warehouse. I've never cleaned a primer pocket in my life. The flashole is far more important than a little black residue that in most cases doesn't hardly amount to dust once removed. If accuracy is yer thang, are your flasholes deburred? If not, yer wastin time cleaning primer pockets.

May 20, 2011, 09:01 PM	#12
That'll Do Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 546	I don't even consider cleaning primer pockets on pistol brass. I did when I first started reloading, but that practice went out the window really quick. Rifle brass does get the primer pockets cleaned, although only when I'm trimming the brass, as primer pocket brush is right next to the case mouth deburring tool on my RCBS Trim Mate case prep center.

May 20, 2011, 10:11 PM	#15
jepp2 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,476	I clean all primer pockets before tumbling the brass. I don't do it for accuracy reasons, I just like seating primers against smooth clean brass. I wouldn't necessarily tell someone else they needed to, but I will keep doing it.

May 20, 2011, 10:41 PM	#17
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	Shot nice, too. I'm about out of it. (well, I still have most of it... but the primer pockets aren't clean anymore... and they never will be EVER again! ) __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

May 21, 2011, 01:39 AM	#18
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	As other shooters have suggested ... I only clean the primer pockets on rifle cases that have had the flash holes deburred, but not all of them. I do it for loads with which I am seeking absolute perfection. For other rifle loads, I don't really care (and, honestly, can't tell the difference). For pistols... it's a big 'nope'. ...waste of time. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

May 21, 2011, 02:05 AM	#19
DarthNul Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 288	I reload for pistol only. At first I cleaned them all (at that time, "all" meant 9mm only) with a Lyman pocket cleaning tool. I also reamed all S&B brass the first time through to avoid tight pocket issues. I stopped for a while but when I started loading .45 auto, those large primers seemed to seat a lot closer to "flush" (or not) than small primers on 9mm so I went back to cleaning them. Now I clean 'em all but it's strictly ultra-sonic batch cleaning. No more risk of repetitive motion injuries from twisting pocket cleaning tools. __________________ The most feared gun control law proposal: Require buyers to register all gun purchases with their wives

May 21, 2011, 07:24 AM	#20
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,586	+ 100 Frankenmauser.. ditto for me. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

May 21, 2011, 06:27 PM	#21
oneoldsap Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2009 Location: I live in the foot of the Green Mountains of Vermont Posts: 1,602	Doesn't hurt a thing ! I deburr flashholes and give the pocket one twist of the Lee tool ! But I'm Type A with OCD . Never had a dud in 45 Years !

May 21, 2011, 06:38 PM	#22
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I did for a bit when I first started reloading, but soon discovered it wasn't necessary, especially when reloading thousands of pistol and rifle rounds. I can see how you'd want that with benchrest/target loads though. Really I just make sure the pocket and flash hole are clear of obstructions and continue with the next steps. EDIT: I tumble/clean my range brass before decapping so I don't have to worry about media getting stuck in the flash hole.

May 21, 2011, 07:00 PM	#23
floydster Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2008 Posts: 472	Have never cleaned a primer pocket in 55 years of reloading, rifle and pistol.

May 21, 2011, 09:38 PM	#24
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	Agree with most, I have been reloading for over 40 years and have never cleaned pockets. I can't even remember anyone selling pocket cleaners years ago when I got hooked on reloading. Don't plan to start either.

May 21, 2011, 09:59 PM	#25
hammered54 Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2010 Location: Pinckney,Michigan Posts: 151	I haven't been reloading as long as some of you guys ..but I do clean them all.