Cleaning fired cartridges

shooter007 · April 28, 2009, 08:08 PM

Recently firing my rifle has been all I do and all I think about doing. I need to start reloading now. What is the best way to clean your rifle cartridges for reloading? How many reloads can you get out of one cartridge?

dahermit · April 28, 2009, 08:36 PM

Cases! Cases! "Cartridge" is a loaded round with primer, powder, bullet, contained in a case.

And to answer your question, tumbling with tumbling media in a case tumbler made for that purpose. Tumblers are available from Midway Shooter's Supply.

The number of reloadings a case will survive is dependent upon what caliber, how hot the load and other factors to the point where you have to describe all the details of what you are asking about in order to give an answer.

50of4064 · April 28, 2009, 09:34 PM

What reloading supplies do you have and what Cal. are you shooting?

shooter007 · April 28, 2009, 10:10 PM

So its as easy as throw my used cases in a tumbler, take them out, and they are ready to reload? I’m going to be shooting 270 135gr Sierra MatchKing bullets with Hodgdon H4831SC.

shooter007 · April 28, 2009, 10:14 PM

Never mind dahermit. I understand, thank you.

Shoney · April 29, 2009, 04:17 AM

shooter007
For over 35 year of my 5 decades of reloading, I did not have a tumbler, nor did I feel I needed one. All you need to do is clean the crud off the outside of the cases before you resize them.

I primarily wiped them clean with cotton rags. I have put them in old socks and run them thru (shhhhhhhhhh) the wife’s washing machine and dish washer. I have tried commercial cleaners (Birchwood Casey), home brew salt and vinegar, and Stoddard Solvent.

When I started competitive pistol shooting in the mid 90’s, a tumbler was mandatory. I ran my first batch and when I dumped out those shiny clean cases, a blinding white light appeared, Angels were singing, an orchestra was playing and Life was Good.

MakarovFan · April 29, 2009, 06:17 AM

Don't forget, try using smaller grain media in tumbler - it will make dumping media out of cases a LOT easier when doing rifle cases.

hornady · April 29, 2009, 06:41 AM

I too for many years never cleaned cases, but now have two Lyman 1200s. also mid-way has gotten hundreds of dollars out of me for years. I found mid-south shooters a few years back and they are about 10 to 15 % less than mid-way.

April 28, 2009, 08:08 PM	#1
shooter007 Junior member Join Date: April 22, 2009 Posts: 103	Cleaning fired cartridges Recently firing my rifle has been all I do and all I think about doing. I need to start reloading now. What is the best way to clean your rifle cartridges for reloading? How many reloads can you get out of one cartridge?

April 28, 2009, 09:34 PM	#3
50of4064 Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Southern Calif. Posts: 52	Shooter007 What reloading supplies do you have and what Cal. are you shooting?

April 29, 2009, 04:17 AM	#6
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	shooter007 For over 35 year of my 5 decades of reloading, I did not have a tumbler, nor did I feel I needed one. All you need to do is clean the crud off the outside of the cases before you resize them. I primarily wiped them clean with cotton rags. I have put them in old socks and run them thru (shhhhhhhhhh) the wife’s washing machine and dish washer. I have tried commercial cleaners (Birchwood Casey), home brew salt and vinegar, and Stoddard Solvent. When I started competitive pistol shooting in the mid 90’s, a tumbler was mandatory. I ran my first batch and when I dumped out those shiny clean cases, a blinding white light appeared, Angels were singing, an orchestra was playing and Life was Good. __________________ 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

April 28, 2009, 08:36 PM	#2
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	Cases! Cases! "Cartridge" is a loaded round with primer, powder, bullet, contained in a case. And to answer your question, tumbling with tumbling media in a case tumbler made for that purpose. Tumblers are available from Midway Shooter's Supply. The number of reloadings a case will survive is dependent upon what caliber, how hot the load and other factors to the point where you have to describe all the details of what you are asking about in order to give an answer.

April 28, 2009, 10:10 PM	#4
shooter007 Junior member Join Date: April 22, 2009 Posts: 103	So its as easy as throw my used cases in a tumbler, take them out, and they are ready to reload? I’m going to be shooting 270 135gr Sierra MatchKing bullets with Hodgdon H4831SC.

April 28, 2009, 10:14 PM	#5
shooter007 Junior member Join Date: April 22, 2009 Posts: 103	Never mind dahermit. I understand, thank you.

April 29, 2009, 06:17 AM	#7
MakarovFan Member Join Date: June 21, 2006 Location: Eastern Ohio Posts: 94	Don't forget, try using smaller grain media in tumbler - it will make dumping media out of cases a LOT easier when doing rifle cases.

April 29, 2009, 06:41 AM	#8
hornady Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2009 Location: SWPA Posts: 428	I too for many years never cleaned cases, but now have two Lyman 1200s. also mid-way has gotten hundreds of dollars out of me for years. I found mid-south shooters a few years back and they are about 10 to 15 % less than mid-way.