Pistol casings cleaning question...

ralphc21 · February 5, 2010, 10:06 PM

I have several friends that put the casings in a vibrating tumbler and just knock out the primer and load them with no additional cleaning. I've also watched several videos and they show using a progressive machine, dumping casings in the top, it knocks the primer out with no additional cleaning. How important is it really to clean the primer pocket, debur the inside of the primer area, and clean the inside of the shell before reloading? Thanks, Ralph

**Unclenick** · February 5, 2010, 11:06 PM

It doesn't have much affect on ammo function. Dillon did a bunch of testing to prove it to their own satisfaction. A benchrest shooter might be able to detect the difference, but he won't be loading on a progressive press. The manuals tell you that you only need to stop and clean primer pockets if you are getting high primers. I don't recall running into that issue ever with the .45 ACP, which is most of what I load progressively.

Removing primer crimps is another matter. With military brass and some PMC you have to do that after you knock the original primer out. Otherwise you will likely be unable to seat the new primer. However, this only has to be done once in the life of the brass.

Malamute · February 5, 2010, 11:53 PM

For the majority of the 35 or so years I've been loading, I never cleaned cases other than wiping with a rag, and once in a while cleaning the carbon out of primer pockets on some rifle rounds. Never had any trouble whatsoever. The cases take on a rather "experienced" look, especially those used with black powder. Oh, I guess I would simmer the cases used with black powder in a pan of water on the stove to clean the powder fouling out, then dry on a towel overnight.

So long as the cases don't have any abrasive grit on them, case cleaning is mostly cosmetic. Carbide dies seemd to be able to deal with small amounts of dirt without trauma in any event. I've loaded many many thousands of rounds with no cleaning whatsoever, and I know they must have had some dirt on them.

Shoney · February 6, 2010, 02:28 AM

About 45 years ago I stared seriously testing clean vs dirty primer pockets. I could never tell any difference.

For the first 35 years of my 5 decade reloading career, I didn't have a case cleaner. I wiped, used ajax clenser, steel wool, commercial brass cleaning soulutions from Birchwood Casey, home brews of salt and vinegar, and more.

Then I got a vibratory cleaner 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, harps were playing and Life was Good.

ralphc21 · February 6, 2010, 10:02 AM

Thanks, Ralph

howlnmad · February 6, 2010, 11:07 AM

This has been a question for a long time now. As the others have said, it's more for cosmetic appeal. Since i use a single station press, I run all mine through a universal decapper and then into the tumbler. That does leave some media stuck in the primer pockets and flash holes at times but that gives me an excuse to hit the pockets with a brush. If they're new cases I'll de-burr the flash hole then go through the loading steps and then they go back into the tumbler for an additional cleaning. I know... it's a bit anul but that's just me.

February 5, 2010, 10:06 PM	#1
ralphc21 Member Join Date: January 14, 2010 Location: Albany GA Posts: 24	Pistol casings cleaning question... I have several friends that put the casings in a vibrating tumbler and just knock out the primer and load them with no additional cleaning. I've also watched several videos and they show using a progressive machine, dumping casings in the top, it knocks the primer out with no additional cleaning. How important is it really to clean the primer pocket, debur the inside of the primer area, and clean the inside of the shell before reloading? Thanks, Ralph

February 5, 2010, 11:06 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,743	It doesn't have much affect on ammo function. Dillon did a bunch of testing to prove it to their own satisfaction. A benchrest shooter might be able to detect the difference, but he won't be loading on a progressive press. The manuals tell you that you only need to stop and clean primer pockets if you are getting high primers. I don't recall running into that issue ever with the .45 ACP, which is most of what I load progressively. Removing primer crimps is another matter. With military brass and some PMC you have to do that after you knock the original primer out. Otherwise you will likely be unable to seat the new primer. However, this only has to be done once in the life of the brass. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 5, 2010, 11:53 PM	#3
Malamute Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2004 Location: Rocky Mts Posts: 859	For the majority of the 35 or so years I've been loading, I never cleaned cases other than wiping with a rag, and once in a while cleaning the carbon out of primer pockets on some rifle rounds. Never had any trouble whatsoever. The cases take on a rather "experienced" look, especially those used with black powder. Oh, I guess I would simmer the cases used with black powder in a pan of water on the stove to clean the powder fouling out, then dry on a towel overnight. So long as the cases don't have any abrasive grit on them, case cleaning is mostly cosmetic. Carbide dies seemd to be able to deal with small amounts of dirt without trauma in any event. I've loaded many many thousands of rounds with no cleaning whatsoever, and I know they must have had some dirt on them.

February 6, 2010, 02:28 AM	#4
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	About 45 years ago I stared seriously testing clean vs dirty primer pockets. I could never tell any difference. For the first 35 years of my 5 decade reloading career, I didn't have a case cleaner. I wiped, used ajax clenser, steel wool, commercial brass cleaning soulutions from Birchwood Casey, home brews of salt and vinegar, and more. Then I got a vibratory cleaner 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, harps were playing and Life was Good.

February 6, 2010, 10:02 AM	#5
ralphc21 Member Join Date: January 14, 2010 Location: Albany GA Posts: 24	Thanks, Ralph

February 6, 2010, 11:07 AM	#6
howlnmad Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2009 Location: Harriman Tn Posts: 424	This has been a question for a long time now. As the others have said, it's more for cosmetic appeal. Since i use a single station press, I run all mine through a universal decapper and then into the tumbler. That does leave some media stuck in the primer pockets and flash holes at times but that gives me an excuse to hit the pockets with a brush. If they're new cases I'll de-burr the flash hole then go through the loading steps and then they go back into the tumbler for an additional cleaning. I know... it's a bit anul but that's just me.