Old habits die hard I guess. I clean each and every pocket before reloading. The reason is that the seating of a new primer just seems to go a little smoother. By the way, I use my drill which makes the job a whole lot quicker.

I always clean the primer pockets before reloading. This prevents any fouling build up from caking up overtime and then being a real pain the but to clean and preventing primers from seating.

There have been cases where I sat down to reload the night before a match where I didn't. However, as a matter of policy, I clean primer pockets. It gives me the chance to inspect cases and removes any marginal ignition issues that may arise.

The only ignition problems I’ve experienced in regards to not cleaning the primer pockets have been with tuned handguns. Ignition problems occurred with a Pachmayr and Clark tuned handguns examples being a Colt 1911 & Smith Wesson M25-2.

Piece 'O cake to do it. Chuck up the reamer in 3/8 variable drill motor, hold it running low with one hand and and with the other hand treat one casing after another, about a second apiece.

For a handgun - never. Nor have I ever trimmed a case.

handgun ammo = nope

rifle ammo = yep

A long range rifle champion bud of mine never cleaned the primer pockets on his rifle ammo, and since 1000 yard shooting is a lot more exacting than 25 yard shooting, maybe cleaning don't do much.

The only time I clean primer pockets is with rifle ammo in semi automatic mechanisms. I don't want high primers.

Pistol ammo, I load all my pistol ammo on a Dillion. Have not cleaned a pistol primer pocket for twenty years.

If something don't go bang, it is due to a dud primer.

Howdy

With precision rifle ammo loaded on a single stage press I always clean primer pockets. With pistol ammo loaded on a progressive press I never clean primer pockets.