Cleaning 9mm brass

[dwbpa1]

Relatively new to reloading and was wondering if it is necessary to clean used brass before reloading?
Also is it necessary to lube the cases before reloading?
Thanks for any advice.

 

[SteveFi]

not necessary to clean brass but many do - you dont need a tumbler or ultrasonic unit - a 5 gal bucket & water will do if you want to get some of the stuff off.

did you get carbide dies? if you have carbide dies you dont need to lube straight walled pistol cases, though some people still lube every 10th round or so but most dont

 

[Cdog]

Read the instructions for your particular dies.

 

[MichiganScott]

The purpose of cleaning is to remove grit that may harm your dies. It is not to make it shine like a $5.00 engagement ring.

 

[SMSgt]

^^ Agreed. I gave up "polishing" brass long ago, now only do it when I forget to turn the tumbler off and it runs all night.

I don't know why anyone would bother with non-carbide pistol dies unless they just don't know any better and don't ask. It's just a no-brainer. I don't ever lube for my carbide dies. The brief tumbling they get leaves them slick and smooth enough.

 

[Rule3]

No and No

Not needed but most people do. If you do not have a tumbler or want to buy one you can just wash it in a bucket, rinse well and let dry.

Put a few cups of white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of salt and a few drops of dish soap in a gal or two of water. Let sit 20 min, stir it around, rinse well, let dry on a towel in the Sun or were ever.

 

[dwbpa1]

Thanks

Thanks everyone. I'm using the Hornady Titanium Nitride dies.

 

[kwselke]

Thanks everyone. I'm using the Hornady Titanium Nitride dies.

With those dies there is no need to lube straight wall cases for sizing, same as carbide.

 

[zonker5]

For me the answers are Yes and Yes.

I always clean my brass to get any grit or dirt off of them. I don't worry about polish, but I hate working with dirty or sooty brass.

I also use the Hornanday Titanium for most of my loading and I lube, not because they really need it but it seems to go a little smoother and shows I care. Lube is cheap.

Your mileage may vary.

-Z-

 

[BobC357]

I clean/lube necked down rifle rounds for hunting because its easier to get them in/out of the dies. I also do that for the stainless .357 cases. I keep the pistol brass semi-clean and, as others have noted, with carbide dies, it doesn't seem to be necessary to do it all the time.

 

[TAROMAN]

Hot water and Bar Keepers friend gets them good enough for my needs:

 

[LittleCooner]

straight wall pistol case = carbide die or the newer titanium nitride re sizing die is the only way to go. No lube needed. Just make sure the brass is clean with no grit. like the above post are providing advice, you do not need a tumbler to clean the dirty brass, but the dies need clean brass with no lube.

 

[davekp]

I clean/lube necked down rifle rounds for hunting because its easier to get them in/out of the dies. I also do that for the stainless .357 cases. I keep the pistol brass semi-clean and, as others have noted, with carbide dies, it doesn't seem to be necessary to do it all the time.

Stainless? Sure you don't mean nickel plated?

 

[RussellD]

Before you say pistol calibers do not require lube. Try some and motive the difference in resizing.

 

[SMSgt]

For many, the time spent cleaning off lube isn't worth the little extra effort needed to resize without it in a carbide die.

 

[Skunkhome]

For me the answers are Yes and Yes.


... and shows I care. Lube is cheap.

Your mileage may vary.

-Z-

In stead of lubing maybe you should just wear a ribbon to show you care. . They made ribbons for everything else so I'm sure they make one for "I care about my Brass"

Lubing introduces another step into the process and the possibility of primer contamination. It is Just something else to gum up the works if it is not required. I certainly would not want to lube cases then run them through my case feeders.

 

[joeintexas]

You can probably get by without cleaning your brass but for no more effort it takes why not just do it. I throw mine in a vibrator with corn media and a used dryer sheet and go about my rat killing. Keeps your dies clean. I use carbide dies and very seldom do I ever lube.

 

[W.E.G.]

You need to tumble your brass for as long as it takes to get powder fouling, and any incidental dirt off the brass.

Otherwise, you're just ramming all that grunge into your dies.

The dies are designed to work correctly in a clean(ish) environment.

Further cleaning is only cosmetic.

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

^^ Agreed. I gave up "polishing" brass long ago, now only do it when I forget to turn the tumbler off and it runs all night.

I don't know why anyone would bother with non-carbide pistol dies unless they just don't know any better and don't ask. It's just a no-brainer. I don't ever lube for my carbide dies. The brief tumbling they get leaves them slick and smooth enough.

I would have to concur for the most point-- HOWEVER-- I had a factory tech, tell me once, the reason the carbide ring came out of a die, was that it was TOO polished?? , no I didn't buy that and they sent a new die-- amazing what people will tell you. I would NEVER buy a non carbide die if there was a choice. I might spray some lube on every 10th 30 carbine piece of brass now and then.

 

[shield]

You need to tumble your brass for as long as it takes to get powder fouling, and any incidental dirt off the brass.

Otherwise, you're just ramming all that grunge into your dies.

The dies are designed to work correctly in a clean(ish) environment.

Further cleaning is only cosmetic.

Dillon says it's good to leave some powder residue inside the case as it acts as a lubricant for the dies.