No more tumbling de-capped cases

[guntherapist]

I have said it before but still do it, to get them babies to shine.
My procedure has been to first tumble cases in walnut media to clean 'em up and prepared for sizing/decapping. Then tumble again in corn cob media for the shine.
But no more, I am going to change my procedure because I am tired of digging the media out of the flash hole. And if I missed one it could result in a misfire.

 

[Rule3]

I have said it before but still do it, to get them babies to shine.
My procedure has been to first tumble cases in walnut media to clean 'em up and prepared for sizing/decapping. Then tumble again in corn cob media for the shine.
But no more, I am going to change my procedure because I am tired of digging the media out of the flash hole. And if I missed one it could result in a misfire.

We could have told you that

 

[Beemer-mark]

Every once in awhile I have some brass that has been, cleaned and then de-primed and then I decide at a later date that it needs more cleaning. After the second cleaning I re-run it thru the de-primer die. Easiest and surest way to get the pockets clean.

But, best to get them clean BEFORE de-priming.

 

[pbcaster]

If you are using a progressive press, replace the resize/decap die with a universal decapping die when you load your ammo. The universal decapping die will remove any media left in the flash holes and it will drop into the spent primer catcher. You could do the same thing with the resize/decap die, but there is no need to run the cases with the added strain of resizing them again

If you use "fine" instead of "coarse" corncob media, you will have much less media in the flash holes after tumbling. I use a Dillon, rotary "basket" to seperate the media from the cases. That completely removes the media from about 99% of the cases. The universal decapping die removes anything left in the flash holes of the cases.

The above has worked for me for more years than I can recall without the slightest hint of a problem.

I run the resized/decapped cases in fine corncob media for about 8 hours or so in a Dillon vibratory cleaner. The fine media does a fairly good job of cleaning the primer pockets at the same time it is putting a shine on the cases.

 

[SMSgt]

Never found the walnuts to plug the hole like corncob does. But spiffy primer pockets aren't an issue with me. I run a pocket scraper thru them once in a blue moon and press on (pun, ya'll).

 

[cjw3]

I tumble them with the primer in. It is surprising how often a small piece of the media will pop out along with the spent primer. I also expect I spend far too much time with this, but I clean the primer pockets every time with one of those little vibratory wire brush cleaners. It knocks a lot of junk loose, which probably doesn't hurt much if left alone but I just like them clean.

 

[JohnnieB]

I pre-wash fired brass and tumble in walnut with a hint of Nu-Finish before I de-prime/size.

I only do straight walled revolver/pistol, and use a turret press, but it looks good and goes bang every time.

On the rare occasions I acquire some de-primed brass, I only wash it before loading and then shoot it up as soon as I came so I can process it properly.

Note, I tap each case, inverted on a soft surface before putting it into the press.
John

 

[madmikeb]

I always re-size and decap mine before tumbling. I've got a piece of thick piano wire with a loop on the end for a handle and when I'm sorting the brass after tumbling I just run the wire through the flash hole. Then I flare them before I put them in the ammo boxes so all I have to do when I want to load some is to prime, add powder and bullets.

 

[firearmsunlimited]

I have said it before but still do it, to get them babies to shine.
My procedure has been to first tumble cases in walnut media to clean 'em up and prepared for sizing/decapping. Then tumble again in corn cob media for the shine.
But no more, I am going to change my procedure because I am tired of digging the media out of the flash hole. And if I missed one it could result in a misfire.

How do you plan to clean the primer pockets?

 

[Rule3]

I never clean primer pockets. Well never say never, I have when loading a few 30-06 . Never on pistol brass.

 

[Dragon88]

I like my brass clean, but two tumblings is unnecessary IMO. Primer pockets are best cleaned with a quick swipe of a tool or brush after sizing/decapping, tumbling media will hardly do anything for the pockets. I usually only clean pistol primer pockets every other loading, it makes zero difference.

 

[guntherapist]

I clean the pockets every time (habit) with the wire brush attached to my electric RCBS Case Prep. The first time around on a lot-batch of brass I run them through the primer pocket uniformer and flash hole debur. then every reload afterward they get the pocket brush.

 

[chief38]

I tumble my fired brass in Walnut Shells for about 1 1/2 hours, then reload them. I never pop out the primers before tumbling, and I have never had issues with any excessive dirt in the primer pockets. Works for me.

 

[silvercn]

I am new to reloading but quickly learned that primers out for tumbling is not fun.
I had to pick that crap out after they were all pretty and shiney.

now I... tumble,
Then deprime,
Then size,
Then charge & seat my bullet.

Check and double check,,, SHOOT!

 

[tincansailor]

I have a turret and single stage presses. I always use a tool to
clean every primer pocket, rifle or pistol. I also give each brass a
solid whack on the bench (base up), just before adding powder. Sometimes there's a surprise little pile of crap. Not often, but it's
an easy step and who knows what a little bit of media will do to
the load? And if the primer pocket is not down to bare metal, and perhaps a bit oversize, then a dirty "soft" bottom may be just enough
cushion to give you a misfire. Not likely, but it could happen. After all,
you buy a lottery ticket because "somebody has to win, right?" Probably
the same odds so why not be sure?

My dos centavos

 

[5906fan]

for 'plinking' or 'target' loads I don't clean out soot from the pocket, but do size after cleaning, sometimes I wash brass that comes off the bare ground.
for the 'good stuff' such as personal defense, hunting and 'carry' loads I do check pockets as I load for myself, nephews and wives .357's, 9's and .380's. and my X39 and '06.

 

[Acorn1754]

As long as the brass isn't that dirty, I save the tumbling till after the rounds are completely loaded. This way the ammo is really shiny and bright, as apposed to brass that was polished and then lubed and loaded and when it comes out doesn't look as good as it use to. But again, I will tumble my brass if it's dirty, as I don't want to abuse my reloading dies.

 

[427mach1]

I save the tumbling till after the rounds are completely loaded

I hope you are not serious. From Lyman's website,

Important Safety Information:
1. Under no circumstances should live ammo or primed cases be tumbled.

 

[Acorn1754]

I hope you are not serious. From Lyman's website,

They have to put out that warning for liability concerns. I know a guy who has been doing this for the last 30 to 40 years without one problem! And I've tumbled hundreds of loaded .223, 40 S&W, 9 mm, etc. The chance of a round being set off is so astronomically low, I know I'm not worried about it.

 

[427mach1]

I respectfully disagree. You have the manufacturer of powder and tumblers telling you not to do it but you know better than they do? Why take the risk? You could change the powder characteristics or possibly strike a primer and cause it to ignite. Yes, the chances are small but there is still a small chance.

It is the policy of Hodgdon Powder Co. to recommend against ever tumbling or vibrating loaded or reloaded ammunition. Vibration for even short
periods of time may degrade propellants or change their burn characteristics. Vibrating propellants may cause coatings to wear off and edges or
ends to erode.

Dave Campbell
Ballistician/ Customer Service
Hodgdon Powder Company Family of Propellants:
Hodgdon Smokeless Powders, The Brand That's True
IMR Legendary Powders
Winchester Smokeless Powders, For Loading Professionals
Pyrodex
Triple7
Goex Black Powder
White Hots
Hodgdon - The Gun Powder People
913-362-9455 ext. 117
[email protected][/email[/I]]