primer pockets

Over the years I've noted different primers seem to stain the brass to varying degrees but that's about it. Crud build-up never has been a problem in that it seems to reach a certain level then get no worse.

I haven't cleaned any high volume pistol primer pockets since the very early '70s. Just has never been a problem and cleaning primer pockets tends to negate the advantages of a progressive loader.

I began reloading in 1975 and have never cleaned the primer pockets of pistol brass. I've never had an issue with pistol brass. I do clean the primer pockets of rifle brass.

My first inspection is fired brass, no processing. Then deprime, tumble, and second inspection. Normally the primer pockets look "dirty" , but not cruddy and no build up. So, I can't tell the difference in brass primed with different primers...

I'm in the rarely/never clean primer pockets group...

A lot of this seems to be related to the brass also. I noticed that Win primer pockets, and others also, seem to tarnish really badly regardless of the primer used.

Now RP and Fed primer pockets look almost new, also regardless of the primer used.

I used to get way overly concerned with primer pocket appearance, but I don't worry too much about this any more though. I use a thin blunt object, usually the tip of the Lee case length gauge, the one on the end on the trimming pilot. I just give the pocket a quick swirl to knock any ash out, clear any remaining media out of the flash hole, then call it good. I don't like to do anything more, as that runs a risk of damaging the pocket, which increases the risk of a primer blowing the out edge seal, which makes a mess of a bolt face.

GS

I ALWAYS clean (wet ss tumble) my primer pockets...Factory new, clean. The one time you need to take a shot that might save your life, and all you hear is "click", it will be too late. No problem, if all your doing is shooting holes in paper. But, they're your reloads...you can do what you wish...