Another dumb question

[Steve H]

I have always used and been around single stage presses for my whole reloading life, never even been in the same room as a progressive. With the single stage I have always cleaned the primer pockets after the sizing die. Where does the primer pocket process come in when you use a progressive? I asume that the sizing and de-priming is done as the first step in the progressive process. If that is so do you have to remove the case and do the pockets?

 

[loadedround]

Most progressive presses have no provision to clean or decrimp primer pockets with the exception of the real expensive ones like the Dillon 1050. If this is a necessary step for you, I would suggest you use a cheap single station press with a univeral decapping die, clean your primer pockets and then load normally. The second option would be to use your progrssive press as a single station press in station one, remove case and clean your primer pockets and again load normally after removing your sizing die.

 

[Steve H]

I have never reloaded without cleaning the primer pockets. Is it cosnidered "normal" not to clean the pockets anymore.

 

[The Bushmaster]

NO!! Clean primer pockets. At least you will get one more visual inspection of the case if nothing more...I clean all primer pockets. Noted that while testing this theory that my .45 ACP primers were not seating all the way in when I didn't clean the pockets. Better safe then not. Besides with my little trick and tool it only takes about 30 seconds to a minute to accomplish this little chore on 50 cases .

 

[Steve H]

Besides with my little trick and tool it only takes about 30 seconds to a minute to accomplish this little chore on 50 cases .

OK ................ what is the trick and tool? I put a primer pocket brush in a drill motor.

 

[RustyFN]

You could decap on a single stage and clean the primer pockets. Once that is done reload them all on a progressive.
Rusty

 

[Ben Shepherd]

I use a universal decap die for my brass if I'm loading *serious work* ammo. Then clean the pockets and load as normal.

For practice/bulk/plinking ammo I've never worried about it. Some folks have had enough buildup to cause high primers. I never have. And with pistols it seems to make zero difference over the chrono anyway.

 

[Walkalong]

I don't even feel guilty about not cleaning my .45 primer pockets anymore. I can't see it over the chrono or on the target. Tumble em, size em, prime em, load em. Clean pockets every 10th or so firing. If I was shooting these competively I would clean every time.

 

[The Bushmaster]

I use a choke/throttle cable cut one inch from the main stem leaving the stem, one inch of cable and the handle. I store my cases in those plastic boxes or you can put them in a loading block or the plastic tray that comes in a factory box. With the 50 cases primer pocket up in the tray, loading block or plastic box scratch by turning with the cut end of the pull cable in the primer pocket... One quick spin around the pocket or two and done...

You can get the pull (choke/throttle) cables from your local lawn mower repair facility. They replace a lot of them and just throw the old ones away. Make good picks, hooks and probes too.

You are correct Ben. And I have had protruding primers and it does worry me a bit. Sooo... I clean out my primer pockets. Just takes but a minute and fifty are done

 

[Archie]

I used to clean.

I have a Dillon XL650. I have a separate tool head with only a universal decapping die in it.

So I toss all the fired cases in the feeder, and crank away. Tumble them as usual and then load them as usual. The decapping pin on the sizing die removes any stuck media from the flash hole.

I shoot in a weekly pistol league (bullseye). So I need 90 centerfire rounds a week. I quit cleaning primer pockets on pistol ammo. No observable difference in ammunition performance.

I still clean pockets on my rifles, but I don't know why. I've tried both and it really doesn't make any difference.

 

[SASS#23149]

cleaning primer pockets is somethin I do when there is abloslutely nothing listed on the 'honey dew' list.

yea,like that really ever happens.

I only shoot pistol ammo,but it's sure never been a problem,all my rounds go 'bang',and my revos' don't lock up because of high primers.

try it,you may like the time you save.