Case prep tools

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762NATO

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It's been almost a year since I got my Hornady Lock n' Load starter kit (last Christmas), and I have yet to reload a case b/c I didn't dedicate the funds to gathering the last few essentials. I'm regretting this and have decided to dedicate funds towards completing my setup. What the kit lacks are case prepping tools...specifically related to prepping the primer pocket and flash hole, and of course, a trimmer. It does come with an inside/outside deburring/chamfering tool.

For the primer pocket tools, I'm confused as to what I should get. I like the Lyman Universal Case Prep Accessory Set, but the reviews I have read stated that the primer pocket tools really didn't work all that well. Of course, one of the electric case prep centers from Hornady (very expensive) or RCBS (moderately expensive) sound great, but are not in the budget. Are there any recommendations as to who makes quality case prep tools? I think I am going to try to avoid brass for crimped primer pockets, so I don't think a uniformer is necessary (if it was, I'd assume get the Dillon swaging tool).

For the trimmer, I the Hornady trimmer has gotten really good reviews. I want the Wilson, but it's comparatively expensive. The only downside to the Hornady seems to be that it requires their shellholders. Well, since I have their press, that's not an issue for me.

I also need to replace the scale that came with it as it is inconsistent in a static environment. I'm leaning heavily towards the Dillon Eliminator.

Thanks for any tips!
 
Are you prepping military brass or commercial brass?
How much brass?
I have an electric case trimmer for the 5.56 and I have the RCBS prep station for reaming, primer pockets.
 
if your considering getting a new scale i would lean towards a beam scale. i like my rcbs 1010, its built well and should last me a lifetime. I feel a little better when the item does not require batteries.

once you get started reloading youll collect more hand tools and will soon upgrade to a few power centers. tools ware out and you can always upgrade to something of better quality.

dont sweat the lil stuff
 
Are you looking at reloading handgun or rifle cases?

Little need to trim handgun cases. Some do, I used to, some don't, I'm now in the latter group.

Primer pockets? Again not really needed to clean.

Flash holes? Going to enter benchrest? No? Forget it.

Scale? Get either a balance or a digital. I have and use both, but use the digital much more. Regarding batteries? I have no more issue with batteries used in a scale than I have an issue with the battery in my auto. They both work well, and are easy to replace when needed. Plus in todays world stored batteries are good for years not months. My last shipment of hearing aid batteries from the VA are listed as good till 2015.
 
jcwit said:
Are you looking at reloading handgun or rifle cases?

Little need to trim handgun cases. Some do, I used to, some don't, I'm now in the latter group.
Click to expand...

I still trim my revolver cases--once. Having them all start out at the same length is really helpful in setting uniform crimps.
 
Will be loading for the 40S&W and the .308 (so far). Case trimmer needed.

I have a ton of Winchester 7.62x51 white box ammo (NATO stamp), and though they apparently got a military contract, the primer does not appear to be crimped in. If by one way or another I ended up with enough crimped primer pockets, I would get the Dillon swaging tool.

So, primer pocket cleaning isn't necessary? With an inline muzzleloader, the breachplug is to the rifle as a primer pocket is to a cartridge. And we make sure to keep out breech plugs very clean.
 
I'll put my vote in for lee equipment. I haven't bought them yet but have used someone else's. The trimmer can be done by hand or chucked into a cordless drill, just need the length gauge for each caliber. Their primer pocket cleaner is simple, inexpensive but functional.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/618939/lee-case-conditioning-kit

If looking to spend a little more I've seen some very nice Lyman sets on midway. One that stores all the tool ends inside the double ended handle:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/135615/lyman-case-prep-multi-tool

And one that looks like a screw driver set that is probably much more comfortable on the hands:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/979270/lyman-universal-case-preparation-kit

Good luck with your choices hope this helps.
 
But then, you are not shooting a muzzleloader, inline or otherwise. Clean the primer pocket if you wish, but I've been reloading for 50 years and find it a waste of time and effort. Even when shooting off the bench putting 5 rds in a single hole at 100 yds.

What pray tell is a "ton of 7.62 x 51 cases. Few years ago I prepped 2 five gal. buckets and 3 or 4 milk jugs of .223 cases. Most were Lake City any yes a swedge tool makes the job much easier.
 
762NATO said:
So, primer pocket cleaning isn't necessary? With an inline muzzleloader, the breachplug is to the rifle as a primer pocket is to a cartridge. And we make sure to keep out breech plugs very clean.
Click to expand...

Your muzzleloader doesn't have a steel pin jabbing through the flash hole from the inside after every firing like a resized case does.

I haven't cleaned a primer pocket for years, even for critical purpose ammo like my hunting rounds. Maybe if I was trying to squeeze the last 0.001" out of a benchrest group (maybe), or black powder cartridges, but it's just totally not needed in modern centerfire ammo with clean priming compounds.

I have a Lyman hand crank trimmer, but the Lee trimmer tools and a cordless drill are what I always end up using. I don't really care that my cases are a specific length, just that they are a uniform length, and the Lee stuff does that fairly quickly. I haven't used one of the new tools that headspaces off the shoulder, but they seem really speedy.
 
My primer pockets do get cleaned these days incidentally due to using wet SS media and I do trim the rifle brass when needed (you can reload most brass once at least without trimming but measure it to be sure) but the other stuff is not needed IMHO for anything but looonnng range precision. I am sure others will disagree but you will eventually do it both ways and then be able to decide for your self by comparing your results.:D Just load some up and shoot them for now----at least you will be able to shoot your own ammo with the minimal equipment.:) The practice will get you making good ammo with what you have now and you can eventually get more stuff and possibly improve your groups if you really feel the need to. :cool:
 
Buy a case head space gauge. It's well worth the time to check your cases before you prime them if you are shooting semi-auto.
The only reason I bother cleaning primer pockets is that I have a case prep station thit makes it easy. I didn't bother with it before I got it. The prep station works great for the crimped pockets. It sure has saved me a lot of time with that old mil surp brass.
I use simple green to clean my brass and don't spend a lot of time tumbling. IMHO tumbling for more than 1-2 hours is a waste of time. Pretty ammo doesn't shoot better and it all looks ugly in the end.
 
heathkiks said:
To prevent media getting lodged in the primer pocket, I clean the brass prior to resizing?
Click to expand...
Yes, but that's just an added benefit. The real reason to clean before resizing is to keep the grit on the cases from damaging either your resizing die or the cases themselves.
 
I like clean primer pockets but I'm trying to get sub 0.5moa groups so I'm trying to eliminate as many variables as possible.

I used to clean the primer pockets individually but now I deprime using a Lee universal decapping die then I wet tumble my brass in stainless steel media.
This gets the primer pockets, flash holes, interior and exterior of the cartridges spotless.
I then trim, chamfer and deburr.

I use the LE Wilson trimmer but there are more economical options.

We seem to forget that the cost of the reloading components put through our firearms are probably worth more than all of our reloading equipment and firearms combined over the long run.
By quality equipment and buy it only once and you'll be ahead in the long run.
 
Agree that nothing needs to be done to primer pockets except possibly swaging if crimped. I recommend a Lee Autoprime hand primer tool. It will ensure good priming and save a lot a grief.
Clean via the method of your choice. After rinsing with soap and water to remove and sand/grit, I like a 50/50 mix of walnut shells and corn cob media with 1/2 cap of Nu-Finish car polish. Then size and deprime. After sizing, measure the cases (rifle only) and trim only those exceeding the max. Trim to the "trim to" length. I like the Possum Hollow trimmer. Easy, cheap, and effective. After trimming, chamfer and deburr those cases. Then seat primers. Now you're ready to add powder and bullets!
 
On range pickup brass I will tumble for about an hour or so. I then sort it and Resize/deprime the Brass. I then use a hornady case prep center to trim/chamfer/debur the brass. I use a Wilson case gauge to determine if the brass needs to be trimmed. I then put the cases in my Thumlers tumbler for about 3 hours with stainless steel pins, a squirt of Dawn and a teaspoon of Lemi-Shine. I Rinse thoroughly and let stand to dry. Then all the brass is ready to go. Pretty quick setup and am able to prep a lot of brass all at once. If i plan on reloading on the Dillon I bag it up and it's done, if I'm going to use the Rock Chucker I will go ahead a prime it also. Then when I want to reload its all ready to go.
 
I recently bought a Forster's Case Trimmer Kit and I'm glad I did. You can do a lot with that little lathe and they sell all kinds of adapters and tool heads for it.

You can not only trim brass but uniform the primer pockets, add a neck reamer, turn the outside of the case neck, even remove primer pocket crimps.

Can you tell I like this tool? :D
 
I hate case prep, I do not know why but just do.

For Case prep, I use Lyman equipment, tumbler, trimmer and case prep center.

For presses, I use Lee Classic Turret and RCBS Rockchucker.

For dies, I use only Lee.

There is nothing wrong with the case prep center it works great and gets the job done.

Jim


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