Cleaning brass

[koja48]

In my reloading room, clean dies are happy dies & I make sure mine are happy, so I tumble all brass & clean my dies periodically.

 

[The Bushmaster]

koja48...Thanks for reminding me. I'm due to clean all of my dies too...Mine are startin' to have faces...

 

[Outlaws]

I'm constantly amazed at how many people have progressives, then load using them with handcuffs on! Or another axiom, with one hand tied behind their back!

By that I mean sizing/depriming in one operation, then completing the rest in another. A progressive press is made to complete all operations each time the handle is pulled, producing a loaded round each time. Doing it any other way is slowing it down to a single stage rate. Especially using any type of liquid cleaner, you can never be sure they are completely dry.

My process is to tumble in corn cob with midway tumbler polish until it's clean and shiny. Then they get dumped in a bowl for a spray with RCBS case slick,(rifle rounds). Handgun, with carbide dies, go directly to the case feeder. I NEVER worry about primer pocket cleaning. It just is not that important.

After they're loaded, they go in the tumbler with untreated corn cob for 15 - 20 minutes to remove the lube,(rifle rounds). The ONLY time I do anything as a separate operation is if I'm loading match ammo. Then I partially size/deprime using a lee collet die, then trim to length with the lee trimmer system. then load as in the afore mentioned process.

Thanks. Thats basically how I was thinking it should be. I am going to eventually invest in a Redding turret for single stage loading of my two varmint rifles. I just don't want to spend the same amount of time on 45ACP plinking ammo as I do on my varmint rounds.

I will try to shell out for a tumbler soon.

 

[koja48]

Bushmaster

Glad to be of service, Sir . . .

 

[Hazzard]

Do you absolutely have to tumble before reloading? The answer is no. But it is easier on your dies and makes reloading much smoother IMHO. There are many who will tell you that you have to follow certain "procedures" on case cleaning but I've done everything from hand cleaning to tumbling and each will produce good ammo. Would I go back to hand cleaning after buying a tumbler? Not on your life! BTW, I have not cleaned a primer pocket on pistol ammo in several years and have had NO ill effects from it.

I also decap and prime in one operation and charge and load in another on my progressive presses. It works better for me. I make no apologies.

My tumbler is the Cabelas that came with the media and polish. I've used it for several years and have had 0 problems with it. It is a bit loud, but is quieter when placed on a concrete floor a previous poster suggested.