Cleaning Cases without Tumbler or Liquid Cleaner

[haskins02]

I plan to get back into reloading but only reload small quantities of .308 Win. I don’t want to buy equipment I really don’t need. What is the best technique to clean these rifle cases without a tumbler or liquid case cleaner? (BTW, my Lee 2nd Edition manual, p. 48 implies using a tumbler is not the best way, but offers no alternatives.) I will be working with new brass I purchase, not picked up at the range. My old Metallic Cartridge Reloading guide indicates using a solvent soaked paper towel on the outside and get the inside of the neck clean by forcing the paper towel in with a screw driver.

But I’d like to know more details, including:
1. Wouldn’t a cloth rag be better than a paper towel?
2. Should I clean cases using this technique BEFORE or AFTER decapping/resizing?
3. Can I use any solvent, including my Breakfree CLP?
4. How much solvent should I put on the towel and then should I wipe it off with a separate clean towel afterwards?
5. Is there a better technique for cleaning the inside of the neck?

Thanks.

Greg

 

[Horsemany]

Mineral spirits works well for this because it evaporates quickly decreasing the chance of powder contamination. Dishsoapy water and a nylon bristle neck brush works well too but you have to dry them somehow which adds a step. Eagle One Never Dull available for a few bucks at the auto section of wal mart is the bees knees if you're gonna clean manually. It's a cotton batting soaked in solvent. It will polish and clean. Rub them with it and dry them off on a paper towel. They will shine like they were tumbled for hours.

Stay away from CLP or any other lube. Use something you know you can totally remove or will evaporate.

 

[Larcus]

An old electric ice cream freezer turned on it's side works good as a tumbler. Mine was $5.00 at a yard sale. If I am only loading a few I use 0000 steel wool while I am trimming the brass.

Larcus

 

[243winxb]

A clean soft towel with nothing on it is fine for the outside of the case. If the outside of the neck get overly dirty, fine steel wool will remove the black stuff. Inside the neck, use a RCBS type nylon brush with lube on it. http://www.midwayusa.com/Eproductpage.Exe/showproduct?saleitemid=744565 The lube does not have to be wiped out after brushing. Don't want to buy the kit, Q-tips work. Clean before resizing. No CLP. No solvent needed, just case lube for inside the neck, and for the outside of the case body when FLRS.

 

[haskins02]

Sorry I took so long in responding. Thanks for all of your innovative suggestions and warning about using CLP.

Greg