Cleaning lube off .223 brass

[dispatch55126]

After lubing and sizing your .223 brass, do you remove the lube then or wait until you have a finished round. I've heard of people tumbling their brass after the sizing and I've heard of people tumbling their completed rounds.

Tumbling after everything is done makes more sence since you don't have to worry about media in the flash hole (decapper cleans that out) but tumbling live rounds also makes me a little nervous.

 

[PCJim]

I tumble after FL sizing and before trimming the cases. I personally don't like handling the cases coated with lube. Using walnut with mineral spirits, I do not have much of a problem with media in the flash hole. I do keep a small paper clip on the bench just in case any is found during my inspection before priming.

 

[saskboy]

I tumble after sizing to remove lube from inside the case neck, otherwise powder sticks to inside of neck when filling and could possibly contaminate powder.

 

[FlyinBryan]

i tumble:

before sizing
before trimming
before loading

 

[jcwit]

I slosh brass around in naptha aka White gas/coleman fuel in a lg. coffee can then let them dry on newspaper. This is done outside of course.

Then I tumble, getting the lube off before tumbling saves the media from getting clogged up wiith lube.

 

[Historian]

Put a cut up dryer sheet (2" squares) in your media and it won't get clogged with lube plus it removes the dust.

Historian

 

[oneounceload]

It is generally NOT advisable to tumble loaded, completed rounds - a KABOOM might be the result

 

[skidooman603]

I keep hearing guys say the tumble loaded rounds I guess the risk is small but still there. I like to tumble dirty brass first to save the gunk in my dies. If not too dirty I like to tumble after depriming/FL sizing. Cleans out the primer pockets as well.

 

[jcwit]

Tried the dryer sheets and yes it did take alot of the dirt or whatever out. However washing the cases off in naptha is that much I don't need to concern myself with.

Regarded tumbling loaded brass, no problem. Even the mfg's do it. Have never seen a substantiated case of a round going off.
By now this would be listed on the instruction sheet as a no-no otherwise the lawers would be all over it. Actually it takes quite a sharp blow to set off a primer, we ship primers/loaded ammo all over the world with no problem.

In closing go ahead and tumble ammo.

 

[jcwit]

In reality a person is at more risk breathing in the pollutants from firing the rounds than worring about a round going off.

 

[rfwobbly]

• Tumbling after sizing, de-capping, and trimming removes the lube AND cleans the primer pocket.

• The secret to not clogging the primer hole is to simply use the correct tumbling media.

 

[snuffy]

It is generally NOT advisable to tumble loaded, completed rounds - a KABOOM might be the result

Please explain how a KABOOM results from tumbling loaded ammo. Of course you know a round that fires OUTSIDE of a chamber just goes poof, little speed is given to the projectile, actually the case would go faster than the bullet. Smokeless powder MUST be CONFINED to burn fast, it does not explode. Primers explode, powder burns.

Actually it takes quite a sharp blow to set off a primer, we ship primers/loaded ammo all over the world with no problem.

EXACTLY! A primer has to be held firmly by the chamber while it's hit by a firing pin with a 60# spring behind it. Where, in a tumbler, does this condition exist?

Then there's bound to be someone say " the powder will grind itself to dust"BS. I'm not in the habit of including grinding compound in with my powder charges. Powder is tough stuff, and it's coated with graphite, a good lubricant/friction fighter. Cases are smooth inside as well. Where is the abrasion then?

 

[rcmodel]

Check: I always tumble after sizing but before I load.

Check: I sometimes tumble after finishing the round.

BTW: There is no known risk in tumbling loaded rounds if done in moderation. (less then a day or two.)

How do you think the factories get it that shiny before they box it?

rc