Cleaning the gunk out of 38 special case rims

[bouis]

I'm sure you know what I mean. The rims on .38 special cases seem to fill up with gunk, especially when shooting lubricated lead bullets. Tumbling doesn't get it out.

Am I wasting my time wearing out my fingernails and shop towels cleaning each cartridge individually? Is there a better way? Am I wasting my time?

 

[Rico567]

Yeah- I know it gets in there, but.... I've reloaded for over 40 years, and I've reloaded .38 / .357 as long as any metallic cartridge, and I've never taken the time to clean out that groove above the rim. For much of that time, I cast my own bullets, and lubed them with that Lyman gunk, which I think was ALOX and beeswax, and that stuff was pretty smoky and dirty. All I can say is it doesn't seem to cause any problems, or make me lose sleep.

 

[HSMITH]

Some untreated corn cob and mineral spirits in your tumbler will clean it if it really bothers you.

I have never worried about it.