Dirty Primer Pockets??

[Level10]

Has anyone had issues of primers not seating due to dirty primer pockets?

Pros/cons?

Is it "proper" to clean them or is it just for "bench rest shooter" type accuracy and precision loads?

Just curious to see what people think in "general". This may have been covered before...

 

[jwrowland77]

I shoot matches, but never clean the pockets squeaky clean. I run my pocket uniformer in the pockets for a sec but that's it.

No issues.

 

[kerreckt]

This website: www.theboxotruth.com/‎ did some interesting testing on this subject. You might want to give it a read.

 

[Level10]

Searched around their sight and read a few items on oil vs primers and SS media cleaning. Good link!

I started cleaning using the SS wet method due to allergic reaction to copper and the dry method would cause the fine amounts of copper to become airborne and bother me. I still dry tumble before sizing but for only a little bit.

A few buddies that load also asked this question after they saw the clean pockets I was getting from this cleaning method(Citadell99 sparked this question again) and wondered if they should or not. I could give them my personal reasons/wisdom for an answer but wanted other opinions. Thanks!

 

[jwrowland77]

I figure that with trying to get accurate ammo, there's more important things to worry about than super clean primer pockets. Lol

 

[Level10]

I figure that with trying to get accurate ammo, there's more important things to worry about than super clean primer pockets. Lol

Of course
For the most part ammo and firearms will shoot better than the actual shooter

 

[jwrowland77]

Of course
For the most part ammo and firearms will shoot better than the actual shooter

Amen to that. Lol

 

[arspeukinen]

I never clean primer pockets. Never any problem.

 

[blarby]

I clean with a uniformer when loading on a single stage- just a habit, I suppose.

Progressive, don't do it.

Its actually hurt me once, in hindsight- but that was my own dumb fault somehow.



I don't think its always required- but I've uniformed enough weird pocketed brass at this point that I do it as a matter of course.

 

[Potatohead]

I used to clean em. Now Im to lazy.

 

[rcmodel]

I clean every one by twisting a small screwdriver blade in the pocket while inspecting the brass for defects after de-priming.

Not squeaky clean, but it knocks all the crustys out, and the tumbler gets most of the rest.

Ain't no time wasted doing it, because brass inspection & tumbling is just part of my regular routine before priming anyway.

rc

 

[Level10]

I clean every one by twisting a small screwdriver blade in the pocket while inspecting the brass for defects after de-priming.

Not squeaky clean, but it knocks all the crustys out, and the tumbler gets most of the rest.

Ain't no time wasted doing it, because brass inspection & tumbling is just part of my regular routine before priming anyway.

rc

This is the key reason(prob the only one) why I do clean pockets either by hand or now with the SS wet tumble. Case inspection. Especially if you are buying once fired and/or picking up free range brass. I've found some gnarly pockets over the years under the crud, would they have been ok to load and fire? Perhaps but why chance it. At the same time sometimes ignorance is bliss as they say.

 

[Rule3]

I cleaned 100, 357 Mag cases once over a clear little bowl. The amount of debris was microscopic. I felt it was not worth the time and effort. Have not cleaned on since. What does it do?? My primers all go bang.

 

[Walkalong]

They only get just so cruddy, it doesn't build up more and more. I don't clean pistol primer pockets at all, clean rifle primer pockets, and use a uniformer on match cases every time.

 

[NCsmitty]

It's just part of my procedure, I remove the primer, and give the case a quick spin with my Lee primer pocket cleaner, and it's on to the next. My primers seat properly, and there is more continuity in the world.


NCsmitty

 

[ReloaderFred]

All primer pockets get cleaned in my shop. I've looked at primer residue under a microscope, and it looks like sharp little pieces of glass. I don't want to send anymore down my barrels than I have to with the initial firing.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't clean handgun brass primer pockets but I do clean rifle brass pockets before loading.

 

[ProfessorX]

I converted to wet tumbling for other reasons.....but you will not BELIEVE how clean it gets everything, including primer pockets.

 

[cfullgraf]

I prefer to clean out the loose crud from the primer pockets but usually let the tumbler do the work.

I guess the consensus of the experts is that cleaning primer pockets is not necessary.

But, do not discount the psych factor. If you feel better about your reloads, you will shoot better.

 

[clearcut]

Clean primer,clean shot,clean kill........
CC

 

[Potatohead]

I cleaned 100, 357 Mag cases once over a clear little bowl. The amount of debris was microscopic. I felt it was not worth the time and effort. Have not cleaned on since. What does it do?? My primers all go bang.

Yea, I agree...I can barely ever see that I cleaned anything out...maybe just smeared it around a little-

 

[loose noose]

I clean all my rifle brass before reloading, however, my pistol brass gets reamed once if it is Sellier/Belott due to their using a primer sealant on their casings, the primers on my progressive otherwise seem to get hung up on them. It is pita, so I usually don't reload the S&B cases.

 

[spitballer]

Admittedly I'm a neat freak, but I scrupulously clean my primer pockets before reloading and I always use Markron sealer to hold the primers in place. Even slightly loose primer pockets are useable with the sealer.