Does anyone clean their shotsells before loading

[NoAlibi]

My metallic cartridge handloads look as good or better than factory offerings. I know all that polishing isn't necessary, but handloading for me is also about aesthetics and I'm not apologizing for it or am I asking for help conquering my addiction.

Now my obsession is looking for a new avenue; my shotshells start looking shoddy after the second or third reload. Does anyone have a method or procees for cleaning their shotshells before loading them? I would imagine that you could wash the all plastic cases, but with what? How about the cases with paper bases wads - can the outsides be wiped down with something, i.e., Armor All?

 

[fecmech]

I have a system that works great for me. My buddy shoots new Remington Gun Club shells in his Beretta OU and I reload them one time for my Beretta 390 so they always look great! Seriously I don't think you can really clean the ends as the plastic gets powder burned and stained. If looks are that important, you could pick up the discarded once fired Gun Clubs and Top Guns that most guys don't want and do as I do and load them 1 time.

 

[JimKirk]

Those Gun Club hulls reload pretty good... I get 3 to 4 loading before they start to split. I'd rather have the STS though.

I tried to wash AA hulls once... (mud)dirt dappers stuffed a bunch before I even knew they had. The washing did nothing to the dirt(mud) plugs and I could not tell the hull was any cleaner.

Jimmy K

 

[rcmodel]

Years ago, I used to fill a mesh laundry bag with AA hulls & used wads from the skeet range and take them to the laundrymat.

They come out looking pretty darn good actually.

Just don't run the through the dryer on high heat!!

rc

 

[NoAlibi]

fecmech’s observation about the combination of hot plastic and carbon residue is going to be pretty hard to resolve economically.

I forgot to mention that I once tried putting them into a vibratory tumbler with walnut media and polish, but they came out frosty looking.

I have some citric acid that seems to do a good job of removing carbon from brass cases so I might give that a try. I have a lot on my plate right now, but I’ll post the results when I get “a round tuit”

Thanks to all that responded, but let’s keep the door open to see if anyone can come up with an easy solution.

 

[Captal_de_Buch]

I tie them up in a pillow case and toss them in the dryer for a few minutes, don't tell my wife.

If you've ever picked up wet hulls you'll understand.