I started reloadind when carbide sizing dies were not as available as today and a bit expensive.
Steel sizing dies were standard and the use of lubricant was required.
I started wiping off the lubricant by hand. Very tedious. I had a small ultrasonic cleaner so I began cleaning cases in it with a soapy solution. When vibrating tumblers became reasonably priced I bought one and tumble all my cases now.
While not specifically required, shiny brass looks good. Given that, you really do want clean brass even if it is not shiny.
As a side note, I have enough brass in rotation that if I use a wet cleaning process, I have enough time (days!) to let the cases properly dry before reloading. I usually dry tumble but do wet tumble at times when I want super clean and shiny cases.
Steel sizing dies were standard and the use of lubricant was required.
I started wiping off the lubricant by hand. Very tedious. I had a small ultrasonic cleaner so I began cleaning cases in it with a soapy solution. When vibrating tumblers became reasonably priced I bought one and tumble all my cases now.
While not specifically required, shiny brass looks good. Given that, you really do want clean brass even if it is not shiny.
As a side note, I have enough brass in rotation that if I use a wet cleaning process, I have enough time (days!) to let the cases properly dry before reloading. I usually dry tumble but do wet tumble at times when I want super clean and shiny cases.
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