Poll- do you clean primer pockets?

[Damon555]

I cleaned a few for some target rifle loads but it didn't make any difference.

Those are the only times I ever tried it....came to the conclusion that it's a waste of time. The only thing I do with primer pockets now is make sure there's no tumbling media stuck in there.

Us handloaders have been introduced to many steps in the "process" that really gain us nothing except the need to by more gadgets.

 

[amlevin]

It's amazing the number of people who's posts say "I can't see any benefit" and then will post questions like "Can you explain this problem for me".

Not every piece of the process, especially cleaning, will lead to more accurate ammo. It can lead to more reliable ammo though especially in the case of clean primer pockets that provide for properly seated primers.

Sometimes you only realize the "gain" when it prevents a future problem.

 

[shooter_from_show-me]

On the Browning X-Bolt .243 Win I do, but on my 6.8SPC AR-15 I do not.

Bill

 

[noylj]

I could imagine a whole host of things that "couldn't hurt."
However, as a scientist and engineer, things must be proven to work.
Cleaning primer pockets of the black residue has NO effect on function of accuracy. Cleaning the primer pockets while tumbling to remove the white ash will ensure properly seated primers.
I inspect, sort, and deprime in the garage where all dirty jobs are conducted.
Using ONLY 20/40 grit corn, I have NO grit in the primer pocket or the flash hole. However, even if I did, the presses are still set up with fully functioning sizing/decapping dies that would remove any grit.
If you are going to do something, you should at least make sure it is a positive improvement.
I a purely stock Ruger M77 in .30-06, my best reloads produce groups of 0.65-0.90" c-to-c at 100yds.
A trial with cases with "uniformed" primer pockets and deburred flash hole and outside turned necks produces a series of groups ranging from 0.65-1.10". I say it made no difference.
Being a stock rifle, I think that it produces accuracy as good as I could hope for, but it will not shrink group size by 0.01" extra for additional case prep/fussing.
Remember, the biggest improvement in group size comes from concentration and practice, not from the latest "it couldn't hurt" toy.

 

[gamestalker]

Yes, I always clean them. I use an RCBS primer pocket lg/sm cleaner to knock the ash out, and then I take a Q with acetone on it and give them a quick twist. Even though I tumble my brass really well after resizing, I do the acetone thing because I've notice over the years that case lube will make it's way into the pocket, and then it cake's up in the corners of the pocket with media dust. I'm sure it's of no issue, but I'm really finicky about my loads.

I also use a Q-tip or a pipe cleaner to clean the inside of the case of media dust. I just like to eliminate as many variables as possible when I load.

 

[GTS Dean]

For years, I used to never clean primer pockets. With my Lee hand primer, I would notice problems with depth of seating. A few years back, I bought a primer pocket brush and it helped, but still had occasional issues. I've since started using a small pick to get at the fillet at the base of the pocket. If I finish with the pick, I start the next case with the pick and finish with the brush, then vise-versa.

I rarely go through the entire prep/load cycle for the same brass in a sitting.