Primer Pocket Cleaning

[edSky]

Hi, I bought a Lee primer pocket cleaning tool a few weeks back and it works fine but added more time and fatigue to the reloading process (though it's probably good to exercise those muscles).

I wanted to speed up the process a little. I was also trying to get creative and not spend any more money, so I fashioned a nice polished brass rod and put it in my Dremel tool. I operate it at the slowest possible speed and can clean a primer picket nicely in a second.

Since it is polished brass on brass, I assume it's no worse than any other product out there. I checked the results using a loupe and it looks the same if not better than the Lee tool.

Here's my question: Is there a risk to using a tool to clean a primer pocket? Can mechanical cleaning affect performance? Can the results of brass-on-brass cleaning affect crimp and the integrity of the load?

I have seen many a threat debate the pros and cons of cleaning the primer pocket, and it looks like the arguments for cleaning win. Please let me know if I am courting with danger. Thanks

 

[AKCOP]

Variables are numerous. What cartridge, how hot a load, what is your ultimate use, hunting/benchrest compeition, how many times do you want to load that brass before you discard it.
I am mostly satisfied with the cleaning I get with my tumbler/media.
Rifle cartridges for hunting I am not that fussy as most of my shots will be within 200 yards and groups at the range in the 1 to 2 inch category at 100 yards are good for me. Having spotless primer pockets probably wouldn't make a big difference for me to worry about.

 

[Walkalong]

As long as you don't enlarge the primer pocket it won't hurt a thing. I never clean pistol primer pockets any more, just cause I'm lazy and it doesn't make a difference.

 

[fireman 9731]

I rigged my primer pocket brush up to my cordless drill, its much lower RPM than a Dremel tool and variable speed.

Using a Dremel wont hurt your brass, if anything it might just wear your brush out faster.

 

[Idano]

I clean the primer pockets on my pistol and rifle cases. I chuck the primer pocket cleaning tool into my drill press and it works just fine.

 

[1858rem]

i found sitting 45 colt shells in a 45 acp ammo box holds them well enough to use the drill method lol, takes "technique" though

 

[moooose102]

normally, i clean pistol primer pockets about every third load (unless it is s/d ammo). rifles, i clean every time. i like the rcbs brush better than the lee "scraper" which works ok, but twisting the rcbs brush once in each direction cleans better/faster.

 

[dagger dog]

ed,

You can over do it ,all thats realy needed is removing the residue, that keeps the primer from seating to the correct depth,or the cup bottoming out on the case, so it does not move foward under firing pin impact causing misfires.

I chuck the Lee or Lyman , RCBS, cleaner in my small drill. But I also use them with a handle, I guess I really don't mind the extra time, thats why I use a single stage press.

If you're going for sheer volume ,you can shoot a lot of cases 2-3 times before the pockets need cleaning!

 

[bluetopper]

When I first started reloading I cleaned primer pockets for a short while but when you are trying to clean and tumble a few thousand at a time its much too much unnecessary work.

 

[Saabman]

clean primer pockets

I also clean my primer pockets with a re charagable drill with a rcbs pocket cleaning brush. It only takes a second and I know the factory starts with clean primer pockets so do I.

 

[Jimfern]

habit

I just made it a habit to clean the primer pockets and also chamfer the primer hole from the inside of the case. I don't do more than 20 rifle rounds or 100 pistol rounds at a time though. If I did more, I might rethink it.

 

[tasco 74]

i have a small craftsman screwdriver i use to scrape the crud out of my primer pockets... just one turn does it...........


LIFE IS SHORT.....

 

[GP100man]

i took a peice of 2x4 & mounted 2 bolts then fashioned a scrapper on em 1 for small & 1 for large , as i take the case out of the holder i give it a twist on it .
it does`nt add much time since i already have it in my fingers .


GP100man

 

[Shoney]

Over 30 years ago I started testing several weapons, rifle and pistol, over about a years time, firing equal numbers of clean and uncleaned primer pockets. I couldn't tell any difference. I quit cleaning and still cannot see where it affects shooting up to 400 yards.