Reloading with a Turret or Progressive

[jb27]

Sorry for yet another newb post, but this has me debating too much in my mind. I recently got a RCBS Rock Chucker and have been loading my rifle ammo with it (and lovin' every minute of it). I'm seriously considering getting a Lee Classic Turret press to reload handgun and .223 ammo for my AR. I'm not looking to start a discussion on the press i've selected. For me and my intentions, I think its an appropriate fit with the auto-indexing feature. I don't shoot an absolute ton, so I don't think a progressive is justified (yet anyhow). Plus I like the idea of gradually stepping up and maybe some day getting a progressive after i've loaded a few thousand rounds to really get a complete and total understanding of everything.

Now for the question. For reloading using my single stage, I've been depriming as a first step and then during my case prep cleaning out the primer pockets. My hangup is what are you folks that load with a auto-turret or progressive doing as far as the primer pocket cleaning (if anything). It seems to take full advantage of a progressive or auto-indexing, you would tumble your brass (with primers in) and then proceed onto the loading with the primers being removed during resizing.

I do have a dedicated decapping die that I could do on my Rock Chucker prior to cleaning (going to be using Hornady Sonic Cleaner). Just wondering if taking this extra step is the norm.

Thanks for your input.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I do exactly what you describe...tumble with the primers in and then size, decap, and prime with my progressive press. I don't clean the flash holes in handgun ammo.

If I'm chasing accuracy with a bolt gun, I'll clean the primer pocket just as a matter of habit. With them, I tumble with the primer in also, size on a single stage press, clean the pocket, and the prime with a Lee hand tool.

 

[mbruce]

I don't clean my primer pockets... I can mix new brass with previously fired and i can tell no difference in my shots -- but without a doubt my hardware and components are more accurate than I am.

 

[TexasRifleman]

For handgun ammo I never clean out the primer pockets. Just not worth messing with for range ammo.

For my hunting/accuracy type rifle ammo I do, but I use a single stage for that.

For .223 AR type ammo personally I wouldn't mess with cleaning out the primer pockets, assuming it's not going to be used for self defense that is.

 

[jb27]

Thanks for the input. That helps me out a lot. In my mind, if I had to separate that step it would diminish the advantage of going to the turret to the point that I was having a hard time justifying it. Probably not as significant with a progressive considering the huge production increase compared to single stage.

The ammo i'd be loading would just be for plinking/range, so it sounds like I don't need to worry about it. I may clean them every couple times, but not all the time.

Thanks!

 

[Yarddog]

For handgun ammo I never clean out the primer pockets

BINGO ^^^^^^^^^^Same here ; )
Y/D

 

[Bula]

I process all my rifle brass prior to loading. Here is how I do it. Tumble for 1-2hrs in walnut. Add semi clean brass to gal. sized zipbag. 3 sprays dillon case lube, toss'm around, open up bag, lett'em sit 10 mins-then full length resize and decap. Trim and chamfer, dillon super swage those that need it, then I chuck the lee primer pocket cleaner into my cordless drill and give them a a quick 2-3 second spin with that. All trimmed, sized swaged and cleaned brass goes back into tumbler with really fine corncob- 14/20 grit (no plugged flasholes) I think- and Nufinish. Total PITA-but I do it in big batches, so I always have clean ready to load brass. Done in stages, you'll be suprised how much you can do in a few hours over the course of a few days. Loading is, station one, no die. Seat primer, charge, seat bullet then collet crimp. shoot, repeat...

 

[BYJO4]

I tumble all my brass prior to loading (like shiny brass & keeps dirt out of sizer die). I do not clean primer pockets except for rifle.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Rifle ammo every time. Handgun ammo never.

 

[k4swb]

I used to clean all my primer pockets all the time. I have begun using a progressive for handguns and I still want to but fight the urge, mostly. I will examine a few at random before I start to load and if the pockets look like I think they need cleaning I'll stop and clean them first.
Primers just seat easier and better if the pockets are clean.

 

[MCMXI]

Rifle ammo every time. Handgun ammo never.

Ditto!!