Shiny clean primer pockets and inside case

[BigSlick]

Hi guys,

I went to the local gunshow over the weekend and picked up a few bags of rediculously cheap once fired 45 ACP brass.

It was processed, with primers punched out, any AMERC, or mil crimp cases culled out.

I got into it tonight and am amazed at how clean this brass is. The primer pockets, inside the case and everywhere else is shiny new looking.

I have tried the IOSSO, Birchwood Casey, vinegar chemical cleaning methods and have had mediocre results at best. The outside comes out pretty clean, but the primer pockets and inside the case still has carbon deposits on it.

I generally use TufNut in the Lyman Turbo for a few hours to get things looking good and ready to load. I clean primer pockets with the RCBS Trim Mate (great time saver).

With the Tufnut/Tumbler/Trim Mate or the chemical cleaning methods I still have never been able to get the inside of the cases and primer pockets shiny clean and looking new.

I know this isn't essential to a good reload, but I am trying to figure out how the guy selling the brass got it so clean. I called him and he is one of those smart-aleck types (great prices though) that seems to get a kick out of having a 'secret' to getting brass so clean. In short, he isn't telling.

With all the wealth of experience and knowledge I have found on this site, I figure one of you may have a recommendation, or know this idiot's 'secret'.

Can someone help me out here ?

Thanks

BigSlick

 

[P95Carry]

Danged if I can answer that - but would imagine for sure - they had to have been ''pickled'' in a solution - of something! Tumbling just doesn't make em that sorta clean inside.

Mind you - intriguing tho this is - I gotta say - clean cases for most part just ''look nice''. if you'd seen some of my 38 spl brass - reloaded time and time again - no cleaning - you'd think I was a total lazybutt. Well that's true - and they shot fine!!

I do tumble much brass but rifle and big cals mostly.

 

[trickyasafox]

i agree with p95 carry its definatly a chemical thing. with our luck its something cheap and simple like nail polish remover. god knows that stuff gets everythign else off. anyone ever tumble with it?

 

[Murphster]

This isn't going to totally answer your questions. A few weeks ago at the BIG Tulsa gun show, I bought 1500 once-fired brass 45 acp casings from an outfit called The Brass Hole out of someplace in New Mexico. Sounds similar to the brass you got. Best looking brass (and best prices) I'd ever seen. New brass doesn't come close to looking as good as this stuff does. I can clean brass, but I was left in the dust by whoever cleaned this. It was unbelievable. Along with the purchase, the owner of Brass Hole provided an instruction sheet that told how he cleaned brass so his customers could do likewise. (Of course, I've thrown that sheet away and can't find the guy's website.) I remember he used a rock tumbler (not a vibrator) along with some kind of medium that consisted of small metal pellets. He said the medium got better results as it rusted. He also used a citrus (lemon) dishwashing detergent. The process involved a lot of inspecting, tumbling, drying and probably some other steps I can't recall. I read how he did it and thought about how much work it was. Can't argue with the results but waaaay too much time and effort for Joe Blow hobbyist. Gave me a new respect for the work involved in selling once-fired brass.

 

[BigSlick]

Hey Murphster,

That's the guy I bought the brass from. Cleanest brass I have ever seen in my life. It makes all my other brass look rusted.

If you happen to find the sheet you mentioned, please drop me an e-mail or PM with the info if it wouldn't be too much trouble.

How much did you pay for your brass ? I picked up 10k for $22.00/M I counted it and there were extras in each bag of 500, zero AMERC or mil crimp and no Win NT small primers.

Great deal on great brass I thought.

Thanks in advance for the help

BigSlick

 

[halvey]

The shiney clean primer pockets, and other useless tasks such as trimming pistol brass, is a complete waste of time.

 

[NoHarmNoFAL]

$22/M is dirt cheap! You stole them for that price. I would have to think that he is doing this for a hobby cause at the price of scrap brass he probably isn't making all that much money. I can get the cases pretty clean but not looking new, that level of clean is not needed. I don't de-cap before I tumble them either.

 

[Murphster]

BigSlick: I paid $65 for a box containing three of the 500+ count bags. I think his regular price was $25 for a bag of 500. He made me a deal on the box. I'm kicking myself because I know I threw that sheet away once I figured out the amount of work involved. He did tell me that he had a contract with a lot of indoor ranges in New Mexico for their brass. His was the best deal on brass I've ever run across. If I can find a website for him (not sure he has one), I'll get the info to you.

 

[brickeyee]

Cream of Tartar (potassium bitartrate, KC4H5O6) will get the brass very shiny and new. Mix with some water, throw shells in rock tumbler.
Process through walnut media with some rouge.

 

[happy old sailor]

10K for $22./ i would be tempted to buy Any brass at that price. i vibrate mine in walnut hulls with cleaner/polish added. not like new, but very good. i particularly like clean shiney brass, so would go overboard on the brass hole stuff. will be watching for them.

 

[caz223]

Even with dry media, rock tumblers do a better job than brass tumblers because the brass rolls instead of tumbles.
I used an ultrasonic cleaner one time, just to see if the brass would get clean.
The cleaner got 3 times louder than normal, but the brass came out 100% clean, not super shiny just shiny and clean.
I bet if you found the right solvent/medium......
I never felt the need to get 'em super clean if it makes no difference in the final product, and it's a lot of extra work.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Gee...I'm sorry Mr. Halvey. But I'll continue to scrupulesly clean my brass. That way I can see any bad brass and get lots of compliments at the range. This is a hobby and it is fun and cleaning brass is NOT a waste of time. It, however, DOES show pride in workmanship.