Tumbling cases

[wizard1911]

When doing case prep for 223's, my last step is to re-prime with the Lee hand primer. I recently got a new turret press and I've been doing all of my pistol rounds using the on press primer dispenser. Some say it doesn't work well but I've had nothing but success with it. I've been thinking about using it with 223's. After resizing, while the case is still in the resizing die, insert the primer and then tumble the cases to remove the sizing lube. Has anyone tumbled primed cases?

 

[MutinousDoug]

I'd be concerned with media remaining in the case and in the primer spit hole. As far as tumbling setting off the primer? There is no threat from that.

 

[cfullgraf]

Lots of folks running progressives run their loaded rifle ammo through the tumbler for 15-20 minutes to remove the resizing lubricant.

 

[mdi]

I've tumbled reloaded ammo, but not primed brass...

 

[salpal48]

I never Put Unclean case through my Presses.. I alway Tumble Twice. . The last Tumble is always primed to Remove all lube . I have never had a problem with media remaining in the case . I always naturally Tumble Dry.
. I have also Tumbled Loaded ammo. as well. without any Problem

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I wouldn't do it. I'd be afraid of tumbling media getting in to the flash hole and making the ignition, possibly, somewhat inconsistent.

if your using a vibratory tumbler I wouldn't be the least bit afraid to tumble them after they are loaded, but they won''t tumble efficiently due to the extra weight. It won't hurt them though and no chance of them going off.

I wouldn't do it in a rotary tumbler though, I tried it in mine and it beat the snot out of the tips of the bullets and deformed them badly. The vibratory tumblers don't do this, their not as aggressive as a rotary.

Lesson learned for me.

I do tumble all my handgun rounds, except for hollow points, after their loaded to get the sizing lubricant off the cases, in a rotary tumbler.

The extra weight of the bullet really amplifies the effect of the media. They come out looking as good as factory ammo that the commercial manufacturers tumble when their done loading them.

 

[fouled bore]

I have been loading some .223 on a Lee turret press. I lube with one shot, resize/de-prime, prime with the Lee safety prime on the press and finish loading the round. I will take the finished loaded cartridge and just wipe it off when I take it off the press.

 

[Grumpa72]

I've tumbled live rounds but I would never tumbled just primed rounds. A small amount of trapeed tumbling media could raise case pressure beyond desired limits, I would think.

 

[jmorris]

Add me to the group that only tumbles primed brass if it also contains powder and a bullet.

 

[gamestalker]

I wouldn't have a problem with tumbling loaded ammo. Consider that the media is contaminated with lube residue, and now you have contaminated media dust making contact with the primer compound.

No, I wouldn't personally do that. I've been reloading for better than 30 years, and thus far, I have yet to experience a single mis-fire. In part, I attribute that to how carefully I handle primers, and also powders in avoiding any possible contamination.

GS

 

[rcmodel]

No, don't tumble primed brass.

You can tumble your heart out after the rounds are loaded though.
(Up to 30 minutes or so.)

(How do you think factory ammo gets so shiny?)

rc

 

[ku4hx]

I deprime>tumble/clean>resize>trim if needed>chamfer>tumble/clean>load. The first station of my Dillon has a Lyman "M" die and I use Zilla reptile bedding as tumbling media. Its tiny grain size has apparently eliminated my once upon a time problem of media left in the flash hole.

But, there's an interesting anecdotal test here about matter in primers not affecting ignition and maybe even improving accuracy: http://www.theboxotruth.com/educati...lishing-media-in-flash-holes-affect-accuracy/