Case Cleaning
Quote from Reloader on January 13, 2011, 11:10 pmHi all,
I have read that it is good reloading practice to clean used cases before reloading them. A tumbler is a good method for cleaning the cases.
Since the sdb removes the old primer, should I clean the cases with the old primer still in them? This seems to be how the sdb is suggesting that I do. Or, should I remove the primers from the cases, clean the cases, then reload them using the sdb?
Thanks for your help,
Allen
Hi all,
I have read that it is good reloading practice to clean used cases before reloading them. A tumbler is a good method for cleaning the cases.
Since the sdb removes the old primer, should I clean the cases with the old primer still in them? This seems to be how the sdb is suggesting that I do. Or, should I remove the primers from the cases, clean the cases, then reload them using the sdb?
Thanks for your help,
Allen
Quote from Reloader on January 14, 2011, 6:15 pmDo not deprime cases prior to cleaning them. Cleaning media often gets caught in the flash hole, preventing powder ignition.
Do not deprime cases prior to cleaning them. Cleaning media often gets caught in the flash hole, preventing powder ignition.
Quote from Reloader on February 1, 2011, 3:27 amI've reloaded 1000s of round and have never cleaned the cases after depriming. I don't understand why it would have been recommended.
I've reloaded 1000s of round and have never cleaned the cases after depriming. I don't understand why it would have been recommended.
Quote from Reloader on March 25, 2011, 9:19 pmI use a Lee Universal Decapping Die and while watching TV I punch out all my primers on a single stage press mounted on a TV Dinner Table.
Once the primers are punched out I put the cases into a Thumbler's Tumbler with a gallon of water and a skosh of Dawn and a smidge of Lemi Shine. After a couple of hours I dump the cases and all the stainless steel media into a media seperator (Dillon's) and turn the crank for a minute of so. All the media and the dirty water get dumped out and the clean cases remain in the cage.
I give them a quck rinse in clean water and lay them out to dry. After they are completely dry I hand prime them with the RCBS hand priming dealie whilst watching TV. Once primed I run them thru either my Dillon 550B or SDB press without using the center stem as the primer has been replaced already. Only the sizing die is working here.
As the cases are clean and primed they run thru the presses without a problem and a mite faster than when I am depriming and priming the cases. My dies stay clean and undamaged by grit or any other stuff attached or lurking within used cases. By doing so much case handling prior to assembling the rounds I get a chance to examine the cases multiple times and I am quick to reject any of them that are suspect in any way.
I do not want to be a victim of a KABOOM or any other thrills or chills as this hobby is dangerous enuf without taking any extra chances.
I use a Lee Universal Decapping Die and while watching TV I punch out all my primers on a single stage press mounted on a TV Dinner Table.
Once the primers are punched out I put the cases into a Thumbler's Tumbler with a gallon of water and a skosh of Dawn and a smidge of Lemi Shine. After a couple of hours I dump the cases and all the stainless steel media into a media seperator (Dillon's) and turn the crank for a minute of so. All the media and the dirty water get dumped out and the clean cases remain in the cage.
I give them a quck rinse in clean water and lay them out to dry. After they are completely dry I hand prime them with the RCBS hand priming dealie whilst watching TV. Once primed I run them thru either my Dillon 550B or SDB press without using the center stem as the primer has been replaced already. Only the sizing die is working here.
As the cases are clean and primed they run thru the presses without a problem and a mite faster than when I am depriming and priming the cases. My dies stay clean and undamaged by grit or any other stuff attached or lurking within used cases. By doing so much case handling prior to assembling the rounds I get a chance to examine the cases multiple times and I am quick to reject any of them that are suspect in any way.
I do not want to be a victim of a KABOOM or any other thrills or chills as this hobby is dangerous enuf without taking any extra chances.