Case Prep

[JackEllis]

I use a single stage Rockchucker for case prep and loading. At this point I have no intention of speeding up the loading process but I am getting a bit tired of prepping cases (mostly range pickup).

My process is 1) decap, 2) wash to get the dirt out and then dry, 3) swage if necessary, 4) full-length size, 5) remove case lube (washing and air or oven drying seems to be quickest), 6) trim, 7) prime.

I'm somewhat inclined to make an investment in a more automated piece of equipment but I'm not sure where to begin. My budget is in the range of $500 since spending any more than that wouldn't make economic sense at my age (cheaper to pay someone else to prep the cases).

['ol shooter]

I use a Rock Chucker too. One tool I bought that both speeds things up a bit and gets me away from the press is a Harvey de-priming tool. It's hand held and works for all non-crimped in primers. I tried a few that were crimped in and it was too hard on my hands. I added case guides off RCBS primer pocket cutter, the shafts are the same size. I filed the O.D.'s a little smaller to allow the case to slide on and off more easily. Here's a pic:

The guide:


That and a good wet tumbler really make it easier for me.

['ol shooter]

Another tool I just added is the Dillon bench mounted swager, lots easier than using the press on 5.56 and .223.

[Kwikvette]

I'm with you in regards to case prep.

The first stage in getting brass ready, is that I deprime with a Hornady Hand Press and universal decapping/depriming die. It's easy and I can do it while sitting back and watching TV. Just swap out the shell holder when you wish to deprime a different caliber. I've done as many as a thousand in one sitting several times.

As for already cleaned and resized brass, I've been back and forth on the Giraud Power Case Trimmer and Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Prep Center.

Priming I just do on another day altogether with a Sinclair priming tool. Since I reload for precision only on a Forster Co-Ax, no need to step up to a Dillion 1050 or anything...yet.

Since I'm not making the purchase on either just yet, keep us updated and let us know what you get.

[Divernhunter]

The Dillon Super Swager is the best and fastest tool I have used for the primer pockets.
I hand prime/rework primer pockets while watching TV.
Trimming I do outside with an RCBS unit that is powered by a motor. It goes pretty fast.

[fx1974]

My process is 1) decap, 2) wash to get the dirt out and then dry, 3) swage if necessary, 4) full-length size, 5) remove case lube (washing and air or oven drying seems to be quickest), 6) trim, 7) prime.

We are almost the same and I hear you on the case prep being a chore.What helps me so far:
1. I use Hornady One Shot case lube. No need to wash it off. Can be left to dry but if needed you can wipe it off. If I am in the mood, I would dry tumble it for 30 minutes then trim.
2. I use a good trimmer (a Wilson). Hand trimming for now but I might go Giraud or at least Frankford Arsenal for faster high volume trimming.

[OpenSightsOnly]

I only load rifle, single stage, for now but that may change if I get the itch to shoot 45ACP again

Brass prep got better by using Dillon 600 swager and Giraud trimmer. I use Dillon's CV 750 for case cleaning and like it since I don't have to deal with the extra drying time associated with wet media.

Also, case charging can get repetitively dull but a Chargemaster helps out a lot.

So, if you can swing a Giraud Power Trimmer or the Tri-way trimmer, go for it

[superdave50]

A nice trimmer and a chargemaster are on my list. I have been using the Lee press mounted trimmer and its not too bad, but I would rather have a horizontal trimmer.

[Excommunicado]

couple tricks I learned along the way to speed up the dreadful case prepping process: (1) use a ultrasonic cleaner instead of dry tumbler, 15-20 min and you are done. (2) case trimming has always been a huge pain in the rear for me until I bought an electronic unit which made the once dreadful process effortless, and you don't need to trim every time you reload! I don't even check OAL until the 3rd reload and most the time I won't need to re-trim until the 5th reload. (3) Focus on "technique", instead of lubing the cases one by one, use a spray-on lubricant so that you can lube a couple hundred brass at a time. I mix 1 oz of Lanolin to 12 oz of Isoheet in a spray bottle for this purpose. Simply spray, let dry for 10 min then start resizing. Try it, you'll never go back to hand lube cases again.

I use a single stage Rockchucker for case prep and loading. At this point I have no intention of speeding up the loading process but I am getting a bit tired of prepping cases (mostly range pickup).

My process is 1) decap, 2) wash to get the dirt out and then dry, 3) swage if necessary, 4) full-length size, 5) remove case lube (washing and air or oven drying seems to be quickest), 6) trim, 7) prime.

I'm somewhat inclined to make an investment in a more automated piece of equipment but I'm not sure where to begin. My budget is in the range of $500 since spending any more than that wouldn't make economic sense at my age (cheaper to pay someone else to prep the cases).

[NorCalFocus]

I use a single stage Rockchucker for case prep and loading. At this point I have no intention of speeding up the loading process but I am getting a bit tired of prepping cases (mostly range pickup).

My process is 1) decap, 2) wash to get the dirt out and then dry, 3) swage if necessary, 4) full-length size, 5) remove case lube (washing and air or oven drying seems to be quickest), 6) trim, 7) prime.

I'm somewhat inclined to make an investment in a more automated piece of equipment but I'm not sure where to begin. My budget is in the range of $500 since spending any more than that wouldn't make economic sense at my age (cheaper to pay someone else to prep the cases).

The two area's you can speed up the most there is trimming and priming.

I'm not sure how your trimming, but if your doing it manually, then thats the number one thing to change. With your budget, I'd look into the Frankford Aresonal case prep center. You can trim, chamfer, and debur, ream primer pockets, all on the machine.

If your hand priming, going to a press mount or bench top priming system will speed things up as well. I'm personally using this...

http://www.primalrights.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=136

I can easily prime 300-400 pieces in a hour, including the time to fill the tubes.

[JackEllis]

I'm starting to think about a case prep center. Been using the press to prime and I'm pretty happy with it so long as I manage to catch all the crimped primer pockets.