Remove primer before or after cleaning

[Kenm]

This has probably been beat to death but I am still confused. I am new to relaoding and have about 1,600 9mm to reload. I have RCBS Carbide 3-die set and was wondering if I could use the sizer/decapping die before cleaning/polishing the brass. I think this would eliminate the need to clean the primer hole by hand. If I did this would I have to resize after cleaning? Would running uncleaned brass do any harm to the die. Thanks for any help.

[XDRoX]

You want to tumble the brass first for a couple reasons. It will size easier and it will not scratch the inside of your carbide die.

There is no need to clean the primer pockets in 9mm.

Hope this helps.

[Justintoxicated]

I de-prime before I tumble but I use the Lee decapping Die. It has a very rigid pin and design that will not break if you hit a Berdan primed rounds (it will push the pin out the top of the die and you can loosen then drop it back down and tighten it back up)

I think this helps keep lead out of the tumbler but I may be mistaken (maybe it adds more lead, I dunno) but it should help keep the re-sizing dies a little cleaner. It also allows me to remove the priming arm and primer catch box on my single stage when sizing which makes tings a little easier. The decapping Die does not touch the brass, it is for removing primers only. it was only like $10 too and works great, but it does add an extra step.

Tumbling the brass does not clean the primer pocket though (at least not with crushed walnut), I do this with a Sinclair primer pocket uniformer chucked into my drill press after re-sizing the brass. It may not be required but it sure makes seating primers better / easier, and only takes a few seconds.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=136543

[HighLander51]

You don't clean primer pockets on pistol brass. Here is the old school tumbling recipe for you. First in walnut media, for cleaining, with a teaspon of mineral oil to load up the media, then in corn with a teaspon of liquid car polish to shine it up better than new. I run mine overnight for each.

[xrMike]

You don't clean primer pockets on pistol brass.

Yeah, I don't know ANYBODY who does that on pistol brass, and very few who do it for rifle brass, except for bench-rest types.

[Justintoxicated]

Yeah, I don't know ANYBODY who does that on pistol brass, and very few who do it for rifle brass, except for bench-rest types.

I do it on both. :P 45acp and 223. Then again I'm new so maybe I'm doing it wrong. But I don't think I will stop unless someone gives me a reason why I should not clean the primer pockets..

[ilkhan]

Clean then size.

[Kenm]

Thanks for all the info. Raises one question about tumbling media. I see some people use walnut first then corn while others use corn first then walnut. Does it really matter?

[Full Clip]

I used to clean the primer pockets on pistol brass, now, not so much. No diff. Just make sure the holes are not plugged with media if you tumble after depriming/resizing...

[Sub95]

I clean them in treated corn with primers still in, as if you take the primers out then clean, the corn/walnut gets stuck in the flash hole and you will be sitting there getting it out of the flash hole, not fun at all. so if you leave the primers in while cleaning, then deprime it will push any stuck media out with the primer.

I only clean my Rifle primer pockets for hunting ammo, nothing else.

[damndave]

If you use the conventional way of cleaning brass (tumbler and corn/walnut media) there is no need to deprime before tumbling.

If you use something like a ultrasonic or stainless steel media style tumbler, you should deprime before tumbling.

[USM0083]

Pistol brass, no.

Rifle brass, yes.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

Yeah, I don't know ANYBODY who does that on pistol brass...

Hi Mike... Nice to meet you...

(now you do )

I clean the primer pockets on my .45ACP and .357 Magnum brass because I have rifles that shoot both of those cartridges. I never know if I'm going to be shooting the rounds I am reloading through my Camp 45, my lever gun, my 1911 or my revolver, so I clean them all.

Overkill? ...probably.

[Justintoxicated]

I clean them in treated corn with primers still in, as if you take the primers out then clean, the corn/walnut gets stuck in the flash hole and you will be sitting there getting it out of the flash hole, not fun at all. so if you leave the primers in while cleaning, then deprime it will push any stuck media out with the primer.

I only clean my Rifle primer pockets for hunting ammo, nothing else.

Two things though.
1) anything plugging the primer pocket hole will be cleared when you re-size anyways.

2) Don't you tumble again after re-sizing anyways to get rid of lube? If so then you can just put your decapping die back into the press while priming to clear any obstruction again anyways.

[damndave]

I also deprime mine before tumbling since I use the stainless steel media. 1 hour in the tumbler and they look like new!

Do they come out clean enough with corn media? yes, but I like bling!!!!