Brass cleaning question

[SPGuy]

I have read a couple of sources that lead me to think the case does not need to be cleaned after every shot, just wiped down...is this true? If so how often you reload until you throw it in the ultrasonic or tumbler?

Thanks for the helpful replies
Brett

[stilly]

I have read a couple of sources that lead me to think the case does not need to be cleaned after every shot, just wiped down...is this true? If so how often you reload until you throw it in the ultrasonic or tumbler?

Thanks for the helpful replies
Brett

Yes. Cleanliness is next to Godliness, but dirty is downright arrogant...

Cases should be clean enough to not allow contaminates to mess up your recipe, but they can be dirty, not packed full of mud dirty, but dirty. We only like them clean. With that said, I will NOT load a cartridge unless my cases are clean. I like to be able to look down into a clean case and see the powder, it helps with knowing that the right amount or close to it is there and no double or light charges...

Who looks better? a guy in a suit or a guy in tatters holding a sign asking for money? Most will say a guy in a suit, but they both bring in money (for arguments sake).

In before the two "CLEANING CASES IS FOR PUSSIES!" folks...

[G60]

Dirty cases will mess up your dies.

[SPGuy]

Im using the lee classic loader.

[bzzz]

It is also easier to see any problems with a clean case, a dirty case might mask the defect/problem.

[Enfield47]

Why risk screwing up your dies just to save a little time? If they are relatively clean cases (not old oxidized range brass) you should be able to get away with a short run through the tumbler. You don't need to have them with a mirror finish, just clean enough to remove the powder residue.

[oddjob]

I clean cases before reloading. As others have said its easier to see cracks, splits & etc on clean cases. Dirty cases are rough on dies too.

[wxl]

I'm in the minority in that I don't clean my brass. I bought a cheap tumbler once to try it out, but didn't like it so I went back to not cleaning them. I usually just put them in an old bag or pillow case with couple of old towels and roll it around a little bit to remove any sand. I do a quick check for cracks and then load. I check the primer seating while priming and check the powder level with a flashlight while in the tray. After seating I wipe off each case to remove any lube or burnt powder and check for cracks again. Been doing this for 25 years without any issues and no damage to dies. Is having spotless brass better? Yes, but is it absolutely necessary, I don't believe so.

[mark501w]

You will screw your dies up!

[Enfield47]

I'm in the minority in that I don't clean my brass. I bought a cheap tumbler once to try it out, but didn't like it so I went back to not cleaning them. I usually just put them in an old bag or pillow case with couple of old towels and roll it around a little bit to remove any sand. I do a quick check for cracks and then load. I check the primer seating while priming and check the powder level with a flashlight while in the tray. After seating I wipe off each case to remove any lube or burnt powder and check for cracks again. Been doing this for 25 years without any issues and no damage to dies. Is having spotless brass better? Yes, but is it absolutely necessary, I don't believe so.

Just curious, how often do you disassemble and clean your dies?

[SPGuy]

It sounds like all of you are concerned about heavy stuff on the casing like mud rust sand dirty and so on. All of my cases i am talking about have been fired once with a bolt action and never touch anything else from the action to the ammo container except my hand...does that make any difference?

Anything that touches the ground or find goes instantly into the cleaning pile.

[LynnJr]

You can buy a cloth from Sinclair International called Krazy Cloth and simply wipe your cases off after firing them.A lot of benchrest shooters never clean there brass but they don't put on camo and jump in mud puddles then roll around in dirt either.
If you use re-sizing lube on your cases and don't get it all off it dries up and gives the brass a non-slippery feel.It also makes chambering and extraction seem tougher.
If your goal is to make Rambo seem like a wimp and you just ate a bowl of washers dipped in motor oil for breakfast tumble everything.
If you mainly shoot off a bench or the hood of your truck tumble when they start looking like they could need it.
I read about dies wearing out all the time but have never seen or witnessed it happen in 38 years of reloading.I have seen many broken or cracked dies but no dies ever replaced because of dirty cases.

[the led farmer]

As long as its free of foreign contaminants NO case cleaning is necessary to reload. How clean and shiny you want it depends on how anal you are.

[uhlan1]

I tumble every case. If you're organized you'll always have clean cases at the ready. I use two tumblers, fill them up, switch them on and go mow lawns, muck stalls, train dogs or whatever else my wife orders me to do. Really doesn't take much additional time.
I don't care about aesthetics, don't use Nu-Finish, but my presses run smoother which I believe makes the rounds I make more consistent, I break down and clean all the dies less often, and it is easier to spot any defects.

[Revoman]

^^^
It doesn't necessarily make the dies last longer, it mostly won't 'hold' any debris that will scratch cases once embedded in the die.

I also clean after every use, but that's me, as stated, it's up to you how clean you wanna make them....or not.

My philosophy is that cleaning doesn't harm anything and I believe that it makes for better reloads, so why not? I DO like shiny though!