How Do You Clean Empty Shotshells Before Reloading

[Heretodaygonetomorrow]

I've got my Uncle's MEC Grabber Shotshell Reloader and a bunch of supplies, including a lifetime supply of used shotshells.

My question is what's the best way to clean them before running them through the Grabber?

I've got a couple of tumblers with corn and walnut media for cleaning pistol and rifle brass before I reload them, but I've never reloaded shotshells before, and want to know the best way to clean them.

[Hoshnasi]

I've got my Uncle's MEC Grabber Shotshell Reloader and a bunch of supplies, including a lifetime supply of used shotshells.

My question is what's the best way to clean them before running them through the Grabber?

I've got a couple of tumblers with corn and walnut media for cleaning pistol and rifle brass before I reload them, but I've never reloaded shotshells before, and want to know the best way to clean them.

My friend who does all my reloading has a Spolar and he never cleans the hulls. He just checks to make sure they are free of grass and dirt from the field and then loads them up!

We mostly reload federals, which get us 4-5 reloads then we'll dump them.

Edit to add, I'm talking about skeet and trap loads, low brass, etc.

[bigbossman]

I have been reloading for skeet, trap, and hunting for 25 years or so. All I've ever done is wipe them with a damp rag while I inspect them, and then reload. I do that just to get the dirt and grit off them, as I have auto-loaders and they all hit the ground.

Were I shooting single shot or break open guns that allowed me to pocket the hulls without them falling into the dirt and dust, I doubt I would even do that............. but since it is always a good idea to inspect anything you are going to reload, I find having a damp rag in my hand while I'm doing that is not that big a deal.

[stilly]

Nobody really talks much of shot shell reloading here.

I suppose that you can tumble them in a thumler and some basmati rice for about an hour or two...

[Hoshnasi]

How Do You Clean Empty Shotshells Before Reloading

Nobody really talks much of shot shell reloading here.



I suppose that you can tumble them in a thumler and some basmati rice for about an hour or two...

That might do more harm than good. Notice purpose to it either.

[damndave]

Just wipe them off with a damp cloth if they are real dirty. Other than that just reload them.

[koehn,jim]

When they get dirty I use a bucket of warm soapy water and agitate them in it than rinse and air dry in the sun. I have used a pillow case and the washer but its noisy.

[Simply115]

Nothing, I only clean a case every once in a while if it's real dirty.

[stilly]

That might do more harm than good. Notice purpose to it either.

WHAT?

Please explain what you mean unless you meant to say NO purpose to it, but I fail to see how there can be NO purpose to it; as a matter of fact if that is what you meant I can gladly test your theory of notice purpose and see what reality says...

I am willing to put my money where my mouth is... Just because I have yet to tumble shotty hulls in basatmi rice...

[ireload]

I just use a damp rag too. I tried using the tumbler but it's too much of a hassle. Much faster just wiping it down.

[emptybottle151]

Air compressor.

[too-tall]

Air compressor and a damp clloth

[rsrocket1]

Unless there is sand/dirt on the hull that can scratch the chamber, there is no really good reason to clean them.. Usually the worst that gets on the hull is soot or scorch marks on the hull. No need to clean that stuff off. What's important is a good hull mouth that will hold a good crimp. If there's grass in there, shake it out. If there's dirt, wipe it off. If it's worse than that, consider tossing it. Depending on where you shoot, you may find lots of good clean hulls for free.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[M1NM]

When they get dirty I use a bucket of warm soapy water and agitate them in it than rinse and air dry in the sun. I have used a pillow case and the washer but its noisy.

Make sure the hull doesn't have a paper base wad.

[LiferLance]

I never did anything besides look, but depending on what I see here I may give cleaning a try.