Primer pockets?

The Virginian

The Virginian

New member
I was reloading some 17 Mach IV today and often wondered if you clean your primer pockets after each shot? Am I just wearing the brass out faster cleaning them every reload?

Eric

 
Looks a little excessive to me.
Funny, I`m scratching out primer pockets right now, news on tv, + PM`s.

Bought 250 once fired 308 Win. from midway, and I`m only concerned with getting majority of `crunchy dust`.
 
I'm using a pocket former on my RCBS case prep. Also, the case on the left is after tumbling for 2 hours in walnut media with a cap full of Lyman Turbo Sonic case cleaning.

Eric
 
IMO, that little bit of black discoloration (after brushing)is not going to hurt a thing.
Judging by the picture, I would be careful not to cut the pocket too deep.

One more thought; I just used some `tuff nut` media to give this range brass a rough cleaning wth the primers still in.
I don`t use the tufnut after deprimed as it seems to pack into the pocket and do nothing as far as cleaning,
Some fine grain, treated corn cob on the other hand...
 
I have a soft bronze brush in a dremil. That sure cleans the pockets quick and clean enough. But unless I am trying to squeak a little more out of a load, I will always clean. But I certainly don't each and every time.

Now, once I get SS tumbling going, it's a mute point. They will always be clean.
 
Originally Posted By: pahntr760I have a soft bronze brush in a dremil. That sure cleans the pockets quick and clean enough. But unless I am trying to squeak a little more out of a load, I will always clean. But I certainly don't each and every time.

Now, once I get SS tumbling going, it's a mute point. They will always be clean.

Pahntr,
You are right. I started stainless tumbling about 2 months ago and the pockets come out squeaky clean. I use to scrape it out but no need now.
 
I clean the pockets every time with a uniforming tool. Just a twist is all it takes. Of course, the carbon will wear the tool out a bit faster.
 
I have never cleaned my .223 primer pockets that I used for p-dogs since they are in the thousands.
I do run a brush in my other calibers though since those batches never are more then 100 or less.
 
Originally Posted By: Jack RobertsI quit cleaning primer pockets about 20 years ago. Never had a problem in ten's of thousands of reloads.

Jack

Jack is right. Many years ago I cleaned my primer pockets every time after I de-capped my cases. I just thought I should because after all, they did sell primer pocket cleaning tools and I figured that it must be necessary. Well, it's not- but if you like to seat your new primer into a shiny clean pocket then go ahead and clean them. I still do sometimes if I feel like it. It doesn't hurt anything but in reality, it don't make any better ammo either. Your choice.
 
Just a thought or word of caution for those using a uniformer to clean the pockets; the tool that I have is adjustable for depth so keep an eye that it don`t pull out and you start cutting the pockets too deep.
 
I usually tumble mine with the spent primers still in place, then pop and clean the pockets/flash holes good. I'm not convinced this doesn't help - albeit a very little. I sort my brass by lengths after the spent primers are removed, then clean primers pockets, then debur/chamfer case necks, then neck size - charge - and seat bullets again. I did get a primer pocket tool in the early going, but I have yet to use the darn thing. Always been afraid of cutting the pockets too deep with it. I use a little brush now from RCBS (one for small rifle, another for large rifle pockets) to clean. Before that, I just scratched out the worst of it with a bent paper clip.

I went the neck sizing route to eliminate case lube (plus reduce case wear & improve accuracy), so I'm always looking for ways to make the process more efficient. Maybe I'll have to rethink cleaning these pockets so thoroughly each and every time. ?
 


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