Trying different ways to clean primer pockets

[Cheyenne Ranger]

Since I have some time and all the chores caught up I decided to see if there is an easier way to clean primer pockets rather than one at a time using one of those RCBS handheld pocket cleaners.

So I deprimed about 500 .45 Colt cases and tried:
1. treated corncob media--clean brass but pockets still dirty
2. walnut--brass not as bright and pockets still dirty
3. some of those small ceramic pieces in a wet solution with cleaner.  Pockets still dirty and the brass is stained even after two rinses.
4.  next is dry ceramic and the brass--have to let it dry out first  :grin:

Starting to look like I'm going to have to do them by hand

Know RCBS has a powered prep station but at $100 that's a bit steep for this cowboy.

Cheyenne

[dave375hh]

Just get the brushes that go in the RCBS power machine and put them in a power screwdriver or cordless drill.

[Duck of Death]

I shoot USPSA/IDPA/CAS and reload many thousands of rounds a year.  I don't have time to clean the primer pockets.  You can worry about cleaning them but I've found it's a waste of time.  Just reload 'em and shoot 'em.

[Yukon Gold]

I'm with the Duck on this one.

I've never had a problem with dirty primer pockets.  When depriming, the pin ensures the flash hole is clear, so I never had to clean it.  

But then of course, I am not a Benchrest shooter.  Maybe it helps there.  For the other stuff, been reoading for 25 years, never an issue.

Cheers,

Yukon Gold

[stimpylu32]

Got to go with duck on this one , I have not cleaned a pocket on pistol brass in sometime .

I do inspect them but so far i have not had to clean any , For my rifle i use a strait dental pick or a pin knife to get the edges.

[leverfan]

There's a little brush you can put in a dremel that fits into a primer pocket pretty well.  I clean primer pockets on smokeless cartridges every third loading or so for handguns, every loading for rifles, and every loading for blackpowder cartridges.  The BP cases get their pockets swabbed with a soapy q-tip, too.

[Snake River Cowboy]

I always clean primer pockets and hate getting someone else's brass that doesn't. The bottom of the pockets are all pitted and take a lot more to get clean. I saw a guy have a miss fire because of dirty primer pockets-first hit seated the primer in the crud, second time around set it off.
I enjoy reloading. I use a single stage press. I'm not fast. I am confident my ammo will work every time.
I used to deprime before tumbling. The pockets weren't getting clean, there was media in the flash hole, and I was running dirty bras through the resize die.
I use a pick in the edges first then the RCBS hand tool. Works for me.

[Shorty]

I've always cleaned primer pockets.  That pile of crude on my bench simply could not help if it were under the primer.  Granted, I rarely do more than 50 rounds at a time, but even so, I found a really easy way to get it done.  I let my grandson do it!  He loves to help!  :wink:

[Cheyenne Ranger]

I ended up putting the RCBS large primer pocket brush in a chuck I have on the end of by buffing wheels.  Turn it on and do one at a time.  Doesn't take long--I'll see what they look like after one shoot.  See if I can do it every so often or every time.  

If there's one thing I've learned:  everyone has a slightly different way to do it.

Thanks All for the input,

Cheyenne

[hubcap]

You can easily make a cleaner from a 16D nail. Hit the pointed end on the side with a hammer to flatten it, then file or grind to a slotted screwdriver shape. spins easily in your fingers, or cut off the head and put it in your power tool of choice.