reloading detail?

[bmb]

so im all new to this and i tend to be a perfectionist:) so just curious as to how detail you have to be on brass prep?
 
my routine so far...
wipe off case
resize and deprime
clean primer pocket with lee pocket cleaner
trim with lee lock, stud, and catridge gage
chamfer inside and outside
tumble
check each case for stuck media or cracks....
 
does this sound sufficient for straight wall ammo?

[tcoggins]

That sounds very similar to my routine, except, I tumble before depriming.  This way, you don't get tumbling media stuck in the flash hole in the case.
 
Hope this helps.
 
Tim

[Dinny]

I actually prefer to tumble them after I have deprimed them with a universal decapping die. Once they have been tumble-cleaned, then I run them through the full-length sizing die. Even though the primer is gone, any stuck media is removed by the decapping pin in the FL sizing die. Then I trim, chamfer and uniform the primer pocket. After uniforming is done once, I just clean the pockets.


Thanks, Dinny

[bmb]

ok so is my routine ok? or do i need to switch some steps around?

[Dinny]

I would tumble for the first or second step.


Thanks, Dinny

[bmb]

will do! thanks for the advice.

[mdi]

Yep, your method will work, but, it seems like a lot of extra work. You mentioned straight wall cartridges and mostly, they do not grow, so trimming every time is a waste of effort (along with champhering/deburring). Also I haven't been able to determine any benefits of scraping primer pockets clean (reloading handgun ammo for 25+ years). My method is a quick inspection for obvious flaws. Toss in tumbler. Closer inspection as I size/deprime. Many times I will now prime and put the brass in 50 round boxes, and store them, all ready for a load. BTW, I check each cartridge as I go through the steps; look at the case as I put it in the size/decap die. Look at the case as I prime it. Look at the primers as I put the brass into the box, etc, all through the process. Lot less OOPS! that way...

[Rock Home Isle]

Here is what I do for Rifle Brass:
 
Brand New Unprimed Brass (Winchester Brass Prefered)
 
Full Length Resize & wipe cases clean
Trim Flash Holes inside cases
Trimm to length
Turn Necks
Touch up case mouths inside & out
Group cases according to weight
Then Re-Load
 
 
Fired Brass
 
Polish in weighed groups with Walnut Shell (NO ROUGE)
***If I have to use polishing commpound that has rouge, then all cases are washed in Laquer Thinner after polishing, strained and then wiped dry.
Full Length Resize & Deprime (check each case for condition and damage, then wipe clean)
Check Primer pockets
Check case length to see if trimming is needed
Mic Necks to see if they need to be turned
Check Case mouths for burrs & burnish as needed
Then Re-Load
 

[cwlongshot]

My list is close to RHI
 
Brand New Unprimed Brass (Pistol or Rifle)
 
Full length resize & wipe each case after sizing (Mostly to remove sizing lube on rifle cases)
Deburr flash holes
Trim to min length
Deburr case mouths inside & out
 
 
Used brass (Pistol and Rifle)
 
Group with like manufacturers and # of firings (Also if range brass separate again)
Tumble to clean, usually overnight  (If range brass I first wash, then set out in the sun to dry. THEN tumble clean)
Full length resize & wipe clean (Inspecting each case for damage)
Clean primer pockets
On new to me brass, deburr flash holes
Check case length (trimming if needed)
Deburr case mouths inside and out
 

If I have formed the cases for a different caliber, Say making 7.65Mauser from mil 30/06 or 7x30 from 30-30 or 7TCU from 223... I turn the necks. Otherwise I don't feel the need.
Many will state resizing new brass is unnecessary. I disagree.
Many will say that deburring flash holes will make little difference. I can not argue with facts, I simply feel better having done it.
Deburring at least the inside case mouths is useful for most calibers. ESP in calibers like 22H, 218 Bee, 25-20 and 32-20 Win... These are fragile and simply deburring the inside of the mouth will stop most cases from crushing! In all cases makes seating bullets easier.
 
Good luck,
 CW