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Cleaning primer pockets?

Pinwheeled

Pinwheeled

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Joined
Sep 19, 2011
Messages
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Location
Nashville, TN
Getting ready to reload my first rounds ever. I have my brass tumbled and resized but had a quick question before I prime and charge... how many of you clean out your primer pockets? I've heard it's not necessary but those things are pretty gunked up.


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If you don't have a case prep machine you can put the primer pocket brush in a cordless drill. Speeds up the job a lot. For uniformity it should be cleaned.
 
It depends on what you want. If you just want fodder that goes bang, Don't worry about it. If you want ultimate accuracy, machine all your primer pockets with a primer pocket uniformer chucked in a cordless drill every third firing of the brass.

https://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading- ... 34720.aspx

If you're going to unform primer pockets (for more consistent ignition: case to case, shot to shot) you should go ahead and debar the flash holes of the cases. Only has to be done once.

https://www.sinclairintl.com/search/ind ... &ksubmit=y
 
TresMon":1vpqwz7e said:
It depends on what you want. If you just want fodder that goes bang, Don't worry about it. If you want ultimate accuracy, machine all your primer pockets with a primer pocket uniformer chucked in a cordless drill every third firing of the brass.

https://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading- ... 34720.aspx

If you're going to unform primer pockets (for more consistent ignition: case to case, shot to shot) you should go ahead and debar the flash holes of the cases. Only has to be done once.

https://www.sinclairintl.com/search/ind ... &ksubmit=y
Click to expand...
I agree with this unless you use Lapua brass with the small flash holes..then I leave the primer pockets alone.

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I don't uniform my pockets but I have the cheap Lee cleaner thing that resembles a flat head screw driver. Always do my rifle rounds. Pistol I don't waste my time.


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I clean them up with the appropriate sized primer pocket cutter. I doubt it really does anything other to make me feel better. But it is amazing how much brass is cut out of some cases the first time the cutter is used.
 
Snowwolfe is right about how much material is removed from the brass when you uniform the depth.

I uniform cut the primer pocket the first time through case prep. Still using a B&D variable speed drill clamped to a table and with the hold-speed button pushed down so it is like a drill press. I burned up my old drill press and really need to get another one.

There is a thread someplace about uniforming your flash hole because the factory hot punch leaves much to be desired. If you are trying to get every last bit of accuracy...this is probably in your top 5 or 10 things to do as regards case prep.

I bought a filet glove to use when doing the pocket cutting...the bit can grab a spot and twist the case out of your hand with not good damage to your hands.

All of my brass is now wet tumbled. The primer pocket and even inside the case come out sparkling clean.
 

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