Freakish SS retention in 223 case

[jlow]

Been using this cleaning method now for about 4-5 years but this is a first for me. Cleaned a bunch of Lapua 223 brass and was hand clearing them of SS pins which involves immersing the case underwater and shaking them with the neck pointing down. The last case to come out of the barrel looked a little strange and so I hand filled the case 3 time with water to see if what was in there would come out – Nope. Tape the case neck first on the table a few times hard to see if it would come out – nope. Took a closer look with a magnifier and realized it was a cluster of SS pins jammed around the inside of the neck like a semi-opened umbrella. Took this photo first so that you guys would believe me. Inserted a scalpel inside the neck and finally dislodged the cluster of pins, tapped them out and counted at least 26 pins…

Not concerned that this would be a problem for me as I weight sort my brass and pre-weight the case with primer before I put in any powder and so there would be a huge red flag but thought you guys might be interested in what I would call a “worse case” situation with SS retention inside a bottle neck case….

 

[jcampbellsmith]

I've got some odd steel pins that jammed the flash hole. I've binned them. Regards JCS

 

[gotcha]

Count your blessings ........... I tried the long grained rice tumbling media touted here on the forum recently. That stuff jammed up in about half the cases and was a "bear" to get loose. Dental pick, spear tipped jag and small allen wrenches to get the stuff to break loose. It appears that tube shaped media has a tendency to produce these results. Also appears that SS pins are much less likely to jam up in the case than rice. I'm still trying to find the perfect dry media. Maybe I'll get lucky before my ticket gets punched.

 

[LHSmith]

Not so freakish to me, the same thing happened on my first batch of .223, and again on my 2nd batch of 6 PPC. Went back to Nevr Dull for peace of mind. Shiny brass don't win matches, and I don't need the "what if I missed some pins?" thoughts when I'm on the line trying to focus on conditions or planning match strategy.

 

[bigedp51]

You guys just don't have any balls :

STAINLESS STEEL TUMBLING MEDIA JEWELERS MIX

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STAINLESS-STEEL-TUMBLING-MEDIA-SHOT-JEWELERS-TUMBLER-MIX-SHAPES-5-TYPES-2Lb-A-1-/200973465258

http://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Jewelers-Pound-Package/dp/B0058EDST8

http://www.riogrande.com/Product/Stainless-Steel-Shot-Mixed/339097?Pos=11

 

[Bayou]

I just found two jammed side-by-side in the flash hole of a .308 case the other day. Ruined the flash hole getting them out. First time I've ever had that happen. Close inspection of every case, every time is the wise approach.

That used to happen to me, too, until I replaced the original pins having a 0.041" diameter witth larger pins having a larger 0.047" diameter.

Result - no more stuck pins in flash holes.

Bayou

 

[Just Dave]

I hardly use my SS pins anymore. Lizard litter, and corn cob media have been working so well, I guess I got caught up in the "whats new and great" crowd when I bought all mine.
They likely will sit unused forever,

 

[JSH]

I am of the same thoughts. A lot of these new gadgets don’t do anything better, and some add more steps and other gadgets with same end results.

I have folks tell me dry media wont clean primer pockets or remove carbon. Never had an issue with either myself.

 

[Papa Charlie]

The more of these threads I read the more I am thankful I never purchased a SS wet tumbler. I have been using Walnut Shells for the last 10 years and have had no issues. I do leave the primers in for tumbling, to prevent the media from jamming the primer or flash hole. Tumbling the shells in one of those media separation cages removes all of the media.

 

[jelenko]

I am of the same thoughts. A lot of these new gadgets don’t do anything better, and some add more steps and other gadgets with same end results.

I have folks tell me dry media wont clean primer pockets or remove carbon. Never had an issue with either myself.

And, how many years did we use dry media very successfully?

Even if I felt the need to clean out the primer pockets, it would, to me, still be less hassle than dealing with all the water and drying the cases.

 

[Bill K]

Check out the stainless and smaller pins, from Sleeping Giant Brass. End of any problems like this.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I purchased a tumbler/pins kit. Still haven't added pins when cleaning, decided all I care about is no grit and grime while sizing. Tumbler 1/2 full of hot water, 1/4 oz of jungle Jake cleaner- run for 1/2- 1 hour. Cases clean, even my AR brass. Pockets clean-nope- 20 cal and under haven't even been deprimed.

 

[Papa Charlie]

I have contemplated buying a wet tumbler to use without the pins for cleaning the brass after sizing. I use Reddings water soluble lube. Right now I wash them in a bowl in the sink but have on rare occasion found that did not remove all from inside the necks. Plus the wife hates the sound of me cleaning them in the kitchen.
I just can't seem to bring myself to pay the money they want for them. Also thought about a ultrasonic cleaner. An ultrasonic can also be used to clean gun parts and dies. Nothing fancy, looking at a couple on Ebay. But can't seem to get past the looking stage.

 

[ebb]

What happens when you leave some walnut media in a case and load it up and shoot it?

 

[Papa Charlie]

What happens when you leave some walnut media in a case and load it up and shoot it?

I don't know, never happened. Once I finished the resizing and wash the cases the next step is debur and chamfer the necks final step is to run the brush on my case prep center. If there is anything left at this point, it is dislodged and gone. I think I have seen one piece come out at the brush in 3 years of doing my present process.

 

[jelenko]

And for corn cob media, there's the fine grit stuff that's smaller than the flashole.

 

[JSH]

What happens when you leave some walnut media in a case and load it up and shoot it?

Same thing that happens with what the OP shows with steel pins.

Been reloading a day or two myself. I inspect EVERY case while watching the boob tube or other slack time.
Is it a PITA, yes, but I do it. I know several guys that never look in their cases. The trust their media separator more than I do. I have seen every form of media cake at some time.
It only takes one, then handloading has saved not gained a person anything.

I know of one IHMSA shooter grenading an XP, there was media in parts of the action. Several cowboy action shooters have had similar happenings.

Bottom line, if your in a hurry, do something else.

 

[M-61]

What happens when you leave some walnut media in a case and load it up and shoot it?

I leave the primers in while I vibrate (tumble) in walnut media. I knock the spent primers out with a punch. Don't like the dirt in my dies. Also the more I handle and look at each case the better my chances are of spotting something wrong (crack, split, anything). I'm not in a rush and I'm safety conscious. Primer pockets I've always cleaned by hand. Not worth it to me.....peened case mouths, stuck pins, maybe some water. And spotlessly cleaned cases that look like jewelry have never made my groups smaller which is what I have always aimed for. (lousy pun)

 

[ebb]

Nothing happens, absolutely nothing. I am sure in the 15 plus years ive been reloading I have loaded up a case or 2 that had some walnut media in a crack, scratch, void, or the flash hole.

 

[Metal God]

And, how many years did we use dry media very successfully?

I’ve been using it the Same amount of years this thread is old anybody look when this started 2014 ouch