Any thoughts on how "clean" the inside of brass should be?

[Rainbow1]

This is probably one of those areas that cannot be quantified but I was interested to know if anyone found a level of crud where it appears to affect things. This is a photo of the inside of a piece of brass that was supposedly 4 times fired then I cleaned it in a wet tumbler with stainless steel pins and cleaning solution. I don't know if or how it was cleaned prior to this state. The outside looks great, just wondering if I should continue to try added cleanings or this is not abnormal for load development/match outings.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Clean a few and leave a few alone. Load, shoot and report back as to if it was worthwhile or a waste of time. Testing is how we know stuff. I think we know the answer but posting just about anything turns into an argument so just test it and see for yourself. Chamfered fp holes is another area for "debate", in itself.

 

[WSnyder]

Total waste of time or a solution looking for a problem or…..

 

[Kracken McGraw]

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012885198?pid=914112
I just run this tool around in the bottom of the case plus the flash hole and then give the case a tap or two with the neck down on my bench. Clean enough for me.

 

[mikecr]

I like the carbon layer. Perfect coating.

 

[markm87]

but posting just about anything turns into an argument so just test it and see for yourself. Chamfered fp holes is another area for "debate", in itself.

Exactly. Like SS tumbling the carbon out of the necks hurts the accuracy. LOL That's one of my favorite behind the SS pins peening the case mouth war from a few years back.

 

[Krogen]

I have wondered the same thing, OP. I typically neck size. Eventually, chambering gets a bit stiff so I full-length size cases. That knocks out the built up crud from several firings. It's surprising to see how much breaks loose when you squeeze the case a bit. It weighs next to nothing, but it's "fluffy" and might be reducing case volume a little bit. It's more pronounced with some powders compared to others.

I haven't run any tests yet; maybe when I get motivated to do so. Possibly some velocity checks w/ and w/o the crud. Or perhaps measuring water capacity. I'd need to concoct a method get the crud out without sizing cases so I don't inadvertently test with different size cases.

Food for thought on a cold damp day . . . . maybe . . . .

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Exactly. Like SS tumbling the carbon out of the necks hurts the accuracy. LOL That's one of my favorite behind the SS pins peening the case mouth war from a few years back.

I've been doing this for a while and I still won't proclaim one as absolutely better than the other but based on experience, I'll take a bit of carbon left in the necks rather than squeaky clean. YMMV but do what works for you. I've seen enough that it met my satisfaction that it's worth leaving in there but the difference is so small you can't just shoot a few groups and come to a sound conclusion either way. And either way, it only matters if you can shoot the difference. This is over 20 years and countless barrels in BR....and still can't say for sure, so no argument from me, just my opinion and why. I try to approach all testing with an open mind and that I may well be wrong. The purpose of most of my testing is to learn rather than doing strictly what others are doing.

 

[Larryh128]

I don't like squeaky clean, clean yes, shiney clean interior no. Flash hole deburring, yes but all I do is remove the burr standing up. Powder needs to ignite uniformly and it can't do that with a tit sticking up.

 

[ASbobcat]

I like the carbon layer. Perfect coating.

The answer is, it depends. I do not clean mine, because my powder of choice does not leave flakes that you could see by tapping the case mouth on a hard surface. If your powder consistently flakes, maybe limited cleaning is necessary.
I began experimenting with the same question a long time a go. What aroused my curiosity was noticing significantly less force required seating bullets in uncleaned necks than in bare brass.
I was initially concerned that the residue might build up over time and eventually show up as increased loaded neck OD. That didn't happen. I have loaded the same cases dozens of times without cleaning the insides and have never seen any increase in the thickness of the residue.
Another benefit is the protection the residue provides against combustion. It is a microscopic layer, but the flash of combustion only lasts a few milliseconds. Any coating is more protective nothing.

The only cleaning I do is to wipe down the outsides with CLP and let it work for thirty minutes. Then wipe it off with soft cotton cloth. It removes soot and tarnish, and leaves a protective dry Teflon film that will not attract debris.

Avoid using WD-40 or One Shot Lube (red can), as these contain silicon and leave a sticky mess than lasts forever.

Save time and enjoy the benefits of leaving the inside alone.

 

[jackieschmidt]

I have been shooting competitive Benchrest since the 1990’s.

I have fired thousands and thousands of rounds of 6PPC, 6BR, and 30BR.

I have never cleaned the inside of a case Body. The neck, sure, with a couple of swipes with a nylon brush, but not any further than that.

 

[bozo699]

I like the carbon layer. Perfect coating.

^^^^^^^^
100% Spot on!…..
Wayne

 

[ASbobcat]

I have been shooting competitive Benchrest since the 1990’s.

I have fired thousands and thousands of rounds of 6PPC, 6BR, and 30BR.

I have never cleaned the inside of a case Body. The neck, sure, with a couple of swipes with a nylon brush, but not any further than that.

Amen brother!

 

[bozo699]

I

I have been shooting competitive Benchrest since the 1990’s.

I have fired thousands and thousands of rounds of 6PPC, 6BR, and 30BR.

I have never cleaned the inside of a case Body. The neck, sure, with a couple of swipes with a nylon brush, but not any further than that.

agree 100% Jackie and I always brush each case the same.
Wayne

 

[6.5 forever]

I

agree 100% Jackie and I always brush each case the same.
Wayne

Same here

 

[Zero333]

I've done all the different types of brass cleaning... stainless pins, ultrasound and walnut/corn cob vib.

Target ALWAYS tells the truth and simple vibratory corn cob / walnut mix with a few drops of brass polish is where I started and it's where I ended up at the end. Full Circle.

 

[K22]

Total waste of time or a solution looking for a problem or…..

Oh, do I like this! May I borrow it for future nonsensical assertions.

PS: I heard at the club today that groundhog pee is a great bore cleaner.

 

[DocBII]

Depends upon how long I plan to store the loaded rounds. Sealing loaded rounds also comes into consideration. There is clean, and there is chemically clean. As far as short term (1-2 years), it doesn't appear to make much difference.

HTH
DocBII

 

[Benchrest Braxton]

start tumbling in rice, don't worry about anything else

 

[Larry Koch]

Rainbow1 said, Depends upon how long I plan to store the loaded rounds. Sealing loaded rounds also comes into consideration. There is clean, and there is chemically clean. As far as short term (1-2 years), it doesn't appear to make much difference. good point
I load and then shoot. Most ammo is only loaded a short time. If I was going to load up some for storage long term. I would clean brass better on the inside to prevent any chemical reaction
over the load term. Pistol especially because it usually rolls around on the ground.