Mike in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
I would like to hear the step-by-step process you use on prepping your rifle brass.
Brass Processing Steps
- Thread starter Mike in Oregon
- Start date
Decap and clean pockets
Clean off necks with a rag and alcohol
Anneal
Tumble in rice
Resize (Bushing die with no expander ball)
Trim
Brush case necks
Prime
Charge
Seat
Clean off necks with a rag and alcohol
Anneal
Tumble in rice
Resize (Bushing die with no expander ball)
Trim
Brush case necks
Prime
Charge
Seat
Last edited:
Edited to include important 'mandrel' step
From fired:
Clean - vibrator tub with corn cob media
Burn - Anneal on custom made propane fired 'cake pan' rotator (12-13 seconds at neck shoulder junction)
Size - Minus .002"from fired case datum line, (lubed with "Imperial Sizing Die Wax")
Trim - Approx. .010" less than Reamer diagram
Deburr/Chamfer
Lube Neck - "Imperial Dry Neck Lube/Imperial Application Media", essentially graphite powder
Wipe - Clean die and neck lube from 'outside' of case with paper towel
Mandrel - Expand case neck with Sinclair Expander Die (Mandrel)
Clean Primer Pocket - With K&M primer pocket uniformer set to my preferred depth
Seat Primers - I use an RCBS bench mounted lever action device
Charge Case
Seat Bullet
From fired:
Clean - vibrator tub with corn cob media
Burn - Anneal on custom made propane fired 'cake pan' rotator (12-13 seconds at neck shoulder junction)
Size - Minus .002"from fired case datum line, (lubed with "Imperial Sizing Die Wax")
Trim - Approx. .010" less than Reamer diagram
Deburr/Chamfer
Lube Neck - "Imperial Dry Neck Lube/Imperial Application Media", essentially graphite powder
Wipe - Clean die and neck lube from 'outside' of case with paper towel
Mandrel - Expand case neck with Sinclair Expander Die (Mandrel)
Clean Primer Pocket - With K&M primer pocket uniformer set to my preferred depth
Seat Primers - I use an RCBS bench mounted lever action device
Charge Case
Seat Bullet
Last edited:
I have made adjustments over time, but as of now....
AMP anneal
FLS (no expander ball)
Wet tumble 15 min no pins to remove lube (I would go vibratory, but I already own the FART)
Lube neck with graphite
Mandrel
Clean pockets
Trim\chamfer (3way trimmer if i have a cutter for that caliber)
Prime
Load powder\bullet
Need to test cleaning pockets. Cant say I really seen anything get better since I started.
Also want to test brushing necks but that seems like a horrible task. Maybe i would do it with the cortina brush holder for the mandrel dies.
AMP anneal
FLS (no expander ball)
Wet tumble 15 min no pins to remove lube (I would go vibratory, but I already own the FART)
Lube neck with graphite
Mandrel
Clean pockets
Trim\chamfer (3way trimmer if i have a cutter for that caliber)
Prime
Load powder\bullet
Need to test cleaning pockets. Cant say I really seen anything get better since I started.
Also want to test brushing necks but that seems like a horrible task. Maybe i would do it with the cortina brush holder for the mandrel dies.
Infrequent Shooter
Gold $$ Contributor
Picture of custom made cake pan rotating annealer!!!
My process from fired:
Tumble in corncob media
decap, clean primer pockets
AMP anneal
Lube cases w/ Imperial wax
Full length size w/ bushing die
final neck size with Porter pin die and pin
wipe off excess lube, rinse cases in acetone, let dry
Lube inside case necks with Neo Lube #2
seat primers
charge
seat bullets
PopCharlie
Tumble in corncob media
decap, clean primer pockets
AMP anneal
Lube cases w/ Imperial wax
Full length size w/ bushing die
final neck size with Porter pin die and pin
wipe off excess lube, rinse cases in acetone, let dry
Lube inside case necks with Neo Lube #2
seat primers
charge
seat bullets
PopCharlie
Bat Rastard
Gold $$ Contributor
1. Tumble
2. Decap
3. Anneal
4. Lube
5. Size
6. Tumble to remove lube
7. Measure and trim as needed
8. On a 4 station device: clean primer pocket, brush inside neck, deburr inside, and outside of neck
9. Prime
At each step I am looking for any defects or anomalies.
2. Decap
3. Anneal
4. Lube
5. Size
6. Tumble to remove lube
7. Measure and trim as needed
8. On a 4 station device: clean primer pocket, brush inside neck, deburr inside, and outside of neck
9. Prime
At each step I am looking for any defects or anomalies.
Decap (Lee)
Anneal (AGS 3.0)
Tumble (corncob media in vibratory tumbler)
Use compressor to blow out cases to ensure all media is out of case and primer pockets
Lube (Imperial)
Resize
Trim, if needed (Frankford Arsenal Platinum)
Clean primer pockets
Chamfer
Debur
Tumble
Use compressor to blow out cases to ensure all media is out of case and primer pockets
Prime (RCBS)
Powder
Seat
Anneal (AGS 3.0)
Tumble (corncob media in vibratory tumbler)
Use compressor to blow out cases to ensure all media is out of case and primer pockets
Lube (Imperial)
Resize
Trim, if needed (Frankford Arsenal Platinum)
Clean primer pockets
Chamfer
Debur
Tumble
Use compressor to blow out cases to ensure all media is out of case and primer pockets
Prime (RCBS)
Powder
Seat
ELR LVR
Silver $$ Contributor
prep for what?
general shooting or accuracy uniforming?
There's a little different things in my process depending at what stage of firing I'm at. Like my process for virgin brass is different from fire formed brass and after that the process doesn't have all the things from before as they tend to be a one time operation for the life of my brass.
So. . .
Virgin Brass:
* Run mandrel through necks
* Chamfer case mouths
Fire Formed Brass after 1st firing:
* Decap
* Anneal
* Wet tumble (no media, hot water, Dawn, LemiShine, 25 minutes) for large batch or use Steel Wool on necks for small batch to remove oxidation from annealing
* Uniform Primer Pockets
* Deburr flash holes
* FL size (no expander ball) using Imperial Sizing Die Wax
* Dry Tumble (rice for media) to remove lube
* Remove media from cases while inspecting flash holes and primer pockets for any obstructions
* Expand necks with Mandrel to "neck tension"
* 3-way trim cases to OAL
Fire Formed Brass after 2nd firing:
* Decap
* Anneal
* Wet tumble (no media, hot water, Dawn, LemiShine, 25 minutes) to remove oxidation from annealing and minimize carbon residue in the necks
* Clean primer pockets with uniforming tool
* FL size (no expander ball) using Imperial Sizing Die Wax
* Dry Tumble (rice for media) to remove lube
* Remove media from cases while inspecting flash holes and primer pockets for any obstructions
* Expand necks with Mandrel to fit neck turning mandrel
* 3-way trim cases to uniform OAL
* Turn necks to desired thickness
* Neck size to desired "neck tension
* Run Expander mandrel in neck if necessary for "neck tension"
All subsequent firings:
* Decap
* Anneal
* Wet tumble (no media, hot water, Dawn, LemiShine, 25 minutes) for large batches or use Steel Wool on necks for small batch to remove oxidation from annealing
* Clean primer pockets with uniforming tool
* FL size (no expander ball) using Imperial Sizing Die Wax
* Dry Tumble (rice for media) to remove lube
* Remove media from cases while inspecting flash holes and primer pockets for any obstructions
* Expand necks with Mandrel to "neck tension"
* 3-way trim cases to uniform OAL
Last edited:
I spray them with One-shot
I FL size and decap all in one and set them on a towel
I mist them with isopropyl alcohol and roll them in the towel to get the lube off
I measure and trim them to length as needed
Trimmed cases get a new chamfer
I prime them (I do not clean the pockets, theres no need)
I measure powder to the kernel
I seat bullets and go shoot.
I FL size and decap all in one and set them on a towel
I mist them with isopropyl alcohol and roll them in the towel to get the lube off
I measure and trim them to length as needed
Trimmed cases get a new chamfer
I prime them (I do not clean the pockets, theres no need)
I measure powder to the kernel
I seat bullets and go shoot.
Upon returning from the range...
Eyeball the cases.** If doing load development check bases for ejector marks, etc with magnifying glass. Complete notes for that batch.
Run nylon brush thru the necks 1x in/out.
Remove carbon from outer neck with Krazy Kloth... or 4/0 steel wool if I wait too long.
Inspect cases.**
Imperial wax with fingers & neck lube by dipping in Imperial DNL.
Resize.
Wipe wax off with paper towel. An old (or new) t-shirt also works.
Check case length.
Trim, deburr, & chamfer if needed.
Check a couple of sized cases in the rifle for fit. Adjust if necessary.
Clean primer pockets-a quick touch with carbide uniforming tool in cordless drill.
Inspect cases.**
Return brass to box & store in closet until needed.
When the urge to shoot that rifle hits again...
Inspect cases.**
Prime.
Charge with powder.
Seat bullet.
Check a few for QC.
Go shoot.
** If any show neck cracks they get pitched & I anneal the rest of the batch with an alcohol lamp, then hit necks with steel wool & inside with a brush to remove the crustiness. Oxidation? From the anneal? Hey, it works for me.
Eyeball the cases.** If doing load development check bases for ejector marks, etc with magnifying glass. Complete notes for that batch.
Run nylon brush thru the necks 1x in/out.
Remove carbon from outer neck with Krazy Kloth... or 4/0 steel wool if I wait too long.
Inspect cases.**
Imperial wax with fingers & neck lube by dipping in Imperial DNL.
Resize.
Wipe wax off with paper towel. An old (or new) t-shirt also works.
Check case length.
Trim, deburr, & chamfer if needed.
Check a couple of sized cases in the rifle for fit. Adjust if necessary.
Clean primer pockets-a quick touch with carbide uniforming tool in cordless drill.
Inspect cases.**
Return brass to box & store in closet until needed.
When the urge to shoot that rifle hits again...
Inspect cases.**
Prime.
Charge with powder.
Seat bullet.
Check a few for QC.
Go shoot.
** If any show neck cracks they get pitched & I anneal the rest of the batch with an alcohol lamp, then hit necks with steel wool & inside with a brush to remove the crustiness. Oxidation? From the anneal? Hey, it works for me.
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
On 30 BR:
Blow out Lapua 6BR to form 30BR.
Turn necks to .0097. (.330 neck)
Fire again. That’s it.
On 6PPC:
Turn necks on Alpha Brass to .0125. (.269 neck).
Fire once in chamber.
That’s it.
Notice I do nothing to flash holes or primer pockets. Nor do I anneal.
I only trim them when they reach a pre determined length.
I used to do all of the other stuff, but in Short Range Group and Score, it’s a waste of time.
Blow out Lapua 6BR to form 30BR.
Turn necks to .0097. (.330 neck)
Fire again. That’s it.
On 6PPC:
Turn necks on Alpha Brass to .0125. (.269 neck).
Fire once in chamber.
That’s it.
Notice I do nothing to flash holes or primer pockets. Nor do I anneal.
I only trim them when they reach a pre determined length.
I used to do all of the other stuff, but in Short Range Group and Score, it’s a waste of time.
Mike in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
20+ years ago I was taught to debur flash holes, is this not important? Even though it's a onetime thing, it sure made sense when explained. Was very time consuming too!
I do on regular type brass. I bought a nice tool to fit Lapua 6BR brass, it did nothing. That shows you the quality of their brass.
Mike in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
That's what I hear about the everyday brass as well.
I don’t know, I can hook a horn sometimes on Federal and Hornady.
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