Brass Processing Steps

[ORjeff]

Anneal necks

Vibratory tumbler with walnut shells until there's no more crap on the surface (but is never shiny)

Decap and clean primer pockets

Lube and body sizer, then wipe off the lube.

Then I resize the neck with the Superior Precision neck sizer that does it in two steps... first is shrinking the neck like many do with a bushing die then reexpanding the neck like many do with a mandrel die.

 

[Fast14riot]

It all starts at step 1: unload brass, down range then...

Deprime
Anneal
Dry brush inside neck
Uniform primer pockets
FL size
Wipe off lube
Prime
Charge
Seat
See step 1

 

[RabbitSlayer]

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 did when i started and uniformed pockets too. I never noticed a difference when I stopped. I stopped after looking inside 2k new starline 556 cases. I didn't see anything that looked like a burr. Now I just look into the new cases. Haven't found any yet.

I suspect manufacturing has improved, so some things may be less applicable now. Or maybe its cuz I don't buy really cheap brass.

 

[ELR LVR]

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!

Yes it is time consuming, but so is neck turning, chamfering the mouths etc.
---
Deburring flash holes is suppose to help ensure flash consistency
I mean if you consider laminar flow, of a flame/flash etc
yes it makes good sense, kind of like it makes good sense to have a good diesel injector spray pattern
How much it actually affects fuel mileage or power? dunno
How much flashole consistency affects a target? Dunno either because I dont even chance it
So have not taken the time to test deburred vs non
But I will say this
I have been kind of impressed with some factory 223 ammo out to 300 yards
that obviously did not have any proceedures done to uniform the brass
It is likely splitting gnats hairs, but that counts for some of us
I would bet it mostly helps keep SD's low

 

[323]

Deprime
Wet tumble
Anneal
Clean primer pockets (trim when/if necessary )
Size
In a regular tumbler for 15 minutes get lube off
Then run through a mandrel

 

[Texas Solo]

FL size
Tumble clean
Trim, chamber, deburr
Clean primer pockets
Prime
Load

Randomly check a few cases after sizing and after loading.

 

[smithpa68]

1. Deprime and clean primer pocket
2. Tumble in dry media
3. AMP Anneal
4. Brush neck after anneal
5. Apply Imperial wax to body and dry lube in neck with two dips
6. Resize
7. Chamfer/deburr and trim.
8. Brush the neck again if for semi auto. Skip if bolt gun.
9. Charge and seat bullet
10. Wipe case with Acetone to remove any lube from case body and neck.

 

[Jerry Snyder]

I made a spreadsheet and print this list off for each batch. it helps me keep track of what has been completed.