Case neck cleaning ideas

[ShootNscoot]

I'm looking for a more convenient easy way to clean the burnt on powder residue from the inside of the case necks. I have read that some precision shooters are starting to do this as part of their case prep procedure. It makes total sense to me that lower ES could be achieved consistently by "re-setting" the bullet grip for each reload back to bare brass,as opposed to varying layers of residue built up in the case neck area). The question is how to do this with the least amount of effort...

I have done some experimentation by taking a fired case and standing it up in a small container of various solvents so the level covers the neck surface only. Hoppes works overnight slow but sure. Bore Tech Eliminator works the quickest in about 20 minutes. In both cases the copper part of the solvent goes to work on the copper component in the brass and turns the solution a shade of blue,as to be expected) and bleaches the brass to a lighter color - slightly. I'm not sure if this is a detriment to the metallurgy of the case. I don't think so but if there are any experts out there, please chime in. This leaves the neck surface totally clean after a quick swipe with a q-tip. Works, but not exactly convenient.

I'm looking for a easy way to do this on a regular basis. Ultrasonic would be great but it's out of my price range. Has anyone stumbled across any conventional or household cleaners that would remove the residue on contact without soaking? If one exists, then a q-tip with the cleaner, a few seconds per case and you are done. Please jump in with any ideas, observations, and experiences that you have may have had. Thanks.

 

[Travelor]

I use a tight fitting copper bore cleaning brush on a screw driver style handle and run it in and out of the neck. Cleans the carbon out very quickly and well. Do not turn the case or brush as that will put "scratches" in the brass perpendicular to the bullet travel.

This makes a definite difference in the seating force required to seat a bullet and I am reasonably sure it reduces the "pull" on the bullet when fired.

George

 

[ThunderDownUnder]

I use an ultrasonic cleaner to get the burnt powder out of my cases and it works great. I read you dont want an ultrasonic cleaner but you can use the same solution that is used in the cleaner. The solution that works best for me is 50:50 white vinegar with water.

I get the big plastic bottles of supermarket home brand white vinegar and it works great. Mix it 50:50 with water as it seems to work best diluted. I have noticed many times while I'm putting cases into glass flasks of the vinegar solution that the powder starts to dissolve within minutes of immersion. I think that if you give your cases an hour of soaking with a little agitation, that the necks and cases would clean up pretty well. Give it a try! Dont forget to rinse/soak the cases in water to neutralise the acidic vinegar after they are cleaned.

 

[kelbro]

Slip 2000 on a Q-Tip is very fast.

 

[jo191145]

Very interesting.

I did some trials on this about three years ago after reading about it on another forum. The other posters take on it was it had no effect.
I tried it anyway.
First test was to do just what Travelor recommends not doing. I chucked a bronze brush in my drill press and ground out ten cases. It left perpindicular swirls just like he says.
Twenty shots round robin at 100yds. The dirty neck brass produced the smallest group. The brushed brass produced a larger group but it was so concentric I thought I was on to something.
Next I used a nylon brush with 000 steel wool wrapped around it.
That really helped greatly. Next I also tried a bare nylon with some polishing compound on it to really smooth them up.
That really tightened up the groups. I was hooked.

My problem was exactly your problem. They need to be absolutely clean every time. Needless to say polishing with steel wool or compound is a ton of work. That stuff needs to be removed before loading.

I never got around to buying an ultrasonic. I've read they slightly pit the brass but maybe thats just with certain chemicals.

I tried the vinegar and got no where. Tried liqid case cleaner and not much better. It shines naked brass but will not remove carbon to my liking.

Maybe slip on a tip will work.
Kelbro, slip is a lubricant. Do you tumble to remove it?

Using copper remover on brass will leave them weak and brittle.
Just what I've read. No chemist here.

 

[Cheechako]

QUOTE : I have read that some precision shooters are starting to do this as part of their case prep procedure.

Shoot,

Precision shooters didn't discover this just recently. We've been doing it for years. Go to a Benchrest match and you will see that most will use a bristle brush with a handle or chucked in a battery powered drill. A few twists or turns is all that is needed. Do this each time the case is loaded. I have not seen or heard where anything more than that is needed. When you seat the bullet you can feel any necks that may need additional cleaning by the added effort needed to seat.

It is possible to spend too much time on details that are not important and this is probably one of them.

JMHO

Ray

 

[WayneShaw]

I do this each time I reload. I use a very worn brush, or even one one size small. The bristles won't be used in cleaning. Then I thread on some NeverDull wool around and into the bristles. A turn or two and the neck is clean. I grab a small dab of wool, I clean the outside of the necks, then using the same piece of wool, I thread on the right amount onto the brush. A turn or two and it's done. Bullets seat much smoother.

 

[BigJim]

If it's that important - use new brass, it works everytime. You could sell off your once fired brass to reduce the cost.

 

[Obtunded]

Another vote for ultrasonic cleaning! No special solutions needed,I use a pinch of powdered dishwasher detergent) and the insides of the cases are as close to new as you'll ever get them. Primer pockets too.

 

[ShootNscoot]

Great responses - thanks to all. I'm going to try a few of these suggestions. I do have some follow ups though.

Travelor, Thunder and Obtunded: What kind of ultrasonic cleaner do you have, how much did it cost,approx) and where is a good place to get one? I assume there are different sizes. I reload 6 different calibers but I feel the need to only clean the necks on my 6mmBR and 6mmBRX cases so a smaller capacity would be fine. Any other tips would be appreciated from you guys that use one. Maybe I can swing one if my wife didn't spend too much over the holidays....humm.

As an engineer, I can't imagine this NOT being beneficial especially after repeated firings where multiple layers of fowling can significantly alter the grip tension. Having a controlled standard benchmark to return to consistently would be paramount. With long range precision shooting, we all pay attention to the most minute details. I think this should be one of them IMHO.

P.S. Buying new brass every time kinda defeats the concept of fire forming. I'm also going to hold off on the abrasive brushing techniques as a last resort. While I'm sure this works, using the right amount of force, time and abrasion may be tricky. Too much and it could cause more problems than it solves. Thanks again.

 

[mikeearly]

I would like to hear more from you folks that are cleaning with ultrasonic .... is it better than tumbling in terms of time? cleanliness? what?

 

[memilanuk]

Mike,

You probably want to do a search... both here in the Reloading forum, and on the main site for the article. A lot of your questions will probably get answered there.

Monte

 

[Bob3700]

Scoot,

Take a look at the Harbor Freight website. They have ultrasonic cleaners from all price ranges. You should find something that will fit your budget.

For what it is worth, when using one, make sure you use distilled water as that produces the best results for a nice shine on the outside of the cases. Tap water has a lot of minerals in it and water spots that don't come off can occur.

HTH

Bob

 

[Jumper]

I've used the vinegar/soap combination in my ultrasonic that was reviewed in the article archive on the home page and it works pretty good. But you have to neutralize the vinegar with some baking soda solution otherwise it will discolor,weaken?) the brass. I should have tried the powdered dishwasher soap before I sold my ultrasonic cleaner. That would have eliminated the neutralization step. I've been mulling over using MEK,Methyl-Ethyl-Ketone) as a powder solvent. But the stuff is very toxic and I don't know if I want the headache. I can get it in industrial quantities and it shouldn't alter the chemical properties of the brass at all.

 

[JRinCo]

I've been following all of the discussion, in regard to ultra sonic brass cleaning on this web site since 6mmbr first began reporting on it. Sounds like they pretty well have it figured out.
However, I haven't seen it reported anywhere, that ultra sonic cleaning has improved accuracy for anyone.

So here's the question, has anyone's accuracy improved as a direct result of ultra sonic brass cleaning. If so that's great, I'll look into doing it myself.

 

[Obtunded]

http://www.6mmbr.com/ultrasonic.html

This was the article I read a couple of years ago. As a result, I found a cleaner on eBay for about $150 and I have not looked back.

The cleaner I have has a capacity to hold about 40 6BR cases per session; it can hold more, but that defeats the purpose. Solutions are a matter of some easy experimentation... I did the dishwashing liquid/vinegar thing but found it resulted in some esthetic tarnishing. Powedered electric dishwashing detergent seems to be perfect.

Accuracy? well, it looks very clean on the inside so it has to have made my groups 300% smaller

 

[Cheechako]

. . . has anyone's accuracy improved as a direct result of ultra sonic brass cleaning. If so that's great, I'll look into doing it myself.

JR

Exactly! Benchrest shooters brush the inside of the neck and steel wool the outside but other than that they go through many firings of the same case and still manage to shoot tiny dots. I once used the same twenty five PPC cases for an entire season,1500 rounds) and could tell no difference in accuracy from beginning to end.

Methinks you guys are making a big ado about nothing, but if you think that ultra-sonic, or any other type of aggresive cleaning will help your groups or scores, then go for it.

Ray

 

[kelbro]

Kelbro, slip is a lubricant. Do you tumble to remove it?

Yes. I clean the necks before the first tumbling.

 

[reloader243]

Inexpensive Ultra-sonic cleaner...50-50 vinegar& water...then Birchwood case cleaner and then hair blower dry....works fine for the number of cases I use...Clean inside and out 24 min 15 at a time..May not mean a thing for provable accuracy...but makes me "feel " it does...so it counts. lol