cheap way to clean cases?

[TrxR]

Im currently expanding some 6br brass to 30br then will be turning then trimming. Im a looking for a inexpensive way to clean the residual sizing wax and cutting oil from inside the cases afterwards.

Is the imperial sizing wax water soluble? Would a simple soak and light agitate in the sink with hot water and dish detergant do the job? Then rinse and dry?

I dont realy want to spend the money on a tumbler as i will rarely ever use it.

Thanks

 

[dgeesaman]

Me personally, I’d wipe the inside of the neck with a Q-tip and alcohol and then fire them. The oil won’t be there after fireforming.

David

 

[ChrisA]

After sizing with Hornady One Shot Lube or Imperial, I soak brass in dish soap and hot water, then triple rinse with water. I'll then soak in Iosso brass cleaner for about 3 minutes then triple rinse with water.

On small runs, I've wiped down with acetone.

I've never owned a tumbler.

Chris

 

[Webster]

Im currently expanding some 6br brass to 30br then will be turning then trimming. Im a looking for a inexpensive way to clean the residual sizing wax and cutting oil from inside the cases afterwards.

Is the imperial sizing wax water soluble? Would a simple soak and light agitate in the sink with hot water and dish detergant do the job? Then rinse and dry?

I dont realy want to spend the money on a tumbler as i will rarely ever use it.

Thanks

I use petroleum oil for sizing and turning. No cleanup problems. Paper towel to clean after sizing. A Q-tip with acetone or alcohol for neck i.D. I fire about 700 shots a year. I am using the same 200 6BR Lapua cases I bought in 2009. So it's been 11 years since I turned the cases and got oil on the neck I,D.

 

[rsmithsr50]

I own FOUR TUMBLERS...but then I could shoot 700 rounds in a month. there is a reason I own 2 Dillon 550's
having said that yes you can wipe/wash and dry.
I am "washing" 50 308 lapua's right now(ss pins).

 

[INTJ]

I just wipe them with a cloth--microfiber or terry cloth seems to work best though a paper shop towel works as well. The only neck cleaning I do is with a case neck brush.

I suppose there could be an issue if there is a lot of oil or wax or sizing compound in the neck for that first firing, but I haven't seen it.

 

[jpx2rk]

Save a Folgers/Maxwell House coffee tub when you can, use some Dawn dish soap and hot water, swish around for a few minutes, drain most of the water off, refill with hot water and swish again, then rinse well and dry. I use a food dehydrator during the winter months, the hot driveway during the summer.

 

[SPQR70AD]

I use the shell holder chucked in a drill from the Lee case trimmer. spin the case slow wrapping a green scouring pad around the case. a few seconds it looks like new. then I trim the case

 

[sbhooper]

Buy a tumbler. If you are doing much reloading, you will use it. Use the standard medium to take care of your problem. When it starts getting dirty, then just wash it in soap and water, rinse in a fine-screen colander and let it dry. Tumbler medium lasts almost forever, using this method.

 

[JimPag]

Q-tip with either brake clean or gun scrubber works well. Just swab it out. Doesn't take long to do each case.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

You can get a vibrating tumbler on Amazon for $50. Otherwise it's acetone and a rag.

 

[Sundown]

I used a Plastic Ice Cream Bucket filled half full of hot water with a couple squirts of Dawn dish soap and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. Place the brass in the bucket, drill hole in cover and secure to bucket...shake bucket for about a minute and let brass soak for 15 minutes. Come back...shake for another 3 minutes. Dump soapy water and rinse three or four times. I have a sheet of aluminum with holes in it I got at fleet farm for grilling that I framed with 1x2 that I place in an old cookie sheet. Place the brass in the holes so they stand up with necks down...Place in 200deg. oven for 30 minutes...Done! Wait till cooled before sizing!