Depriming before corncob tumbling....clean primer pockets?

[T-shooter]

I just use the same cutter that I used to equalize the pockets. It cuts out anything in there but cannot go any deeper.

 

[carlsbad]

I just use the same cutter that I used to equalize the pockets. It cuts out anything in there but cannot go any deeper.
View attachment 1030863

I have that option as the cutter is rotating on another station on the prep center. But I figure the charred carbon is actually quite hard so I keep my cutter sharp and use the rotating steel brush. I think the brush is a little smoother. I also slow down and take care using the cutter to go on smoothly so as not to gouge the sides of the pocket.

--Jerry

 

[mikecr]

done111, your situation is normal & no big deal.
When I get from the range, the 1st thing I do is hand deprime with this: http://www.neiljones.com/html/decapping_tool.html
Take a turn on the pockets with a Sinclair uniformer: https://www.sinclairintl.com/reload...clair-primer-pocket-uniformers-prod34720.aspx
Wipe carbon off outside of necks, using Carbon Killer: https://www.slip2000.com/slip2000_carbon_killer.php
Drop cases in vibratory cleaner with heavy medium(heavier than corn cobb): https://www.lymanproducts.com/brands/lyman/turbo-tumblers/media-accessories/tumbling-media.html, and a bead of polish: https://www.brownells.com/reloading.../rooster-labs-cartridge-polish-prod33092.aspx
After a couple hours I pour the medium/cases into a separator/bucket: https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/000591311105/mec-pan-media-sifter
I pick each case, pour out the medium, and snap the casehead with a small screwdriver handle to clear the flash hole.
Then I run a nylon brush in/out of necks(just once) to remove any dust from seating area.

This keeps the cases dry and plenty clean.

 

[done111]

Up until I started salt bath annealing, I would leave the primer in during cob cleaning. Now I'm wondering if I really need that vent hole (i.e. the primer out) when annealing in salt bath. If liquid can't get into the inside easily because it is air tight in the cartage chamber, it is still hot as heck around the outside and the wall is pretty dang thin. Heck, i might also save on salt that doesn't come back out from the inside of the cartridge, which can be quite a bit. When I was checking if the bath was the right level, I dipped a cartridge in for just a second and looked how it formed on the outside for checking level, however there was quite a clump of salt inside the neck when it cooled. That may be because the brass wasn't hot enough and it cooled on it, not sure there.

 

[mikecr]

A big advantage of dipping is that the brass is heated both inside/outside surfaces, the same.
There should be nothing condensing to the hot enough surface of brass. Otherwise, your medium isn't hot enough, and/or the brass isn't hot enough.

Dip annealing is as easy as it gets to perfect annealing.
And cleaning the primer pockets early is not difficult either.

 

[savagedasher]

A big advantage of dipping is that the brass is heated both inside/outside surfaces, the same.
There should be nothing condensing to the hot enough surface of brass. Otherwise, your medium isn't hot enough, and/or the brass isn't hot enough.

Dip annealing is as easy as it gets to perfect annealing.
And cleaning the primer pockets early is not difficult either.

I

 

[savagedasher]

I use a dry wall screw
A couple of twist you get the carbon out
The point cleans the flash hole
Larry

 

[JaoeyP]

For some infuriating reason every company that sells corn cob media marketed for case cleaning sells it in a perfect size for clogging flash holes. I got so tired of punching that stuff out. A few years back I read on a forum where someone was using corn cob media that was finer grit and designed to run through a media blaster. I picked up a 40lb bag delivered to my door for $25. I have three five gallon buckets full of it now. It's almost like sand and does a great job. No more clogged flash holes.

Corn cob media does a good job mildly cleaning but does a really great job shining your cases. To clean cases I use walnut media; it's more abrasive.

I don't obsess over my cases' cleanliness. I like them to be pretty, but a bit of left over carbon doesn't bother me. I'm not precise enough for it to make a difference.

 

[joshb]

Don't use rice!!! Clogs flash holes worse than anything! I tried it ONCE. Never again.

 

[chromatica]

I tumble my brass using walnut shells after decapping. I picked up a 25 lb box of the fine grained vintage from Harbor Freight. They sold me tumbler and media for less than $100!

 

[jepp2]

Is anyone having better luck cleaning primer pockets with cob media? Maybe I need a better brand of media?

Nope. Tried both sizes of walnut, both sizes of corn cob, mixes of corn cob/walnut. Never clean the bottom of the pockets. Always have to use a mechanical removal tool if you want the residue removed.

 

[savagedasher]

Just use a drywall screw
Clean you primer pockets at the same time the point will remove the carbon Akon with the corn cob

 

[Fliers]

Don't use rice!!! Clogs flash holes worse than anything! I tried it ONCE. Never again.

I saw a video were there is a certain type of rice that was smaller grain and didn't get stuck.

 

[Fotheringill]

Removing media from flash holes is a PITA. A bent paper clip saves the day.

Or a safety pin or a very small Allen wrench or a push pin. I prefer the wrench.

 

[powderbrake]

For cleaning primer pockets I use the Hornady cleaning tool, a flat serrated face, used in a Hornady handle. I also use this handle to hold the brush that I brush the insides of the necks.





Of course I do this when preparing cases for a competition shoot, but for fun, plinking, varmints etc., I don't bother to clean the primer pockets, as 1/4 to 1/2 minute accuracy is OK with unclean primer pockets.I know that sounds like heresy on this website, but if it doesn't make a significant difference in "minute of prairie dog" or "minute of beer can", why bother?

Of course this means I can tumble before sizing, and the pin knocks out any trapped con cob.

 

[Scott Harris]

I have begun to deprime my brass before cleaning with corn cob media. The main reason is I have just started salt bath annealing and having that primer out gives a vent hole to allow the bath inside the cases easier.

So I thought there would be some good cleaning in that primer pocket, but I really didn't see enough cleaning after cleaning overnight, so I am still using my tool to clean the pocket. I also get a few cases with cob stuck in the flash hole. I know I can buy one of those stainless steel media tumblers, but I'm not ready to jump into that arena....Yet.

Is anyone having better luck cleaning primer pockets with cob media? Maybe I need a better brand of media?

Don

stainless and water makes everything pretty but is the wrong direction for competitive shooters IMHO. That carbon in the neck really does matter in a good way. Try a mixture of half rice and half corn cob for 4 hours. The rice is harder and does a better job of cleaning...much better and much faster. You only need to tumble for 4 hours. As far as cleaning the primer pockets, rice mixture will do a decent job with large primer pockets, but not small....for obvious reasons. Have fun.

PS. I tumbled with stainless and ultra-sound for several years. From a competitive shooter perspective, I think it is a horrible idea. My scores went up and the amount of time I spend cleaning brass went way down once I gave up on all the "wet" cleaning methods. Sometimes things just aren't the way you "think" they are.

PPS. If you don't want to inspect all your flash holes, then deprime after tumbling. There is no way to avoid this regardless of the method used with the exception of ultrasound, but wet tumbling is not the answer as mentioned.

 

[hambone1971]

Very fast way to clean primer pockets.

 

[danny]

I have begun to deprime my brass before cleaning with corn cob media. The main reason is I have just started salt bath annealing and having that primer out gives a vent hole to allow the bath inside the cases easier.

So I thought there would be some good cleaning in that primer pocket, but I really didn't see enough cleaning after cleaning overnight, so I am still using my tool to clean the pocket. I also get a few cases with cob stuck in the flash hole. I know I can buy one of those stainless steel media tumblers, but I'm not ready to jump into that arena....Yet.

Is anyone having better luck cleaning primer pockets with cob media? Maybe I need a better brand of media?

Don

I clean my brass with Walnut or Corncob with the cases deprimed. That does little to nothing to the primer pockets, which is ok. I consider the pocket clean after my primer pocket uniformer is run through the cases, which I do for safety only. I want to be sure that my primer pockets are deep enough to allow primers to be properly seated without crushing. There is sometimes media in the flash hole. I either push it out with something upon inspection, or let the sizing die do it. I have tried tumbling or vibrating my cases with the primer in to eliminate flash hole plugging, but I do not like it. I found that a tumbler or vibrator puts a lot of dust in the primer which comes out on the press during depriming and makes a real mess.

Danny

 

[danny]

I have begun to deprime my brass before cleaning with corn cob media. The main reason is I have just started salt bath annealing and having that primer out gives a vent hole to allow the bath inside the cases easier.

So I thought there would be some good cleaning in that primer pocket, but I really didn't see enough cleaning after cleaning overnight, so I am still using my tool to clean the pocket. I also get a few cases with cob stuck in the flash hole. I know I can buy one of those stainless steel media tumblers, but I'm not ready to jump into that arena....Yet.

Is anyone having better luck cleaning primer pockets with cob media? Maybe I need a better brand of media?

Don

Don,
Right now, I think that you are seeing the best results possible. For your annealing, it is probably best to deprime first, then worry about the primer pockets after, living with some flash hole plugging. Stainless media would be better, but neither of us want to jump into it yet.

Danny