Ultrasonic cleaning leads to added step

[Bradley Walker]

I got one of those ultrasonic cleaners. It works wonderfully for cleaning the brass. I use Hornady formula cleaning additive, and I've used Dawn and Citronox both work well. I dry in the oven at 180 degrees.

My complaint? I did all this to get rid of cleaning the primer pockets but now I have to lube the necks. I mean, with even just .001" of neck sizing bullets would not seat at all using my Wilson seating die (I even dented some bullets and my bullets are moly'd). I started coating the inside of the necks with Lyman Moly lube (the spray on kind put on with a q tip) that basically puts the seating tension back to normal.

Anybody ever wonder why this doesn't happen from the factory? The brass is clean from the factory. Why is it so much more abrasive on the inside of the neck after an ultrasonic cleaning? Is it more clean than new?

Anyway I removed one step and added another....

I have yet to try the dry lube. Trying the Neo Lube next.

 

[jlow]

I see the same thing with SS media cleaning. Have you notice how hard it is to seat the primers?

I don't think what is happening is due to increase friction when the necks and pockets are cleaner but what is happening is the lack of tumbling dust which used to coat the same area when we used tumbling media to clean the brass. If you like the old feel, tumble your clean brass in some clean corn cob media say for a minute and it will come back.

 

[jbpmidas]

After ultrasonic cleaning my brass, I run it in the tumbler with a little polish to remove the chemical residue. I don't cook mine. I have had no problems seating bullets.

 

[jlow]

Running it in the tumbler is why you are not having a problem. I actually intentionally do a quick tumble of my 9 mm brass now after SS media cleaning for that exact effect. The tumbler dust acts as a lubricant.

 

[bozo699]

Brush your necks GOOD, it should be done anyway and they will seat like butter Tumbler dust or any other debris should never be left in your cases!
Wayne.

 

[geordiesniper]

After ultrasonically cleaning my cases I just use the NECO dry lube for the inside of the necks and with 2 thou retention seat the bullets without any problem whatsoever, using my Wilson bullet seater and arbor press they go in very smoothly and have a consistent feel when seating.

 

[Killshot]

Like jlow, I use SS media but I also then anneal after cleaning and, like Wayne, I brush the necks (with a .22cal brush wrapped with 0000 wool) rather than run them in the tumbler.

 

[Bradley Walker]

How does the Neco work? How do you apply it?

 

[DennisH]

After ultrasonic cleaning or SS cleanng my brass, I run it in the tumbler with a little polish to remove the chemical residue.

I decap/size my brass first: I also use a sinclair inside neck mandrel after sizing! Check brass to see if trimming is required.

I do the above polishing procedure sometimes, I use to put my brass in the oven and dry, I don't like the color it gives the brass. I rinse the brass very well, I put it in a tumbler for a few turns to get all the water out, then spread the brass on a dry towell. I take another towell and roll them dry on the outside, put them in a loading tray, neck down, leave them in front of a fan overnight!

LAST STEP: I brush the inside of the necks with mica.

One thing not mentioned: I don't use a primer pocket uniformer, just a RCBS pocket brush and shine up the pocket. I have heard difference opinions on this as many believe the primer pockets should be uniformed with the correct tool every load! Any opinions on this! I find the uniformer prematurely wears the brass out vs the RCBS brush! JMO

 

[jlow]

I would agree it’s best not to leave debris in the case, but in the example I gave, it was only for 9 mm pistol brass and it’s not exactly precision ammo.

For rifle, you will probably need some sort of lube. It is not powder residue as I see the same problem with the primer pocket and those puppies are super clean, so seating pressure after cleaning has more to do with how clean the surface is and not powder residue.

 

[Scott Harris]

Bottom line, I think you can tune your neck tension a little lighter and eliminate the need to lube the neck.

I just use a bushing that is a thousandth bigger than I would otherwise. I also run a turning mandrel through the neck as part of the sizing process. No problems here, and when I pull a bullet, they are undamaged.

 

[pmarauder]

How does the Neco work? How do you apply it?

I think it works great, I however dip just the boat-tail base (2 dips) in the NECO dry lube container, and set them on top of my prepped case. Nice and smooooth on seating. I only use this method on my ultrasonic cleaned cases..... otherwise i just brush the inside of the necks with a nylon brush chucked in my drill for about 3-5 seconds.

 

[queen_stick]

Bottom line, I think you can tune your neck tension a little lighter and eliminate the need to lube the neck.

I just use a bushing that is a thousandth bigger than I would otherwise. I also run a turning mandrel through the neck as part of the sizing process. No problems here, and when I pull a bullet, they are undamaged.

now that's interesting. That's the first I've heard that, and I think I might try it...

pmarauder, I do the same thing currently... dip the ass of the bullet int the lube then set on a prepped case for seating. very consistent 'feel' when seating, and prevents a 'cold weld' if loading well before the ammo will be used.

 

[bozo699]

How does the Neco work? How do you apply it?

I think it works great, I however dip just the boat-tail base (2 dips) in the NECO dry lube container, and set them on top of my prepped case. Nice and smooooth on seating. I only use this method on my ultrasonic cleaned cases..... otherwise i just brush the inside of the necks with a nylon brush chucked in my drill for about 3-5 seconds.

Spot on Derek, I give you all a simple challenge, take three cases out of your fancy ultrasonic cleaning machine, seat one without doing anything to it, another one put your fancy neck lube on it but nothing more to it, and take the third case and brush the neck with a nylon brush 10 full strokes in a drill or prep center and seat it, I will bet you whatever you want to bet the one you gave a good brushing seats the easiest, now take four fired cases, one do nothing to and seat it, take note of seating pressure needed, now 0000 steel wool the inside neck and seat a bullet, now one with your fancy neck lube, and finally just brush one real good, about 5 strokes on your prep center on a fired case that hasn't been cleaned is enough, now seat it, again I guarantee you which one seats the easiest BY FAR!! it will be the one you vigorously brushed the neck on, think I don't know what I am talking about? just try it what have you got to loose. I clean, anneal and brush my necks after each firing and my bullets takes about .015 on the force seat gauge on my K&M arbor press,...another words not much you could easily push them in by hand. I have done these tests, that's why I am so sure of what I am saying.
Wayne.

 

[DennisH]

Again, I brush the necks after dipping in mica. This works fine for me!

 

[geordiesniper]

How does the Neco work? How do you apply it?

You just dip the case mouth into the dry lube (I bought mine at Sinclairs years ago) and it has thousands of little ball bearings in the tub) and swirl the case mouth in it to deposit the dry lube in the case mouth. Take it out and wipe down the outside. Powder in and seat bullet. I have just checked the latest Sinclair catalogue but the nearest dry lube I can find is part number I749-000-642SB at $6.99

 

[Bradley Walker]

How does the Neco work? How do you apply it?

I think it works great, I however dip just the boat-tail base (2 dips) in the NECO dry lube container, and set them on top of my prepped case. Nice and smooooth on seating. I only use this method on my ultrasonic cleaned cases..... otherwise i just brush the inside of the necks with a nylon brush chucked in my drill for about 3-5 seconds.

Spot on Derek, I give you all a simple challenge, take three cases out of your fancy ultrasonic cleaning machine, seat one without doing anything to it, another one put your fancy neck lube on it but nothing more to it, and take the third case and brush the neck with a nylon brush 10 full strokes in a drill or prep center and seat it, I will bet you whatever you want to bet the one you gave a good brushing seats the easiest, now take four fired cases, one do nothing to and seat it, take note of seating pressure needed, now 0000 steel wool the inside neck and seat a bullet, now one with your fancy neck lube, and finally just brush one real good, about 5 strokes on your prep center on a fired case that hasn't been cleaned is enough, now seat it, again I guarantee you which one seats the easiest BY FAR!! it will be the one you vigorously brushed the neck on, think I don't know what I am talking about? just try it what have you got to loose. I clean, anneal and brush my necks after each firing and my bullets takes about .015 on the force seat gauge on my K&M arbor press,...another words not much you could easily push them in by hand. I have done these tests, that's why I am so sure of what I am saying.
Wayne.

K. I'm on it.