Cleaning cases

[Randy Bohannon]

My thoughts were that factory loaded cases would have been clean brass inside but I haven't got enough knowledge to know what difference the carbon build up will make. I like the idea of the dirt being rinsed away instead of accumulating in the tumbler media and also the primer pockets being cleaned at the same time. I've googled rock tumblers and ultra sonic cleaners and will give both more thought, not sure about sizes of either that I will need.

I used to use a US cleaner to get the spotless, eventually got bored of rinsing, drying, etc.

Now I tumble to clean up the outside ( notionally to stop the inside of my dies getting scratched) and have found bugger all difference in group size.

I haven't done a ES/SD velocity test but that would seem to be the way to set the issue aside one way or another.

[loiner1965]

I used to use a US cleaner to get the spotless, eventually got bored of rinsing, drying, etc.

Now I tumble to clean up the outside ( notionally to stop the inside of my dies getting scratched) and have found bugger all difference in group size.

I haven't done a ES/SD velocity test but that would seem to be the way to set the issue aside one way or another.

Makes hardly any difference if the insides are spotless but I prefer to clean the inside of the neck with a bristle brush so everything is consistent.
Shooting game or at our target ranges what we do in case prep is adequate it's the top league boys who try to make every made up round 100% identical.....they seem to forget they is still the idiot factor behind the trigger lol

[panhard]

After watching video clips I went and bought an ultrasonic cleaner. Looks about same size as one shown. Tried it out this afternoon and very pleased with results. Benefits as I see: Only 12 minutes to clean 50 cases. Primer pockets all cleaned out. Drawbacks: Rinsing and drying cases although this didn't take much time or effort as put in airing cupboard to dry out. Thanks for help, this does all I need for now.

[g60bv]

Sonic cleaner. With 50 %vinager 50 water and a splash of washing fluid. 2 x 480 sec. Rinse in water. Then dry in oven for 15mins at 100c. From deprimer to ready For refill about an hour. Easy.

[panhard]

This is getting quicker! I hadn't thought of putting them in oven. I've ordered the citric acid so will try that when it comes, first try was water only with drop of washing up liquid and that gave a good result.

[airgunnut]

This is getting quicker! I hadn't thought of putting them in oven. I've ordered the citric acid so will try that when it comes, first try was water only with drop of washing up liquid and that gave a good result.

Ordered citric acid, why? All you had to do is ask your lass to pop in to wilkinsons and get a box (naturally you said it was for descaling the kettle) think its only £1.50 a box

[JB101]

Good thread on citric acid cleaning here

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...-brass-cleaner

Regards
James

[MikB]

Unless they're encrusted or grossly dirty, the cleanliness of the cases has very little - if any - real effect on the performance of reloads.

The only justification for going OTT on case cleaning is if you've a fetish for shiny things...

[223AI]

Unless they're encrusted or grossly dirty, the cleanliness of the cases has very little - if any - real effect on the performance of reloads.

The only justification for going OTT on case cleaning is if you've a fetish for shiny things...

Agreed, apart from the cleanliness of primer pockets, which get cleaned spotless in the wet tumbler, plus issues with the brass are easier to spot on cleaner cases. But you're right, essentially I'm a magpie!!

[Musclefox]

I must be a Magpie to

[Adamant]

It is a known internet fact that no case can EVER be TOO shiny and that shiny brass definitely makes you an infinitely superior shooter

Shiny, shiny, shiny...

Incidentally, my girlfriend is a silversmith and whilst I was loitering in the bullion supplier in Birmingham last week while she conducted some business, I discovered they sell reasonably priced 2mm stainless steel media for semi-precious rock tumbling, it turns out this is the perfect size for cleaning .17 and .22 Hornet cases.

Unfortunately this means that the .17 cases are now very clean inside and out and I no longer have any excuse not to continue with load development for the hateful fiddly little beast

[hairlesshunter]

It is a known internet fact that no case can EVER be TOO shiny and that shiny brass definitely makes you an infinitely superior shooter

Shiny, shiny, shiny...

Incidentally, my girlfriend is a silversmith and whilst I was loitering in the bullion supplier in Birmingham last week while she conducted some business, I discovered they sell reasonably priced 2mm stainless steel media for semi-precious rock tumbling, it turns out this is the perfect size for cleaning .17 and .22 Hornet cases.

Unfortunately this means that the .17 cases are now very clean inside and out and I no longer have any excuse not to continue with load development for the hateful fiddly little beast

The 1mm not bad neither at about £18 per 1kg

[Jezzer]

I cleaned all my brass for years with walnut media then decided to give ultra sonic a try. I had very mixed results with US so ended up going back to walnut media. A year or so ago I bit the bullet and spalshed out on tumbler with stainless steel pins from spud1969..... well I've now sold the US cleaner and the walnut media system and am 100% happy with the stainless media tumbler.

[kennyc]

Agreed, apart from the cleanliness of primer pockets, which get cleaned spotless in the wet tumbler, plus issues with the brass are easier to spot on cleaner cases. But you're right, essentially I'm a magpie!!

as anyone who has seen him jump out of a moving truck (when he is the driver) to pick up a nice shiney 22lr case can attest

[223AI]

as anyone who has seen him jump out of a moving truck (when he is the driver) to pick up a nice shiney 22lr case can attest

Jumped out of it tonight and it started rolling away, handbrake wasn't on properly