Cleaning Brass?
 

Do you guys clean your brass in a tumbler first, then lube/size/remove old primer or lube/size/remove old primer first, then clean brass in a tumbler?

I have talk to people who do it both ways. Not sure which is correct or if there is an advantage using one over the other?

Thanks for your input.

I don't have a tumbler as I have the Hornady Hot Tub Sonic Cleaner, which I recommend. I have done it both ways, but I do wish I had a tumbler because I would throw them in their first before I deprime, neck size, etc. One of the disadvantages of having the hot tub cleaner is because I have to wait on the brass to dry. I have heated brass in the oven 1x to move the process along but I don't think I will do that again. But as for me to answer your question, I would tumble for whatever amount of time to get the brass somewhat clean of dirt and grim before running them through a die. Dies are delicate and should be kept clean just like all the equipment. Then I would run through the press. I would then clean again after that. I do a 10 minute cycle and then let the brass dry, Then I do the press work. After that I do a 30 minute cycle and then a 15 minute cycle. The brass comes out pretty good inside and out. I am new to reloading, but this is what I do. Some reloaders I know tumble for about an hour after range or before starting reload process, do press work and then run a 30 Minute cycle in the Hot tub. Comes out pretty good. I am not too picky about how shiny the brass is. I usually use the Hot Tub for about an hour at the most. Usually 35-40 minutes the brass is pretty good already for me and is reloadable IMO.

I knock out the primers and then tumble until clean before running through the dies. After resizing my brass visits the tumbler once again for a brief spin.

+1 Big Uncle.

If you tumble before decapping, you'll be putting in the elbow grease to clean the pockets yourself.

I use a universal decapping die in my old Lee Challenger O-press, always left that way.

After decapping, I use a Hornady Ultrasonic cleaner with 3 wash cycles using different solution mixes.

Then I inspect the pockets and necks to see if they need extra attention, brush if needed, then go to work.

I don't allow any of my brass to hit the ground so it's clean when I resize and decap. Some times I am given some nasty stuff from range pick ups. Depending on the amount and filthy they go in a bath of Bichwood Casey case cleaner to soak the after a day or so they get taken out and rinced. They then go in one of those mesh onion bags to hang in my wood furnace room in the winter or a sunny spot in the summer to dry. I only tumble after decapping, I have had pins break from small chunks of media lodged in the flash hole.

None get a bath if they don't pass the paper clip test either.


:D Al

It sounds like you need to do what works best for you. I like to clean my brass before decapping for the same reason that JGFLHunter says. I do not mind cleaning the pockets it gives me a chance to inspect them. However I only load about 150 - 200 rounds a month.

Deprime, tumble, wipe, inspect,prime and load.