Author Topic: Cleaning primer pockets ?  (Read 2563 times)

lad

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Cleaning primer pockets ?
« on: May 24, 2011, 05:12:25 PM »
Curiosity has got the best of me. When reloading i don't clean the pockets every time. I think i do it just so i don't feel i am doing "second rate reloading". Look at the flash hole and make sure it looks clear. But... i have always wondered why the pocket cleaner "tools" are so much smaller in diameter than the hole itself ? small or large primer pockets.. both are the same. I have used rcbs hand tools to do this for a long time and recently i bought one of those Hornady lock and load case prep centers. It does not have the little wire brush type of pocket cleaner it has a solid steel type. To my dismay though it was the same real loose fit. You would think they (all the manufacturers) would make them a much closer tolerance ? Am i missing some aspect of this ? I do think the flash hole is the important one anyway but i still wonder....

GUNBUILDER

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Re: Cleaning primer pockets ?
« Reply #1 on: May 24, 2011, 07:04:33 PM »
there are quite a few top notch shooters that never clean a primer pocket,or clean every third time they reload that particular brass.as long as the primers seat to a consistent depth and ignition is not obstructed i dont think it is that big of a deal.

catnthehat

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Re: Cleaning primer pockets ?
« Reply #2 on: May 24, 2011, 08:00:08 PM »
Warren page once went a whole year without cleaning  his primer pockets, just to see what would happen.
At the end of the year he wound up with a bunch of wins, the Super Shoot among them!
That being said, unless mine are super grunged up, I don't bother!:>)
Cat
Well, now, that didn't work so good......

Deer Hunter

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Re: Cleaning primer pockets ?
« Reply #3 on: May 24, 2011, 08:32:24 PM »
good post, i usually make sure there is no tumble media in the hole but now i wont waste time cleaning the primer pockets, part of the job i like the least

nube

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Re: Cleaning primer pockets ?
« Reply #4 on: May 24, 2011, 11:01:09 PM »
I don't bother unless they look bad.  Gun shoots half in groups still so i am not too worried about it. 

Dick284

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Re: Cleaning primer pockets ?
« Reply #5 on: May 25, 2011, 06:09:33 PM »
I just have a dull primer pocket uniformer I keep in my RCBS prep center for just this purpose, a simple touch just before I chamfer and de burr, and it's done, too easy, so yes I do it quite regularly now. Before I hit on this, I was like the other posters, only when they looked really bad.
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Lurch

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Re: Cleaning primer pockets ?
« Reply #6 on: May 25, 2011, 07:36:47 PM »
I just have a dull primer pocket uniformer I keep in my RCBS prep center for just this purpose, a simple touch just before I chamfer and de burr, and it's done, too easy, so yes I do it quite regularly now. Before I hit on this, I was like the other posters, only when they looked really bad.

I do the same - I find that some caliber/powder combos seem to be a bit dirtier that others....

gitrdun

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Re: Cleaning primer pockets ?
« Reply #7 on: May 28, 2011, 10:45:23 PM »
In the past, I've always faithfully cleaned primer pockets, particularly with match grade reloads. However, after reading this thread, I may re-visit that option.

redranger15

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Re: Cleaning primer pockets ?
« Reply #8 on: July 06, 2011, 07:45:47 AM »
 I have mine hooked up to my drill and it still sucks. Not no more. Learned something on my frirst day on this site. I like it.

Dewey

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Re: Cleaning primer pockets ?
« Reply #9 on: July 06, 2011, 08:39:13 AM »
I started handloading in January, 1968, have owned about 150 guns and currently have 40+, my major interest is in high grade and custom bolt big game rifles. I check my brass carefully at each loading and never clean primer pockets unless they are obviously clogged with residue.

Many of the beliefs about what one "must" do with a rifle and ammunition are just bullshit and not worth the time and effort.

270No1

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Re: Cleaning primer pockets ?
« Reply #10 on: June 14, 2012, 03:39:24 PM »
Yayyyy, I hate that job :P

sheepguide

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Re: Cleaning primer pockets ?
« Reply #11 on: June 14, 2012, 03:44:04 PM »
i used to clean mine every time but have since slowly slacked off to the point that I very seldom clean them anymore. And the guns have shot 100% the same with or without.
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bigbore444

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Re: Cleaning primer pockets ?
« Reply #12 on: June 14, 2012, 05:00:29 PM »
I used to get my boy to do it and was eager to do it as well. Helping Dad reload.......... Cool.  But now he got older and wiser and now I am back doing it myself. Sit back watch TV and clean out a few hundred pockets. No biggy.