Ammo reloading question

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Nov 14, 2007 | 09:32 AM

5_labsownus

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From: Fraziers Bottom, WV

Ammo reloading question

Ammo reloading question

I reloaded for about 10 years and that was about 20 years ago. Now I am starting to reload again and have a question I have not found a good answer. Now I am getting back in to reloading.

Do you de-cap your brass before or after tumbling?

The reason I ask is back in the day I did not have much money and did not own a tumbler but a friend did. I took the cases to him for tumbling but never saw what he did and I can’t remember if the cases came back de-caped.

Rod

Nov 14, 2007 | 10:11 AM

jim henderson

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From: So Cal

Guess it is preference and what kind of equipment you have.

My loading sets are mostly RCBS and Lee dies. All of them have a decapper in the resize die so I clean the cases first and then decap/resize. To decap with these die, the cases should be clean to start.

Probably doesn't make a big difference unless you are a competition shooter.

There are primer cup cleaning brushes and scrapers, but they take a lot of time. I use these once in awhile, but typically the cup isn't too bad and the pressure of the cap seater is usually enough to get the cap properly seated.

I load tens of thousands of rounds and have never had a problem with cleaning the cases with cap on. Only troubles I have had were with rocks.

Just my opinion,

Jim Henderson

Last edited by jim henderson; Nov 14, 2007 at 10:14 AM.

Nov 14, 2007 | 11:34 AM

pitrow

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From: Cornelius, Oregon

I agree with Jim. I've tried it both ways, but it always seemed easier to clean them first, then decap.

Nov 14, 2007 | 11:50 AM

5_labsownus

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From: Fraziers Bottom, WV

That is what I was leaning toward and think I saw that it makes sizing easer with clean cases. That makes sense to!

Thanks
Rod

Nov 14, 2007 | 12:00 PM

TheWiz427

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From: Woodruff, SC

I De-cap all of my brass before i tumble them. Occasionally i have a piece of media in the primer pocket but thats no biggie.

Nov 14, 2007 | 12:14 PM

bczolone

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From: Mexifornia

I always de-cap first...I then have brass to make my measurements from so I can sort out all the rejects, but I reload for accuracy, not volume.

Nov 14, 2007 | 12:28 PM

00BlueOvalRanger

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From: Southern MD

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5_labsownus

Ammo reloading question

Do you de-cap your brass before or after tumbling?

Rod

Depending on what caliber I'm loading, it could be either. . . or both.

For most pistol cartridges, I tumble, then re-size and deprime, because I use carbide (sizing) dies.

For most rifle cartridges, I tumble the brass, then lube and size and deprime.
Then, before going to the next steps, I drop the lubed brass into a different tumbler (Lyman Turbo 1200) and using OLD media, I remove the lube from the cases.

IF I'm using once-fired military brass (with a crimped in primer) I use a Lee de-priming tool, which is nothing more than a hardened pin punch and a hardened shell holder, and using a mallet, drive the primer out of the cases.
Then tumble the cases.

Keith

Last edited by 00BlueOvalRanger; Nov 14, 2007 at 12:31 PM.