cleaning brass with spent primer not removed

[brosnt1]

Hi, 1st post here. just starting to reload. I'm working on case preparation, and have a question about the spent primers.
I am using an ultrasonic cleaner, which works great, and then I'm decapping and resizing with the same die. (my literature says to clean 1st or you can damage the die)
Then, I read in my reloading book that liguid cleaning with the spent primer install can lead to serious problems down the road, but they didn't explain (corrosion?) Can anyone explain this? Also, if anyone out there cleans with an ultrasonic. what is your process for removing the primers. Should I buy a die that only decaps?
Thanks in advance for you help

[promod1385]

You could get a universal de-capping die and go that route.

For pistol brass I clean with the spent primer in the case and then decap, prime, and reload all at once.

For rifle I usually clean, decap/size/trim, then clean again. Sometimes I skip the second cleaning and just reload them after processing. Depends on if they are precision or blaster 223 loads.

[yuppiejr]

A universal decap die is great for knocking the primers out of once fired brass (you will still need the appropriate shellholder) if you are going to ultrasonic them... However I did not find ultrasonic as a primary cleaning method particularly efficient with time or materials when you factor in cost of the cleaning solutions and added drying time.

I use a tumbler w/ corn media to knock off the worst of the grime after collecting fired brass. Lke Promod I'll just run pistol or bulk rifle ammo right into the decap/size die and load the ammo. If I'm doing more precision rifle reloading (.270 or .308) I will also tumble, but then deprime/resize - trim, debur the primer flash hole, clean/decrimp the primer hole if needed, then throw them in the ultrasonic cleaner to remove the sizing lube and give them a bit of extra shine.

[Bulldawg]

I use an ultra sonic exclusively because that is what I have. I will also be investing in a tumbler because I see a valid use for both. I have universal decapping dies and currently deprime all of my brass prior to cleaning in the ultra sonic. This does add an extra step to the process but I am not producing large volumes of ammo and actually enjoy the process. If cleaning in an ultra sonic I highly recommend decapping first or you will prematurely contaminate your cleaning solution with the primer material. In addition your primer pockets won't get cleaned out.

[DanM]

I don't use an ultrasonic cleaner, but when I wet tumble (rifle) cases I decap first to clean out the primer pockets, too. Not worth it on bulk pistol case cleaning.

When I clean cases in a vibratory cleaner using corn cob or walnut media I leave the primers in while tumbling to keep bits of the media from becoming lodged in the flash hole. These push the decapping pin out of my (Lee) die. Just takes a minute to replace, but they could break the decapping pin on other brands of decapping dies.

[brosnt1]

Thanks all for the replies. I purchased a uni decap tool and it works great.

[usnret]

I don't use an ultrasonic cleaner, but when I wet tumble (rifle) cases I decap first to clean out the primer pockets, too. Not worth it on bulk pistol case cleaning.

When I clean cases in a vibratory cleaner using corn cob or walnut media I leave the primers in while tumbling to keep bits of the media from becoming lodged in the flash hole. These push the decapping pin out of my (Lee) die. Just takes a minute to replace, but they could break the decapping pin on other brands of decapping dies.

No they won't!