Cleaning primer pocket

[Duff-Man]

Ok, so I've started my reading first book was a basic reloading for dummies/beginners

The author stated that cleaning the primer pocket should be done as needed, my question is do people check this every-time? I don't think I've ever seen a video where a person checks this.

[bensdad]

You'll need to get a set of good dental picks. Primer pockets need to look just as clean as the rest of the brass before they're safe to use. When I do it, each one takes about 15 minutes.









Never cleaned a primer pocket in my life.

[minnhawk]

I do. The black carbon buildup in the primer hole can affect primer seating.
I sort brass onto those 50 round reloading blocks -- primer pocket up. I will hand clean each primer pocket and at the same time check to see if there is a piece of cleaning media stuck in the primer hole -- you'd be surprised how many times there is. There is a simple hand tool for cleaning out these pockets, one for large primers, one for small primers. You can do this operation while watching TV if you want -- pretty mindless if you are doing 500 rounds.

[usnret]

There is no real reason to clean the primer pockets. Think about it. How are you going to clean them if you are reloading with a progressive press.

[Duff-Man]

There is no real reason to clean the primer pockets. Think about it. How are you going to clean them if you are reloading with a progressive press.

That'sis 100% why I was asking, I couldn't see anyone taking a case of a AP press after the first station then putting a different case on in the second station.

[Nalez]

When I clean my brass; I do 10 minutes in a ultrasonic cleaner; then a couple of hours in the tumbler with Crushed Walnut. This seems to do a pretty good job with the primer pockets.

[Scratch]

I used to clean them, but stopped after I got a progressive press. I now have SS pins so I might be popping out the primers and tumbling them then to clean the pockets now. A least I'll do that for a while.

I wouldn't worry to much about it though.

[LarryFlew]

I do on rifle brass but only because my brass processing machine has cleaner right after crumpled removal.

[Vtecgunner]

There is no real reason to clean the primer pockets. Think about it. How are you going to clean them if you are reloading with a progressive press.

As stated a lot of carbon buildup can play a role on primer seating, just use good judgment if it looks dirty or you even think it should be cleaned just do it!

[BigDog58]

Now that I have switched to Wet Tumbling in Stainless Steel Pins, my primer pockets are as clean as the outside and inside of the brass. I love having to not clean primer pockets

[67camaro]

Now that I have switched to Wet Tumbling in Stainless Steel Pins, my primer pockets are as clean as the outside and inside of the brass. I love having to not clean primer pockets

+1 de-prime on on press, wet tumble and the brass looks brand new.

What I've concluded from reading forums and such, cleaning the primer pockets is only "really necessary" when you are loading for extreme accuracy.

[kbpc]

I'll clean the pocket every time on my bolt .308 ammo but on pistol and .223 I will only do it if needed. To clean it I will generally just put a decaping die in my progressive and run the brass through that with no dies in the other stations, as its faster to feed the progressive than a single stage. Then I will ultrasonic the cases until all carbon is gone, them tumble in corncob for a shine.

[jeffo]

Never cleaned my brass or primer pockets. Reloading for 30 years. Never had a reason to.

[rtwills]

Pistols, I don't worry unless it gets real bad, My 223 and 308 on the other hand, I load for accuracy and always clean those primer pockets. ( It may not be necessary, but I need all the help I can get)

[gearguy10]

I only clean the pockets on rifle brass. Never bothered for handgun. I do de-prime all brass and run it through a sonic cleaner so there isn't much to clean anyway.