cleaning inside the cartridge

Reloading equipment, methods, load data, powder and projectile information.

cleaning inside the cartridge

Post by lukeass » 11 Dec 2018, 1:07 pm

just been wondering if it's important to clean inside the fired cartridges before reloading? i have only just started to reload and haven't really bothered to clean inside the cases. I do clean the primer pockets and the inside of the neck but is it important to clean inside the cases as well? Will it effect accuracy etc.? Any feedback is appreciated, as i'm still a bit of a rookie with reloading. Not very fussed what the shells look like as long as they perform well. (Using smokeless RL17 powder for 300WSM).
Cheers
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Re: cleaning inside the cartridge

Post by TassieTiger » 11 Dec 2018, 1:13 pm

I use an ultrasonic cleaner that might get in and about of the internals, but I dont focus on it - otherwise a brush into and out of the neck and Im done.
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Sauer 30-06 - VX 3
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Re: cleaning inside the cartridge

Post by lukeass » 11 Dec 2018, 1:29 pm

Ok great. i do brush into the shell and scrape it round the insides to take out the worst but that's good to know. So much to learn when reloading. cheers
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Re: cleaning inside the cartridge

Post by bladeracer » 11 Dec 2018, 2:10 pm

lukeass wrote:just been wondering if it's important to clean inside the fired cartridges before reloading? i have only just started to reload and haven't really bothered to clean inside the cases. I do clean the primer pockets and the inside of the neck but is it important to clean inside the cases as well? Will it effect accuracy etc.? Any feedback is appreciated, as i'm still a bit of a rookie with reloading. Not very fussed what the shells look like as long as they perform well. (Using smokeless RL17 powder for 300WSM).
Cheers


I don't clean the inside or the outside, just size, load, shoot, repeat.
Practice Strict Gun Control - Precision Counts!
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Re: cleaning inside the cartridge

Post by Wm.Traynor » 11 Dec 2018, 2:41 pm

IMO, for a hunting rifle like yours, don't bother getting an ultrasonic. I have one and bought it for a target rifle in 223. My reasoning was that the case capacity needed to stay the same for each shot and FWIW, it was very accurate. Short answer is, don't get one but also, don't operate at maximum loads.
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Re: cleaning inside the cartridge

Post by TassieTiger » 11 Dec 2018, 3:49 pm

Wm.Traynor wrote:IMO, for a hunting rifle like yours, don't bother getting an ultrasonic. I have one and bought it for a target rifle in 223. My reasoning was that the case capacity needed to stay the same for each shot and FWIW, it was very accurate. Short answer is, don't get one but also, don't operate at maximum loads.


A mate bought a ultrasonic cleaner from the LGS and paid $300...
I bought one of these for a little over $60 and it works better...so much so, ole mate bought one to compliment his other.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Digital-Ult ... rk:11:pf:0
Tikka .260 (Z5 5x25/52)
Steyr Pro Varmint .223 - VX 3
CZ455 .22 & Norinco .22 (vtex 4-12, bush 3-9)
ATA 686 U/O 12g & Baikal S/S 12g.
Adler a110 reddot
Sauer 30-06 - VX 3
Howa 300 win mag. SHV 5-20/56
Marlin SBL 45/70
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Re: cleaning inside the cartridge

Post by lukeass » 11 Dec 2018, 4:06 pm

Thanks for the responses guys. Think that settles my questions and BTW i only ever operate with medium loads.I may just stick with what i'm doing at the moment and later on down the track i may decide to get a cleaner like the one you just mentioned TassieTiger. No point splashing out on s**t i don't really need.
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Re: cleaning inside the cartridge

Post by SCJ429 » 11 Dec 2018, 6:40 pm

My opinion is do not clean the inside of the neck, the carbon acts as a lubricants and aids a consistant bullet release. Tumbled clean brass is really grabby and I add some graphite lube to help this.

By all means clean the outside of the neck with some steel wool and clean the primer pocket.
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Re: cleaning inside the cartridge

Post by SCJ429 » 11 Dec 2018, 6:46 pm

The WSM can really hammer, don't hold back too much and shoot at 308 speeds, that thing was made to motivate bits of lead at a great rate of speed.
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Re: cleaning inside the cartridge

Post by YoungSC » 12 Dec 2018, 9:41 am

TassieTiger wrote:
Wm.Traynor wrote:IMO, for a hunting rifle like yours, don't bother getting an ultrasonic. I have one and bought it for a target rifle in 223. My reasoning was that the case capacity needed to stay the same for each shot and FWIW, it was very accurate. Short answer is, don't get one but also, don't operate at maximum loads.


A mate bought a ultrasonic cleaner from the LGS and paid $300...
I bought one of these for a little over $60 and it works better...so much so, ole mate bought one to compliment his other.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Digital-Ult ... rk:11:pf:0


Hi Tas,

Does the $60 version (1.3L) come with a basket? How many rounds can you do at once?

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Re: cleaning inside the cartridge

Post by TassieTiger » 12 Dec 2018, 12:51 pm

I bought the 2 litre version (comes with basket) and can get over 200 x .223’s with room to spare and I’ve had over 120x 30-06 with room to spare.
Tikka .260 (Z5 5x25/52)
Steyr Pro Varmint .223 - VX 3
CZ455 .22 & Norinco .22 (vtex 4-12, bush 3-9)
ATA 686 U/O 12g & Baikal S/S 12g.
Adler a110 reddot
Sauer 30-06 - VX 3
Howa 300 win mag. SHV 5-20/56
Marlin SBL 45/70
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Re: cleaning inside the cartridge

Post by Sergeant Hartman » 12 Dec 2018, 2:01 pm

I have a 1.3l I don't use a bakery still works fine. It was a trabbot plastic basket
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Re: cleaning inside the cartridge

Post by YoungSC » 12 Dec 2018, 2:23 pm

Cheers both.
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Re: cleaning inside the cartridge

Post by AZZA'S HJ47 » 12 Dec 2018, 5:47 pm

I use a wet stainless tumbler all my brass comes out better than new. Inside and out love this cleaning method
Sako Varmint 243,Marlin 917, Lithgow La101 .22 , 1917 BSA 303 (ted), Finnish Vkt 1944 M39,T3X Super Varmint 223, Marlin 1895 SBL 45-70 Howa 1500 308, BSA CF2 222, 1911 9mm, Adler 12G, Sako 7mm rem Mag,Ruger m77 mk1 22-250AI, Rem 700 17 Rem, BSA No 5 303
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