243winxb
Member
The Redding Primer Pocket Uniformer gets out all the soot that the Lee tool misses. If you bother to clean pockets?
Is there a better tool?
What do you use?
Is there a better tool?
What do you use?
Cleaning Primer Pockets. Tools?
- Thread starter 243winxb
- Start date
CQB45ACP
Member
Primer pockets? Somebody say primer pockets?
Oh, only cleaning...
I always decap then wet tumble with pins, that cleans them completely.
Oh, only cleaning...
I always decap then wet tumble with pins, that cleans them completely.
bfalcon00
Member
I don't bother as I wet tumble and the pockets come out looking like new brass.
shoebox1.1
Member
I wash, decap then use the lee hand tools. My pockets look pretty spiffy. I like the idea of “washing” the old primers in case.. get as much lead exposure out of it before I handle them
EMC45
Member
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2008
- Messages
- 1,939
If I have any that are very crusty I will use a piece of 1/8th inch sheathed cable that I cut down and dressed on the grinding wheel. It does lrg and sm pockets and can be mounted in a drill if that's what you want.
I had one of the RCBS wire brush tools that mount in their little handle, but all the bristles fell out.
I had one of the RCBS wire brush tools that mount in their little handle, but all the bristles fell out.
irving
Member
This is the tool I use. I made it from .030" Starrett feeler gauge stock. Does a great job.
GeoDudeFlorida
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2020
- Messages
- 11,055
I’m not gonna get into the who makes the best tool debate but I do use the Lyman kit and like it fine. If somebody thinks something else works better, more power to them and full steam ahead, compadres.
Soonerpesek
Member
I have that 8- piece Lyman kit also…
It serves it’s purpose well when needed…
It serves it’s purpose well when needed…
JFrank
Member
Bill_in_TR
Member
I use the motorized Hornady case prep station. These old fingers get worn out twisting those hand tools.
irishlad
Contributing Member
Yup, only takes a second or 2 on each station to prep the brass.
Surprised to hear that. Mine has lasted thousands of cases with no signs of wear.
OP
OP
243winxb
Member
Many ways to clean pockets. Liking the homemade tool, in post #7 . An old screw driver could be shaped to fit. Yes, i am thrifty. (cheap) 
My citrus/Dawn wash doesnt clean pockets well, shaking in a plastic container.
Most times i wipe brass with a rag & load. Pockets are not cleaned every time. The RCBS Ram Prime Unit does the primer seating.
My citrus/Dawn wash doesnt clean pockets well, shaking in a plastic container.
Most times i wipe brass with a rag & load. Pockets are not cleaned every time. The RCBS Ram Prime Unit does the primer seating.
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Captain*kirk
Member
The Bushmaster
Member
Throttle pull cable with 1" of wire exposed. Works on ALL sizes of pockets.
sparkyv
Member
Lee, Lyman, RCBS hand tools...all work the same to me.
I've been using an RCBS Trim Mate Case Prep for the last 20 odd years to uniform and clean primer pockets as well as to do a variety of other case prep work. Works very well. I have all the hand stuff too from my start up days. What a chore that was. Back then though I was only loading 20-50 rifle rounds at a time. Then, I guess I just got lazy. The Trim Mate (or any other motorized version) makes short work of the job.
Captain*kirk
Member
OS/N
Member
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2023
- Messages
- 245
I have a lee, an rcbs, and lyman tool. I use the lee the most mounted in a small bench top drill press the most. The rcbs wire type is either too big or too small and will scratch the pocket even when turned by hand but I still use it from time to time if I see something that should come out right before the primer goes in. I mainly use the lyman on swaged pockets as a uniformer.
Charlie98
Member
I have the Lyman case prep center as well. They include a primer pocket 'cleaner,' which is just a threaded version of the little hand tool, but I actually use the primer pocket uniformer tool to clean my primer pockets... I think it does a better job cutting that moon rock out of the primer pocket.
That pile of black crap is the moon rock I cut out of my .41MAG brass. I had issues seating primers because of it... I believe the carbon built up from big loads of IMR4227, because it was never an issue prior to using IMR4227.
That pile of black crap is the moon rock I cut out of my .41MAG brass. I had issues seating primers because of it... I believe the carbon built up from big loads of IMR4227, because it was never an issue prior to using IMR4227.
Hugger-4641
Member
F-class John did a video on this where he tested a few different powder charges. Dirty primer pockets had as good or better SD and grouped as well or better than clean ones in his test. But I just can't load dirty pockets unless I know I'm about to go shoot them immediately. I wet tumble, so I usually don't have to clean pockets, but I have the FA Platinum case prep center and thats what I use if I'm going to load cases without tumble cleaning first. I started out with the RCBS wire brush type and still have it, but rarely use it anymore.
