New to reloading with a couple of questions

[rino451]

How does one go about depriming unfired brass safely? I'd like to resize and trim them for use in an X-die to minimize trimming in the future - I HATE TRIMMING!

Which leads me to... what's the most expeditious way to trim, debur, and champfer? I'm looking at reloading about 1000 rounds a week or so. Does the RCBS Trim Pro and 3-way cutter really work? I've tried the Lee case trimmer and it sucked. The rod that goes down into the case get's hung up on something down in there - I assume that it's something related to the primer pocket. I had to actually chuck it up and grind the shoudler back and add a steeper taper to get it to the point where the pin would pass through enough to actually bottom out on the holder.

Thanks!

 

[The Bushmaster]

Resize and decap as you would normally do except do it a little gentler. And make sure you are wearing safety glasses. I have decapped many unfired primers with no problems at all. Just be careful...

I use the RCBS Rotory Case Trimmer-2. It works just fine for my needs.

 

[ball3006]

You can put a drop of oil in the case...

which will neturalize the primer, then decap. You will have to clean the inside of the case afterwards. A shot of brake cleaner will work. As for the Lee trimmer sticking, I have found out some case makers have a slightly smaller primer hole VS the Lee rod. I just ream out my primer holes so they are uniform. I chuck my Lee trimmer in my drill press and it works like a charm......The only drawback to a Lee trimmer is there is no adjustment....chris3

 

[Chawbaccer]

Why de-prime? you can resize and trim with the primers already done

 

[The Bushmaster]

Chawbaccer has a point at that. Why decap if all you are going to do is trim.

By The Way. Oil, breakfree, water or any other substance will not nul primers. So don't bother. Just easy them out and you will be fine if you must decap.

 

[rino451]

I decided to go back through the entire brass prep process and recleaned all the brass in soapy water adn then white vinegar in my tumbler. Sorted out the breass that had been primed already and test fired 3-4 through the rifle. Nada. That was after the brass was out of the vinegar for about 12 hours.

 

[Ol` Joe]

If the cases aren`t over max lenght why not load and shoot? You can resize useing the RCBS X die after and not waste primers. The growth on your cases mostly comes when they are full sized sized and the fireing may even have them shorten slightly from where they are now. Brass has to go somewhere when expanded and usually the case shortens. It then grows longer when sized back down to the proper diameter. This is the reason for resizing before trimming. A Lee collet die will also eliminate trimming and will give you the straightest cases you`re likely to get when resized. (little or no run out)They are cheap and work very well. I`ve sized cases over a dozen times and never have been able to measure growth with my caliper when useing them. I haven`t tried the X die and can`t say anything about them.

The Lee trimmer rod was likely hanging up on a burr in the primer pocket. They aren`t usually a problem but on poor brass they may be heavier then normal. They are formed when the pocket is punched in the case head. Some brands are drilled and don`t show burrs. Lots of target shooters run a deburring tool in the pockets as part of their case prep. The operation only has to be done once and aides in even ignition. I`ve used a Lee on about 1/2 dz different cartridges and never had a problem. That doesn`t mean they`re infailable or a bad one doesn`t get past QC.

The wet primers are likely safe to deprime. Speer/CCI states they are inert when wet but reactivate when dried, sensitivity can change. They don`t recommend punching out live ones though. I know from experiance WD40 doesn`t always kill them. JFYI..............

 

[rino451]

I shoot it in two different guns and was under the understanding that I needed to resize it all after every firing. Both guns ar AR's with 5.56 chambers. Does the resizing rule still hold?

Thanks!

 

[Jim Watson]

How long is your brass? I haven't seen any new brass that was over length.
So why trim until you have to?
All I do with new brass to be shot in a non-match rifle is to run it over the neck expander to get out any dents the bulk packing put in, deburr, load, and shoot.

 

[Ol` Joe]

If you shoot two different rifles you`ll have to full size to insure the cartridge will fit both chambers. I wasn`t aware you were useing more then one rifle when I suggested the neck sizeing.