Dirty primer pockets

[tedsalad]

I am currently using a wet tumbler and SS media, previously used various US cleaners on .223/6.5 & .308 but I always have carbon deposits left in the primer pocket. I´ve been using an RCBS pocket uniformer to get the last bits of crud out, there´s gotta be a better way.

I´d appreciate recommendations.

Thanks

 

[kenbro]

I am currently using a wet tumbler and SS media, previously used various US cleaners on .223/6.5 & .308 but I always have carbon deposits left in the primer pocket. I´ve been using an RCBS pocket uniformer to get the last bits of crud out, there´s gotta be a better way.

I´d appreciate recommendations.

Thanks

Sonic.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

I am currently using a wet tumbler and SS media, previously used various US cleaners on .223/6.5 & .308 but I always have carbon deposits left in the primer pocket. I´ve been using an RCBS pocket uniformer to get the last bits of crud out, there´s gotta be a better way.

I´d appreciate recommendations.

Thanks

Run for 2 hrs min.

 

[enfieldspares]

I am currently using a wet tumbler and SS media, previously used various US cleaners on .223/6.5 & .308 but I always have carbon deposits left in the primer pocket. I´ve been using an RCBS pocket uniformer to get the last bits of crud out, there´s gotta be a better way.

I´d appreciate recommendations.

Thanks

I use a parallel side screwdriver. If you can't get one with parallel sides then get one with sloping sides and put a file down them to make them parallel. Electricical screwdrivers are good if they fit the primer pocket.

 

[Jamoy1993]

You can get some sort of motor / old drill and mount it up on low speed and put one of the brush heads in it and then just push em into that to speed the process up and save the wrists. I use the hornady case prep motor to do this sometimes.

 

[Tralle]

Leave it in, it doesnt matter.

Some prs shooters in the states doesnt bother cleaning primer pockets anymore.

 

[Scipio]

Leave it in, it doesnt matter.

Some prs shooters in the states doesnt bother cleaning primer pockets anymore.

I think gunblue90 said the same, and that he, (who is ex Army, ex police and a former competition shooter as well) and one of his shooting pals had experimented to see if it would make a difference, but hadn't found it to.

 

[Klenchblaize]

I can see the sense in avoiding aggressive cleaning of primer pockets if wishing to maximise case life. That said I've seated primers in pockets with poor resistance without issue for many, many years.

K

 

[geoffw]

I think gunblue90 said the same, and that he, (who is ex Army, ex police and a former competition shooter as well) and one of his shooting pals had experimented to see if it would make a difference, but hadn't found it to.

I think I saw research showing that pocket powder residue was in fact the primary cause of abrasive damage to barrels. There was something about its physical properties that made it aggressive. That would suggest there is a role for pocket cleaning.

 

[bluesako]

get a k&m pocket unifier works a treat shiny shiny

 

[gixer1]

 

[Utectok]

Don’t clean

 

[MAH]

I use a parallel side screwdriver. If you can't get one with parallel sides then get one with sloping sides and put a file down them to make them parallel. Electricical screwdrivers are good if they fit the primer pocket.

@tedsalad.
As above.
Wet ultrasonic clean and dry.
Then, as part of manual case inspection, I rotate the case on an electrician's screwdriver placed in the primer pocket.
Works just fine.
M.

 

[trickie]

Are you using Stainless steel pins?, mine are clean (.223 & 6.5) after 20 minutes tumbling

 

[Scipio]

I think I saw research showing that pocket powder residue was in fact the primary cause of abrasive damage to barrels. There was something about its physical properties that made it aggressive. That would suggest there is a role for pocket cleaning.

Hello mate

Interesting!
Well tbf to gunblue90, i believe he was, in his experimentation, primarily observing the relative immediate effects on functionality, and above all accuracy, on shooting with and without primer pocket cleaned ammunition, not the potential enhanced long term wear on the barrel.

But if i may ask, how is this increased barrel wear due to uncleaned primer pockets theorized to happen, exactly?
And wouldnt potentially gun damaging residue from dirty primer pockets primarily then affect the chamber, and not the barrel?

 

[Bavarianbrit]

The case obturates upon firing so creating a seal against any powder ingress to the chamber walls, the bullets travel perhaps sucks the gases up the barrel?

 

[tedsalad]

Guys,
Thanks for all the replies.
Personally I like everything as clean as I can get it.
I'm gonna try and bodge up a screw driver in the interim and then see what I can spend my pennies on at the shooting show.
Thanks

 

[User00056]

As long as the flash hole is clear I don't bother

 

[Apthorpe]

I think I saw research showing that pocket powder residue was in fact the primary cause of abrasive damage to barrels. There was something about its physical properties that made it aggressive. That would suggest there is a role for pocket cleaning.

This is curious. Was the research clear in distinguishing a difference between the primer residue which is an unavoidable consequence of firing a round, and the effect of pre-existing primer residue which is adhered to the inside of the primer pocket being blown down the barrel from reloaded rounds? Was there any distinction found between the physical properties of primers using different chemicals? For example DDNP non-lead styphnate type compared to conventional? Presumably the physical properties must differ somewhat?

I'm not quite clear on the mechanism for transmission of this residue from its starting position inside a primer pocket. It's dislodged/vapourised, exits the gap which may exist (or not) between detonating primer and case primer pocket, it then turns the corner into the case and exits into the barrel, presumably behind the main mass of deflagrating powder, so there is presumably less abrasive force applying it to the barrel?

It would be interesting to read this research.

 

[Klenchblaize]

get a k&m pocket unifier works a treat shiny shiny

Because it removes brass?

K