Clean brass first or resize first?

[SDHNTR]

Seems most guys clean first and then resize their brass. But then how do you get the primer out? I use decapping pin dies. Don’t you want the primer out first so the pocket gets cleaned? Which means then you have sized first?

Or say I do de-prime/re-size first and then clean. That takes all the lube out of the neck. Don’t I want some in there for ease of bullet seating and to prevent bullet seize/cold weld?

I use an ultrasonic cleaner.

Curious to hear others’ process.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I resize then clean. Seemed like the obvious sequence when I first started reloading. Never seen a reason to change from that way.

 

[92xj]

I deprime, clean, then resize. I want the cleanest brass possible going into my dies.

 

[16Bore]

I certainly want all the junk off my brass before it hits the dies and shiny clean brass runs a lot smoother.

Set the decap pin low so it just pops out the primers, then tumble.

 

[30 Alk Mag]

I decapp , clean , check flash holes, resize.
every one has a personal preference

 

[92xj]

Use this to decap before cleaning and sizing

Lee Universal Depriming Decapping Die

The Lee Universal Decapping and Depriming Die is made of steel and allows the reloader to take cases directly from the range and decap them without the...

www.midwayusa.com

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[tdot]

Deprime, clean, resize.

You can use a separate depriming die, this keeps the carbon and crap out of your resizing dies which can either scratch the brass or even the die, it can also lead to stuck cases.

 

[Montana Slim]

Same as above...

Knock out the primers
Inspect
Clean
Inspect
Resize
Inspect
Trim if needed

 

[HiMtnHntr]

Tumble, resize/trim/chamfer/debur, etc... tumble again - sometimes a trip in the ultrasonic if i want it real clean.

Tumbling is 100% not necessary, but I like getting the crud off before prepping and after.

 

[MidGAHunter]

I use a universal decapping die to punch the primer. Then clean, then resize. I don't want dirty brass in my resizing die.

 

[N2TRKYS]

Those who don’t want “dirty” brass in your sizing die, do you not use lube during the resizing process?

 

[MidGAHunter]

Those who don’t want “dirty” brass in your sizing die, do you not use lube during the resizing process?

Sure I do. But before I recognized the importance of cleaning brass first I ended up with stuck cases and scratched brass from dirt, etc. Havent had an issue since I started cleaning brass before sizing. To each their own though...

 

[N2TRKYS]

Sure I do. But before I recognized the importance of cleaning brass first I ended up with stuck cases and scratched brass from dirt, etc. Havent had an issue since I started cleaning brass before sizing. To each their own though...

If I was scratching and sticking cases, I would change what I was doing too. Luckily, I haven’t had that problem.

 

[woods89]

I tumble, decap/resize, and then tumble again to remove the lube. Probably not necessary but I like clean brass going in to my dies and I like the lube gone before I charge and load. But that's just me!

 

[SDHNTR]

So are those universal de capping dies good for all calibers and cartridges? Hence the term universal?

 

[farmer14]

Tumble, resize, tumble again.

 

[briscoetab]

I use the Frankford arsenal hand depriming tool, then ultra sonic clean them, anneal, resize, ultra sonic clean again. I usually deprime 200-300 cases at a time and don’t have an issue with the hand deprimer. Quick and easy.

Pain in the rear to clean twice but I use spray lube to resize and don’t like the idea of leaving any of that lube on the case or even worse in it. I’ve tried the other methods of lubing cases and overall liked spraying them the best.

 

[tdot]

So are those universal de capping dies good for all calibers and cartridges? Hence the term universal?

They'll do most typical hunting cartridges, sometimes they'll not work on longer cases, or 50BMG, etc.

I use the Mighty Armoury decapping die.

 

[Lawnboi]

I’m the farthest thing from a reloading expert. But I clean my brass prior to resizing. Probably wouldn’t have to if I shot, gently grabbed my brass as I extracted it, and placed it back in the box. But 90% of my brass gets flung in the dirt.

 

[16Bore]

Denatured alcohol to clean the lube off before priming, powder, and bullet.