Smyth Busters: Do You Need To Clean Your Brass?

Published on February 21, 2023
Duration: 5:45

This guide, presented by Steven and Caleb from Brownells, addresses the common reloading question of whether brass needs cleaning. They explain that the necessity of cleaning depends on the brass's condition, with dirty brass requiring cleaning to protect reloading dies. The video explores various cleaning methods, including dry tumbling with different media and optional decapping before or after tumbling, while cautioning against over-cleaning.

Quick Summary

Cleaning reloading brass is essential if it's picked up from dirty environments like gravel to prevent abrasive grit from damaging your reloading dies. Common methods include dry tumbling with corn cob or walnut media, and ultrasonic cleaning. Decapping before tumbling aids primer pocket cleaning but risks media entrapment.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Brass Cleaning Question
  2. 00:20Differing Opinions on Cleaning
  3. 00:41Situational Cleaning Needs
  4. 01:26Preference for Clean Brass
  5. 01:36Decision to Clean: It Depends
  6. 02:07Dry Tumbling & Decapping Debate
  7. 03:40Dry Tumbling Methods
  8. 04:14Over-Cleaning Brass
  9. 04:52Recommendation for Tumblers

Frequently Asked Questions

When is it essential to clean reloading brass?

It's essential to clean reloading brass if it's picked up from dirty environments like gravel. This prevents abrasive grit from damaging your reloading dies during the resizing process, ensuring longevity of your equipment.

What are the common methods for cleaning reloading brass?

Common methods include dry tumbling using media like corn cob or walnut, and ultrasonic cleaning. Both have pros and cons regarding thoroughness and the final finish achieved.

Should I decap brass before or after tumbling?

Decapping before tumbling allows for a cleaner primer pocket, but media can get stuck. Not decapping means a new primer can be seated if the old one was dislodged during tumbling.

Is it possible to over-clean brass?

Yes, over-cleaning can occur by excessively polishing brass to a mirror shine using abrasive methods. While clean brass is good, extreme polishing is often unnecessary for safe and effective reloading.

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