Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Al - HandLoader Forum Clean Brass

This pertains to pistol especially 9mm since that’s why I’m loading. The NAS3 cases are at or past 15 reloads. I’ve loaded a few to over 30 before chunking them. I’ve never cleaned them, just resize and deprive and load them up. The flash hole is larger than normal. I’ve never had a squib or similar. They’re loaded towards max and CCI primers.

Just thinking I guess is cleaning necessary or just because we do it on larger deer caliber cartridges and everything is scrutinized.

Most shots with pistol are 7 yds thru 25 yds with an occasional 50 to 100 yards.

I loaded some brass 9mm and didn’t clean. Once fired and then reloaded and performed fine.

I guess that’s why I’m asking what say ye

Pistol brass pretty much never wears out unless it starts to split when seating the bullet and I'm yet to have that to happen. A common saying is that you'll lose pistol brass before you wear it out and I believe it. I suppose case head separation should be considered if repeatedly loading +P or otherwise hot rounds. Carbon is actually a lubricant and dirty brass should always load just fine once it's resized. And, FWIW, I only use carbide dies for pistol calibers. And I like shiny brass.

I agree about finding it. One reason I like the NAs3 cases. They’re steel components and use a magnet stick to pick them up. I had Lee carbide dies but upgraded to Dillon. My Lee taper crimp die had two rust spots in it and a sticky. I cleaned it up and lubricated and placed in storage. Academy has a good sale online for 500 115s for $118 so now I have a good source for decent brass too. Got the Dillon sizing die so I have choices now.

I guess why I asked, when my friend showed me the progressive Dillion and loading 9mm he cleans always. Runs them thru a resizing depriming die and cleans. He’s retired so time is his friend. Brownells showed two guys discussing and one does as my friend the other cleans the brass and then resizes/deprives and reprimes on his progressive.

The NAs3 cases are two piece and cleaning is not recommended. I guess I’m curious as to others thoughts.

I load on a Dillon 550B and all my carbide pistol dies are Dillon and most of my rifle dies are Dillon. My factory crimp and neck sizing dies are all Lee. THE thing about not cleaning the brass is that the dies will pick up some of whatever is on/in them and range brass is subject to have grit in it. I have my own range and all my brass is ejected onto grass or an old bed sheet for easy collection.

My general understanding is the main purpose of cleaning is to prolong the life of your dies. the dirt acts as a mild abrasive and over time can wear your dies. This is likely a non-issue for straight walled pistol cases since they're usually carbide dies.

also, curious if you're just loading standard pressure 9mm or if you're using that brass so you can push it to major power factor?

I’m not loading to max. Max I’ve seen at 5.8 or 5.9 gr of Silouette under 124 fmj, I’m at 5.4 gr.

Here’s a benefit to the NAs3 cases
Brass feels better going thru the 750

I was looking at loads more in the range of 7.4 grains Silhouette and a 124gr bullet.

Loading for pistol, im sure yall know this. Had a brother in law load some ar15 loads for him. Accidentally loaded with pistol powder. Blew his arrows apart, wonder it didn't kill him. All that was left were his hands were!

Ammo apart, dam auto correct !

I just like the way brass looks out of the tumbler.

Which tumbler y’all like?

The ones that separate brass from media after cleaning

This.

I like how it looks too

Just curious as of the necessity of cleaning brass and every time.

I like keeping brass clean and will do so when enough accumulates to warrant breaking out the equipment. Helps identify any damage to the case that may/may not be readily visible when the brass is dirty. Hands down the best method I've found is tumbling w/ stainless steel pins and Lemi Shine. De-prime prior and the pockets will get cleaned as well. Nothing looks prettier than freshly washed nickel of regular brass (don't mix when cleaning).

All my rifle brass gets that full cleaning treatment

I’m just asking about the pistol brass in particular. Since I’m picking brass up from dirt and gravel I may go ahead incorporate cleaning in.

Like I saw in a brownells podcast. Two guys cleaned their pistol brass, one reprised fort and the other did not and they had a discussion about it.