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Most effective method to clean flash holes

calrugerfancalrugerfan Member Posts: 18,209
I realize that reloading is not about speed. That said, is there a more efficient way to clean flash holes other than using the little brush with the screwdriver handle?

Comments

  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Screwdriver ground to fit and scrape it out (twisting action)
    Chuck your brush into a drill.
    Get a "primer pocket uniformer" and use it to both clean and uniform the pocket at the same time.

    For handgun and blasting ammo, "why bother" is the most common answer.
  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    Flasholes? Or primer pockets?
  • 5mmgunguy5mmgunguy Member Posts: 3,092 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Call...You got to be talking about the primer pocket, right?
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,438 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I haven't cleaned a primer pocket in 50+ years, and do not plan to start. I do de-burr the inner end of the flash hole when I buy new brass; that's a one-time job, fortunately. KLM makes the best tool for that job, I think.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
  • calrugerfancalrugerfan Member Posts: 18,209
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by 5mmgunguy
    Call...You got to be talking about the primer pocket, right?


    Yes. When I saw "primer pocket," I realized that the flash hole is the little tiny hole that passes through. The primer pocket is the pocket for the primer. [;)] Imagine that.
  • calrugerfancalrugerfan Member Posts: 18,209
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Rocky Raab
    I haven't cleaned a primer pocket in 50+ years, and do not plan to start. I do de-burr the inner end of the flash hole when I buy new brass; that's a one-time job, fortunately. KLM makes the best tool for that job, I think.


    So there is no need to clean the primer pocket?
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,438 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    In my slightly less than humble opinion (LOL!), no.

    Extreme target shooters might be able to demonstrate a difference in group size with meticulously scrubbed primer pockets - but for them a tenth of an inch difference is major. For the rest of us? No.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
  • calrugerfancalrugerfan Member Posts: 18,209
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Rocky Raab
    In my slightly less than humble opinion (LOL!), no.

    Extreme target shooters might be able to demonstrate a difference in group size with meticulously scrubbed primer pockets - but for them a tenth of an inch difference is major. For the rest of us? No.


    Don't you just love when you spend a couple hours doing something unnecessary with a tool that you didn't need to buy? [B)]

    Thanks for your help.

    By the way Rocky, I went to your website hoping to find a downloadable reload log sheet. Any recommendations?
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,438 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have one that I've used forever - but never thought to post it. It's a very simple table done in Word. Landscape mode, with columns for: Date, Case, Primer, Powder, Bullet, OAL, Pressure, Velocity, S/D, Group and Remarks. I have it set up with 24 rows for loads. Margins enough to allow 3-hole punching at the top.

    I adjust the column widths to just fit the data I intend to enter (wide for bullet and powder weights and types, narrow for OAL and S/D. Very wide for Remarks. If you don't measure pressure, you might included Times Fired, Trimmed or some such - or leave that column out.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
  • chaneydchaneyd Member Posts: 56 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If I pick up hard to find range brass I'll clean the primer pocket if it's full of debris.
  • kissellkissell Member Posts: 1 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Well, if accuracy is an issue, cleaning flash hole and primer pocket will not hurt and just might help. This is, of course, if your not out to just make a noise-maker.
  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    get the sinclair primer pocket tools and the drill adaptor,..takes a few seconds to look like new.
  • coledigger4coledigger4 Member Posts: 826 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I just deprime and resize and then throw them in my tumbler. A quick blast of air after the tumbler and they are ready for inspection and reloading.
  • gunprofitgunprofit Member Posts: 157 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I like to clean the primer pockets on cases that I consider to have a shallow pocket. The 45 Long Colt is one of those for me. If I clean them I get flush seating much easier. Otherwise I get a primer seated too high on occasion. Some day I will buy a gauge to measure the primer pockets and see if it's just my imagination or there are truly cases with shallow primer pockets.
  • ENBLOCENBLOC Member Posts: 327 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I use berdan primed cases that I flatten with brass hammer and then file the end to fit the primer pocket. It works like a champ! You'll always have a "supply" of primer pocket cleaners/scrapers. I de-burr all my rifle cases, not pistol AND I always clean the primer pockets. Why not? I enjoy my time at my bench handcrafting each and every round![^]
  • coledigger4coledigger4 Member Posts: 826 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Another money saving idea, I like these, thanks.
  • chaneydchaneyd Member Posts: 56 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The only high sitting primers I encounter seem to be for my .44mag. Never realized it until I start using my wheel gun.
  • chiefrchiefr Member Posts: 14,083 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Rocky Raab
    In my slightly less than humble opinion (LOL!), no.

    Extreme target shooters might be able to demonstrate a difference in group size with meticulously scrubbed primer pockets - but for them a tenth of an inch difference is major. For the rest of us? No.


    Agree Rocky, been reloading for 37 years and never cleaned primer pockets, especially in pistol. I did a few times in rifle matches and never saw any appreciable differences. Unless they are really gungy, I see no sense in it.
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