The best primer pocket cleaner??

[jam1e 12]

I'd like to buy the RBS version, that i've heard a few reports about.

I'm trying to find a decent manual primer pocket cleaner. I've been using my lee type that came with my Lee reloading kit. After around 100 uses it was very poor and removed very little burnt powder.

I did use a screw driver which wasn't bad. I don't intend to buy another Lee one again....

I've looked around and more or less made my mind up on the RCBS Primer Pocket Brush, which uses lots of what i think are steel pins.

I've hear a few reports of them scratching to much of the brass away. Does anybody out there use one or have used one? What did you think???

Cheers

Jamie

[dicehorn 38]

Hi Jamie

 

There is (in my opinion) only one primer pocket cleaner that does the job perfectly and that is the K & M Primer Pocket Uniformer. I used to have the RCBS offering but found it only removed about % of the black carbon, left the pocket scratched but more importantly did not uniform the pocket.

 

When a cartidge is fired there is a flow of brass which almost returns to the shape it was before firing - the outside usually expands in that mili second to the size of the chamber before contacting - that is why we either neck size or full length the cases, however the brass in the base of the primer pocket has no restriction, so over time will continue to grow and you will end up having your primers being crushed at their edges to fit below the level of the headstamp - use of the RCBS tool will not correct this. However the K & M tool which comes with a small rifle cutter and a large rifle cutter will ensure that the depth of the primer pocket stays at 122 thou for small cases and 131 thou for large cases

 

This tool is perhaps a bit more expensive than other types on the market but I have had mine more than 15 years and with a carbide cutter is as sharp as when new and has done many thousands of cases and no doubt continue for many years to come - buy once cry once!!

 

See:

http://www.shooting.com.au/forum/index.php?app=classifieds&do=view_item&item_id=43

 

Peter

[charlie caller 3,654]

 

What so you bought it and it made you cry? think I will stick with my Lee one then.

[dicehorn 38]

What so you bought it and it made you cry? think I will stick with my Lee one then.

 

'Buy once cry once' is a well known figure of speech - obviously lost on you.

 

'Lee one then' Hm... Chalk and Cheese - hopefully that does not need explaining to you !!

[jam1e 12]

I've heard the quote Pete. I'm not always a believer of it. But the link one shows $25, so it's not to bad.

I was happy with my Lee pocket cleaner, (If a little fidley..) but found it got blunt very quickly, so i started using a screwdriver. Obviuosly not made for the job and as the Lee became blunt quickly.

Never heard of the K & M type, i'll have a look. Thanks.

[MAG1 1]

Hi.Ultra sonic cleaner gets it all out when you clean your brass.No need for brushes.

 

mark

[zx10mike 137]

Hi Jamie

 

There is (in my opinion) only one primer pocket cleaner that does the job perfectly and that is the K & M Primer Pocket Uniformer. I used to have the RCBS offering but found it only removed about % of the black carbon, left the pocket scratched but more importantly did not uniform the pocket.

 

When a cartidge is fired there is a flow of brass which almost returns to the shape it was before firing - the outside usually expands in that mili second to the size of the chamber before contacting - that is why we either neck size or full length the cases, however the brass in the base of the primer pocket has no restriction, so over time will continue to grow and you will end up having your primers being crushed at their edges to fit below the level of the headstamp - use of the RCBS tool will not correct this. However the K & M tool which comes with a small rifle cutter and a large rifle cutter will ensure that the depth of the primer pocket stays at 122 thou for small cases and 131 thou for large cases

 

This tool is perhaps a bit more expensive than other types on the market but I have had mine more than 15 years and with a carbide cutter is as sharp as when new and has done many thousands of cases and no doubt continue for many years to come - buy once cry once!!

 

See:

http://www.shooting....item&item_id=43

 

Peter

the man is spot on as usual anouther bonus you just put on a drill quick spin and done , halves the time and stops you over-developing you forearm and having your mates poke fun at you

[jam1e 12]

Hi Jamie

 

There is (in my opinion) only one primer pocket cleaner that does the job perfectly and that is the K & M Primer Pocket Uniformer. I used to have the RCBS offering but found it only removed about % of the black carbon, left the pocket scratched but more importantly did not uniform the pocket.

 

When a cartidge is fired there is a flow of brass which almost returns to the shape it was before firing - the outside usually expands in that mili second to the size of the chamber before contacting - that is why we either neck size or full length the cases, however the brass in the base of the primer pocket has no restriction, so over time will continue to grow and you will end up having your primers being crushed at their edges to fit below the level of the headstamp - use of the RCBS tool will not correct this. However the K & M tool which comes with a small rifle cutter and a large rifle cutter will ensure that the depth of the primer pocket stays at 122 thou for small cases and 131 thou for large cases

 

This tool is perhaps a bit more expensive than other types on the market but I have had mine more than 15 years and with a carbide cutter is as sharp as when new and has done many thousands of cases and no doubt continue for many years to come - buy once cry once!!

 

See:

http://www.shooting....item&item_id=43

 

Peter

the man is spot on as usual anouther bonus you just put on a drill quick spin and done , halves the time and stops you over-developing you forearm and having your mates poke fun at you

I did put it in my cordless but i was having to use more effort to clean them than i was happy with.

[jam1e 12]

Hi.Ultra sonic cleaner gets it all out when you clean your brass.No need for brushes.

 

mark

 

I was thinking about an Ultrasonic earlier today but wasn't sure if they would clean the primer pocket. And also, whether i would have to buy one the size of a dustbin to get the carbon off!

Do you use one Mark? If so, what type is it?

Would i need a high kHz rating as it's carbon? The most rounds i would need to clean at any one time would only be 100.

Cheers

Jamie

[dicehorn 38]

Hi.Ultra sonic cleaner gets it all out when you clean your brass.No need for brushes.

 

mark

 

Mark, you are absolutely right about the ultrasonic cleaner removing the carbon deposits, but.......... no ultasonic cleaner will uniform the primer pocket which is equally as important as cleaning it.

[jam1e 12]

Hi.Ultra sonic cleaner gets it all out when you clean your brass.No need for brushes.

 

mark

 

Mark, you are absolutely right about the ultrasonic cleaner removing the carbon deposits, but.......... no ultasonic cleaner will uniform the primer pocket which is equally as important as cleaning it.

 

For what it's worth, i just watched 4 youtube clips on cleaning your brass with an Ultrasonic cleaner and they all came out like new. Including the primer pockets. The one was a "cheapo" from Lidl to....

Just to add that the liquid they used was half water half vinegar. With a tablespoon of salt and a few drops of either dishwater liquid or washing up liquid.

Edited December 28, 2012 by jam1e

[MAG1 1]

Hi.Ultra sonic cleaner gets it all out when you clean your brass.No need for brushes.

 

mark

 

Mark, you are absolutely right about the ultrasonic cleaner removing the carbon deposits, but.......... no ultasonic cleaner will uniform the primer pocket which is equally as important as cleaning it.

 

 

 

 

Hi Dicehorn.

 

I do my pockets and flash holes on the brass when its new,Tried doing the pockets when prepping cases after firing and the cutter removes nothing,so just full length and trim.

Lapua brass needs very little work i have found.i'e flash holes and pockets are very good when its new.

 

mark...

Edited December 28, 2012 by MAG1

[dicehorn 38]

Hi.Ultra sonic cleaner gets it all out when you clean your brass.No need for brushes.

 

mark

 

Mark, you are absolutely right about the ultrasonic cleaner removing the carbon deposits, but.......... no ultasonic cleaner will uniform the primer pocket which is equally as important as cleaning it.

 

 

 

 

Hi Dicehorn.

 

I do my pockets and flash holes on the brass when its new,Tried doing the pockets when prepping cases after firing and the cutter removes nothing,so just full length and trim.

Lapua brass needs very little work i have found.i'e flash holes and pockets are very good when its new.

 

mark...

 

Yes Lapua brass is about the best (use it on my 20 Tac and 6.5), but even that does need the primer pocket uniforming when new and then again during subsequent firings - some hardly anything - others a little. If you are finding that you are not able to remove any brass from the pocket, it may well be that your cutter is set too low (see my post #2) It can easily be checked after using the uniformer buy using the other end of the vernier gauge to measure the depth.

 

Apart from removing any burr against the flash hole from the inside when the case is new, it is recommended that flash holes are not touched during the life of the case.

 

Peter

[charlie caller 3,654]

What so you bought it and it made you cry? think I will stick with my Lee one then.

 

'Buy once cry once' is a well known figure of speech - obviously lost on you.

 

'Lee one then' Hm... Chalk and Cheese - hopefully that does not need explaining to you !!

I can assure you,I do not need an explanation,and yes I have heard the saying also,perhaps with hindsight,I should not have attempted humour,when dealing with such a serious topic as primer pocket cleaning,had I but known that it would have resulted in a sense of humour faliure on your part I would have agreed with you,in fact after your considered wisdom,I shall plunge my inferior Lee model into the depths of the nearest well,thankyou I now feel well and truly on the road to enlightenment.

[jam1e 12]

What so you bought it and it made you cry? think I will stick with my Lee one then.

 

'Buy once cry once' is a well known figure of speech - obviously lost on you.

 

'Lee one then' Hm... Chalk and Cheese - hopefully that does not need explaining to you !!

I can assure you,I do not need an explanation,and yes I have heard the saying also,perhaps with hindsight,I should not have attempted humour,when dealing with such a serious topic as primer pocket cleaning,had I but known that it would have resulted in a sense of humour faliure on your part I would have agreed with you,in fact after your considered wisdom,I shall plunge my inferior Lee model into the depths of the nearest well,thankyou I now feel well and truly on the road to enlightenment.

 

Please folks no arguing.

I've come over to this forum to avoid the minority of ar**holes on Pigeon Watch who's only imput is to stir up bad fellings.

After all it is only a question over the best primer pocket cleaner. I'm buying an Ultrasonic cleaner now, so sorted.

Thanks for all the imput though folks. much appreciated