High volume OUTSIDE case neck cleaning?

[Reelamin]

Just wondering if anyone has found a high volume way to clean...THE CARBON BUILD UP OFF THE OUTSIDE....of case necks. I'm not worried about any other part of the case for this topic.

In regards to high volume cases I am talking 500-1000 .223, 500 .308, 2-300 300 RUM, etc.

I have tried everything from ISSO cleaner, Soap and Water, 10 hrs in vibratory cleaner, Vinegar and Water, steel wool, etc. The only ways I have found take forever for high volumes. I have looked at Sonic cleaners, but they actually only clean small amounts at a time.

The fastest way I have found that actually removes all the carbon is just using a brass cleaner/rag on every single case neck.

Open to any ideas guys are using to quickly do this.

 

[kaseyfied]

they make big sonic cleaners.. for high volume proccess like you want t do.. my hornady does 75 lapua mag brass at one time.. sonic cleaner is the way to go it will clean everything.. my case mouths are clean everytime with the sonic style cleaner

kasey

 

[Reelamin]

Kasey, I looked at those closer and googled some info on them.
the Lyman looks like a decent sized unit. Why are they de-capping before sizing and cleaning? What happens if you don't de-prime before cleaning. I like to clean, resize, clean again, then load. How many cases does the solution generally clean.

 

[cornchuck]

The reason why the decapping process is done before they are put in the sonic cleaner is to clean the primer pockets. You can do the process you do now( size, recap, trim, etc.) before putting them in the sonic cleaner. I do. When doing case prep first then sonic cleaner, you can get the cases clean inside and outside. That includes getting the case lube off the brass. I have even ran them through the vibratory tumbler before sizing and the sonic cleaner. But I just go ahead and lube, resize, the whole works before I clean them in the cleaner. Just make sure they are completely dry before loading.

Jason

 

[kaseyfied]

+1 for chuck.. I clean then resize then clean again.. I wipe down my cases before they go into the cleaner though.. I do not like to have wax in the solution.I stand the cases up when drying aswell.. I love the sonic clean.. my bullets seat better and overall accuracy does inprove in my opinion.. just my 2 cents though.. that sonic cleaner lyman makes it huge.. hold 1.5 gallons of water so you should be able to do you 500 rounds of 223 I would think no prob

kasey

 

[Reelamin]

Thanks, If I could buy one now I would. If I could get by without buying guns, brass, bullets, and everything else I need maybe I could. LOL Guess I will still have sore fingers for a while.

 

[Broz]

Reelamin, I like to remove this carbon before neck sizing also. My stainless media tumbler will do it with ease, but I also have wondered about using a carbon cleaning liquid and dipping them. I thought of trying "Power Service" diesel fuel conditioner. I know it is very good at removing carbon. But this would probably require a full cleaning of the brass as well. Haven't tried it but just thought I would share the "food for thought"

Jeff

 

[Wile E Coyote]

Reelamin, I like to remove this carbon before neck sizing also. My stainless media tumbler will do it with ease, ...
Jeff

+1 on the Stainless tumbling media in a "Thumbler's Tumbler." I've run a few batches where the container was more than 3/4 full of .223 brass; read that as OVER FILLED. Everything comes out lookin' like new. Just add enough water to cover the brass, the SS media, a good squirt of DAWN dish soap, a heaping tablespoon of a product called LEMME SHINE; all carefully measured by eye. (I'm blind in one eye and can't out of the other) Bolt the cover on and let it run for a few hours. The Brass will be as clean as you could possibly want it, inside and out.

One word of caution from personal experience, use COLD water! First time out I used very WARM water. I was going to get'em real clean! lightbulb Several hours later when I tried to get the lid off and things had cooled off, the vacuum created really held that cover on tight. Had to do a bit of carefull prying to break the seal without damaging the unit.

 

[Broz]

+1 on the Stainless tumbling media in a "Thumbler's Tumbler."

a good squirt of DAWN dish soap, a heaping tablespoon of a product called LEMME SHINE; .

I have found that the recommended mix is 2 tablespoons of Dawn and only 1/4 teaspoon of Lemishine. works well and leaves no spots. But I only do about 100 cases at a time.

Jeff

 

[barnesuser28]

Reelamin, I like to remove this carbon before neck sizing also. My stainless media tumbler will do it with ease, but I also have wondered about using a carbon cleaning liquid and dipping them. I thought of trying "Power Service" diesel fuel conditioner. I know it is very good at removing carbon. But this would probably require a full cleaning of the brass as well. Haven't tried it but just thought I would share the "food for thought"

Jeff

Jeff, have you ever seen the need to put some type of lubricant on the inside of the necks to aid in bullet seating? I have read that when all the carbon is removed the neck can become "sticky" when seating a bullet and some type of lubricant such as graphite needs to be put in the neck so your seating depth doesnt change, so you dont get runout issues, and so consistant neck tension is achieved.

 

[4xforfun]

I guess I have never seen the need to clean the carbon from the outside of the necks. What would be the purpose, other than looks?

 

[Reelamin]

I have used General Motors "Top Engine Cleaner" and other solvents with good luck. The solvents work good but ruin the media very quickly and smell like poo. The best for me is Brasso....and then vibrate clean immediatly after so it does not sit for an amount of time on the case.
I looked at the Stainless tumbler process, but like the Sonic Cleaners did not want to invest in a entire new system. Looks like I will have to.

For alll the shooting, work, family, guideing, taking up my daily hours time is critical to me.

Just like last night 2.5 hrs just in priming 1k pistol cases. So, anything I can do to save even 10 minutes time adds up.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm not on here a lot, but this forum has really helped save me money and time.

 

[Broz]

Jeff, have you ever seen the need to put some type of lubricant on the inside of the necks to aid in bullet seating? I have read that when all the carbon is removed the neck can become "sticky" when seating a bullet and some type of lubricant such as graphite needs to be put in the neck so your seating depth doesnt change, so you dont get runout issues, and so consistant neck tension is achieved.

I took Shawn Carlocks advice and right before charging the case I dip them in Imperial Graphite. This makes for more consistent bullet seating. You can feel the difference.

I guess I have never seen the need to clean the carbon from the outside of the necks. What would be the purpose, other than looks?

It is usually not a consistent layer. I have found it can and will induce runout into the necks as the bushing in run over the outside. Cleaning the necks first aids in a smooth even neck sizing process.

Jeff

 

[jlrookstool]

I was wondering if the build up inside the case effects accuracy and decided to go with a sonic cleaner. It was cheap. The guy's at an ammunition manufacturer told me to get a small parts cleaner from Harbor Freight. Looks just like many of the reloading companies offerings. Water, vinegar and dish soap. I don't know if accuracy has improved. I'll try the graphite idea.