Removing primers?

[SuperiorDG]

So I've been collecting brass for sometime now with the intent of reloading one day. So now I have this big pile of brass and I want to get into reloading slowly. First I want to start with cleaning up this brass and I know how to clean it, but I don't know what I need, as far as equipment goes, to remove the primers. What do I need to get this done?

Thanks

[cableguy11]

I bought one of these http://www.amazon.com/Lee-LP90292-Precision-Decapping-Die/dp/B002SF2ZXU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405971438&sr=8-1&keywords=lee+decapper

and then got a single stage press off armslist for like 20 bucks. Then all I needed were the shell holders for the various rounds.

Still haven't moved up to cleaning brass, but when I do will go with a tumbler and stainless steel pins.

[Great-Kazoo]

So I've been collecting brass for sometime now with the intent of reloading one day. So now I have this big pile of brass and I want to get into reloading slowly. First I want to start with cleaning up this brass and I know how to clean it, but I don't know what I need, as far as equipment goes, to remove the primers. What do I need to get this done?

Thanks

A good press. Removing a big pile of primers by hand, will sour you on reloading by the second hour. Then again you did say slowly. OR come on up and rent on of the presses.

[DenverGP]

I always clean my brass before removing the primer. Otherwise you can get bits of the cleaning media stuck in the primer holes.

[SuperiorDG]

I always clean my brass before removing the primer. Otherwise you can get bits of the cleaning media stuck in the primer holes.

Good to know. Also would help me to not buy a lot of stuff right away. Thanks

[SuperiorDG]

A good press. Removing a big pile of primers by hand, will sour you on reloading by the second hour. Then again you did say slowly. OR come on up and rent on of the presses.


Thanks, but by the time I went through all this brass I would be too drunk to leave.

[Ranger353]

It depends on the brass on whether or not I remove the primers before tumbling or not. If it's .45ACP then its okay because the pocket is so big nothing really gets stuck. But, if it's .223 (5.56) then you can wait until after it's been tumbled first because those small pockets will get clogged up in no time at all with media matter.

If you're using a sonic brass cleaner then deprime before. The Lee Decapper is the best way to remove primers. But if you are using a progressive press then it normally deprimes the case on stage one so don't bother.

Lots of options, and can be confusing too. Good luck and have fun.

[asmo]

What you need is a a Dillon 650.. I'll sell you one 'cheap' with all the trimmings --- so I can go buy a 1050.

Oh and first pass = Decap/Deprime only. Then I tumble.

[Great-Kazoo]

Thanks, but by the time I went through all this brass I would be too drunk to leave.

Crank up the 650 or 1050, you'll be done in less time than it takes to make the drive up and back. Regarding media in flash holes, it's a non issue. Like the debate about tumbling loaded rounds , to remove the lube.
Guy over on arfcom, or Benos? did a test of tumbled totally clean, tumbled with media etc. He found no difference FPS, or performance wise between media free and small bits of media remaining. he also test loaded some 223 with media blatantly left in the flash hole, again no issue.

[cstone]

The only wrong way is to not do it at all. Here is how I remove primers. I collect just about anything brass I can find at the range. Always take some buckets. When I get home, and I want to do some relaxing, I sit on the front porch with the bucket of brass, a couple of smaller buckets for sorting, and a Harvey deprimer: http://www.harveydeprimer.com/

Its a little like whittling. Do as much or as little as you are inclined to do in a sitting. I collect all the spent primers and they go to the scrap brass pile with discarded brass casings. Once the brass is deprimed, first inspection, and sorted by caliber, it goes into a tumbler with lizard bedding (ground walnut). A couple hours later and the rifle brass is ready for sizing and trimming and the pistol brass is ready for reloading. If the brass is in a caliber that I don't shoot or reload, and it is in decent condition, it becomes trade fodder. If the brass is damaged, it is discarded into the scrap pile.

Once you catch up, keeping up isn't too hard. I can easily deprime and sort a few hundred cases in an hour. The Harvey is simple because it can handle anything short of .50 caliber. I can deprime .380, .45, .30-06, and 7.62x54R, as long as it is boxer primed without skipping a beat.

Not for everyone, but it works for me.

[Zombie Steve]

I don't see the point of decapping until it's in the sizing die.

[Great-Kazoo]

I don't see the point of decapping until it's in the sizing die.

Can i get an Hallelujah !

Different strokes for different folks. Starting off , never hurts to work up from the ground floor. Easier to catch an OOPS than pull 100 rds to see what else was missing.

[asmo]

I don't see the point of decapping until it's in the sizing die.

So I can decap really ugly range brass that is caked with dirt before I clean it -- *then* I size it. Sizing filthy brass makes things poopey.

[Great-Kazoo]

So I can decap really ugly range brass that is caked with dirt before I clean it -- *then* I size it. Sizing filthy brass makes things poopey.


It's easy. However do clean the brass before depriming. I do a deprime (universal decapper) swage, size/trim. I know one board member is doing his basic processing on a 550 (4 station press) Then swage by hand.
Once my brass is ready to reload. I use a universal deprimer (again) in station 1. This assist removing any media that may have been lodged in the flash hole.

[sabot_round]

So I can decap really ugly range brass that is caked with dirt before I clean it -- *then* I size it. Sizing filthy brass makes things poopey.

NO!! Tumble it before you decap them. Then you will get rid of the cap and anything clogging it in one step. I use a dry tumbler, so I don't worry about pins and other crap.