Case prep steps

[Mtnwalker]

Just wondering what other guy's case prep routine looks like when handloading precision hunting rounds. I use both a tumbler and a sonic cleaner, but always looking for ways to streamline the process

[Jason]

Here's what I do

1-tumble in corncob
2-size/de-prime (lubed cases only)
3-sonic clean
4-trim case length
5-chamfer/debure case mouth
6-debure flash hole and uniform primer pocket (skip this step if it was done in previous reloads)
7-tumble in corn cob
8-prime case
9-fill with powder dispensed from RCBS Charge Master
10-Press Accubond bullet with Rock Chucker
11-Check COAL length

[JimmyHoffa]

similar, but tumble again after depriming/sizing.  Depending on ammo, will sometimes anneal.

[BULLBLASTER]

1. Deprime
2. Clean in ss media
3. Anneal
4. Size
5. Trim if needed/ chamfer and deburr
6. Prime
7. Charge and seat bullet.

[CaNINE]

1.  Deprime
2.  Uniform Flash hole (everytime) with a sinclair tool
3.  Brush inside of neck (probably not needed but I do it anyway to break up any carbon in there)
4.  SS media tumble
5.  Anneal (every firing because I've found it makes that much of a difference)
6.  Full length resize without expander ball
7.  Expand neck with a turning mandrel so I have an even 0.002 neck tension
8.  Remove lube from inside of neck with an alcohol swab
9.  Trim, chamfer and debur if needed

depending upon the brass....virgin brass gets neck turned, pockets get uniformed, flash holes deburred, uniform trimming and weight sorted

[lamrith]

Comes down to equipment you have access too and what sort of volume or investment you are comfortable making..
I run a progressive press, for hunting rounds I am looking for consistent results, but not necessarily "precision" rounds.  I want consistent 1MOA, not looking .5moa bugholes @ 400yrds like some of he guys on here do where they hand-weigh brass, bullets and powder for ever round.

This is my typical program for necked rifle rounds.

• Tumble in Cob 1hr to knock dirt/debris off and protect sizing die
• Lube - I just switched to DIY Isopropyl and Liquid lanolin and it works great
• Size/deprime
• Tumble (corn media or for the ultimate new brass results use SS media, I will be upgrading to SS after seeing the results.)
• Trim/debur/chamf (buddy has a Giraud trimmer that does all 3 in one step, they are $ but after using his 2x now I will be buying one, it cuts labor by at least 2/3, trims off shoulder and is very consistent)
• Run thru Hornady LnL press to load.
  
  • Station 1 universal deprime die (not required, I use to make sure flash hole is clear)
  • Prime on downstroke
  • Station 2 - Uniflow powder drop with case activation kit and Micrometer charge adjuster
  • Station 3  -empty, I use to verify charge for each case, could use a powdercop to do this automatically
  • Station 4 - Bullet seat die
  • Station 5 - Factory crimp die if rounds that will go thru a semi auto

[Mtnwalker]

Don't shoot enough volume thru my hunting rifles to go progressive, usually load 20-40 rounds at a time. I am just using a rockchucker press with a chargemaster scale/dispenser. Do the rest of my case prep by hand except tumbler and cleaner, although I've been eyeballing something like the Lyman prep center.

[Mtnwalker]

Right now I

Sonic clean
De-prime/size
Tumble in walnut
Re sonic clean because walnut leaves a bunch of residue (sounds like I should try Cobb)
Trim/chamfer/Primer pocket with hand tools
Blow out with air chuck (idk why)

Just seems like I spend an unnecessary Amt of time cleaning..

[Eric M]

My brass prep is similiar except I'm not tumbling it right now, mostly because I don't have a tumbler.

[hogslayer]

I usually
FL Resize with dry neck lube and put wax on by hand.
Trim and debur
Tumble
Primer pocket and clean inside of brass with air
Then just started annealing.


I am open to input.  It seems to work good for me but I like reading the way everyone else does it.

[JimmyHoffa]

My brass prep is similiar except I'm not tumbling it right now, mostly because I don't have a tumbler.

Heard of some using the tin containers like coffee comes in.  Put brass and media in it, then tape it up tightly.  Finally, just toss in the dryer when you have some other stuff in there on laundry day.  Just don't get in trouble with wifey or gf (or both  ).

[Crunchy]

That Giraud power trimmer looks like it is well worth the money.  I might look into it this spring.

[Eric M]

My brass prep is similiar except I'm not tumbling it right now, mostly because I don't have a tumbler.

Heard of some using the tin containers like coffee comes in.  Put brass and media in it, then tape it up tightly.  Finally, just toss in the dryer when you have some other stuff in there on laundry day.  Just don't get in trouble with wifey or gf (or both  ).

Thanks for the tip! I've tumbled brass in the dryer before, but not on purpose!

[carpsniperg2]

sort by firings or brand
inspect/cull
size neck or FL
ss media
dry in a dehydrator
trim if needed
chamfer de burr
prime
charge "I weigh ever load that goes into my cases"
seat bullet
check coal
label and date and update firing count etc

[jasnt]

1. Deprime
2. Clean in ss media
3. Anneal
4. Size
5. Trim if needed/ chamfer and deburr
6. Prime
7. Charge and seat bullet.

i aneal before cleaning and I use a sonic cleaner. I also uniform primer pockets every loading, after the first time it normally only removes carbon