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tumble before sizing?

litetrigger
Is it best to tumble before depriming/sizing or after?
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Comments

14 comments

Date Votes
  • Radar
    I like before but i also like to drop them in for a little bit after to get any lube off.
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  • CapnMidnight
    I tumble, then size, clean primer pockets and trim to lenth. Then tumble again to get the lube off. Make sure you check primer holes for media befor priming.
    W.D.
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  • idahoducker
    Yes. Get it clean so the only thing you're forcing into the die is brass.
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  • Oakie
    quote:Originally posted by CapnMidnight
    I tumble, then size, clean primer pockets and trim to lenth. Then tumble again to get the lube off. Make sure you check primer holes for media befor priming.
    W.D.



    +1
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  • grizzclaw
    +1, again.
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  • FrancF
    I do all my case prep work first, then clean.
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  • Bubba Jr.
    I bought a Lee universal deprimer die. The only thing it does is remove the primer. Then I run the cases through the vibratory tumbler with walnut shell media, then ultrasonic, then polish them in corn cob media.

    Hey, I'm retired and I enjoy the time in the reloading room, what's the hurry? [:D]
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  • kshock
    I deprime with a universal depriming die, clean the primer pockets with a RCBS tool for that purpose, run through an ultrasonic, dry and then a couple of hours in the vibratory with walnut media, then I size. This is way more than is necessary, but like Bubba, I am not in that big of a hurry. BTW, I only load 38 spl. as I shoot competition, and I probably load 400-500 rounds a month this way, and I still don't feel like I am stressed out over the time it takes. Gives me time to myself to reflect upon the meaning of life....[:)]
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  • 44shotdoctor
    What about the media getting stuck in the primer pockets. I was always told to clean then deprime and size. All my dies deprime and size at the same time. If there is a way to easly deprime without much hassle and then run your dies than thats great. kshock said something about a universal depriming tool? Never heard of one.
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  • FrancF
    quote:Originally posted by 44shotdoctor
    What about the media getting stuck in the primer pockets.


    1-2 seconds with a toothpick, boom, done.
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  • Bubba Jr.
    quote:Originally posted by 44shotdoctor
    What about the media getting stuck in the primer pockets. I was always told to clean then deprime and size. All my dies deprime and size at the same time. If there is a way to easly deprime without much hassle and then run your dies than thats great. kshock said something about a universal depriming tool? Never heard of one.


    After I finish polishing my cases in the tumbler, I remove the media from the tumbler, then run the tumbler for about 10 minutes with only the cleaned brass inside. This will dislodge any media stuck in the primer pocket.

    When I prime my cases after the cleaning process, the depriming pin will go through the flash hole dislodging any media caught in it. Below is a link to Midway USA and a Lee Universal Depriming die.

    http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=136543
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  • Willys 1948
    Obviously, there are a lot of opinions and methods. If the brass is not to tarnished and dirty, I deprime, wipe lube off, tumble, clean primer pockets, trim and debur (if needed) then put them in the block, take a flashlight and inspect the inside to be sure all the media is out and move on.
    If they are really nasty looking, I tumble first. The main thing is to make sure all the media is out when running them through the sizing die. Flashlight inspection is the best way to give me peace of mind before sizing. There are probably others just as good.
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  • rong
    I cleaned my brass once after
    resizing,depriming and spent
    a good deal of time picking the
    media out of thr flash hole.
    Now I always clean first.
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  • woodchuckjohn
    When sizing you may want to try Imperial Sizing wax. Comes in a can like shoe polish, is clear and all you need is a finger print. It lasts forever and you don't have to tumble cases after sizing. Now I tumble, de-cap and size, clean the pocket and trim if necessary. Next flare the end a bit and prime. Last operation is powder and bullet. No sprays or lubes on your fingers. I crimp my .38 Special was cutters flush with the case mouth. For 9mm and 45acp just a light crimp to get the flare smooth.
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