Neck brushing

[Carlos Hathcock]

I'm looking for your feedback / experience on neck brushing.

As a newb reloader I decided to brush my necks prior to seating. I used my hornady triple case prep center because it has a spot for a brush. Simply assumed a circular rotating, yet repeated motion, was how it was done. Oxidation cleaned up nicely. Never really thought about a straight in and out option.

I switched to the in and out considering that the bullet traveled in that direction so that made some sense. Figured circular was basically "going against the grain" of travel. This in and out method turns out to be hard on brushes.

I've also read some like not to brush at all, believing the oxidation acts like some form of release lubricant. Guess I'm open to suggestions and opinions.

 

[dsdmmat]

I use graphite in the necks

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

I use graphite in the necks

I've dabbled in that too.

 

[repete]

I use graphite in the necks

I've heard of that but what about neck tension? I'm not trying to hijack C.H.'s thread as I wonder if a powered brush could polish the brass to 'slippery' condition? IDK, I've been loading for years and never really done anything to the inside of the necks.

 

[Deplorable Me]

I reload a couple of different calibers. I vibratory clean, then full length size. To lube, I roll the nylon neck brush on the lube pad and give the inside if the neck two swipes, just enough so the neck sizer ball don't get stuck. Very lightly roll the cases on the lube pad. After sizing, I ultra sonic clean the cases to clean out the insides, clean the primer pockets and clean the lube off the cases.

I don't want any powder residue inside the cases.

The cases are super clean of any lube. I've never lubed necks for bullet insertion.

I dry the cases for a month or so. Process lots of brass in the winter and dry it near the furnace. Single layer on news papers. Dry, dry, dry.

 

[dsdmmat]

I've heard of that but what about neck tension? I'm not trying to hijack C.H.'s thread as I wonder if a powered brush could polish the brass to 'slippery' condition? IDK, I've been loading for years and never really done anything to the inside of the necks.

The graphite is mainly to help the expander ball ease its way out

 

[meketrefe]

Cleaning with whatever method is fine.
Brush, scotchbrite, steelwool...direction of cleaning makes no difference at all.
The main thing in terms of accuracy is that the cases and necks are uniform and consistent and everything is clean prior reloading.
This also applies to clean primer pockets and consistent flash holes.
If you use quality brass like lapua then no need to worry about that only annealing and trimming once in a while and depending on caliber.

 

[Acer-m14]

when you take your brass out of the tumbler dry or wet type .. shouldn't it be clean and not need a brushing

 

[repete]

The graphite is mainly to help the expander ball ease its way out

Got it! I shoulda thought of that cause I do that too, once about every 10 rounds or so and just a very light coat.
I was under the impression that you guys were polishing the inside of the neck.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

Got it! I shoulda thought of that cause I do that too, once about every 10 rounds or so and just a very light coat.
I was under the impression that you guys were polishing the inside of the neck.

I wouldn't say polishing, just removing the oxidation from wet cleaning. Some believed dipping each bullet in graphite prior to seating decreased bullet were. I've done it. Can't say that it's really made a marked difference.