Internal Case Cleaning

littlebang556 · Post by **littlebang556** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 1:01 pm

Just wondering if anyone out there has a good method of cleaning the inside of brass.
I am using .223 brass and at the best of times case volume is a bit on the small side to get a decent charge all I want to do is make sure all/most of the deposits left inside are removed to keep things consistant.

Cheers

Rob A

bully_eye · Post by **bully_eye** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 1:14 pm

I use acetone- seems to work ok.

Michael

littlebang556 · Post by **littlebang556** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 1:19 pm

Does the acatone need agitating or do you scrub them with something?
Also do you have to remove any acatone residue?

Cheers

Rob A

bully_eye · Post by **bully_eye** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 1:48 pm

I just let them soak upside down then drain them. Certainly don't think it would hurt to agitate them and an oversize neck brush might help but I don't do it.

Michael

bjld · Post by **bjld** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 2:41 pm

Acetone boils at 56C, so leave the brass anywhere well ventilated and it'll be dry in no time. I'd suggest leaving them overnight. I clean my cases with petrol because its cheaper than acetone, but acetone is a great solvent. It mixes 100% with water, so spills clean up easily.
Regards
Ben

PS Inhaling acetone fumes gives you brain damage very quickly. If you want to scrub with acetone be careful. I only clean my cases with petrol when I think there is a risk of oil contamination that may contaminate the primer or powder.

Tony Z · Post by **Tony Z** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 3:05 pm

edited 15/11/05

Tony Z · Post by **Tony Z** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 3:19 pm

edited 15/11/05

VickiMcc · Post by **VickiMcc** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 4:36 pm

A teaspoon of Cream of Tartar per 1 litre of water and place cases and appropriate amount of water to cover cases in a non steel container. Place in Microwave on medium for 5 to 10 mins. It wont cause any problems as long as cases remain covered by water.
Before long you have muddy water and clean cases.
Remove cases from dirty water, rinse in clean water and if available blow out case with compressed air, stand mouth down in loading block and allow to air dry.
If no compressed air shake out as much as you can and stand mouth down in loading block in a warm area.
Check periodically to see if inside of case is dry with a cotton bud.
You could shortcutdrying process by placing on tray in a warm oven,but this seems to tarnish cases.

RAVEN · Post by **RAVEN** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 7:07 pm

I use CLR to clean necks works for me
Cheers
RB

littlebang556 · Post by **littlebang556** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 8:13 pm

Cream of Tartar sounds like a good idea but as I am not much of a cook and don't have it in the cupboard do you think BiCarb Soda would do a similar job.

As for the oven dry process I too have tried this in the past when washing with petrol, about 1hr at 60 to 80 degrees Celcius and left to cool in the oven has served me well but cases always seemed to remain black on the inside.

Many people have said in the past that it makes little difference, I too believe this is true for the larger part.
When it comes to the little .223 it needs all the help it can get to remain competitive and as cleanliness is next to godliness it surely cant hurt those of us with plenty of spare time to have further excusses to tinker with our bullets.

Cheers

Rob A

VickiMcc · Post by **VickiMcc** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 8:40 pm

available from any supermarket for about 2.50

Paul

littlebang556 · Post by **littlebang556** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 7:10 pm

I have tried all of the methods above except Clorox as I am unable to locate it in any of the shops in my 1 horse town.
I have also heard of a petrolium based product called Naphtha that is supposed to do a brilliant job but it too seams to elude me.
If anyone knows where I might find some please let me know

Cheers

littlebang556 · Post by **littlebang556** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 7:53 pm

I have also been told about ultrasonic case cleaning, does anyone have any advice or ideas about this method.

bruce moulds · Post by **bruce moulds** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 9:27 pm

i would have tried the electroless hand carved digital method, until i learned that reading the wind was pretty important.
a 9 @ 12 or 6/oclock beats an 8 @ 3 or 9o/clock.
bruce

bully_eye · Post by **bully_eye** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 7:32 pm

After reading the article on 6mmbr.com, I tried ultrasonic cleaning and it works as advertised. Not saying it makes ANY difference to accuracy at all, but I figure it can't hurt either and doesn't cost much more than buying a tumbler with better results as the primer pockets are cleaned as well. Members at the club keep leaving me little boxes of cases for me to clean.... should have kept it to myself.

Michael