2aHawaii

Tools and Uses => Reloading => Topic started by: Pit808 on December 23, 2012, 06:08:51 PM

Title: Let the brass prep begin! updated 12/24/12
Post by: Pit808 on December 23, 2012, 06:08:51 PM
I'll post pics through the process.

So as we all know, inspect your brass first and throughout the process.

Already did the tumble.....sorry

bought to get sprayed with sizing lube  :thumbsup:


(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g321/toyupload/2012-12-23_17-11-56_229.jpg)

I use a mix of lee sizing lube and rubbing alcohol.  After it dries it looks like this. I got a little ambitious with the lube this time....hehe

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g321/toyupload/2012-12-23_20-58-35_794.jpg)

A trip through the sizing die

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g321/toyupload/2012-12-23_20-52-48_731.jpg)

After sizing I check my die on a headspace gage before I end up with a bunch of rounds that won't chamber.  The headstamp should sit above the "valley", but not be higher than the "ridge" if that makes any sense to yall.  If you use a small straight edge it is easy to see where it sits. *Note - this gage works for 223 and most 5.56 brass.  However, LC cases have a slightly bigger diameter rim that prevents it from being inserted in the gage fully.  My workaround is that I size a NON-LC case that fits, check it in the gage and if its GTG, I know the LC cases will be too.

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g321/toyupload/2012-12-23_20-53-40_884.jpg)

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g321/toyupload/2012-12-23_20-53-22_63.jpg)

After sizing, I threw them all in a bucket with some warm water and a little detergent to get off most of the sizing lube.  I'm thinking of trying the "citric acid" bath with this bunch.  I heard it makes the brass super shiny!

Being that most of these cases have primer crimps, I couldn't decap and prime on the ram in one step.  I use this reamer from Hornady and chuck it in a drill press.  Works pretty well and its about a 10th of the cost of a super swage and comes with large and small reamers.


(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g321/toyupload/2012-12-24_09-19-17_543.jpg)

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g321/toyupload/2012-12-24_09-19-55_480.jpg)

Before

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g321/toyupload/2012-12-24_09-20-35_877.jpg)

After

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g321/toyupload/2012-12-24_09-23-09_732.jpg)

After reaming, it's time to separate into "naughty" and "nice" piles. I use this from lyman and it makes it much quicker than calipers

NICE  :geekdanc:

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g321/toyupload/2012-12-24_09-39-51_238.jpg)

NAUGHTY  :(

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g321/toyupload/2012-12-24_09-40-50_730.jpg)

more to follow........
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin!
Post by: Heavies on December 23, 2012, 06:14:04 PM
Man. I got a ton of brass to prep too. I want to rig something to speed up my trim and deburr process. Dont want to spend bucks on a Gracey
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin!
Post by: Pit808 on December 23, 2012, 07:10:30 PM
I hear u. I use this lathe trimmer.  I mounted it to a piece of wood so I can bring it in front of the TV  :thumbsup:

One day I may motorize it, but I don't process enough to justify it......yet!

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g321/toyupload/2012-12-23_19-05-26_421.jpg)
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin!
Post by: ren on December 23, 2012, 09:04:54 PM
I'm selling my Gracey w/ Giraud carbide cutter $250. check it on the for sale. Tool is awesome trims .223 to length, deburrs outside and chamfers inside all in one step...like a pencil sharpener
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin!
Post by: Inspector on December 23, 2012, 09:57:08 PM
I'll post pics through the process.

Already did the tumble.....sorry

bought to get sprayed with sizing lube  :thumbsup:

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g321/toyupload/2012-12-23_17-11-56_229.jpg)
This is what I am going to be working on all this week. Case prep and reloading. My job is shut down for the week so I will have the time to catch up.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin!
Post by: Heavies on December 23, 2012, 10:38:09 PM
I hear u. I use this lathe trimmer.  I mounted it to a piece of wood so I can bring it in front of the TV  :thumbsup:

One day I may motorize it, but I don't process enough to justify it......yet!

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g321/toyupload/2012-12-23_19-05-26_421.jpg) (http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g321/toyupload/2012-12-23_19-05-26_421.jpg)

I have the same thing, but I have the 3 in 1 cutter, trim, chamfer, and deburr in one operation.  I use the electric screwdriver attachment.  Save some steps, but I want to make something for it to operate like the Gracey/Giruad.

I'm selling my Gracey w/ Giraud carbide cutter $250. check it on the for sale. Tool is awesome trims .223 to length, deburrs outside and chamfers inside all in one step...like a pencil sharpener

Nice price, but why you selling??
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin!
Post by: ren on December 24, 2012, 05:21:54 AM
I bought it on a whim and it sits in my closet most of the time.
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin!
Post by: microage97 on December 24, 2012, 06:44:43 AM
I'll post pics through the process.

Already did the tumble.....sorry

bought to get sprayed with sizing lube  :thumbsup:

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g321/toyupload/2012-12-23_17-11-56_229.jpg)


Buhahahaha I have like 7K or so in process....


Dave
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin!
Post by: Teichi on December 24, 2012, 06:51:33 AM
I bought it on a whim and it sits in my closet most of the time.
Hang on to it. Our ammo supply may dry up.
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin!
Post by: GZire on December 24, 2012, 08:45:04 AM
I'm selling my Gracey w/ Giraud carbide cutter $250. check it on the for sale. Tool is awesome trims .223 to length, deburrs outside and chamfers inside all in one step...like a pencil sharpener

I have a Giraud trimmer................it's the frikken bestest.  No friggen hand trimming.  I can see if you are looking for match grade stuff, but if you want volume, go with something with a motor Pit.
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin!
Post by: microage97 on December 24, 2012, 08:50:25 AM
I have a Giraud trimmer................it's the frikken bestest.  No friggen hand trimming.  I can see if you are looking for match grade stuff, but if you want volume, go with something with a motor Pit.

I agree, unless time is on your side. I am working on 6-7K cases all single stage manually. Not all cases need trimming. Digital caliper is your friend.

Dave
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin!
Post by: GZire on December 24, 2012, 09:12:58 AM
^^^My friend you need a hand gauge.  Basically metal/plastic sheet that you measure your cartridges against for length.  Doing each one with a caliper is brutal.
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin!
Post by: microage97 on December 24, 2012, 09:21:37 AM
^^^My friend you need a hand gauge.  Basically metal/plastic sheet that you measure your cartridges against for length.  Doing each one with a caliper is brutal.

Ya it is pretty boring. Thankfully I work from home and there are many empty hours to watch youtube and do things like these. I do want to get a , multistage press, gaurid annealer and some king of auto trimmer, but I am saving $$ for moving.

Dave
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin!
Post by: Pit808 on December 24, 2012, 10:08:42 AM
I have the same thing, but I have the 3 in 1 cutter, trim, chamfer, and deburr in one operation.  I use the electric screwdriver attachment.  Save some steps, but I want to make something for it to operate like the Gracey/Giruad.

I'm thinking of getting the 3 in 1 head......or a motorized case prep station like the rcbs or lyman.......haven't decided yet.
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin!
Post by: Inspector on December 24, 2012, 10:24:16 AM
I'm selling my Gracey w/ Giraud carbide cutter $250. check it on the for sale. Tool is awesome trims .223 to length, deburrs outside and chamfers inside all in one step...like a pencil sharpener
Oh man, I am drooling all over this!!! I have bought so much stuff lately I don't quite have the $ for it.

I have the old RCBS case trimmer and my hand and wrist gets tired trimming all my .223 cases (Go ahead and throw some jokes this way).
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin! updated 12/24/12
Post by: microage97 on December 24, 2012, 10:26:46 AM
My processes:

1.) Vibro tumble all cases.
2.) Size all cases using pam cooking spray as lube.
3.) Use brake cleaner to help degrease all cases and then vibro tumble again for another hour
3.) Separate all cases in head stamp lots. Then use digital caliper to measure cases. All cases measuring less then the lee trimmer on to next step, else trim with lee trimmer and cordless drill.
4.) Dillon super swag to remove  primer crimp if never done.
5.)  RCBS case prep center to debur if never done or trimmed and pockets cleaned.
6.) Prime case
7.) ready to load, on my lee classic cast press.

Reloading using Milsurp 488 powder, wolf primers, Horandy 55 gr FMJBT. 

1st reload is costing about $.20 and they will get a bit cheaper each reload.

I am not figuring in time.....


Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin! updated 12/24/12
Post by: ren on December 24, 2012, 10:38:04 AM
Lee is coming out with a new brass cutter that trims, deburrs and chamfers in one step
Lee Loader Invention Factory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzNTuQuebvs#)
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin! updated 12/24/12
Post by: microage97 on December 24, 2012, 11:06:52 AM
I am thinking maybe one of these:

http://www.littlecrowgunworks.com/wft.html (http://www.littlecrowgunworks.com/wft.html)

Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin! updated 12/24/12
Post by: Heavies on December 24, 2012, 04:54:15 PM
I bought it on a whim and it sits in my closet most of the time.
No more Highpower??

Lee is coming out with a new brass cutter that trims, deburrs and chamfers in one step
Lee Loader Invention Factory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzNTuQuebvs#)

Seen this a while back.  Like over a year, but nothing out yet.  I really wanted the bullet puller, sadly nojoy.

I am thinking maybe one of these:

http://www.littlecrowgunworks.com/wft.html (http://www.littlecrowgunworks.com/wft.html)



These are cool too, but no deburr and chamfer.  I love the all in one. :thumbsup: :shaka:
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin! updated 12/24/12
Post by: ren on December 24, 2012, 08:44:13 PM
No more Highpower??
been doing poorly lately and I can't pinpoint the problem.I used to clean at 200 and 300. Not sure what it is. Lack of motivation.  ???
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin! updated 12/24/12
Post by: Teichi on December 25, 2012, 12:31:03 AM
been doing poorly lately and I can't pinpoint the problem.I used to clean at 200 and 300. Not sure what it is. Lack of motivation.  ???
I'm putting you in for WPW this year. You need a good challenge. Or you need to get ****. Call the Ish. He is back from the place of secrets.  
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin!
Post by: ImKu on May 15, 2013, 12:34:55 PM
I have the same thing, but I have the 3 in 1 cutter, trim, chamfer, and deburr in one operation.  I use the electric screwdriver attachment.  Save some steps, but I want to make something for it to operate like the Gracey/Giruad.

Nice price, but why you selling??

I know this is an old thread but...

What equipment did you need to do that?  Is it the Forster Case Trimmer with the 3 in 1 Case Mouth Cutter and a adapter of sorts?  I'm trying to figure out what I need/want for brass prepping.  :shaka:
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin! updated 12/24/12
Post by: GZire on May 15, 2013, 01:40:46 PM
http://www.giraudtool.com/prod02.htm (http://www.giraudtool.com/prod02.htm)
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin! updated 12/24/12
Post by: Bcspy on May 15, 2013, 11:14:57 PM
I just purchased CTS .223 and .308 Case Trimmer and just place it into a drill. Works great for now until my Giraud Power Trimmer comes in in July.
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin! updated 12/24/12
Post by: branz1029 on July 03, 2013, 10:57:47 AM
looks like alot of fun, cant wait til i start my reloads
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin! updated 12/24/12
Post by: Heavies on July 03, 2013, 09:31:58 PM
I know this is an old thread but...

What equipment did you need to do that?  Is it the Forster Case Trimmer with the 3 in 1 Case Mouth Cutter and a adapter of sorts?  I'm trying to figure out what I need/want for brass prepping.  :shaka:

Yes the 3 in 1 and the electric driver adapter is separate add ons.  I have a cheap old lathe that I set up to run the thing.  It works out fine for bulk processing.  ;D
Title: Re: Let the brass prep begin! updated 12/24/12
Post by: Bcspy on July 05, 2013, 06:31:26 PM
Just did couple hundreds of 308 on my new Giraud Power Trimmer. After setup trial and many errors.  It cut clean.  First 50 was fun after that its not that fun anymore. Waited a couple month for arrival and best investment I ever made.