How many times can you reload brass? The answer to that question depends on the pistol you are using and the brass itself. Generally speaking, brass can be reloaded several times before it becomes too brittle to use safely.
However, pistol brass should be properly cleaned and inspected before each reloading session to ensure maximum performance and safety. There are a few different methods to properly clean pistol brass, so let’s take a closer look at what options are available.
1. Always Start with Clean Hands
Make sure to start with clean hands as any dirt, oil, or residual lubricant will transfer over and contaminate the objects you’re attempting to clean. A few simple steps can help ensure your pistol brass is squeaky clean.
If you approach the process without precautionary measures, you may find yourself doing more harm than good.
2. Sort Your Brass by Caliber
A critical step to ensuring the accuracy and precision of your firearm is sorting your brass by caliber. For reloading, separating the different types of brass means the correct tools are used when resizing and reforming your cartridges. This will also ensure proper seating depth of bullets into cases.
This step helps to prevent accidental misfires due to incorrect powder charges or cartridge irregularities. By sorting brass, you can maintain reliable performance while avoiding any possible danger associated with improper reloads.
3. Inspect Each Piece of Brass for Damage
Inspect each individual piece for any type of damage. Look for surface cracks, dents, deformations, and dirt buildup throughout the whole surface. Paying attention to these details will help ensure that your ammunition functions well and is safe to fire.
Take your time when inspecting, as even a small mark can indicate a much larger issue. Having an eye for detail while cleaning your pistol brass could be the difference between a successful firing and one that ends in a serious accident.
4. Remove All Dirt and Debris from the Brass
Start by brushing off the surface of each piece with a soft-bristle brush or cloth. Be sure to check for stubborn particles, like mud and sand, which may be stuck between small nooks and crevices.
If after brushing off you are still unable to get rid of all dirt, then it is best to dip each piece into turpentine or acetone for about 30 minutes, before removing them and rinsing with hot water and soap. Finally, dry the pieces using a lint-free cloth before reloading them into your pistol!
5. Use a Tumbler to Clean the Brass
A tumbler is a specialized machine designed to hold the pistol brass in an enclosed vibrating tub filled with media. As the media moves, it scours and cleans the surface of all dirt, debris, and residue from every crevice.
Types of Tumblers
When it comes to choosing a tumbler, you have several options available. Rotary tumblers are the most common type used for cleaning pistol brass and they use centrifugal force to move the media around inside the tub.
Ultrasonic cleaners are another option and use sound waves to vibrate particles off the brass surface. Vibratory tumblers use a combination of media and vibration to clean brass but are more expensive than the other two types.
6. Add the Right Amount of Media to the Tumbler
If you add too much or too little media to the tumbler, then it can increase the wear and tear on your pistol brass. This could lead to damage or potential malfunctions. To ensure optimal performance while cleaning your pistol brass, start by adding around one pound of media per five pounds of polished brass.
This ratio should provide sufficient coverage, helping the abrasive cleansers reach where they need to and leaving a polished finish on each piece of brass.
Types of Media
When it comes to tumbling pistol brass, there are many different types of media available. Walnut shells are a natural and biodegradable media that is great for cleaning the surface of pistol brass. Ceramic media is another popular choice since it provides an abrasive but gentle action, perfect for removing dirt and debris from the surface of your brass.
Plastic media is also an option and is known for providing a mild abrasive action while still leaving your brass polished and shiny. Corn cobs are a great choice for cleaning pistol brass since they are natural and provide an abrasive yet gentle effect on the surface. Stainless steel pins are a great choice for removing tough residue and dirt from your pistol brass.
7. Run the Tumbler for the Recommended Time
It can be difficult to decide how long your tumbler should run for optimal cleaning results.
It’s easy to find the recommended time length for your particular make and model of the tumbler.
8. Empty the Tumbler and Remove the Brass
To properly clean your brass, first, empty the tumbler that was used to polish it. Once emptied, use a brush to remove all of the brass from the tumbler. From there you can inspect each individual piece using a magnifier or loupe to make sure they are free of any dirt or debris.
Store your clean polished brass in an organized container such as a plastic box with labeled compartments for easy access.
9. Rinse the Brass in Clean Water
After reloading your casing, it’s recommended to take a few extra minutes to rinse the brass in clean water.
This will help remove any leftover powder residue which can cause corrosion or other damage.
10. Dry the Brass
Place the brass on a clean cloth or paper towel and allow it to air dry for a few minutes. This will help reduce the chances of any moisture left over from washing causing any damage.
11. Inspect the Brass One Last Time
Take a few minutes to look over each casing before storing them away in a labeled container.
This will help ensure that all of your brass is properly cleaned and free of dirt, debris, or corrosion.
Brass Catcher for Pistol Cleaning
A brass catcher is an essential piece of equipment for any pistol reloader. This device attaches to the gun and captures all of the spent brass as it ejects from the weapon.
Using a brass catcher during your pistol cleaning can help minimize the amount of time you spend on collecting and cleaning brass.
DIY Pistol Brass Catcher
If you don’t want to invest in a brass catcher, there are plenty of DIY options available. A simple and effective method is to use an old box or container with holes drilled in the bottom.
Place the container near your gun while firing and all of the spent brass will fall through the holes and into the box, ready to be collected and cleaned later.
Buying Brass
If you are looking for brass for your pistol, Diamond K Brass has pistol brass for sale. We offer a wide selection of both new and once-used brass in all calibers, making it easy to find what you need. Whether you’re shooting target practice or stocking up for reloading, Diamond K Brass has what you need.
Each brass casing receives a thorough inspection to ensure that it meets its high standards before being sold. This helps guarantee its quality and accuracy, as well as improves its lifespan compared to brass from other sources.
Plus, all brass purchased from Diamond K Brass comes backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you can shop with confidence knowing that any brass you buy will be what you need.
Diamond K Brass also offers a variety of brass cleaning options to help make sure your brass is ready for use when it arrives at your doorstep. Our brass cleaners are designed to remove any dirt and debris left over from firing rounds, protecting your brass from corrosion and other issues that can occur due to residue buildup.
We offer media separating services, which help cut down on tedious prep work by pre-sorting brass into different types and calibers so they are ready to be loaded when they arrive at your door.
So if you’re looking for the perfect brass for your pistol, check out our selections at Diamond K Brass. With competitive prices and quality service along with their 100% satisfaction guarantee, purchasing from us is an enjoyable experience.
Buy Pistol Brass
The reality is that, in order to keep your pistol functioning and shooting on point, you need to clean the brass after each use. This can be a tedious task, but following these simple steps will help make the process easier and ensure that your pistol brass is clean and ready for reloading or storage.
And when you’re ready for more, whether that’s new bras or once-fired brass, Diamond K Brass has everything you need. Shop with us today.
