.308 Brass prep (Time).. Will you load me some cases.

[swampratt]

I was not in a rush but I did keep a steady pace going while I watched the clock.
I was curious as to how much time it really takes to clean and prep 69 .308 cases.

Remove primers------------- 10 minutes.
Tumble time in the tumbler-- 80 minutes.
Rinse and remove pins--------15 minutes.
Anneal case necks-------------18 minutes.
Brush case necks Inside-------3 minutes.
Lube cases --------------------7 minutes.
Full length resize--------------10 minutes.
Remove Lube-----------------10 minutes.
Trim cases--------------------10 minutes.
Chamfer mouth ID and OD---12 minutes.
Uniform flash holes-----------10 minutes
Brush case necks again-------3 minutes.
Neck turn ---------------------40 minutes.
Brush inside necks with Qtips-10 minutes.
238 minutes total nearly 4 hours for just 69 cases.


I have not measured and sorted these yet. Add time for that.
I did not uniform or decrimp primer pockets as this is just used Federal cases.
I will need to flare the case mouths as this is a load I will use for mouse fart cast loads.
Probably another 10 minutes.

When people ask will you load some cases for me.
Yea I do not look forward to doing that.
I tell them come over and get after it.
When I shoot my bullet I really want my case back.

Yes that is a lot of stuff to do to a case and not really needed for most shooting but this is my process for my rifle cases.

 

[Jcann]

Thanks @swampratt, now I know why I bought a rubber Craftsman’s floor mat to stand on while I reload. I’ve never look at the amount of time I spent. I just turn the radio on and get in the zone.

 

[swampratt]

I sit on a chair.
Since you stand I will add information on an easy chair for the task.
Tree stump cut to your but height 12" diameter or larger and cut it at a slight angle.. put the higher portion at the back of the butt. Drape a bath towel over it for more cushyness.
Feet still on the ground but upper torso is supported a bit more.
I built 2 of them and so nice to have.
Basically Free.

 

[Aries]

You used to need an FFL to load ammo for other people, as it was considered "manufacturing". Does anyone know if this is still true? That's why I tell people I can't load for them, but they can come over and use my equipment and I'll show them how. But I won't do it for them.

 

[swampratt]

I will do it for a couple of my friends..But the ammo is not sold to them it is usually 20-40 rounds for hunting. Free to them because I want them to have something better than shelf ammo.
I zero the gun with the ammo and work loads for the guns to make sure it likes it.
10 years later the first 20 round box of 30-06 I made for a buddy is down to 4 rounds left.
Never missed a shot yet.

 

[Glock 40]

@swampratt was everything you did with hand tools? No prep station or drill to speed things up?


@Lonewatie whats the lowdown on selling ammo to your friends?

 

[Fyrtwuck]

I sit on a chair.
Since you stand I will add information on an easy chair for the task.
Tree stump cut to your but height 12" diameter or larger and cut it at a slight angle.. put the higher portion at the back of the butt. Drape a bath towel over it for more cushyness.
Feet still on the ground but upper torso is supported a bit more.
I built 2 of them and so nice to have.
Basically Free.

Bolt an old metal tractor seat to the top of the stump.

 

[swampratt]

I have a Lee trimmer the case length gauge and cutter and lock stud.
I chuck the cutter into my drill press and have it on the slowest speed.
It is a cheap table top drill press purchased 20+ years ago.

That speeds up the trimming part.
Lyman hand tools without power to chamfer and do primer flash holes.

And neck turning is with this RCBS unit only .001".0015" or so is taken off to make them even all the way around.

But I use a Lee shell holder and lock stud in a cordless drill to feed it into the neck turner.
That case holding tool from RCBS makes my hands cramp and takes FOREVER.

The lee case holder is a sort of fail if you only hand tighten it as the case will spin out of it when cutting.
So I tighten it with pliers.
Pliers gall the surface of it and I am very close to welding standoffs onto it and a C shaped piece of flat steel to make the diameter larg enough to grip it with your hands and make it tight..bypass the pliers deal.
Every time I neck turn that size case I think to myself---- STOP get the welder out.

Pin tumbling is with a homemade pin tumbler using homemade copper pins.
A DC treadmill motor spins it all and pulls 2 amps with a 2 quart load of cases

 

[Fyrtwuck]

Copper pins? That’s the first I’ve heard of that.

 

[swampratt]

Copper pins? That’s the first I’ve heard of that.

As you know I like to build things.. especially if I have stuff laying around.
I had a lot of stranded THHN wire some was 2-0 some #4 some was #2 some was smaller .
But I had it and I had some wire cutters.
I heard of the stainless pins and heard some of them would get stuck in primer pockets.
or in the case sideways.
Well I figured I would take these short not good for much pieces of wire and cut them very small.
It took me a couple hours sitting on the garage floor snipping away before I had a couple cups worth of different diameter and length copper pins.

I used to tumble for 2-3 hours and added too much lemi shine.
I cut the tumble time down to 45 minutes to 1.5 hours and less than 1/16 or a teaspoon lemishing to a 2 quart jug 1/2 filled with cases and some copper pins.
Few drops of dawn or automotive wash and shine.
Old post
https://www.okshooters.com/threads/brass-cleaning-recipe.171121/

Those were left in too long and get dull as the same will happen with too much lemi shine.
That was 7 years ago ..I have changed the process a bit.
I also rinse it all 5 times..
As with the peroxide vinegar solution to remove lead this solution of citric acid and dirty cases is also harmful. keep it off your hands.
Not as bad as the lead remover but it can still have lead in the solution.
And it will dry the skin out.