Whoever posted that they cleaned the inside of their case necks using 0000 steel wool. I nominate you for the Congressional Medal Of Honor!!

GREAT trick!!
Thanks again!! Trick or treat!!..sakofan..

[ 11-01-2003, 13:23: Message edited by: sakofan ]

Sakofan, I was doing the 0000 steel wool thing for a few years before I got my tumbler, that got to be a pain in the butt Jay

Iam talking about cleaning the inside of the necks, Jay. I should have specified that.

This is a great way to do it. Yeah, I would hate to clean all my cases outsides, using steel wool..sakofan..

That's actually an accuracy trick I first learned about in my Nosler Reloading Manual #1 circa 1976 or so. It works!

I use a slightly smaller diameter bore brush, wrapped in 0000 steel wool, and stuck in a hand drill. Works like Jack the bear, and is relatively quick. - Dan

You got it here:
http://www.nookhill.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=010182#000003

I got it here:
http://www.cctrap.com/~varmint/arelo.htm#Neck_Chamfer

I wrap steel wool around a bore brush and put the brush in the mini lathe.
After about 5~10 inside case necks, more steel wool must be applied.

[ 11-01-2003, 18:26: Message edited by: Clark ]

Thank's Gents!!

Good trick....I have been doing it the wrong way for awhile.
Kinda like my love life!!LOL..sakofan..

Sakofan,
You don't think a tumbler will clean inside and outside of a case?? It will.

Where does the improvement show - group size, extreme velocity spreads, where? And how much of an improvement have you seen? Any comparisons to validate the runout theory?

I'm curious, as I tend to use a tumbler to do this process as well, and don't have enough residual "stain" inside the neck to amount to anything. But if the time is worth the result.....

As for easier bullet seating - graphite powder.

I personally doubt polishing the inside of the neck is going to reduce runout. But what it might well do, is to decrease the chance of damaging the base of the bullet during seating. Zediker claims that damage to a the nose of a bullet is (well) not so bad, but damage to the base immediately shows up in group size. If the bullet seats smoother, it is probably worth doing.
FWIW - mike

Sakofan,
Perhaps you need to change to walnut and some additive, my viberator cleans the inside almost as well as the outside...

I guess that I am not as happy with RCBS as some of you are I will try to explain why. I received on of their reloading kits as a gift. I had it about a year before I used it. (I was living in an apartment and had no place to set it up) Anyway started reloading had loaded about 500 rounds (some 223 and 308) when the copper weight on the front of the beam on my 505 scale fell off. I called RCBS and explained the problem and they had me ship it back to the maker of the scale. This was in end of May. The company had the scale for 4 weeks and when it arrived it was still not correct. The beam on the scale was dragging on the indicator. Before I called RCBS I went to a local store to see if I was just being stupid and setting up the scale wrong not my luck. So I called RCBS again and explained the new problem. They gave me a new address to ship it too and the name of the person who they wanted it sent too. I was told that when they received the scale they would send me a refurbished unit as soon as they received it. I waited two weeks and called then. They said that they never received it. Now 6 weeks have gone by I can not reload with out a scale and now I have no scale. RCBS tells me to call back Monday (I feel like I am getting the runaround) well I decide to just buy a new scale. I call RCBS Monday (I have to give them credit they were always nice to talk to on the phone) still no scale the customer service person asks me of I insured it I did not they ask me what I want to do. I tell them if my scale ever shows up to just send it back. (I have it replaced and have no faith in ever getting it fixed if I have a problem with another one) The customer service person sounds upset at this and I explain that if you need to use a warranty this much the product is not worth having then they explain that a broken scale is no good to me. I agree and leave it at that. They call me the next day and offer me a new scale (I all ready have it replaced) I tell them no thanks just send back my scale they then tell me I am not letting then help me I revert to my previous stance in having lost faith in their scales. We end the conversation with me telling them to do what is right to them. About a week goes by and a new scale shows up at my door. This was very nice of them but 7 weeks to late. I need to contact them and see if they want it back I have no use for it.

If you've got a good scale and don't want it, sell it. It is part of the gift you got and is yours, not theirs.

This points up that you should always send things back registered, insured, etc. to show that you actually sent it and they received it (or not). It has happened to me, my wife, etc.

It is unfortunate, but things don't happen instantly with a twitch of the nose. Perhaps there's some others like me who remember that 8 weeks was WONDERFUL service by mail. Now we all expect next day delivery, both ways even when a repair must be done.

Personally, I'm neutral on RCBS. I've good and bad experiences but so few considering the number of their products I've used that I still buy their products.

Ray, I do use treated walnut, like you. After 2 hours, I still find a little, to alot of residue on the inside of the mouth. These cases have been shot between 6-8 times.

All I know about this trick, is that the case mouth is much cleaner, and I feel would result in a more concentric bullet. I have no test results, only a hunch. The bullets seem to seat smoother as well.
It is a little time consuming but, I feel its worth while..sakofan..

sakofan - just the boost to your confidence level (yes, it's that obvious) is worth the time you are taking to do the process. I'm glad you have found the tip worthwhile.

Please post if you do indeed see a change in runout and/or accuracy. as far as the bullets seating easier, it appears you have stumbled onto a bench shooters trick; only a little different approach. I size my case necks .001-.004" smaller then bullet diameter, depending on chamber measurements. You may be increasing the inside neck dimension(s) just a little larger then the expander in your dies. Either way - good shooting.

T/C, I havent run these rounds through my CaseMaster yet but, I will tonite.
Trying to get ready for NM this weekend.

I did notice that the new Barnes TSX, had trouble. It enlarges the case mouth, like you stated earlier, and with the rings on the TSX, it almost has no neck tension on a few cases, making them worthless.
All other bullets seem to be OK..sakofan..

I tumble all my brass when I get back from the range. I turn it on and forget it. Literally! Sometimes I'll remember I've got brass tumbling and go downstairs to check it after a couple of hours, but if I forget, the brass just gets cleaner inside and out. However, I do have an RCBS Trim Mate case prep center that I sometimes use for cleaning inside necks. I put a case neck brush on one of the rotating spindles and wrap a little 0000 on it. It's quick and easy. I do believe it helps with case neck concentricity. The smoother and cleaner the inside of the case neck, the easier time the expander ball has passing through it. Of course, smooth expanders, carbide expanders, or sufficient lube make all the difference in the world, expander balls cause more case neck runout than anything else.

Speaking of concentricity, unless you are using a die that fully supports the case, runout can easily occur when just neck sizing. I normally size only about 1/2 to 2/3 of the neck when neck sizing, provided there is sufficient tension. If there isn't enough neck tension, "polishing" the expander down another .001" will help. By sizing only enough neck to gain a firm purchase on the bullet, the unsized portion of the neck centers the case perfectly in the chamber.

Adjusting a neck sizing die is most of the battle. When I run a case fully into the die, I loosen the expander stem lock nut and pull the expander up until it bumps the shoulder, and back it off very slightly. Trial and error will get you set up properly. You may need to rotate the expander ball to get the most concentric case your die is capable of, but it's worth it. A loaded round with virtually no runout, centered in the chamber, is the best thing you can do to enhance accuracy, once you've found your pet load.

[ 11-05-2003, 08:32: Message edited by: SST ]

I never clean my cases in any way shape or form unless they get muddy.