First off...
Welcome Aboard !? Tumbling is a very personal thing. Lots of people do it, in lots of different ways, to achieve lots of different results. But then, lots of people don't clean their brass at all !!
?
For competition I think we can all agree on these few things...
? Some form of brass cleaning is helpful for the handgun competitor. Since competitors generally shoot outdoors and retrieve their brass from the ground, a cleaning method that removes mud and dirt from the case exterior and other debris from the interior is essential, if only to save the reloading equipment.
? This process needs to be capable of handling quantities of brass, since the competition shooter is generating quantities of empty brass.
? Not necessarily shiny brass, but
clean brass also helps the reloader spot deformities so that "bad" brass can be eliminated
before the physical reloading process starts. Cleaning then is really the first step in the reloading process.
? This cleaning process can also be used to add waxes, polishes, and other mild lubricants to the case exterior. Although modern carbide sizing dies
do not require lubrication to prevent galling or seizing inside the Sizing Die, added lubrication ALWAYS makes things easier, especially when considering the higher volumes of the competitive shooter.
? Most competitive shooters do not find it
necessary to de-prime the cases before the cleaning process. This is promoted by the fact that most competitive shooters have chosen a powder and load range that allow very little soot or powder residue to remain in the ejected cartridge case. While their
primary purpose is to keep the firearm clean and functioning during competition, the end result is that the interior of their brass is also as clean or cleaner.
Hope this helps.
