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I'm pretty diligent (neurotic, maybe) about cleaning the primer pockets when loading. However, my single stage press has a feature that allows me to resize and decap on the upstroke and prime on the downstroke. I've been contemplating using it, but the pocket would be tended to so to speak. I like to decap my brass and clean it without the primer then take care of any residue when loading each individual piece.

Is anybody else this bent on cleaning the pockets or am I going overboard? If there is no significant difference, I would just use what the press has and do it all in one step.

plinking ammo? no need for that.
Match grade rd, yeah maybe.

I clean my long distance high accuracy rifle round pockets.
I never clean my pistol plinking ammo pockets. I tumble with primer in, and then progressively load by the box full. Have never had an issue.

I don't clean primer pockets on handgun rounds. I do on rifle rounds. I don't believe it necessary on the handgun rounds, and it would disrupt the flow of the reloading process, as you state. On rifle rounds, there is no such flow, as there's case lube cleaning and trimming to deal with between the resizing/decappinng and priming steps.

As mentioned above, if you're going for precision, then cleaning the primer pocket may be something you want to do. However, these are handgun rounds, which for me negates that need. If I were loading up for a carbine, it may make a difference, but on a handgun there are so many other variables that affect accuracy that primer pockets wouldn't be a concern in that equation. For me, even shooting from a pistol-caliber carbine wouldn't be something where I'd be concerned about it, as I'm not going to be using it for precision shooting, but rather a proper rifle. The only circumstance where I would think primer pocket cleaning would constitute a real factor would be for use in purpose-built precision handguns used for bullseye competition.

Definitely handgun loads for plinking...great input. I appreciate it.

AndyC wrote:That's exactly how I do it. I don't think I've ever cleaned a handgun primer-pocket in my life.

I don't think it is needed for .223 range ammo either.

When I got my Rock Chucker I used to clean the primer pockets on my 45ACP brass religiously. Then I got a Dillon 550B and quit cleaning pockets. I never was able to tell any difference in my scores. Even went back to some old ammo I'd reloaded with the RC and did a side by side. (I was also looking to see if not check weighing the powder made a big difference.) I couldn't find any difference from either cause.

Just my 2c worth.

Gerry