Discoveries that make you go “huh?”

[Hatchdog]

Yesterday I pulled the bullets from some test loads I wont’ be using and discovered the powder had “clumped” in the case and didn’t flow out as expected. I had used new brass which I rarely do. I’m wondering if perhaps there was some oil in the cases from the manufacturing process.

My question is when using new brass should I run it thru the tumbler to remove the oil if that’s what was the issue? For you that have used new brass do you take this step? Starline brand brass.

I have a couple of hundred I’m getting ready to load.

Thanks

[Vaquero]

Like you I seldom use new brass, I did load some new 25-20 brass a few weeks ago.
They all went bang and I didn't have any reason to pull any so I can't really say.
But if I were concerned, I would just throw them in there and give 'em short session in the tumbler.
I have several bags of various calibers of brass that I can check.
Maybe take a Q-tip and wipe the inside and check that way.
Never even thought about it.

RP

[NHshtr]

Yesterday I pulled the bullets from some test loads I wont’ be using and discovered the powder had “clumped” in the case and didn’t flow out as expected. I had used new brass which I rarely do. I’m wondering if perhaps there was some oil in the cases from the manufacturing process.

My question is when using new brass should I run it thru the tumbler to remove the oil if that’s what was the issue? For you that have used new brass do you take this step? Starline brand brass.

I have a couple of hundred I’m getting ready to load.

Thanks

I've only seen that problem when the load was a compressed load. Then when the bullet is pulled, the powder needs to be poked to get it loose. The internals of a new case are usually bright and dry. I think the last manufacturing step is a wash that cleans off any debris. I usually deburr new cases on the inside of the primer pocket. I haven't found the walls to be oily - neither pistol nor rifle.
But as Vaquero suggests, you can double check and run a Q-tip around.

[Hatchdog]

I did exactly that, ran a Q tip around the inside and didn’t find any residue. I’m thinking the issue may have been caused by the Hornady spray case lube I use. This was a very small batch I did and maybe I didn’t let the lube dry properly before charging the cases. I have since loaded up these cases and first i put some powder in and then poured it out and it was just fine.