Case Prep
Trimming, chamfering, uniforming flash holes, cleaning primer pockets, neck turning. Each of these steps contributes to more consistent ammunition. At Hop.nl you will find case prep tools from K&M Precision, Derraco, Frankford Arsenal, RCBS, Lyman and Queen Reloading.
What is case prep
Every time you fire a case it stretches. The neck work hardens, the case gets longer, residue builds up in the primer pocket and flash hole. If you do nothing about it, you are loading on brass that is slightly different every time. And that shows up in your groups. Case prep brings your brass back to a consistent state.
Not every step is necessary for every application. For hunting, trimming and chamfering is often enough. For precision rifle at 600 metres and beyond you want to do more. How far you go depends on your discipline and how seriously you approach it.
Case trimming
Cases that are too long do not chamber properly and can cause pressure issues. Trimming is one of the most basic prep steps. The Ugly SRT Case Trimmer from Derraco is compact, fast and accurate. Works with interchangeable collets per calibre and a tungsten carbide cutter that stays sharp for a long time. The RCBS MatchMaster is there for those who want the absolute top level in precision trimming.
The Frankford Arsenal Platinum Case Prep Center combines trimming with other prep steps in one station. Useful when you want to run multiple operations in sequence without switching tools.
Chamfering and deburring
After trimming, the inside of the case mouth needs to be chamfered, otherwise you will damage your projectile during seating. The K&M Precision Case Neck Chamfer Tool is one of the best on the market. Controlled depth, consistent cut. Lyman makes a deburring tool that finishes both the inside and outside of the case mouth. Simple tool, but you notice the difference.
Flash holes and primer pockets
The flash hole is the opening through which the primer flame reaches the powder. If that hole is not uniform, your ignition will not be either. The K&M Professional Flashhole Uniformer makes those holes exactly equal. Do this on new brass before loading it for the first time and you only have to do it once.
Primer pockets need to be clean and uniform for proper primer seating. The K&M Primer Pocket Correction Tool cuts your pockets to a uniform depth. For cleaning there is the RCBS Primer Pocket Brush Combo or the Lee Primer Pocket Cleaner.
Neck turning
Neck turning is a step not everyone takes, but it is common in benchrest and certain F-Class disciplines. You remove a thin layer of material from the outside of the case neck to achieve a perfectly uniform wall thickness. That gives you the most consistent neck tension you can get. We stock the Mini Neck Turning from Queen Reloading.
Bullet puller
Sometimes a projectile does not go in right. Wrong seating depth, wrong charge, or just a mistake. The Frankford Arsenal Bullet Puller Pile Driver knocks the projectile back out with a hammer blow. Not elegant, but it works. You will need one sooner or later.
Where to start
A trimmer and a chamfer tool are the minimum. Add a flash hole uniformer for new brass, and a primer pocket tool when you notice your pockets getting dirty or uneven. The rest follows naturally as you go deeper into precision reloading. Get in touch if you are not sure which tools you need for your calibre.