Downside to Dillon XL 650?

After reading most of the Lyman "Reloading Handbook" I'm getting the impression that there is at least one disadvantage to the Dillon XL 650 and other progressive presses.  In the section relating to primer extraction the RH recommends cleaning and inspecting the case primer pocket.  The only way I see doing this is to make primer extraction a separate operation (simple with a single stage press) or removing the case or interrupting the process on a progressive.  Going a step further, the RH also recommends a process that I've seen in a YouTube video where the case is resized and ends dressed before proceeding to load the case components.  I'm curious what you guys do to prepare your cases.

for .45acp, the depriming pin clears out the flash hole well enough so I don't bother with any primer pocket prep.

Right now all I do is run my brass in a vibratory tumbler with the lyman brown media and a little Hornady case polish.  The polish keeps the dust away that gets all over the reloader.

For .45acp, just Clean the brass and forget about it.

Bottleneck rifle cases get longer with repeated firings and have to be trimmed to length.  45 ACP cases do not get longer with use.  Most of us find that they get a little shorter.  So forget about having to trim 45 ACP cases.  I never mess with the primer pockets.  They are fine as is.

If the primer fits, it's right. If it doesn't fit easily, it's wrong. There isn't more than that for is to inspect. 

As you get loading, you will see what I mean.

Wow, not one mention yet to at least clean the primer pocket despite the RH and others on Youtube recommending it.

Beeser;

I clean my primer pockets.
Takes 2 seconds with a pocket cleaner and blow the crap out with my breath.
Do not think it makes much difference as long as you have a good primer seat.
But it makes me feel better.
Oh, by the way, I have gone back to using a single stage for all of my reloading.

Clarence

I deprime separately before sonic cleaning. Pockets clean up pretty well in the sonic.

The rage on all of the reloading pages is:
1. Deprime
2. Wet rotary tumble the brass with Stainless Steel pins, water, dawn, and lemishine
3. remove the SS pins with a magnet.

Apparently the brass comes out like new in 20 minutes--even the flash holes are perfectly clean.

People take old treadmills and stick their brass in big waterproof jugs to tumble.  The stainless steel media is available at reloading stores or online.  http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/Item/00122909544

Apparently the results are AWESOME.

Looks like nothing more than a hobby type rock tumbler, which is probably a lot cheaper.  I just finished watching a video on it and the results look impressive.  Not only do you not have to clean the primer pocket but the inside of the case gets cleaned too.  Thanks for the heads up.  I wonder when someone comes up with a press that punches out the primers in bulk?

beeser wrote:I wonder when someone comes up with a press that punches out the primers in bulk?

You already have one!  

If you are looking for a cheaper option, the 5 gallon pail on a treadmill is about as cheap as you get.

First, there is no need to clean primer pockets, unless you don't clean the cases good. don't deprime your brass before cleaning if using the traditional corncob and tumbler because the media will get in the primer holes, most of it will be knocked out by deprime pin but some may not. Loading 45 is not like rifle brass it is simple and all the extra steps are not needed to produce very accurate ammo. Clean the brass in a tumbler, midway usa sells a Frankford arsenal kit with tumbler, media, separating bucket and spinner for 80 bucks, put your brass in it add a cap full of liquid car wax, this shies and makes the brass slick so it runs thru the press easy. Then when cleaned visually look for any bad cases, dents, cracks or trash and your ready to load.

No need to clean the primer pockets.  You'll get such a feel, when you prime your brass with the reloader, if the primer doesn't seat correctly.  With a manual indexing press, you can check the peice of brass easily.

I experienced numerous "light hits" until I started cleaning the crud from the primer pocket.  I guess the crud prevented full seating of the primer by the 550.  I actually measured a before cleaning and after cleaning primer depth.  The clean were deeper in the pocket.