If you are like me, you probably pick up all the spent shotgun shells that you find in order to reload them, provided that you're a shotshell loader. Most of these hulls have been in the mud, crud, and yuck of wherever they fell. The grit and grime that these field hulls carry can be very detrimental to your shotshell loading outfit. My longtime solution to this is to take the empties that have accumulated over a period of time, and put them into either an empty woven plastic feed bag or mesh onion bag, tie the bag mouth shut, then throw into the automatic clothes washing machine and wash with normal laundry detergent and warm water. (when the wife is away, of course) Hulls come out sparkling clean! I then pour them out on a layer of either old towels or rags in a place where it is warm so they can dry. Let them dry several days before loading, and you'll have sure fire ammo that is clean as a whistle! If the hulls need further cleaning, or the brass is discolored, throw the clean hulls into your brass tumbler for the final phase of reconditioning!
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