Some good tips on here. I'll add that at Lonestar range they sell brass for $2/pound. I can get 1000 223s for about $25. And I'm sure all you guys already ask the guys in the lane next to you if they save their brass....
I clean my brass with a special mixture of dish soap, etc. in an ultrasonic cleaner. Works great. Doesn't make them shiny but shiny does nothing but make them look pretty until you pull the trigger on it after reloading it.