couple of noobish questions for you guys.

[$P-Ritch$]

Hey all,

I want to start off by saying that last time i asked for a recommendation on a powder scale and you guys suggested a dillon eliminator. I got it about a month ago and couldn't be happier. That thing is rock solid and accurate.

Now to my new queries. First, in another thread i read about a tumbler recipe of petco walnut, mineral spirits, and nufinish. I just wanted to know how often you add the wax and thinner to the media? Is it every batch of brass or only once until you retire that bowl of walnut? It just seems like it would gunk up really fast.

Second, i've been loading pistol ammo for most of the summer now and now i've just started reloading .223. Is it typical to have to trim the batch every time? If so i didn't know that rifle brass is so much shorter lived because you never trim more than four times, right? But i guess that sounds right for the higher pressures that rifles deal with.

I know they're dumb questions, but thank you for your time nonetheless.

Jon

[Chief-7700]

I use corn cob media, mineral spirits and Nu Finish in my tumbler. I add new spirits and wax ever other batch. When the media turns green and there is a black ring of gunk on the inside of the tumbler time for new media. I get my corn cob media from the feed store in 50 pound bags.

[freonr22]

possum hollow trimmer in a cheapo drill press ftw

[killshot44]

Add a cap-full of NuFinish to the walnut and run the tumbler WITHOUT brass for 5mins; this gets it mixed in well.
I add it every three tumbler runs. Then add brass and go.

For my .223, I have to trim maybe 10% of what I resize (full length sizing). I keep 'em at 1.755", right between min and max.
And Possum Hollow Quick Trimmer can't be beat...

[Mrskylinetou]

I only load 223 right now. I never trim it bec I use 556 brass so it take many many loads to get it past max 1.760. I take my brass and throw it in the bottle of the tumbler take a cap ful of nufinish on the brass with the tumbler on, no media, then add the media and let is for four or more hours. I also leave the top off bec my brass seems to move faster. The more the brass move the sooner it get done. I have loaded a few thousand brass and never changed my media. I catch all my brass with a bag on my ar, I clean my gun very very well every time I shoot it. The stuff I get off the ground I clean real quick.

U can get lizzard bedding at petco for 8 bucks and for the most part it should last 10000 rounds a bag. Now how long it last very greatly but who cares at 8 bucks a bag. Change it as much as u want. I always say try it every different way and see what u like. Ye never gonna hurt yr brass or the tumbler. I use corn cob media when I polish my finshing round, no polish and I'm very particular about the media being clean.