I'm getting ready to dabble....

[deephouse]

So, I'm getting ready to dabble in reloading.

What I have are buckets of brass that I want to start depriming by hand (while watching TV or something), sorting, and then throw them into a tumbler for cleaning. Basically just getting that done before I even buy the press. Sounds backwards but it's a financial thing at the moment.

So my question is,

Frankford Arsenal Quick-n-EZ Case Tumbler
or
Lyman Pro 1200 Tumbler

And which media are you using for best results?


If there's already a thread on this please shoot me a link!
Thanks in advance!

[racinjason233]

harbor freight tumbler and corn cob media. It will be just fine and get you going!

https://www.harborfreight.com/5-lb-metal-vibrator-tumbler-67617.html

[67Cuda]

Harvey Deprimer Tool is great for depriming while watching TV.

http://www.harveydeprimer.com/

[divingin]

I use a Lee universal decapping die, but it requires a press. Advantage is that it will decap most cases with just a change of shell holders. For a while, I set my press up in the TV room by C-clamping it to the dining table. That might work for you if you are intent on watching TV while you process brass. Or get a handheld tool; either will work. Hell, even a block of wood with a 1/4" hole, a small steel punch that fits through the flash hole and a mallet will do the job of decapping.

[aspenvalley]

I have the Franklin and it works well for me. I just us lizard bedding for Petco. I am just loading pistol currently. It just want them clean enough to load and function. I don't deprime until after tumbling. I deprime on the press and don't clean the pockets unless I have a primer that does not want to seat with normal force, which rarely happens, once in 500 or so.

If you want clean and shinny brass I would go straight to wet tumbling and most people start with the the harbor gear but end up upgrading down the line.

Look at what you want from your reloads and how much you want to do and that will dictate what you should start to pick up.

[TexasJackKin]

Just make sure what ever you use does a good job of catching the spent primers. I'd suggest something, but I de-prime on my press, and it does a good job of catching the spent primers.

[Kwikvette]

If you look maybe a few threads down, you'll see I just dove into reloading.

I haven't actually started yet since I only accumulated the press, dies, depriming/decapping die, primer pocket swager, scale/dispenser, etc. all as of a week ago.

My intent is to inspect and deprime all my brass in one go. This way, I'm not rushing through all the steps, and I can focus on the brass to be processed so I can throw out any bad stuff I won't be using. For this, I bought the Lee handheld press and Lee universal die. I also bought 2 extra pins because I'd rather have extra parts versus breaking something and be down a tool waiting for a part to be shipped.

Just make sure you don't forget the shellholder!

That's what happens when your press doesn't require shellholders, you forget you may need them for other tools.

['ol shooter]

I use a Harvey, and added guides from the RCBS Flash Hole cutter. They are the same I.D. as the shaft on the Harvey, and I reduced the O.D.'s slightly so the brass slides on and off easily. Pic:

I will add that trying to de-prime mil crimp rifle brass is a real pain, I did those on the press.

[hambam105]

Great product for problem that doesn't exist.

A single loose live primer is a hazard; A single loose deactivated primer is a clear sign of not paying attention to detail. And Reloading is all about paying attention to detail. I used to be the poster child for both. But now I know better. Anyway...

As a rule, No Dirty Brass In The Assembly Area. And that goes for primer pockets.

Open, insert, center, close, squeeze, invert, dump, invert, Unlock...9 steps

Insert rod, center, pick-up hammer, hammer, lay hammer down, remove rod...7 steps.

100 pieces of brass...two less steps per piece...here is where the math gets difficult...one hundred...multiply...where, oh yea, two...wait for it...thats right! Two hundred extra steps in just 100 pieces of brass deprimed.

[stilly]

I can not really recco Lyman ANYTHING since that whole media separator fiasco. And their books, well, I have their 50th that some nice calgunner sent me (I forgot what for, PC pills maybe) And they did a nice job with it. But stay the HELL away from their ARF reloading manual...

OMG. I am still trying to figure out what a surpassed firearm is... (did I spell it right?) Oh man the editor was clearly out to lunch, dinner AND breakfast the next day on that one... They done ****ed up bigger than HK at the Shot Show.

[FCOD]

harbor freight tumbler and corn cob media. It will be just fine and get you going!

https://www.harborfreight.com/5-lb-m...ler-67617.html

I use a harbor freight rotary tumbler, but with stainless steel needle bearings. Makes brass look brand new after an hour. Haven't touched the corncob media since.

[Hoons]

I'm slowly acquiring equipment to reload as well. Got the Frankford arsenal hand deprimet and seems to work well. For cleaning brass I'm being so cheapo and going to use large plastic spaghetti jars from Costco, fill it and let it roll around in my car for few days. I'll use this method until I either make my own wet tumbler or buy a unit.

[deephouse]

Thank you guys for all the info. I wasn't sure what to expect but I can already tell why people say reloading is the hobby within the hobby. I'll chime in as soon as I make my decision. I was watching vids on the Frankford wet tumbler and I'm trying to muster up the $$ to go that route. Full on commitment at that point.


Thanks guys!




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[XDJYo]

Thank you guys for all the info. I wasn't sure what to expect but I can already tell why people say reloading is the hobby within the hobby. I'll chime in as soon as I make my decision. I was watching vids on the Frankford wet tumbler and I'm trying to muster up the $$ to go that route. Full on commitment at that point.

Thanks guys!
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I will have to say that the Frankford tumbler is great. Nice capacity and ability to set a timer and not too noisy. I use it with stainless steel media and a Coffee-Mate jug full of brass that has been deprimed. The brass gets really clean and shiny. But, you can get very acceptable results with no stainless steel pins. Just water, Dawn and a pinch of Lemishine. One of the big advantages of wet tumbling is keeping the dust/lead down.

I have a Lee hand-press with a deprimer die in it when I want to do some hand de-priming. Very tedious. Nice that it catches the spent primers, but you have to empty it every 25-30 cases. The better option is to use my Dillon 650 and throw the brass in there and just deprime. Not the best option, but I like to have the primer pockets clean when I'm reloading.

OP-Where are you located? I can let you borrow my Lee hand press to see how you like doing it one-by-one.

A lot of people advise against using a progressive press right off the bat, but I took the plunge and started off with the Dillon and I'm totally happy with it. It IS a lot to absorb, but as long as you take it slow and are meticulous and have a bit of an OCD personality, you'll be fine. Reckless and fly by the seat of your pants people aren't good candidates for reloading...Period. IMHO.

Oh yeah, keep an eye open for the end of year sales. We're not too far off, so you may want to see what happens. When you can, start building up your reloading gear. You'll need a digital or dial caliper, scale, books, manuals, bullet puller, empty coffee cans or other easy storage ideas for brass etc. A labeler is nice, but not necessary. Masking tape and Sharpie work just as fine. Not to mention a place to store your powder and primers (cool and dry). Lighting and perhaps a fan. Air dusters and above all, a sturdy, overbuilt bench and comfy stool/chair. A small brush for cleaning up spills etc too.

[wbunning]

Thank you guys for all the info. I wasn't sure what to expect but I can already tell why people say reloading is the hobby within the hobby. I'll chime in as soon as I make my decision. I was watching vids on the Frankford wet tumbler and I'm trying to muster up the $$ to go that route. Full on commitment at that point.


Thanks guys!




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All the COOL guys wet tumble.