Recommend a media separator and case cleaner

[Cyclepath]

I will start reloading ammo soon and will be purchasing all the components and accessories as funds permit. I know that I will get a Dillon 650 press eventually. I have been saving my pistol (9mm., 45) and rifle (.223) brass for many years so I guess it would make sense that one of the first accessories I would get is a media separator and case tumbler and start cleaning the cases. I had my eyes on the Dillon CM500/2000 media separator and CV-750 case cleaner. Any recommendations on other alternatives on the separator/tumbler?

Thanks

[popeye4]

I've got the smaller Dillon case vibrator and media separator and they've both worked well for 15 years, but the one from Midway works just fine (a friend has 3). The case vibrator just has a motor attached with an offset counterweight (so it vibrates). Nothing hi tech at all.......

[tamalpias]

just get a colander like i do to separate and a 5 gallon bucket.

[halifax]

just get a colander like i do to separate and a 5 gallon bucket.

Ditto. Picked up a plastic colander and a pail from a dollar store. Works great for less than $5.

[Cyclepath]

just get a colander like i do to separate and a 5 gallon bucket.

Good idea! I want to spend as little and as wisely as possible and save money for the press. Everything will definitely add up.

[Chemtchr]

I use an RCBS tumbler and media separator and I am very happy with both. I tried the colander method and for me it left too much media inside the cartridge that would then make a mess when I resized.

[kgcabs]

I went with this:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0012554212869a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&sort=all&Go.y=3&_D%3AhasJS=+&Nty=1&hasJS=true&No=18&Ntt=tumbler&N=0&_D%3Asort=+&Go.x=19&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1

Berry's makes the tumbler for Cabela's

Works great at a great price.

HTH, Karl

[juelz919]

one thing that i have noticed in my time reloading.. you dont always have to buy the most expensive thing possible. I have mostly cheap stuff and i make superb ammunition..

with that said i have a $35 lyman tumbler. it comes with this thing that screws on top, you turn it upside down into a bucket and the media is in the bucket, the clean shells in the tumbler..

[CSACANNONEER]

Ditto. Picked up a plastic colander and a pail from a dollar store. Works great for less than $5.

Yep. For $2 I found a bucket and a colander that fit it perfectly. As far as vibatory tumblers go, if you want the best, get a Thumbler's Tumbler. If you want a decent tumbler, Dillon makes one. One of my complaints about the Dillon tumblers is that you can't operate them without the lid on. Lyman, Thumbler's, etc. you can.

[SVRider]

Yeah, it costs a little bit ($35), but I picked up an RCBS media separator earlier in the year. I've been real happy with it. Dump everything in the basket, close it up, and crank it for maybe 10 seconds and you are good. Almost nothing left inside or out (sometimes you do get a grain or two caught up in a couple of flash holes). As a plus with it completely enclosed, it also keeps all of the walnut shell dust in.

As for the cleaner, I've been using a Midway vibratory cleaner for about 10 years now. For a cheapy, it still works just fine.

I do have a question though.....is a true "tumbler" any better/worse than a vibratory cleaner? It seems it would be quite easy to build yourself a large capacity "tumber"....(a lot cheaper than $180 to buy a large Dillon vibratory cleaner)

[CSACANNONEER]

I do have a question though.....is a true "tumbler" any better/worse than a vibratory cleaner? It seems it would be quite easy to build yourself a large capacity "tumber"....(a lot cheaper than $180 to buy a large Dillon vibratory cleaner)

If you want a larger rotary tumbler, a small cement mixer works great!

As far as media separators go, I had a Frankford Arsenal along with a FA tumbler for a little while. I was not impressed with either of them and sold the set here for about $50. I would not recommend FA tumblers or media separators to anyone. I do like other FA products though.

[Cyclepath]

Anyone have any experience with the Lyman tumblers? The 2500 Pro Magnum seems like a good deal at about $100 and has good capacity -1000 .38 cartridges. Looking for something fairly quiet as far a tumblers go and has a good history of quality.

[RaymondMillbrae]

I use the 2500 Pro Magnum (with the auto flo feature), and I have no complaints.

I've left this puppy running overnight many a times, and nary a problem. I have also totally overloaded this tumbler in the past (so much so, that it would tilt to one side from the massive weight), and it is still going strong. (Now watch...it will go bad on me tomorrow). Ha ha ha.

I do not use the auto flo feature, as I just scoop out the brass with my hands and dump them into a second container. This enables me to check the brass as well.

The tumbler also comes with a large black container, which come in very handy

It is running with over 1000 rounds of .45 ACP brass as we speak...err...write.

In Christ: Raymond

[gotgunz]

I have this one...

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=414369

No issues at all and works just fine for all pistol calibers up to 45 colt and 223.

[g17owner]

This is the one i use. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=450403 it works great and the auto flo feature is worth it. It came with media and a bucket too. I got it at bass pro for $75. I do about 300 38 or 357 cases at a time and regularly leave it running all night.