Reloading Noob - Tumbler instructions?

[Gryff]

I am just starting the process of getting into reloading. I'm waiting for my ABC's book to be delivered, but I received a Cabelas tumbler for Christmas. I thought that I would take advantage of the wait to start cleaning the brass that I have, but the tumbler didn't come with any instructions.

So what do I do? And I when I say that, I mean literally, step-by-step, what do I do?

How much brass do I put in (I'm starting with 9mm)? How much media? How long do I tumble it for? What am I not asking, but I should be?

The tumbler I received came with a bag of corn cob media and a jar of Cabela's Metallic Cartridge Polish. There are instructions on the polish regarding the quantity to use. I believe that I pre-tumble the polish and media before I add the brass, right?

Is there a reference that would have covered all this for me?

Thanks for the help!

[SPX]

1. Fill the tumbler about 2/3 full of media.

2. Turn on the tumbler.

3. Add your polish, and leave the tumbler running for 3-4 minutes before adding brass.

4. Add 200-300 cases (or more depending on the size of the tumbler).

5. Let the tumbler run until the brass is as shiny as you'd like, 30 to 90 minutes is generally good. I typically tumble for 45 minutes.

[tonyl]

I got the same kit myself for Christmas. I poured enough corn cob in the tumbler, enough to cover the middle washer. Afterward, I did 3 caps full of the polish.

I threw in 200 used .30 carbine brass and did not pre-tumble the polish and the media. In total I tumbled for an an hr and a half.

Hope this help...

[kmca]

Here's a link to the RCBS tumbler:

http://www.rcbs.com/downloads/instructions/VibratoryCaseCleaner_Instructions.pdf

[Bug Splat]

i tumble 2 hours in corn to clean and then 3 hours in walnut with polish. You should also know that you don't add polish every time you tumble. Add it in and run the tumbler for 30 minutes. You should be able to do a number of loads before more is needed. Maybe 5-6 loads or so, at least thats what I do.

[M47_Dragon]

What am I not asking, but I should be?

People have hit on most everything so far. One thing to consider later down the road -- and this probably has more to do with what kind of press you will be using (single stage or progressive) is whether you want to tumble with old primers in place, or wait until they are decapped. If you tumble the deprimed brass, of course this gives the media the opportunity to clean the primer pocket a bit. Again, it may be too soon to mention this, maybe something to consider later down the line. Primers go into a clean pocket so much smoother than a dirty one.

[scrappy]

http://www.ammosmith.com/general-reloading/tumbling-brass-part-2-part-series.php

Poke around in that site, lots of other good vids there too.

[M47_Dragon]

Remembered a couple of other things -- you can re-use the tumbling media over and over. I've heard people say to use the corn cob until it turns black. I've tumbled several thousand cases and my original media is only a couple of slight shades darker than new. Nowhere near dark brown or black.

Also, that sifter that comes with the Cabela's kit (I have the same one) is a PITA. That is what you use when done tumbling to separate the brass from the media. It is a PITA because no matter how much you shake it, you still have brass with media inside. Every time I use it, I curse myself for not having purchased one of THESE yet. I have some extra xmas $$, so I may finally get one. Dillon makes them as well, but of course, they cost more.

[scrappy]

Remembered a couple of other things -- you can re-use the tumbling media over and over. I've heard people say to use the corn cob until it turns black. I've tumbled several thousand cases and my original media is only a couple of slight shades darker than new. Nowhere near dark brown or black.

Also, that sifter that comes with the Cabela's kit (I have the same one) is a PITA. That is what you use when done tumbling to separate the brass from the media. It is a PITA because no matter how much you shake it, you still have brass with media inside. Every time I use it, I curse myself for not having purchased one of THESE yet. I have some extra xmas $$, so I may finally get one. Dillon makes them as well, but of course, they cost more.

Cabela's version of that rotary sifter is $26 http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...dexId=cat20853

[ar15barrels]

I woud fill the tumbler about 1/2 way with media.
Add polish and let it run for a bit to distribute the polish.
Then I would add no more than 1/4 of the tumbler's capacity of brass.
You need to leave space for the media to tumble.
Note that as soon as you turn it on, the brass will sink down into the media as the media works it's way into the cases so you won't really be 3/4 full after a minute or two.
The tumbler will appear just a little over 1/2 full after it has run for a while.
Tumble 3-4 hours with new media.
As the media gets worn down, it will change colors from a bright vibrant brown/tan to a dull gray brown/tan.
When it looks more gray than the original color, it's worn out.
As it's wearing out, you will find that it takes longer to achieve a good polish.
That's the sign that it's on it's way out.

[JamesY]

I hate using corn cob media. Tough to get out of .223 cases. I use walnut from Harbor Freight. I also add a few strips of the blue disposable shop towels dampened with mineral spirits to keep the dust down and help clean. If I really want to get fancy, I tumble again with some walnut that has a bit of Mother's wax to give that new brass look.

[Gryff]

Guys, this is great info from all of you. Thanks! I've already been able to tumble about 1500 cases. Unfortunately, that's only about 1/3rd of my cat litter bucket-full of brass, but I'm working my way through it.

A couple of follow-up questions...

1) Tumbling time. Some people say 30 minutes, others say 2 hours. Can you over-tumble brass? What happens if you under-polishing it?

2) The treated mix that I'm using initially (corn cob with Cabela's polish) leaves a slippery finish on the brass. Does this need to be polished off (semi-auto pistol use)?

Thanks again!

[opos]

Might want to consider adding some strips (about 2"wide) of Used...that's used...dryer anti cling/anti static sheets...new ones may have a chemical that is too concentrated and can possibly affect the powder...I have bad asthema and always use a mask when handling the media as it can be full of lead and other no no's for me. Just a few pieces of the used cling free sheets can really tame the dust and crud. I change them out every load...I get them from the laundromat in my neighborhood..they get tossed in the waste baskets.

[ar15barrels]

Can you over-tumble brass? What happens if you under-polishing it?

2) The treated mix that I'm using initially (corn cob with Cabela's polish) leaves a slippery finish on the brass. Does this need to be polished off (semi-auto pistol use)?

I once tumbled a batch of brass for 3 weeks.
The media wears out.
If you don't tumble it enough, it will not be clean.
You can tell by looking at it.

The slippery finish of the media's dust is GOOD.
Think of it as dry lube for the sizing die.

[J20DB]

Cabela's version of that rotary sifter is $26 http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...dexId=cat20853

Compared to the sifter pan that comes with the kit, the rotary sifter is worth its weight in gold; it's much, much quicker and easier to use.