brass cleaning dilemma

[coma]

New to reloading, I have been reading and studying everything I can get my hands on. Everything is good until I get to the brass cleaning, tumbler or ultrasonic...

I must have read 200 different post on various boards about both methods, media times, etc.

I am at the moment reloading for 223 only but will be adding 308, 30-06 and maybe .45 ACP, maybe...

My set up is in the garage and noise would seem to be a non issue, unless the boss complains I am a bit of an OCD, so to me inside case must be free of residue, outside shinny would be okay. I am afraid of water on the brass, and although some of the ultrasonic cleaners do have a heater I still am a bit hesitant, on the other hand the time between one and the other, I have heard tumble for 4hrs??? and then theres the lead beeing airbone? I have kids and worry that they can go in the garage and mess with the tumbler/media.

Anyway, I would like to clean the media efficiently, which to me means the quickest and best way (no build up inside case and as shinny as possible) without too many steps involved (the idea of an extra step of . I guess I'd love to hear from people who have tried both

[ar15barrels]

Tumbler.
The remaining dust from the media helps act as a dry lube during sizing.

If you use an ultrasonic, you have to figure out how to dry off the brass.
The ultrasonic only removes dirt/debris, it does not polish or remove staining of the brass.

[joelogic]

Tumble in corn and throw in some dryer sheets or paper towels in to keep dust down.

[Corbin Dallas]

New to reloading, I have been reading and studying everything I can get my hands on. Everything is good until I get to the brass cleaning, tumbler or ultrasonic...

I must have read 200 different post on various boards about both methods, media times, etc.

I am at the moment reloading for 223 only but will be adding 308, 30-06 and maybe .45 ACP, maybe...

My set up is in the garage and noise would seem to be a non issue, unless the boss complains I am a bit of an OCD, so to me inside case must be free of residue, outside shinny would be okay. I am afraid of water on the brass, and although some of the ultrasonic cleaners do have a heater I still am a bit hesitant, on the other hand the time between one and the other, I have heard tumble for 4hrs??? and then theres the lead beeing airbone? I have kids and worry that they can go in the garage and mess with the tumbler/media.

Anyway, I would like to clean the media efficiently, which to me means the quickest and best way (no build up inside case and as shinny as possible) without too many steps involved (the idea of an extra step of . I guess I'd love to hear from people who have tried both

Crushed walnut with some NuFinish added in the mix. Cut up a couple of used dryer sheets and toss them in to control the excess dust.

CORN is a great polisher and can be used after the rounds are loaded. I personally found corn to be a PITA because it would get stuck in the neck. Crushed walnut will pour out of the case like sand after tumbling.

Also, get over the inside of the case. It will have gunpowder in it shortly and hopefully thereafter a very controlled explosion.

I tumble my 223 brass for 1-2 hours depending on the condition.

NOTE: DO NOT REMOVE the primer BEFORE TUMBLING. You'll only make things hard on yourself afterwards.

[ar15barrels]

NOTE: DO NOT REMOVE the primer BEFORE TUMBLING. You'll only make things hard on yourself afterwards.

It's very easy to control for media in the primer pocket.
Just put a decapping die in the first station of the press when you are going to load the cases that have been previously sized, decapped and tumbled to remove the sizing lube.

[Chemtchr]

Tumble twice. It will be great for your OCD. Decap, then tumble. Resize and trim then tumble again. I tumble for several hours with the above mentioned Nu Finish and the brass looks brand new. Lately I've been using walnut exclusively but there are times when corn cob seems to work best.

[WReyth]

+1 on walnut being easier to deal with than corn. Corn gives a brighter shine, kind of like plastic cleaner vs. plastic polish, but leaves more residue. Walnut cleans faster but doesn't remove discoloration. If you decide to try out liquid case cleaner, do remember to use gloves. It dries out skin severely.

[joelogic]

I stoped using walnut because of the rusge(sp?), the stuff that makes the walnut red and its a polishing compound, it caked up my dies and turned them red. That and I am allergic to nuts.

[NotEnoughGuns]

FYI, Crushed walnut shell can be had in the pet section at most wal marts for a couple bucks.

[Fishslayer]

I must have read 200 different post on various boards about both methods, media times, etc.

And there ya have it. 200 different people will have 200 different "favorite" methods. All of them work.

And you're not alone in your OCD. Mine is "shiny." Gotta be shiny.

What makes it an OCD is that I KNOW that an hour in walnut shell is fine. The brass will work. It looks "OK." But noooo... I MUST have bright shiny outsides. So far cob with Cabela's polish is working for me.


I'm still experimenting to find a somewhat efficient method that satisfies my polish fetish.

have kids and worry that they can go in the garage and mess with the tumbler/media.

Not only lead but toxins/metals in the primer residue. IMO a valid concern. I wear the blue nitrile gloves from Walmart while handling components. Also helps get a grip on that bright, slick brass.

I have dogs and have closed up the doggy door to the garage.

[oddjob]

I use crushed walnut. There is a local company that actually sells the media to "big name" folks. I just drive up and pick it up. I tumble (its actually a Lyman vibrating kind from Bass Pro Shop) for 2-3 hrs with some polish. I shoot a lot so I don't get too worked up over the looks. My 1050's don't care so neither do I. Its just gotta go bang!

[Revoman]

I have used both. The tumbler works very well and gets large primer pockets and interior very clean, especially with some Nu-Finish coating the media.

However, the smaller cases do not fare quite so well and I use the ultra on those, then the tumbler to dry them and continue that polishing. The ultra will not make them real shiny, the polish in the tumbler does that.

Ultra is a little messy with the moisture, but not too bad. I use a vinegar and water mix. There is a lot of information on the ultras and the mixtures online.

Tumbling usually takes between 2 and 3 hours, more initially since you are starting with dirtier brass and there is no protection, read wax coating, before you apply it.

If I had to go with one, I would pick the tumbler.

And yes.........I too like my brass shiny, it also makes it a little easier when running the brass through the resizing die as it is slicker. (IMO) YMMV.

[Nessal]

Tumbler.
The remaining dust from the media helps act as a dry lube during sizing.

If you use an ultrasonic, you have to figure out how to dry off the brass.
The ultrasonic only removes dirt/debris, it does not polish or remove staining of the brass.

I actually clean the dust off. I noticed that it starts to gunk up my dies.

[Nessal]

Crushed walnut with some NuFinish added in the mix. Cut up a couple of used dryer sheets and toss them in to control the excess dust.

CORN is a great polisher and can be used after the rounds are loaded. I personally found corn to be a PITA because it would get stuck in the neck. Crushed walnut will pour out of the case like sand after tumbling.

Also, get over the inside of the case. It will have gunpowder in it shortly and hopefully thereafter a very controlled explosion.

I tumble my 223 brass for 1-2 hours depending on the condition.

NOTE: DO NOT REMOVE the primer BEFORE TUMBLING. You'll only make things hard on yourself afterwards.

I have to disagree. I tumble first then decap and tumble again to get the lube off. If media gets stuck in the flash hole, a paper clip gets them out in short order. Also tumbling after decap can help clean out the primer pocket a bit.

[killshot44]

Tumbler > Untrasonic IMHO

Get your crushed walnut (no coloring die added) from PetCo, 7lbs(5quarts) for $4.97....

Ultrasonic user? Don't use vinegar, it can harden cases similar to the way ammonia does.