Case Cleaning

[G-Man WC]

I'm new to reloading and in the process of getting my Dillon and a single stage set-up on the work bench.
I've yet to buy a case cleaner and looking Cabela's new shooting bench mag. I spotted sonic or ultrasonic case cleaners.
Anyone have any dealing with these new toys?
Should I just go old school vibratory tumbler and any cost savings in the media used either way.
Thanks
-g

[bill_k_lopez]

I'm super new to reloading as well and I have both - they both clean brass, just differently.

I wouldn't rate one better than the other. I have the Horandy sonic cleaner and a Franklin Arsenal tumbler.

Brass cleaned in the sonic cleaner need a primer pocket tool to get some of the really hard gunk out.

Those cleaned in the tumber need to be blown clean of any media (especially the mediathat gets stuck in the primer pockets)

Cases I tumble need to be lubed before running them through a press - no matter how much washing I do after they've been tumbled.

Like I said, they both work, they're just different...

[XDRoX]

A tumbler works fine. So does a damp towel. All the rest of these fancy cleaners are fine and fun, but not needed. Never been a fan of using something that requires the brass to dry.

Personally I'd spend my money elsewhere. Like on alcohol.

But to each their own...

[Clownpuncher]

I use a tumbler and a buddy of mine uses sonic. Both clean well but I am a bit more anal when it comes to clean/shiny brass and the tumbler with some polish in it, does a better job.

[Bill Steele]

I use a tumbler and a buddy of mine uses sonic. Both clean well but I am a bit more anal when it comes to clean/shiny brass and the tumbler with some polish in it, does a better job.

I agree with this observation. I have tried the ultrasonic and it is more trouble than it is worth.

I use walnut media in a vibratory tumbler, works great.

[G-Man WC]

Thanks for the input. I think my question has been answered. -g

[flomofo]

...

There are some commercial ultrasonics or even the Hornaday which has at least two transcducers to get a little better coverage then the basic 60 to 100 dollar ones.

The advantage people find in the ultrasonic cleaners seems to be that with the right solution you can clean brass completely, meaning the inside of the case like the neck and the primer pocket area. And in substanitally less time then with a tumbler.

Thats why I am saving for one already, although with these things it seems to be about as effective as what you invest in it. For example I bought a little Bissell carpet stain remover that works okay but a commercial unit makes a huge deifference in performance. But thats just a preliminary thought I have about these things as more people write reviews on them.

I also like that I can quickly clean different parts of my guns in these cleaners and even use them for jewlery etc.

Definately worth more of a look if you have the time as their application to firearms is still fairly new in comparison to using a tumbler and dry media.

[zfields]

I wouldnt use a ultrasonic / SS media tumbler unless I was shooting precision rifle. Just not worth the extra time / mess.

[damndave]

I have a Cabela's vibratory tumbler and it works great. But when I got more into it, I decided to go with Stainless Steel media for tumbling and won't go back. Who knows if it improves any accuracy, but my brass look better than brand new. When I debated on a Ultrasonic or SS, SS wins hands down. My brass is now 100% clean inside and out, including the primer pockets. A regular tumbler works perfectly fine, but I will never go back.

Here's a quick pic of what the brass looks like after a 3 hour tumble in SS media.

[checkenbach]

+1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000 on SS media!!!!!!!!! No primer pocket work ever again.

[vwynn]

SS tumbler is nice however drying is a pita if u wanna reload right after tumbling lol...

tumbling is tumbling. just clean the outside so it doesnt mess up your dies

[bruceflinch]

SS tumbler is nice however drying is a pita if u wanna reload right after tumbling lol...

tumbling is tumbling. just clean the outside so it doesnt mess up your dies

I thought the SS did not use anything but dry Stainless Steel granular media?

whachu talkin' 'bout, Willis?

How much $$ to get set up in SS? Thumbler's Tumbler & media? Do you have to replace the media?

I'm using the Lymans Walnut w/ the Red Rouge. Works pretty good after 2 hours. I decap after tumbling to keep the flash hole clean. Still clean it separately with a cleaner in a drill.

[damndave]

Getting setup for SS tumbling runs about $230, but you never have to change the media.

Drying is pretty easy. I have a homemade dryer, but it isn't necessary. Some people lay them out in the sun, some even put it in the oven. A quick dunk in alcohol will dry them in seconds. I even put some on a towel in front of one of those foot heaters and had them dry in 10-15 minutes.

[RET E-7]

I am very surprised that no one has mentioned the use of a quick citric acid bath followed by a quick dry.

Takes of all the gunk inside and out in a matter of seconds.

If you want it even shinier you can toss it in a tumbler for a little while.

Tom

[VCMike]

I like the Sonic Cleaner to start does a good job on the inside and primer pocket. Then into the tumbler to get polished. Tumbler media lasts a long time this way.