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Trying my hand at reloading...
This is my first time at reloading. Learning everything as I go along. I've read a few threads about the subject here and on a few other sites. I also bought the 49th edition of Lyman Reloading ($25 on Amazon). I'll probably/maybe update this as I go along.
Once fired Brass
I've saved my OFB from my range outing and picked up a few handfuls of other peoples brass. However, most of it is from my rifle 556. So actually it's a mixed of 223/556 and mixed head stamp.
-cleaning brass
I bought a Frankford Arsenal Quick n EZ tumbler, again from Amazon. Decided on a tumbler because its not too expensive. But I also bought a Ultrasonic cleaner from Harbor Freight, which is also inexpensive.
Pros
-EZ tumbler: is, yep, easy. Set it and forget it. Can clean 100+ brass. Cheap cleaning media.
-HF cleaner: Quiet. Cheap. Small in size.
Cons
-EZ tumbler: loud (unfortunately for my downstairs neighbor). Need a media separator.
-HF cleaner: Small, only able to clean 20 at a time. Tarnishes the brass. Air drying.
Here are my results using both the tumbler and the ultrasonic cleaner. I ran both equipment about the same time, 2.5 hours. With the tumbler I went to the pet store and bought crushed walnut shells (used for reptile bedding). For the Ultrasonic I used a solution of 50/50 distilled vinegar and hot tap water with a dash of Dawn.
on the very left is the dirty brass. Middle is clean brass with the Ultrasonic cleaner. Right is clean brass using the EZ tumbler.
Obviously using the tumbler was more efficient for cleaning a lot more.... LOT MORE.... brass with about the same duration cleaning time. Oh, and the US cleaner shuts off every 3mins so that was very annoying having to press on after the auto shutoff.
A closer look...
I think I'll take a clean pile of these over 20 measly clean ones using the US cleaner anyday.
...I've yet to polish these using crushed corn cob.
TL;DR used a tumbler and happy with the results, so far
Once fired Brass
I've saved my OFB from my range outing and picked up a few handfuls of other peoples brass. However, most of it is from my rifle 556. So actually it's a mixed of 223/556 and mixed head stamp.
-cleaning brass
I bought a Frankford Arsenal Quick n EZ tumbler, again from Amazon. Decided on a tumbler because its not too expensive. But I also bought a Ultrasonic cleaner from Harbor Freight, which is also inexpensive.
Pros
-EZ tumbler: is, yep, easy. Set it and forget it. Can clean 100+ brass. Cheap cleaning media.
-HF cleaner: Quiet. Cheap. Small in size.
Cons
-EZ tumbler: loud (unfortunately for my downstairs neighbor). Need a media separator.
-HF cleaner: Small, only able to clean 20 at a time. Tarnishes the brass. Air drying.
Here are my results using both the tumbler and the ultrasonic cleaner. I ran both equipment about the same time, 2.5 hours. With the tumbler I went to the pet store and bought crushed walnut shells (used for reptile bedding). For the Ultrasonic I used a solution of 50/50 distilled vinegar and hot tap water with a dash of Dawn.
on the very left is the dirty brass. Middle is clean brass with the Ultrasonic cleaner. Right is clean brass using the EZ tumbler.
Obviously using the tumbler was more efficient for cleaning a lot more.... LOT MORE.... brass with about the same duration cleaning time. Oh, and the US cleaner shuts off every 3mins so that was very annoying having to press on after the auto shutoff.
A closer look...
I think I'll take a clean pile of these over 20 measly clean ones using the US cleaner anyday.
...I've yet to polish these using crushed corn cob.
TL;DR used a tumbler and happy with the results, so far
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