Tumblers - Which One?

[ExtremeX]

Im looking to get my first tumbler... Not really sure which one to get. Right now I am looking at the models from Harbor Freight.

Whats better for cleaning brass, Rotary or Vibration tumbler?

How much .223, 9mm, or .45 brass can you typically fit into a 3lb, 5lb, or 18lb tumbler?

What type of media is recommended?

[OldShooter32]

Old thread on this with lots of discussion:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=557011

[HKMadness]

Get a wet stainless media tumbler. It's the best.

[Sac-AR15]

Stainless steel tumbler.

[Bill Steele]

I currently have a Dillon tumbler and am very pleased with it. Built like a truck, very quiet in operation. Having said that, I think I might steer you toward Berry's. Seems to be very well built and half the price of my tumbler. Here is what I am talking about: http://www.berrysmfg.com/product-i14...aning_Kit.aspx

I would steer you clear of Hornaday's M2. I had one and it got replaced twice in less than a year. Hornaday CS is superb, but I think the M2 is a bad design.

[lpspinner]

I have 2 Dillons CV-2001 and a RCBS Vibratory Case Cleaner. The Dillons can hold 1300 .38 Special and the RCBS can hold 400 .38 Specials.

Both have outstanding warranty support. My RCBS is over 25 years old and RCBS is still sending parts. I was also told by them that since some of the parts are no longer made, I could always send in my old one, pay a nominal fee and they will replace it with a new one.

[morrow]

Stainless steel media rotary tumbling is the best way to go, however it's much more work and much more expensive to get into, so I don't do it personally. The rotary tumblers are also louder so you need to have a quiet room or something. I live in apartment so that flat out wasn't an option.

Dillon vibratory tumblers are probably the best built ones. I wanted a cheaper one so I got the Frankford Arsenal tumbler but it was way too loud. The Berrys one I have now is MUCH quieter. Berrys makes the store brand tumbler for Cabelas and some other places.

As for vibratory tumbling media most people say walnut shells are better for cleaning and corn cob is better for polishing. I personally just use corn cob with media polish (Nu-Finish is the cheapest way to go, I still use the polish that came with my tumbler). For completed rounds I tumble them with dry corn cob media to remove the lube.

[Audredger]

For completed rounds I tumble them with dry corn cob media to remove the lube.

DO NOT TUMBLE COMPLETE ROUNDS!!!! This can wear the coating off the powder and also reduce its size. You can create an over pressure situation this way.

Had a friend of a friend blow up a 1911 with target rounds by tumbling assembled rounds. By the grace of God, he has regained most of the use of his hand.

I de-prime then clean using stainless steel media; lube & resize then use corn cobb in vibratory tumbler to remove lube; then assemble into completed rounds.
Mike

[Bill Steele]

DO NOT TUMBLE COMPLETE ROUNDS!!!! This can wear the coating off the powder and also reduce its size. You can create an over pressure situation this way.

Had a friend of a friend blow up a 1911 with target rounds by tumbling assembled rounds. By the grace of God, he has regained most of the use of his hand.

I de-prime then clean using stainless steel media; lube & resize then use corn cobb in vibratory tumbler to remove lube; then assemble into completed rounds.
Mike

I don't doubt your story about your friend blowing his gun up, but the root cause was not tumbling completed rounds.

[morrow]

DO NOT TUMBLE COMPLETE ROUNDS!!!! This can wear the coating off the powder and also reduce its size. You can create an over pressure situation this way.

Had a friend of a friend blow up a 1911 with target rounds by tumbling assembled rounds. By the grace of God, he has regained most of the use of his hand.

I de-prime then clean using stainless steel media; lube & resize then use corn cobb in vibratory tumbler to remove lube; then assemble into completed rounds.
Mike

Sorry but YOU ARE WRONG!!!!!!!
Lots of reloaders, I bet most people here, and most ammo manufacturers tumble completed rounds. There is nothing unsafe about tumbling completed rounds in a vibratory tumbler out of the norm of handling ammo.

[XDRoX]

DO NOT TUMBLE COMPLETE ROUNDS!!!! This can wear the coating off the powder and also reduce its size. You can create an over pressure situation this way.

Had a friend of a friend blow up a 1911 with target rounds by tumbling assembled rounds. By the grace of God, he has regained most of the use of his hand.

I de-prime then clean using stainless steel media; lube & resize then use corn cobb in vibratory tumbler to remove lube; then assemble into completed rounds.
Mike

Tumbling did not cause a round to blow up a 1911. If it did I wouldn't have any fingers left.

[CGT80]

I have 2 midway tumblers and two lymans. The lymans work better and faster. The bigger lyman is the best. The noise isn't too bad and it gives the best results. I have been using it since I was a teen, now I'm 31. Walnut is too dusty. I use corncob and brass polish.

[ironpete]

After a couple of years on my Harbor Freight vibratory I'm set to get a tumbler with stainless media. It is much more expensive...but I believe it will be worth it in the long run. Plus I hate cleaning out primer pockets and walnut just doesn't seem to do it.

After comparing both I'm not really sure how a vibratory is quieter...mine is bugger all loud.

I'm also liking the fact that I won't have to wear a dust mask when cleaning my brass.

-Pete

[gp686]

I picked up the Cabela's tumbler kit on sale, Berry's Manufactures it so it is the same one that Berry's sells but with Cabela's branding. It has been great, no regrets.

[morrow]

After comparing both I'm not really sure how a vibratory is quieter...mine is bugger all loud.

Vibratory tumblers create a wide range of noise depending on the manufacturer. The Harbor Freight and Frankford Arsenal ones are usually really loud by normal sized tumbler standards.