Which case tumbler should I get?

[The Geologist]

Lyman, RCBS, Hornady or ......

[X231]

Great question! I'll be watching this thread.

[DucatiSS]

I have a Lyman 2500 pro and it works great. My only regret was not getting the auto flow (only $20 more at the time) to make it easier to dump the media and get the shiny brass out.

[stilly]

If you are just going to clean your brass then you could go with one of the vibrator ones (sorry I have no experience there) or you can go with a thumler tumbler or some other rotary tumbler. I think this question has the ability to turn into a ford/chevy debate but in all honesty I have not seen too many fan boys of one particular brand. I am a fan of the Thumler but after cleaning my brass it tends to take a dull not so flashy look. But hey, it is easy and I do not have to mess with dry media nor do I have to keep buying media and I am fairly confident that I only need to buy dawn dish soap and some lemi shine to keep it running. You know the grass is greener on the other side syndrome? Well I want a dry media tumbler now just to see if I can throw my loaded shells in there to shine them up. You can not do that to them with a wet process tumbler. In all honesty though I am still glad to have my wet process tumbler. I even made a review:

http://www.amazon.com/Thumler-Lapidary-Rock-Tumbler-Tool/dp/B000RAWG50/ref=cm_cr-mr-title

Yeah the brass looks all pretty as soon as it comes out but then the air hits it and it tends to tarnish a bit. Just a little peeve of mine, at least I know my reloads at the range.

Also, the one that I am eyeballing right now is the Frankford Arsenal Quick-n-Ez tumbler for about $40 at amazon. I also found one reviewer saying that he just throws in dry rice with no chemicals and it does a great job... Another reviewer stated that you can go to a pet store and get lizard bedding that is like $15 for a 10 qt bag and it is the walnut media but apparently of a better quality... Hmmm. I like the dry rice. I wonder how basatmi rice will work in it...

[afrancke]

I have a Lyman 2500 pro and it works great. My only regret was not getting the auto flow (only $20 more at the time) to make it easier to dump the media and get the shiny brass out.

RaymondMillbrae on here created a nice "how to" series of videos about .223 loading from start to finish, and in it he discussed the Lyman auto flow feature. His verdict: worthless - FWIW.

[J-Rat]

I like rcbs with their lifetime warranty. Ive been using the RCBS for over 25 years. wore the first one out. sent it back they sent me another.
Great cust. service.

[ap1040]

It is definitely a Ford verses Chevy issue. Most of the vibrator tumblers are made in China most likely on the same assembly line but with different labels and colors. If you have had good luck with brand 1 over 2 then get it, someone else here will hate brand 1.

If your just starting to get into reloading, look on Craig's List and buy the cheapest you can find. If you like reloading then when the first one quits can get a better one.

The next issue is which type of tumbler to get, vibrating, ultrasonic or rotary (for stainless steel media).

[Fastattack]

+1 for RCBS. The tumbler is well made and if you ever have a problem they stand behind their products 100%.

[BrianRodela]

Harbor Freight is your friend here! It's just a tumbler.

[CSACANNONEER]

Thumler would be the best. They will outlast the others more than enough to offset the difference in price.

[Grizzled Bastard]

Harbor Freight is your friend here! It's just a tumbler.

Function and longevity is your friend.

I have a Lyman and an RCBS. Both have been in service extensively for about 15 years. They are both still chugging along.

I have a Dillon also and am a big Dillon Fanboy however, the Dillon died for some reason after a couple years use. Dillon electrical parts do not carry the same warranty as their reloading gear so I tucked it in a box and there it sits with the others doing all the work still.

[dbbspider]

My harbor freight tumbler is going on 10 years old and it still works fine. I like corn cob for pistol brass and crushed walnut (fine) for 223 brass. I have used stainless steal media in water and it works but not required.

[Bill Steele]

I think it is hard to go wrong with whatever you choose, having said that, I would steer you away from Hornaday's M2.

I bought an M2 and it started giving me problems after about a year. The good news is Hornaday immediately replaced it, great customer service. The second one only last a few months, same problem. They again replaced it no questions asked, but in the interim I had gone ahead and bought a Dillon. I gave the new M2 away to a fellow Calgunner who didn't have a tumbler.

My Dillon has been going strong ever since, but frankly I think it is more than anyone should pay for a tumbler (except me ).

Lots of guys seem to like their Harbor Freight tumbler.

[Javi]

I gave the new M2 away to a fellow Calgunner who didn't have a tumbler.

And he still appreciates it greatly

[morrow]

The best vibratory tumblers you can get are the Dillon or Thumlers ones.
For the cheap-o route I would get the Berry's tumbler, they also make the store brand for Cabelas and some other places. They hold a good amount, have a good tumbling action, and are quiet.
Some of the vibrating tumblers are loud which can be a problem if you live in an apartment.