Stainless Media Users, Depriming

[ExtremeX]

Well my SS media is cleaner than when i got it 1 1/2 yrs ago, betcha cant say that about dry media

Those SS pins also cost a pretty penny...

$20 got me about 25lb of coarse walnut and thats going to last for a while.

[ExtremeX]

I don't use stainless media as I think it's overkill. A dry tumbler works fine IMO.

But if I did use a wet tumbler I would deprime first. Why go through all the trouble involved in wet tumbling if you're not going to take advantage of the clean primer pockets?

I agree...

I would have probably tried SS media if I had a sink in my garage, but I'm more than happy with the results of my dry tumbler and a cap of nufinish.

The added hassle of water, drain, dry doesn't appeal to me, but I do like the cleaned primer pockets and that would be my main reason to try SS.

Decap before cleaning.

[J-cat]

Those SS pins also cost a pretty penny...

$20 got me about 25lb of coarse walnut and thats going to last for a while.

Stainless steel pins last forever.

[ExtremeX]

Stainless steel pins last forever.

Until you loose a few down the drain every time you use it...

Like I said... I like the end results from stainless, but its not for everyone.

Wet tumble is too much of a hassle for my reloading room otherwise I would have probably tried it by now.

[GeoffLinder]

It could be important for people who care about quality, or are on the verge of minimum power factor.

IME, small SD variances of around 3-4% are meaningless on the target face except for at extreme distances (500+) and even then, only the absolute best marksmen can realize them. Also, your average powder charge variation negates the minute chamber volume increase a .00001 carbon layer provides. Unless you trickle your charges on a very accurate digital, this will still be insignificant and practically unmeasurable.

Basically, if you cannot measure it on the target face, it's a waste of time bothering with it.

[J-cat]

There is no reason to lose any of the pins down the drain. You just have to use your brain and fine motor skills carefully. A magnet next to the drain helps.

[J-cat]

IME, small SD variances of around 3-4% are meaningless on the target face except for at extreme distances (500+) and even then, only the absolute best marksmen can realize them. Also, your average powder charge variation negates the minute chamber volume increase a .00001 carbon layer provides. Unless you trickle your charges on a very accurate digital, this will still be insignificant and practically unmeasurable.

It's not due to additional volume of the carbon, but the reduced bullet pull caused by the carbon. Carbon is a lubricant. Brass on copper offers more friction and enhances combustion.

[Corbin Dallas]

^^^^ This. IMHO, just another reason why SS tumbling is a whole lot of extra work for a purely cosmetic result compared to dry tumbling

Actually, there are some other benefits.

1) No dust. I know the majority is walnut or corncob dust, but there are lead particulates in the air as well. Since I have enough lead exposure while shooting and being an RO, I'd like to minimize it at home.

2) Draining the water into my grass adds additional nutrients and makes my lawn look great! (I use simple green, not dawn).

3) The SS pins literally last forever. I still have 4 of my vibratory tumblers if I choose to polish after loading FMJ, but honestly it's a PITA and an unnecessary step.

4) Wet tumbling after trimming 223/556 gets all left over brass trimmings the vacuum missed and smooths out the sharp edges at the mouth of the case. This plus a little lemi-shine makes the cases look brand new.


PS - DO NOT mix baking soda with simple green and lemi-shine. Don't ask me how I know...

[SixPointEight]

The clean pockets are cometic for me. Bullets and primers seat so much smoother in stainless tumbled brass. The only stuff o don't do in stainless is nickel. Because I haven't figured out the blackening that occurs

[J-cat]

I don't get any blackening. What chemicals do you use and at what proportions?

[jj805]

There is no reason to lose any of the pins down the drain. You just have to use your brain and fine motor skills carefully. A magnet next to the drain helps.

I SS tumble so don't take this the wrong way. Most types of SS are not magnetic. I have a fine SS mesh strainer that the pins will not fit through. It works well.

[J-cat]

The SS pins you get from stainlesstumblingmedia.com with their kit is magnetic.

[Vlad 11]

Those SS pins also cost a pretty penny...

$20 got me about 25lb of coarse walnut and thats going to last for a while.

I saw 5lb bag at Midway .. 35 on sale. Not bad. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/635...media-5-lb-bag

As far losing pins down the drain, non issue. I use an intermediary bucket for the waste water before its drained. The very rare time a pin slips thru you catch it before its drained out

[SixPointEight]

I don't get any blackening. What chemicals do you use and at what proportions?

The recommended proportions from stainless tumbling media. All my nickel brass starts to turn black, and is even worse if I tumble mixed with standard brass

[J-cat]

Get a Lee .6cc dipper and use only 80% of it. Don't use heaping amounts of soap either.