Case Tumbling

[Capt. Oblivious]

Here's an example of what I do cleaning the necks and shoulders of 100 cases with steel wool after annealing, then tumbling with medium grain rice to remove Imperial sizing wax after sizing (cases never touch the ground as I shoot from a bench):

View attachment 1460473 View attachment 1460470

View attachment 1460471 View attachment 1460472

Seeing this picture I just realized I could have used the "cover" of my Lyman turbo tumbler as a screen to separate the media and the brass all these years.

 

[hotshot828]

I used to clean my brass with treated corn cob. It worked great but didn't like all the dust. About 10 years ago I tried steel pins with dawn dish soap and lemi shine. I deprime first then clean the cases. No residue or dust. Primer pockets are also exceptionally clean. Buy the steel pins once use them over and over.

 

[Fire Dog]

I use crushed walnut shells from Walmart its called Lizards Bedding. Sometimes I add Nu Finish auto polish.

As I mentioned, DO NOT use auto polish on any brass that you are going to anneal....
It will burn off and leave your induction annealer contaminated and if using a flame annealer you will be choking on the fumes as well...

 

[Fire Dog]

Seeing this picture I just realized I could have used the "cover" of my Lyman turbo tumbler as a screen to separate the media and the brass all these years.

Hate to tell you, but, the instructions that come with the the Lyman Turbo say that very thing about using it to seperate cases and media....
At least it did with the one I bought years ago {:~)

 

[Retired shooter]

The other problem with using a liquid car polish when tumbling is, if you are dipping the case mouth into graphite lube, before seating bullets the graphite will not adhere to the brass.

Didnt take long to educate myself with that one.

 

[LHSmith]

I liked the results of the SS pins but not it's downsides- 1/ removing the carbon from inside the neck 2/ inspecting each case to be free of pins 3/ having to dry the inside of the case and primer pockets 4/ having to remove the peening of the case mouth.
So I simply leave the primers in and insert cap plugs (thread protectors) over the case neck and proceed to tumble with the pins, hot water, dishwashing soap, and a citrus cleaner. I wipe the carbon off the neck immediately after shooting with BBS and a rag so they are already clean. The primer pockets I clean every 3rd firing with a primer pocket tool.

 

[Retired shooter]

Appears to me to be 6 of one , AND 6 of the other.

As I said way back. To each their own
No one is incorrect, at least in their own mind.!

Everyone have a great day!

 

[DiRTY DOG]

Wet tumble with Dawn and LemiShine. Rinse. Then wet tumble the same brass again but with Brass Juice. The Brass Juice turns dark and the brass comes out even shinier. It really does a great job and the solution can be re-used several times.

 

[Retired shooter]

Is there a trophy for Shiniest Brass?

Good thing most firing lines have a roof over the top. Block the sun off of all that glaring brass, and whatever you do dont forget the sunglasses. Maybe have several pairs with you. Help that poor smuck that has to be beside you.

Really time to move on to something else. Maybe benefit of anchors on jet aircraft, or parachutes on submarines.

Have a great evening guys!

 

[DiRTY DOG]

Anti-brass cleaning is a bigger cult (or more) than pro-brass cleaning. Very curious why the anti's are so vocal about a harmess practice that doesn't affect them.

 

[Bottom Fodder]

I have not been able to tell if my ammo shoots better if its shiny clean or just barely clean

 

[47WillysGuy]

Anti-brass cleaning is as much of a cult (or more) as pro-brass cleaning. Very curious why the anti's are so vocal about a harmess practice.

I was curious about what the anti brass cleaner guys were saying about the brass cleaning process, so I went back and re-read all the posts. I think I did find one maybe vocal anti brass cleaner. And it’s a big maybe. The rest were all pretty positive for case cleaning and telling of there experiences in brass cleaning. Of which I very much appreciate, keeps me from making mistakes. I’m going to go through the posts again, just to verify.

 

[DiRTY DOG]

I was curious about what the anti brass cleaner guys were saying about the brass cleaning process, so I went back and re-read all the posts. I think I did find one maybe vocal anti brass cleaner. And it’s a big maybe. The rest were all pretty positive for case cleaning and telling of there experiences in brass cleaning. Of which I very much appreciate, keeps me from making mistakes. I’m going to go through the posts again, just to verify.

There's currently a similar thread called "pins stuck in case after tumbling just 2 posts down that covers much of the same discussion as this thread. And this topic comes up regularly here and elsewhere.

 

[TTE]

Clean/tumble brass or don't. What works for you is what works for you.

Personally, I like the looks of shiny clean annealed brass.
Does it make a difference on target ? I don't know.

However, until it is proven that shiny clean annealed brass sends your bullets off target .... I will continue to shine em' up and anneal them.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

I have not been able to tell if my ammo shoots better if its shiny clean or just barely clean

Nether have I but I do know that my custom DIEs that I wait months for doesn't get scratched up after the brass went for a little tumble in corn cob

 

[hotshot828]

I liked the results of the SS pins but not it's downsides- 1/ removing the carbon from inside the neck 2/ inspecting each case to be free of pins 3/ having to dry the inside of the case and primer pockets 4/ having to remove the peening of the case mouth.
So I simply leave the primers in and insert cap plugs (thread protectors) over the case neck and proceed to tumble with the pins, hot water, dishwashing soap, and a citrus cleaner. I wipe the carbon off the neck immediately after shooting with BBS and a rag so they are already clean. The primer pockets I clean every 3rd firing with a primer pocket tool.

Make sure you fill the thumbler to the top with water. Should eliminate the peening problem.

 

[rebs]

I tumble with crushed walnut shells (lizard bedding) from Walmart or a pet shop. Works great and then shake the cases up in a large colander to remove any walnut shells and your done.

 

[Bottom Fodder]

I tumble with crushed walnut shells (lizard bedding) from Walmart or a pet shop. Works great and then shake the cases up in a large colander to remove any walnut shells and your done.

This

 

[Retired shooter]

Make sure you fill the thumbler to the top with water. Should eliminate the peening problem.

Dont know how guys are having a preening problem. Never have had that issue . Never have filled a tumbler. Always water over the top of brass, however many in tumbler. Always set a timer for 30 minutes. Never any problems. Clean shiny brass, very seldom do I have to clean a primer pocket, and I do not remember the last time I found FOD inside a case.

 

[RegionRat]

Dont know how guys are having a preening problem. Never have had that issue . Never have filled a tumbler. Always water over the top of brass, however many in tumbler. Always set a timer for 30 minutes. Never any problems. Clean shiny brass, very seldom do I have to clean a primer pocket, and I do not remember the last time I found FOD inside a case.

Don't jinx yourself... now you are going to have peeing problems... LOL

Peening brass necks is a matter of several parameters and luck. It is a real risk.

In several situations, the run time can be a factor so the longer you run the more likely you are to have the damage develop to the point where it is a problem. Keeping the run time to a minimum is wise.