Tumbling loaded cases

[bsekf]

Do you tumble loaded cases to remove lube? I keep thinking it might be dangerous and might change the OAL, I don't use a lot of neck tension.

Bill

 

[fullersson]

I've never heard of tumbling loaded cases, that seems like a terrible idea to me.

 

[spclark]

Tumble sized cases to remove lube BEFORE reloading.

It's been debated before whether it's safe to tumble live rounds. The general belief is no, it's not... though you may get away with it for awhile.

Why not just wipe loaded cases with a towel to remove lube? Doesn't take long, unless you have more than a few.

Tumbling propellant in loaded cases is a worrisome concept: some propellants might react little, some may be completely degraded if tumbled enough. Problem is no two reloaders will do it the same way.

Nobody deserves to accidentally discover that tumbling loaded cases isn't a good idea.

 

[scout1]

I keep a 2 quart pale with a lid half full of alcohol. After sizing, I do 50 at a time ) I drop them in, swish it around a couple times and let them sit about 5 min. You can remove them and let them air dry or towel them dry. I use the Hornady quick lube aerosol which is water soluable so this might not work for all types of sizing lube.

 

[Travelor]

The problem with tumbling loaded ammo is not changing OAL, it is causing the powder to break down which can cause extreme pressures afterward.

Do not do it. Clean the cases before loading.

George

 

[bsekf]

I remember reading an article where the writer suggested tumbling loaded cases. I didn't think it sounded like a good idea, so thought I'd ask the experts. I use a shop cloth with a little solvent.

 

[fivering]

Most commonly used gun powders have a surface coating of retardant, usually graphite, which helps to control the rate of combustion. If you tumble loaded cases you can cause some of the retardant to be rubbed off the powder grains, as well as causing some of the powder grains to break, exposing more surface area per grain, greatly increasing the powder's burning rate, and quite possibly increasing chamber pressures to a dangerous level.
Many a hunter has encountered this after letting the box of hunting ammo rattle around all year in the pickup's glove box!

 

[kelbro]

I have read that EVERY manufacturer tumbles loaded round before they package them.

Personally, I still don't do it. A little more shiny doesn't mean that much too me.

 

[458]

Case lube is water soluable.

I put prepped cases in a cartridge rack and let sit in a dishpan,Proprietary -- NOT one used for food!) full of water, dishwashing detergent and some vinegar. The standard formula uses salt, but the salt turns the brass a sort of rosy orange/red.

It's not 'rocket science.' There are all sorts of formulas online for 'brass wash,' but all you really need to do is mix up a batch of hot dishwater and add a 'glug' or two of cheap white vinegar.

Then I run the cases through a hot water rinse and set them in front of a forced air heater until they're dry. No dings, no bumps, and shiny clean. You just need to plan ahead and not rush the drying process.

 

[Forum Boss]

All major ammo makers and powder manufacturers recommend against Tumbling loaded ammo for EXTENDED periods. Vibratory tumbling is considered worse than plain tumbling. The reason to avoid tumbling is potential break-down of the kernels which can change burn rates, and in worse case, cause detonation.

This is the safety advice uniformly given by the powder and ammo makers. I'm really not interested in random reports of 'I've done it and nothing happened.' The problem is such advice could be misconstrued by a guy who chooses to put ammo in a vibratory tumbler overnight.

The official word on this Forum is DON'T Tumble loaded ammo.