Wet Tumbling vs Dry media

[The boogalorian]

I have to say that this is probably not good enough and you are eventually, unless you're very lucky and your luck holds out, going to loose a barrel. I guess it somewhat will depend on the size of the pins you are using and the cases you are cleaning. Pins can get stuck crossways in a case and air wont move them, plus there is always the ones that get stuck in the flash hole.
There is no substitute for a visual inspection, inside and out of every case and this is, to me, the biggest drawback of this cleaning method.
A lot of guys complain about drying cases...I solved that one with denatured alcohol.
The real kick in the ass is that the barrel you loose will not be a Savage or Ruger American, it will be the custom tack driving hummer you waited 6 months to get and another two months to have chambered.
I know you probably wont change the way you do this, so I will just say, "good luck".....you're gonna need it!!!!

I have a solution to this problem. Use a air nozzle that fits into the case. Then you can be sure there are no pins inside. This has been quite effective for me. Drys the case and inspects all in one step.

 

[338 dude]

I have a solution to this problem. Use a air nozzle that fits into the case. Then you can be sure there are no pins inside. This has been quite effective for me. Drys the case and inspects all in one step.

People that do not like wet tumbling will always be against it no matter what I’m not trying to change anyone’s mind also I just don’t go into super great detail of my processes but after wet tumbling they are dried they go into the vibratory Tumblr to be polished they are blown out with compressed air and yes my nozzle fits into the primer pocket then yes they are visually inspected before primed etc. etc. I’m done with this thread

 

[338 dude]

They don't need to be that clean, but to compare methods lets see some close ups of the primer pocket and the interior of the case......

zoom in OK I Guess I just can’t stop

 

[Gappmast]

I have been wet tumbling for a couple of years now. I use a thumblers tumbler. Baught it on amazon. I use filtered water from my bench sink with a small amount of lemi shine and dawn. A little goes a long way. You can use too much soap, so go easy. I tumble 100 pieces at a time for about 45 minutes with about 8-9 pounds of pins. I found that using more pins reduced the peening on the case mouths. After the first cycle i drain the water and replace with fresh water then tumble for about 5 minutes for a rinse cycle. After the rinse i separate the pins and cases with the Frankford arsenal model. Then i put the brass in a towel and dry using the ball washing method followed by drying the inside of the case and primer pocket with compressed air. All told, about an hour of time per 100 cases.

I'll second using more pins reduces peening. Also running new pins by them self for a few hours to knock the edges off reduces peening.

 

[The boogalorian]

Just try to give some tips learned the hard way.

 

[Loudcherokee]

Lots of good information from both sides. I appreciate all the replies guys. Didnt mean to start a debate!

If I go the wet route, I will of course inspect each case after tumbling. I may go with the chips method or perhaps find some pins that are shorter than the case neck widths i reload, the smallest being .223.

I definitely dont get results from dry tumbling like some of you. Perhaps the corn cob I use is not fine enough. I cant remember where I got it as it's been several years since i bought it. The "grains" of corn cob I use are large enough to stick in a large primer pocket. The walnut is much finer, which is why I use it for .223 since it doesnt get stuck.

LC

 

[Webster]

I'm thinking of either going with the Hornady wet tumbler, at $199 or the Frankford Arsenal wet tumbler at $159. Both seem to get pretty good reviews, but the hornady seems to be quieter and doesnt have issues with leaking, which I keep coming across with the Frankford, especially the lite version.

LC

I use the Harbor Freight single tub Rock polisher tumbler. They also sell a 2 tube unit. It's a rubber lined cylinder. About $40. Works fine for about 70 6BR cases. The more expensive ones probably have a lid thats easier to seal. I probably polish about eevery 5 firings. It's really just cosmetic. If your doing large volume it may be too small. Several guys have built a polisher that looks like a small cement mixer. It's pretty simple. A large tub on an angle with an open top. If you have one post it and details on this website. You can put a 5 gal. can of range pick ups in it at a time. Expensive unless you have a cheap abrasive material. I read where some guys buy cheap bags of gravel used in bird cages, rice is cheap.

 

[338 dude]

I use the Harbor Freight single tub Rock polisher tumbler. They also sell a 2 tube unit. It's a rubber lined cylinder. About $40. Works fine for about 70 6BR cases. The more expensive ones probably have a lid thats easier to seal. I probably polish about eevery 5 firings. It's really just cosmetic. If your doing large volume it may be too small. Several guys have built a polisher that looks like a small cement mixer. It's pretty simple. A large tub on an angle with an open top. If you have one post it and details on this website. You can put a 5 gal. can of range pick ups in it at a time. Expensive unless you have a cheap abrasive material. I read where some guys buy cheap bags of gravel used in bird cages, rice is cheap.

I have the same Harbor freight single drum rotary Tumblr I use it for applying the wet method Molly to my bullets it works great for that too

 

[mousegunner]

I used the HF double and made a single cylinder with PVC pipe. I think I loaded it too heavy and it didn't work as well. The 2 cylinders worked well enough. I don't do thousands at a time so it worked although it just sits there now that I'm back to dry.

 

[Webster]

I used the HF double and made a single cylinder with PVC pipe. I think I loaded it too heavy and it didn't work as well. The 2 cylinders worked well enough. I don't do thousands at a time so it worked although it just sits there now that I'm back to dry.

Google cement mixer cartridge polisher. The are several video's of cement mixer size polishers.

 

[Old Navy]

They don't need to be that clean, but to compare methods lets see some close ups of the primer pocket and the interior of the case......

I clean the pockets as needed after resizing.

 

[nyyankeedr]

New reloader here. Have watched a lot of videos and read threads regarding wet vs dry. Still undecided. Question I have with dry tumbling is: I have seen some de-prime their brass before tumbling and cleaning. But, if you do this, isn't it going to damage the die and possibly scratch the necks of all subsequent brass you de-prime? is it better to clean brass first, then de-prime and manually clean the primer pocket?

 

[B23]

New reloader here. Have watched a lot of videos and read threads regarding wet vs dry. Still undecided. Question I have with dry tumbling is: I have seen some de-prime their brass before tumbling and cleaning. But, if you do this, isn't it going to damage the die and possibly scratch the necks of all subsequent brass you de-prime? is it better to clean brass first, then de-prime and manually clean the primer pocket?

You can get a universal depriming/decapping die like this one from Lee https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1011183740 that just pops the primers out, no sizing of any kind, and use it before you put your brass in the hopper.

 

[Brians356]

You can get a universal depriming/decapping die like this one from Lee ..

Yeah, but they're so expensive ...
-

 

[nyyankeedr]

You can get a universal depriming/decapping die like this one from Lee that just pops the primers out, no sizing of any kind, and use it before you put your brass in the hopper.

Are all the different manufacturer dies compatible with each other? I have a Hornady L-n-L Iron press on the way.

 

[Brians356]

New reloader here. Have watched a lot of videos and read threads regarding wet vs dry. Still undecided. Question I have with dry tumbling is: I have seen some de-prime their brass before tumbling and cleaning.

What are your aspirations as a new reloader? Serious long-range competition, short-range benchrest, varmint hunting, big game hunting, casual recreation? Reason I ask: I wonder why you are concerned about tumbling at all. I've loaded accurate varmint ammo for 30 years, stuff that shoots better than I can handle the rifle, but never tumbled a case. Even if I competed locally in short range benchrest I doubt I'd bother with tumbling. As a new handloader, tumbling should probably be far down the list of skills to tackle.
-

 

[nyyankeedr]

What are your aspirations as a new reloader? Serious long-range competition, short-range benchrest, varmint hunting, big game hunting casual recreation? Reason I ask: I wonder why you are concerned about tumbling at all. I've loaded accurate varmint ammo for 30 years, stuff that shoots better than I can handle the rifle, but never tumbled a case. Even if I competed locally in short range benchrest I doubt I'd bother with tumbling. As a new handloader, tumbling should probably be far down the list of skills to tackle.
-

Mostly long range rifle precision as well as recreational pistol. Doing the research before I got started, I was under the impression the used brass would could damage the dies as well as lead to inconsistent accuracy. That being said, I am not looking at large quantities. I may reload 100-200 rounds every 2 weeks. With that, I'm leaning toward the Hornady ultra sonic cleaner now.

 

[nyyankeedr]

Q.E.D.
-

I'll take that as a yes.

 

[Brians356]

I'm leaning toward the Hornady ultra sonic cleaner now.

Splendid, I've got one myself. Just never used it except to clean jewelry and carburetor parts and such. A departed hunting buddy left it to me.
-

 

[Brians356]

I'll take that as a yes.

Yes, all the standard dies and presses are interoperable.
-