Tumbling Brass

[CoyoteChallenger]

I am just getting into reloading with my friend and i just got an RCBS Vibrating Case Cleaner. I have two quick questions to ask. First, How much of the Cleaning Media should be in the tumbler. Also for what length of time should i tumble the brass.

If it matters we will be tumbling 7mm Rem Mag, 300 Win Mag, 270 Win, 30-06 Springfield, 257 Roberts and 243 Win.

Thanks for the Help.
CoyoteChallenger

[leo]

Mine isn't an RCBS, but serves the same purpose. I have it about 3/4 full of media and depending on how many brass you chuck in and how oxidized it may be and the type of media 8-24 hours. I used to plug mine in when I left for work in the morning and it was usually done when I got home.

[rightroad]

Try using the green tumbling media and be careful not to overload the tumbler. There is no set number of brass but the best way to tell is to turn on the tumbler with no lid. If the brass is circulating through the media then it's good. If they're staying in the same place then you need to take some out. Be sure to run it with the lid on all other times.

Good luck

[flint]

Generally there are two media's that is utilized-----corn and walnut. Corn is to clean the brass and the walnut is to polish. I equally mix both in my RCBS Vibratory Tumbler and let her go from 6 to 8 hours. Just like Leo said here on his quote, 3/4 full. The amount of brass in the tumbler depends on the size of the cartridge, but for a good ole 30-06, 150 brass will be enough---give or take a few. You can mix different brass together. Good luck and have fun! Reloading is a great hobby and interest!

[Huntnut]

I fill my tumbler 3/4 full. I tumble mine in crushed walnut for 1-2 hrs before resizing then I tumble them in the red lyman stuff for about an hour after resizing-they come out looking brand new. And like rightroad said-as long as the brass are circulating then you are good.

[shooter55]

we have a frankford arsenal tumbler...nice little number, I tumble for 1-2 hours and the brass looks great...really 8-24 hours?
same for media

[Grizzly Adams]

Little trick I picked up elsewhere, is to throw a fabric softener sheet in, once in a while and let er rip. Picks up a lof the crap, accumulated on the grit.
Grizz

[leo]

Originally Posted by shooter55

we have a frankford arsenal tumbler...nice little number, I tumble for 1-2 hours and the brass looks great...really 8-24 hours?
same for media

Yup! Nobody likes listening to it when we are all home. LOL. 24 hrs. if the brass is quite tarnished ? I don't really dwell on it , if my brass gets worn out because of it, I just go and get new brass

[Dean2]

If you haven't used the tumbler yet you may want to check out ultra sonic cleaners. Depending on whether you are looking for shiny brass or clean brass. The ultra sonics will clean the carbon inside and out, including the primer pocket, which the tumbler won't do, but doesn't shine up the brass. If you can offord both, ultra sonic first to remove all of the carbon, followed by tumbling to shine them up, that is the ultimate.

The other guys info re type of media and loading is spot on. If you want to make it so the tumbler is much quieter, sit it on a couple of pieces of thick carpet and put a large cardboard box, lined with old carpet, over it. It will be virtually silent.

[flint]

Originally Posted by Dean2

If you haven't used the tumbler yet you may want to check out ultra sonic cleaners. Depending on whether you are looking for shiny brass or clean brass. The ultra sonics will clean the carbon inside and out, including the primer pocket, which the tumbler won't do, but doesn't shine up the brass. If you can offord both, ultra sonic first to remove all of the carbon, followed by tumbling to shine them up, that is the ultimate.

The other guys info re type of media and loading is spot on. If you want to make it so the tumbler is much quieter, sit it on a couple of pieces of thick carpet and put a large cardboard box, lined with old carpet, over it. It will be virtually silent.

I place my tumbler outside on the patio---winter, summer or spring it's always outside, expect for the fall of course---it's loaded in the rifle. Good advice to newcomers when tumbling your brass is to check the flash holes---don't want any media grain in there. Have fun!

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by flint

I place my tumbler outside on the patio---winter, summer or spring it's always outside, expect for the fall of course---it's loaded in the rifle. Good advice to newcomers when tumbling your brass is to check the flash holes---don't want any media grain in there. Have fun!

I leave my primers in generally and deprime after I tumble the brass - that way the flash holes are clear and I simply run them over my RCBS power thingy afterwards!
I run my tumbler in the garage on the floor, nice and quiet!
Cat

[big zeke]

I agree with Cat, I generally resize after a trip thru the tumbler, that way it is easier to spot defects in the brass prior to resizing it. It also means that I won't be getting grit from the range on my lube pad or in my resizing die. After resizing I use a primer pocket brush to tidy up the pocket and flash hole.

For some reason I have to tumble for at last 8 hrs to get very clean brass, perhaps I keep the media too long but after 2-3 hours the brass looks essentially like when I put it in. I've even tried the media reactivator and have noticed very little if any difference. Given the media I would doubt you could ever wear the brass out from tumbling (even for a few weeks).

My tumbler is reasonably loud so I keep it in the crawlspace and generally run it overnight, I like the idea of the carpet but probably would skip putting a box over it as the motor probably needs some cooling to stay happy. The dryer sheet is a good idea that I'll have to try.

Zeke

[whitetailhntr]

I use pieces of used dryer sheats as well and throw in a cap full of Nu-Finish car polish. Tumble over night and it comes out gleaming .

[Solothurn]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

I leave my primers in generally and deprime after I tumble the brass - that way the flash holes are clear and I simply run them over my RCBS power thingy afterwards!
I run my tumbler in the garage on the floor, nice and quiet!
Cat

I agree, that is how I have been doing it for years, it works well.
I don't know if anyone else has tried the Hornady One Shot media, but it is fabulous. Works faster and cleaner than the red walnut shell media and does not leave rouge in the headstamp.
It sems a tad hard to find, I used to find it at Russels, but they are not around anymore and WSS does not carry it. Pity

[BallCoeff.435]

After many thousands of rounds of reloads, I've found walnut media (plain or red-coated - no real difference) with a squirt of liquid wax tumbled overnight with casings works wonders. Throw in a paper towel in the last hour to pick up the dirt from the media.

Even after using a paper towel in the tumbler I'd wipe off each case real quick after tumbling just to get rid of any bit of residual dust. That keeps the lube pad a little cleaner. (Not nec for sidearm cartridges).

I'd recommend tumbling over the vibrating gizmos, because you don't need so much media, and the impact of casings falling against each other seems to help the earlier part of the cleaning.

[6.5x47 lapua]

i use the lyman turbo brite in with the corn media,does it all in one.brass comes out clean and shiny;when media gets real black time to throw it out and start again.

[Mad_Mikee]

I have an RCBS vibrating tumbler but would like to ugrade to either and RCBS Sidewinder or the Thumbler Tumbler.

Cleaning out the primer pockets always seem to be a chore. I've read a few posts where guys have used the wet tumblers with a combination of ceramic media and dish detergent and the brass comes out looking new, inside and out.

[benamen]

Originally Posted by Dean2

If you haven't used the tumbler yet you may want to check out ultra sonic cleaners. Depending on whether you are looking for shiny brass or clean brass. The ultra sonics will clean the carbon inside and out, including the primer pocket, which the tumbler won't do, but doesn't shine up the brass. If you can offord both, ultra sonic first to remove all of the carbon, followed by tumbling to shine them up, that is the ultimate.

Here is a link for a couple of recipes for use in an ultrasonic cleaner.

[benamen]

Here is the missing link

http://www.6mmbr.com/ultrasonic.html

[Dean2]

benamen

Good link. Thanks a bunch. I am going to try the clean and shinny process, may be able to get rid of the tumbler entirley.

[tikka_stainless]

i use a lyman tumblre and put that green media in it. i put enough in so that it can completely cover the brass, more or less. i also put a bounce sheet in with it. it absorbs alot of the dirt/grime that would normally go into the media, therefore extending the usuability of the media.

[switchsl]

I do like solothurn and cat, primers in, size after. I have only ever used the plain walnut stuff. Im to cheap to get the good stuff. I run my RCBS machine for only about 2 or maybe 3 hours... untill the missus is louder than the machine, complaining about the noise and when I will be done. Im going to try the dryer sheet next run... good tip, and who doesnt like outdoor fresh casings?

[Traps]

Good read benamen, thanks for posting.