Dry tumblers are rubbish.. Whats a cheapish alternative

Shiny brass doesn’t shoot any better - so says Erik Cortina.
I dont think that was in the context he made it tbf . inside the brass and the primer hole and shiny means little. Actually running dirty brass from hunting is a different matter after its been in the mud etc . I do believe he was taking match previous shot brass didn't need a full wash and primer holes could be left alone .
No way is he comparing brass with a goodly amount of crap from the pickup or ATV footwell etc
 
I dont think that was in the context he made it tbf . inside the brass and the primer hole and shiny means little. Actually running dirty brass from hunting is a different matter after its been in the mud etc . I do believe he was taking match previous shot brass didn't need a full wash and primer holes could be left alone .
No way is he comparing brass with a goodly amount of crap from the pickup or ATV footwell etc
True but I’m not sure the OP was referring to that kind of muck either. A 1 hour tumble in even spent media would clear that off. You don’t need super shiny brass, it is more of a personal preference.
 
True but I’m not sure the OP was referring to that kind of muck either. A 1 hour tumble in even spent media would clear that off. You don’t need super shiny brass, it is more of a personal preference.
Indeed, fired and then stuck straight in my pocket or a box 👍
 
True but I’m not sure the OP was referring to that kind of muck either. A 1 hour tumble in even spent media would clear that off. You don’t need super shiny brass, it is more of a personal preference.
yeah tarnish is fine muck getting into your dies and chamber though is not good . I remember his podcast and was just correcting what he was saying in true contex. His rifle cleaning is a high standard
 
Got my 6lt off Amazon and a food dryer 20240526_153141.webpIMG-20240602-WA0008.webp
Cleans them spotless citric acid few drops of fairy or one dishwasher tablet wash off then dry sorted.under £150
 
Plus the outer case surface is burnished by the pins to be flatter which the factories would never pay for that extra operation so more contact area to the chamber wall, being anal here.
 
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Stop messing around and get a wet tumbler or a rock tumbler. No more toxic air born dust and cases like new, inside and out including primer pockets.
i now want a wet tumbler, for the cost of the dry tumbler, and the ultrasonic i bought, i may as well of got a FA tumbler, i do like the U/S though for a quick clean after depriming and before resizing
 
So I jumped in and bought an ultrasonic for £70 off of amazon.
30 mins in that with a dash of washing up liquid and some citric acid, and they look better than an hour in the dry massager 🤣IMG_20240606_224028.webpIMG_20240606_224040.webp
 
i now want a wet tumbler, for the cost of the dry tumbler, and the ultrasonic i bought, i may as well of got a FA tumbler, i do like the U/S though for a quick clean after depriming and before resizing
They are the way forward.

Although I learned a lesson today, don’t tumble 45-70 with smaller cases!! 30-06 and .308 family cases get stuck and you end up with a half clean half duty case. .223 cases get wedged inside with the pins.

Every day is a school day!
 
If you drive a long way to work put the cases in a sealed drum with pins, water, washing up liquid & citric powder and leave them to roll around in the boot/trunk?
 
Which one did you get?
Went with this one.
Just did some 44,30 mins wasn't enough for 100 cases.
Thinking 50 cases at a time for half hour is roughly what looked to be working at the moment... Or maybe I need to hit the turbo button.. It does actually have one 🤣

Deal: 2.5L Ultrasonic Cleaner Professional Ultrasound Clean Machine with Degas & Timer and Heater for Ring, Silver, Eyeglass, Watches, Jewelry, Coins, Industrial Accessory, Circuit Board etc. https://amzn.eu/d/7b2DcuO
 
A bit ot. One thing I noticed when using an Ultra sonic cleaner is how it affects the neck tension when seating bullets.
Not noticeable so much (But still there) when loading regular (Factory) brass but very noticeable when using cases formed from other calibres, ie, thicker necks.
The pressure needed to seat bullets is much greater, so much so with the formed cases that the seater makes a ring round the bullet tip.
I used to clean as a last op. before loading but now I don’t.
This leaves some (Very little) lube inside the case necks and this helps the bullets seat easily.
I can only conclude that thorough cleaning leaves a “rough” surface to the brass.
Ken.
 
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