I started the reloading journey about 5 years ago - I now do 38/357, 44 magnum, 303, 308 and will soon start on 45-70. When I bought my kit, I decided on a Lyman 1200 vibratory dry tumbler. I'm sure well all know the one and that it basically makes the cases cleaner but not the primer pocket or inside the case. I have thought about changing a few times and recently when processing a batch of 38 special cases, I was dismayed at the amount of powder deposited from inside the cases in the tray I was using to chuck them in and out of. And this was after two hours in the tumbler!!
I have a friend who shoots abroad in pistol competitions and has never cleaned a case yet and he often wins. Another friend will put 5 rounds into a group the size of a 5p piece at 300 yards and again has given up tumbling completely. But I thought I weigh my bullets so I load them in batches of the same weight, I weigh my powder charges twice before they go in the cases so why not have a clean case inside and out? I am very good friends with an RFD who priced a Lyman Cyclone tumbler for me - £357!!! Even the trade price he was prepared to do it at for me wasn't much under £300. I got one of these for a mate 18m ago and it was only £266 so they have gone up a lot. Another friend had bought a wet tumbler from a guy who makes them and sells on Ebay, it's called a Torsion Tumbler. I rang the guy up and he explained they have bearings and a drive belt that are easily obtained if they ever need replacing and they are easy to change, unlike the Lymans etc that tend to be fully enclosed units. I oordered one along with 2lb of stainless pins that are specifically designed for cleaning brass cases. Including postage this came to £210. I ordered the Lyman sifters and magnet from RFD friend.
Last Friday was the first run. I think I had around 320 303 and 308 cases in the drum. Popped the pins in, a teaspoon of citric acid powder, a squirt of rinse aid and a dash fairy liquid, put the brass in and half filled with water. I left it on for 2 hours which may be too long but when I opened the drum I was very impressed with the results. I picked a handful out at a time, quick rub in a towel and then put them in a borrowed food dehydrator for around an hour. I'm so impressed I feel like I have been wasting my time dry tumbling the last 5 years!!!
I have a friend who shoots abroad in pistol competitions and has never cleaned a case yet and he often wins. Another friend will put 5 rounds into a group the size of a 5p piece at 300 yards and again has given up tumbling completely. But I thought I weigh my bullets so I load them in batches of the same weight, I weigh my powder charges twice before they go in the cases so why not have a clean case inside and out? I am very good friends with an RFD who priced a Lyman Cyclone tumbler for me - £357!!! Even the trade price he was prepared to do it at for me wasn't much under £300. I got one of these for a mate 18m ago and it was only £266 so they have gone up a lot. Another friend had bought a wet tumbler from a guy who makes them and sells on Ebay, it's called a Torsion Tumbler. I rang the guy up and he explained they have bearings and a drive belt that are easily obtained if they ever need replacing and they are easy to change, unlike the Lymans etc that tend to be fully enclosed units. I oordered one along with 2lb of stainless pins that are specifically designed for cleaning brass cases. Including postage this came to £210. I ordered the Lyman sifters and magnet from RFD friend.
Last Friday was the first run. I think I had around 320 303 and 308 cases in the drum. Popped the pins in, a teaspoon of citric acid powder, a squirt of rinse aid and a dash fairy liquid, put the brass in and half filled with water. I left it on for 2 hours which may be too long but when I opened the drum I was very impressed with the results. I picked a handful out at a time, quick rub in a towel and then put them in a borrowed food dehydrator for around an hour. I'm so impressed I feel like I have been wasting my time dry tumbling the last 5 years!!!
