tumbler wet or dry

[del47]

hi all

so i took a daft turn yesterday and bought a lee reloading kit to reload 223 been thinking about it for a while and from the looks of it will be still thinking about it until i get a few more bits along with a tumbler . so the question wet or dry and what's it going to cost me is there cheaper wet tumblers out there that people are using for cleaning cases av seen people using dry vibrating tumblers and then ultrasonic cleaner to get the inside of brass clean , is it better to just do it in one go with wet tumbler ? is there other wet tumblers like the rock and jewellery cleaners any good any info please would be great

all the best del

 

[Alantoo]

Apart from the primer pockets cleaning is largely cosmetic.

Many get by just tying the brass up in a pillow case and putting it in the washing machine I have read.

There are any numbers of discussions on here just look at the "similar threads" box at the bottom of the page for a start.

There is a thread going on concurrently...

Best Tumbler Media

I preferred the process and results from U/S but they all have pros and cons.

Alan

 

[hendrix's rifle]

Apart from the primer pockets cleaning is largely cosmetic.

Many get by just tying the brass up in a pillow case and putting it in the washing machine I have read.

There are any numbers of discussions on here just look at the "similar threads" box at the bottom of the page for a start.

There is a thread going on concurrently...

Best Tumbler Media

I preferred the process and results from U/S but they all have pros and cons.

Alan

I used to use an ultra sonic cleaner however I now use the washing machine. Come out clean so I won't argue, if you do use a washing machine make sure what ever it is you put the cases in to doesn't have a hole in it!

 

[del47]

I used to use an ultra sonic cleaner however I now use the washing machine. Come out clean so I won't argue, if you do use a washing machine make sure what ever it is you put the cases in to doesn't have a hole in it!

what do you put your brass into and do you just put them in a normal wash?

cheers del

 

[enfieldspares]

Apart from the primer pockets cleaning is largely cosmetic.

True that! To be honest if new to reloading I'd save your money and not, yet, invest in a tumbler. Before the 1980s you scarcely saw tumblers in the UK unless it was a Thumbler's Tumbler that someone had brought back from a holiday in the USA. Yet somehow we managed to get by without them by just giving the cases a close inspection and an old screwdriver with the sides filed parallel to fit to clean out the primer pocket now and again.

Of all the things to do to fired brass the most important is batching to ensure all have the same case length. After that all the rest is cosmetic for in truth if you start with new cases, or preferably genuine once fired cases, as long as you load each case the same number of times as every other case in that batch you don't need to trim either as they should all "grow" at the same rate.

And if loads are moderate and sized to minimum sensible headspace rimless cases don't grow that much. Tumblers and rotary trimmers are nice to have but not essential for most of us if we are reloading cases we've had from new either after we've fired factory ammunition, bought genuine once fired or bought as new good quality make new cases.

 

[Alantoo]

I used to use an ultra sonic cleaner however I now use the washing machine. Come out clean so I won't argue, if you do use a washing machine make sure what ever it is you put the cases in to doesn't have a hole in it!

Do you find it cleans the primer pockets as effectively as the U/S?

Alan

 

[Muir]

I would get a good ultrasonic cleaner. I have gone the all around the cleaning thing from dry media, to wet, to #0000 steel wool, to ultrasonic and back. It wasn't until I bought a commercial grade U/S that I realized that this is where I want to be. Using commercial or home made cleaners the cases some out c-l-e-a-n, inside and out. Not polished shiny. Just clean. I like that.~Muir

 

[Coolhand]

I have both items of equipment, a wet tumbler I built myself and an ultrasonic. Wet tumbling works wonderfully well but a pain in the backside with wet pins all about. Ultrasonic is my preferred method. I have two 250ml beakers that will hold approx 25 cases. I stand the cases inside the beakers, pour in my secret solution to cover the cases, place the beakers inside the U/Sonic tub. Two 8 minute cycles will clean cases perfectly. Rinse the cases off roll in an old towel, stand the cases in an ammo loading block and place on the window sill in full sun.
As Muir said a U/S cleaner will CLEAN cases but if you want super shiny brass, a vibrating tumbler with some dry media, walnut or corn cob is the go.

regards
Mike.

PS my secret formula is : water + a few drops of car shampoo + anhydrous citric acid, nothing fancy !

 

[hendrix's rifle]

what do you put your brass into and do you just put them in a normal wash?

cheers del

Stick them in a sock or pillow case the chuck them in with what ever else needs washing, either leave to dry on the side on some kitchen roll or put them in the oven for a short while on low temp