Does anyone have experience with an ultra-sonic case cleaner? Are they worth it / effective or should I just bite the bullet and go with a wet tumbler with stainless steel pins? Looking to upgrade from an aging vibrating tumbler. Any advice gratefully received.
Ultra-sonic or ss pins / wet tumbler?
- Thread starter HDA
- Start date
Thank you Ronin. Cheap, effective and robust sounds good!
Agreed, wet tumbling produces much cleaner brass than ultrasonic
Cheers
Bruce
Cheers
Bruce
kenbro
Well-Known Member
Why do you say that, Ronin?
Thanks, Ken.
Ps. I use ultrasonic and think it’s good but I may be missing something?
Ronin
Distinguished Member
The Lyman wet tumbler has large volume so you can do a few hundred cases at a time or more
Most ultrasonics you struggle to get 25/30 cases in and them clean effectively
I find U/S ideal for small intricate parts but the simple shapes such as cases are just as effectively cleaned with the wet tumbler
The only minus is sometimes the pins get stuck into the primer hole and it’s vital to check this as part of the drying / reload prep process
So in short the U/S low volume is the down side for me
Most ultrasonics you struggle to get 25/30 cases in and them clean effectively
I find U/S ideal for small intricate parts but the simple shapes such as cases are just as effectively cleaned with the wet tumbler
The only minus is sometimes the pins get stuck into the primer hole and it’s vital to check this as part of the drying / reload prep process
So in short the U/S low volume is the down side for me
kenbro
Well-Known Member
Same for me, 50/70 at a time and they clean up very well.
Ken.
kenbro
Well-Known Member
Thanks, Ken.
Just on the pins left in case comments - if properly rinsed and processed there is absolutely no chance of having a pin left in the case. I’ve used SS pins since 2012 and loaded thousands of rounds over a dozen or more calibres with no issue. On a rare occasion I’ve had two pins stuck side by side in small primer pockets but this is easy to spot and even if you didn’t you wouldn’t be able to prime the case.
If there was an easier and more effective way of cleaning cases I’d have adopted it, SS media sets the bar in my opinion.
If there was an easier and more effective way of cleaning cases I’d have adopted it, SS media sets the bar in my opinion.
Thank you everyone. Going to head down the wet tumbler route. As seems to be the way with many things reloading, availability may be the deciding factor!
ColinBr
Well-Known Member
Got a link to 1 of these Ronin?
Ronin
Distinguished Member
Link to the one I have though it was half that price when I bought mine ,,,
www.brownells.co.uk
LYMAN CYCLONE ROTARY CASE TUMBLER 230V
Elevate your brass cleaning with the Lyman Cyclone Rotary Tumbler! 🌟 Enjoy superior results and easy operation for up to 1000 cases.
Ronin
Distinguished Member
Clean brass gives consistency, therefore better accuracy
May not matter to some for stalking applications, it does to me.
According to one of the most consistent shooters in the world, it makes no difference. But you do what makes you happy and gives you confidence in your ammo.Clean brass gives consistency, therefore better accuracy
May not matter to some for stalking applications, it does to me.
Ronin
Distinguished Member
Yup I’ve seen that and have met and spoken with Eric on the International F Class circuit when I was competitive (a very long time ago now)
My findings are different
Dirty case mouths lead to inconsistent beck tension which leads to inconsistent velocity which causes vertical dispersion at distance = innacuracy
Dirty primer pockets also lead to inconsistent seating depth of primer and inconsistent gas flow through primer hole to case chamber
Again = inaccuracy due to variances in burn similar to doffernt primers causing accuracy changes and velocity changes when conducting load testing
Whilst I’ve a deep respect for Erik and his materiel, proper cleaning techniques have always given me very low ES for my own reloads
A sample size of one example is a 6.5/47 I shot at a comp couple of weeks ago - when testing / practicing prior to that I put some rounds down range over a chrono with a friend who also shot the gun (so witnessed)
The ES over 20 rounds shot was 3
As I said, my own experience is different and I follow my own regime for case prep and reloading that has always given me confidence in my ammunition even if the part that fails the system is me.
I’ll carry on with my load procedure but enjoy watching Erik’s content too
I’ll bet a kidney Erik doesn’t turn up on the firing line with cases that are not prepped and are not cleaned to an inch of their life ,,,,
I’ve tried u/s and it worked fine enough for small quantities.
Since then I’ve started using a wet tumbler with ss pins.
Handles couple hundred at a time.
Wet tumbling gives me super shiny clean brass.
Gleaming brass makes me more happy than I can express with mere words.
Get a wet tumbler.
Since then I’ve started using a wet tumbler with ss pins.
Handles couple hundred at a time.
Wet tumbling gives me super shiny clean brass.
Gleaming brass makes me more happy than I can express with mere words.
Get a wet tumbler.
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