Tumble in or tumble out?

Wildalaska · September 27, 2007, 12:11 PM

The hell with Rudys stance on gun control, lets get to something important:

Reloaders, do you tumble your brass with the expended primer in or out?

WildburningissueofthedayAlaska TM

actionflies · September 27, 2007, 12:17 PM

I tried it without primers for my 45acp and it was a waste of time because it didn't clean the primer pocket. Therefore, don't do it.

Edward429451 · September 27, 2007, 12:33 PM

I deprime and then tumble as long as the cases aren't too dirty in which case I tumble first.

Sevens · September 27, 2007, 12:37 PM

I don't even have a tumbler (I want one, though!) but a good part of the reason for tumbling is to clean the brass and keep the schmutz out of your sizing die, and to keep the crap from being sized on to your brass.

I'll be damned if I'm going to decap all my brass, then tumble it, THEN size it.

I think it's silly to size brass before you clean it if you have the tools to clean it.
(of course, it's not much sillier than never cleaning your brass... which is exactly what I do currently!)

mrawesome22 · September 27, 2007, 12:37 PM

I voted for the last option.

Al Norris · September 27, 2007, 12:40 PM

Like actionflies, I tried that once. The first time I used my tumbler. And the point was?

Also tried tumbling .44 and 9mm at the same time... Never do that again, either!

Wildalaska · September 27, 2007, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Also tried tumbling .44 and 9mm at the same time... Never do that again, either!

I feel better now that I know there are others out there like me

I am not alone.

Quote:

I voted for the last option.

Me too. I should probably be hung

WildandthisleadstothenextreloadingpollAlaska TM

N.M. Edmands · September 27, 2007, 12:55 PM

De-prime, tumble in liquid wash 20 min, rinse clear, into corncob damp for a couple of hours, size, load, admire, shoot, hang head in embarrassment, repeat.

**Mike Irwin** · September 27, 2007, 01:14 PM

I wash my brass in a bucket of hot, soapy water.

Bottom Gun · September 27, 2007, 03:17 PM

Quote:

I should probably be hung

This is no time to air your personal problems.

Trapper L · September 27, 2007, 04:00 PM

I voted on you being a trader.....or is that traitor... well somethin' like that. I use a liquid media and tumble with the primers out. Once you've used a liquid media, you can't throw that walnut/corn crap far enough. You'll look for somebody with a cannon to get it way far away. The liquid will get black military brass bright and shiny like new in 20 minutes. Washed and dried in another 20 minutes. You won't do that with the crap media.

Wildalaska · September 27, 2007, 04:08 PM

Quote:

This is no time to air your personal problems.

You win! I am not worthy to be on the same Board as you!

Wildandnowyouowemeakeyboardandcallblasertooandtellthemtofaxmenewinvoicestheothersarespewcovered
andthebookeepermadeitclearnomorespewedoninvoiceswillbepaidAlaska TM

T/C Hunter · September 27, 2007, 06:14 PM

I leave the primer in and just tumble. Or just use triple 0 steel wool and clean the necks .A couple spins in your hand does the job,takes off all the nasty and leaves a nice shine, it doesn't remove the brass, Just the black burn grud. For even a better way when I have the time, I steel wood the neck and then tumble. They come out great. I use walnut shells to tumble.The powder is red and dusty. Maybe I'll switch to corn cob?

Hawg · September 27, 2007, 06:32 PM

Tumble, then deprime and size.

Shell Shucker · September 27, 2007, 08:19 PM

If I deprime before I tumble I use a universal decapper. I don't know why I sometimes do so, tumbling does not clean primer pockets, they must be cleaned by hand if you want them clean........ I do not size dirty brass.

I'd like to know more about liquid media. Tell me! Depriming before tumbling in liquid makes sense.

**Shane Tuttle** · September 27, 2007, 08:26 PM

I'm with the "mass" in my neck of the woods. I tumble with the spent primer in walnut for a bit, then corn with Midway's polishing agent. After that, a quick wipe down and ready to size...

I know I've got to be the minority on this one though...I clean out my primer pockets...yes, ALL of them....yes, pistol too....

Tuttleocdocdocdocdocdocdocd8

Sigma 40 Blaster · September 27, 2007, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Also tried tumbling .44 and 9mm at the same time... Never do that again, either!

One day I had a BUCKET full of range brass, didn't feel like picking through the NASTY brass and sorting so I dumped it all in together...DEE DEE DEE. I had .45, .40, 9mm, .380, and .223. Went to work with a pair of needlenose pulling the cases out of each other for a couple of hours. Now I sort first.

Wildalaska · September 27, 2007, 11:03 PM

Quote:

I clean out my primer pockets...yes, ALL of them....yes, pistol too....

Me too when I am not hanging out with Ted kennedy plotting to destroy your rights

WildicantwaittoseizeallofmeanoldmansgunsAlaska TM

Al Norris · September 27, 2007, 11:12 PM

Tuttle8, I also clean out all primer pockets. Rifle, pistol... Makes no difference. So you are definitely not alone in this.

kellyj00 · September 28, 2007, 07:44 AM

I pick em up off the ground, put them in a bucket, then put them through my turret press.

I like shiny brass, and a friend has a tumbler now so he's always stealing my brass to polish it up.

snuffy · September 28, 2007, 11:06 AM

Quote:

I use a liquid media and tumble with the primers out. Once you've used a liquid media, you can't throw that walnut/corn crap far enough. You'll look for somebody with a cannon to get it way far away. The liquid will get black military brass bright and shiny like new in 20 minutes. Washed and dried in another 20 minutes. You won't do that with the crap media.

I tried liquid cleaner once, ONCE ONCE. IIRC it was iosso. What a mess!:barf: And a bad smell, as in STINK! Then to top it off, I had several miss fires, apparently they weren't completely dry. Another drawback was it can't be done quickly. My tumbler can be running while I eat breakfast, peek at the puter to see how Walaska is up to, grabbing my guns, and wake up a little. When that's done I can begin loading. Oh and I tumble primers IN.

Quote:

I'd like to know more about liquid media. Tell me! Depriming before tumbling in liquid makes sense.

I think I answered some of your ? in the above.

I will say that I want to investigate ultra sonic LIQUID cleaning. After getting some .223 brass from midway, I noticed how clean they were inside and out. The only reason I could figure out is that they were cleaned by using ultrasonic.

headhog · September 28, 2007, 01:59 PM

Waste of time deprimning and then tumbling. The media doesn't clean in the pocket so why bother and I'm just too lazy to clean pockets by hand.

hivel37 · September 28, 2007, 02:47 PM

I've done them everywhichaway.

Currently the routine is decap then tumble or liquid bath. Key to the latter is to put them in momma's oven on low for a little while after the rinse step.

Sometimes if just the necks are cruddy I'll do like T/C Hunter and steel wool'em.

Trapper L · September 28, 2007, 02:50 PM

Okay, here's the formula. Use 2 oz of RCBS case cleaner, 1/2 cup Iosso, 2 cups vinegar, in one gallon of water. Tumble for 20 minutes. This is for BLACK brass, not general cleaning. Cut the formula in half for every day type cleaning. You can't use this in a vibratory type tumbler, obviously. I use an RCBS Sidewinder. but others will do that can seal the liquid inside. After tumbling, rinse with cold water, roll it around on a dry towel, put it in a bread pan and into the oven at 150F for 20 minutes. It's ready to load. Here's a pic of a piece of 50 cal ammo that I had. It's the only BLACK military brass I have on hand at the time. I used the half formula for 20 minutes and tumbled some 50 year old 38-40 brass with it. I took this pic after coming out of the tumbler with another piece of ammo that was in the same box.

So, how many of you can get this good of results with four hours of tumbling with your crap media? Yeah, I know, you can't. I've been doing this for over forty years and the walnut/corn media won't cut the black. I also don't have the dust to deal with either or the red rouge that gets all over and into everything. I just get nice squeaky clean brass in a fraction of the time.

**Shane Tuttle** · September 28, 2007, 08:06 PM

Trapper,

I know by frequent PMing that you know you're stuff. But, I just don't have ANY ammo that looks like that, more less brass. The method that I use works great for me. I don't think my method will even come close to your dealings. I like to use the walnut and corn media because it's relatively clean and easy.

My rebuttal to you is all due respect...

Quote:

Tuttle8, I also clean out all primer pockets. Rifle, pistol... Makes no difference. So you are definitely not alone in this.

Antipitas, I think we're like the 101st in Bastogne here. My bet is we're standing alone together....

View Poll Results: Do you deprime before tumbling?
Yep, I deprime then tumble, pickin out the media doesnt bother me	37	21.51%
Nope, I tumble then deprime, Im not a pocket picker.	117	68.02%
Who tumbles, pick em up off the ground and load em again.	7	4.07%
Nice, Ken, deflect attention from your gunbanning sympathies, I know you are a traitor	11	6.40%
Voters: 172. You may not vote on this poll

September 27, 2007, 12:11 PM	#1
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,172	Tumble in or tumble out? The hell with Rudys stance on gun control, lets get to something important: Reloaders, do you tumble your brass with the expended primer in or out? WildburningissueofthedayAlaska TM

September 27, 2007, 12:37 PM	#4
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	I don't even have a tumbler (I want one, though!) but a good part of the reason for tumbling is to clean the brass and keep the schmutz out of your sizing die, and to keep the crap from being sized on to your brass. I'll be damned if I'm going to decap all my brass, then tumble it, THEN size it. I think it's silly to size brass before you clean it if you have the tools to clean it. (of course, it's not much sillier than never cleaning your brass... which is exactly what I do currently!) __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

September 27, 2007, 12:55 PM	#8
N.M. Edmands Member Join Date: December 2, 2001 Location: Yarnell,Arizona Posts: 48	De-prime, tumble in liquid wash 20 min, rinse clear, into corncob damp for a couple of hours, size, load, admire, shoot, hang head in embarrassment, repeat. __________________ Nat "Some where something incredible is waiting to be known" -Carl Sagan "It aint how good you shoot,it's how cool you look doing it." -Fred Sayre 1994

September 27, 2007, 01:14 PM	#9
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	I wash my brass in a bucket of hot, soapy water. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

September 27, 2007, 12:17 PM	#2
actionflies Member Join Date: June 5, 2007 Location: Aloha, Oregon Posts: 70	I tried it without primers for my 45acp and it was a waste of time because it didn't clean the primer pocket. Therefore, don't do it.

September 27, 2007, 12:33 PM	#3
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	I deprime and then tumble as long as the cases aren't too dirty in which case I tumble first.

September 27, 2007, 12:37 PM	#5
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	I voted for the last option.

September 27, 2007, 12:40 PM	#6
Al Norris Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 29, 2000 Location: Rupert, Idaho Posts: 9,660	Like actionflies, I tried that once. The first time I used my tumbler. And the point was? Also tried tumbling .44 and 9mm at the same time... Never do that again, either!

September 27, 2007, 04:00 PM	#11
Trapper L Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 804	I voted on you being a trader.....or is that traitor... well somethin' like that. I use a liquid media and tumble with the primers out. Once you've used a liquid media, you can't throw that walnut/corn crap far enough. You'll look for somebody with a cannon to get it way far away. The liquid will get black military brass bright and shiny like new in 20 minutes. Washed and dried in another 20 minutes. You won't do that with the crap media.

September 27, 2007, 06:14 PM	#13
T/C Hunter Member Join Date: August 31, 2007 Location: Trumansburg New York Posts: 61	I leave the primer in and just tumble. Or just use triple 0 steel wool and clean the necks .A couple spins in your hand does the job,takes off all the nasty and leaves a nice shine, it doesn't remove the brass, Just the black burn grud. For even a better way when I have the time, I steel wood the neck and then tumble. They come out great. I use walnut shells to tumble.The powder is red and dusty. Maybe I'll switch to corn cob?

September 27, 2007, 06:32 PM	#14
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	Tumble, then deprime and size.

September 27, 2007, 08:19 PM	#15
Shell Shucker Member Join Date: September 27, 2007 Posts: 46	If I deprime before I tumble I use a universal decapper. I don't know why I sometimes do so, tumbling does not clean primer pockets, they must be cleaned by hand if you want them clean........ I do not size dirty brass. I'd like to know more about liquid media. Tell me! Depriming before tumbling in liquid makes sense.

September 27, 2007, 08:26 PM	#16
Shane Tuttle Staff Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 9,443	I'm with the "mass" in my neck of the woods. I tumble with the spent primer in walnut for a bit, then corn with Midway's polishing agent. After that, a quick wipe down and ready to size... I know I've got to be the minority on this one though...I clean out my primer pockets...yes, ALL of them....yes, pistol too.... Tuttleocdocdocdocdocdocdocd8 __________________ If it were up to me, the word "got" would be deleted from the English language. Posting and YOU: http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting

September 27, 2007, 11:12 PM	#19
Al Norris Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 29, 2000 Location: Rupert, Idaho Posts: 9,660	Tuttle8, I also clean out all primer pockets. Rifle, pistol... Makes no difference. So you are definitely not alone in this.

September 28, 2007, 07:44 AM	#20
kellyj00 Member Join Date: July 9, 2007 Posts: 63	I pick em up off the ground, put them in a bucket, then put them through my turret press. I like shiny brass, and a friend has a tumbler now so he's always stealing my brass to polish it up.

September 28, 2007, 01:59 PM	#22
headhog Junior Member Join Date: September 7, 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 4	Waste of time deprimning and then tumbling. The media doesn't clean in the pocket so why bother and I'm just too lazy to clean pockets by hand. __________________ HH

September 28, 2007, 02:47 PM	#23
hivel37 Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2004 Location: Hill Country Posts: 522	I've done them everywhichaway. Currently the routine is decap then tumble or liquid bath. Key to the latter is to put them in momma's oven on low for a little while after the rinse step. Sometimes if just the necks are cruddy I'll do like T/C Hunter and steel wool'em.

September 28, 2007, 02:50 PM	#24
Trapper L Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 804	Okay, here's the formula. Use 2 oz of RCBS case cleaner, 1/2 cup Iosso, 2 cups vinegar, in one gallon of water. Tumble for 20 minutes. This is for BLACK brass, not general cleaning. Cut the formula in half for every day type cleaning. You can't use this in a vibratory type tumbler, obviously. I use an RCBS Sidewinder. but others will do that can seal the liquid inside. After tumbling, rinse with cold water, roll it around on a dry towel, put it in a bread pan and into the oven at 150F for 20 minutes. It's ready to load. Here's a pic of a piece of 50 cal ammo that I had. It's the only BLACK military brass I have on hand at the time. I used the half formula for 20 minutes and tumbled some 50 year old 38-40 brass with it. I took this pic after coming out of the tumbler with another piece of ammo that was in the same box. So, how many of you can get this good of results with four hours of tumbling with your crap media? Yeah, I know, you can't. I've been doing this for over forty years and the walnut/corn media won't cut the black. I also don't have the dust to deal with either or the red rouge that gets all over and into everything. I just get nice squeaky clean brass in a fraction of the time.