Brass

pj2 · May 11, 2014, 09:36 AM

I'm wondering how often to tumble brass

Shootest · May 11, 2014, 09:43 AM

As often as you want to. Tumbling in corncob or walnut media does not harm brass.

Valornor · May 11, 2014, 09:51 AM

I tumbled after each firing. Mainly because I want to make sure I get as much of the dirt and grime off as I can. Before I run it through my reloading dies. Saves wear and tear on the equipment.

LE-28 · May 11, 2014, 10:39 AM

I clean mine after every firing, like said above, it doesn't hurt or wear out the brass.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · May 11, 2014, 10:56 AM

The only time I clean mine is when I want or feel the need to give certain brass a thorough exam. First fires get a good cleaning. There after every now and then over their life span. Some fellows just like the extra process and some like the Bling. Me I just like to shoot >period.

**Unclenick** · May 11, 2014, 02:22 PM

I clean every time because I've worn a several steel dies out over time and got crud embedded in one carbide die that kept scoring cases and that I never got clear of the thing. However, cleaning and polishing are not the same thing. Cleaning can be dishwashing detergent and water shaken in a jug, then rinsed briefly (trace detergent doesn't hurt powder and it helps lube the cases for sizing), and then left alone on a rag to dry for a couple or three days. With a tumbler, even tumbling 15 minutes in plain corncob will get most grit off.

Polishing, on the other hand, is something I consider a must for cases to be fed through self-loaders of any kind. It's just too much easier to find a polished case in the grass. The only exception is nickel-plated. If that stuff is polished and gets out in the grass, the white metal reflects the color green so well that you lose more of them. But for brass color, polishing shortens policing time and makes it more effective.

NHSHOOTER · May 11, 2014, 04:05 PM

I tumble mine after each firing, I have found that they resize that much easier and as I take em from the media I do a inspection before sizing.

lamarw · May 11, 2014, 04:06 PM

I have gone to ultrasonic cleaning vs. tumbling. I de-prime the brass first. This way it cleans the primer pocket along with the interior and exterior of the brass. I find it quicker and provides a better finished product.

Oh yes, I also do it after ever firing.

Wreck-n-Crew · May 11, 2014, 05:19 PM

I also Tumble after every firing. I don't like gunk building up in my dies.

4runnerman · May 11, 2014, 05:21 PM

Shoot, tumble,size, retumble,load,shoot,tumble, size,retumble, ect ect

BigJimP · May 11, 2014, 05:37 PM

I tumble after every firing .../ its not like its labor intensive.../ just dump them in the tumbler and let it run for a few hours...??

zeke · May 12, 2014, 02:40 PM

Every time, for the reasons Uncle Nick stated. Use walnut media, that cleans and polishes to a degree. After the first time they clean/polish up much easier. For bottle neck cases, if time/circumstance permits, clean carbon off necks with wet rag at range. Saves a lot of tumbling time.

Nick_C_S · May 15, 2014, 02:13 PM

Went to the range today. That brass is tumbling in corn cob now

After resizing, they will go for a wet tumble with Dawn soap, Lemi-Shine, and water. This will remove the case lube and get them sparkley clean, inside n out; including the primer pockets.

fretless33 · May 16, 2014, 08:58 AM

I shoot in a muddy back yard, so the brass I recover can be pretty messy (or old) at times. I polish, deprime/resize, trim, put them through a cycle in the sonic cleaner to remove the oils, then polish them again to make them pretty! That's just how I do it, because of the state of brass I get sometimes.

Forgot to mention if the brass is very muddy, I'll sonic clean it first and let it dry real good (sometimes in a low degree oven) before I deprime to get the water and mud out of the case.

dickttx · May 16, 2014, 09:54 PM

I normally come home from the range and dump my brass in the tumbler on the way through the garage.
However, sometimes when working up a load I will just sit down and reload a batch without cleaning.

SpringOWeiler · May 16, 2014, 10:36 PM

I like to throw all my brass into a 64oz big gulb container then clean with 1/2 cup vinegar + ~ 1tbs of soap and salt fill 3/4 with faucet hot water. Shake it every few min and take it out after 15. Wash thoroughly then dry in the oven. After dry, throw in the tumbler until shiny. My media stays very clean and I only have to change it out every 5 months. I guess the amount you shoot will determine the media life. This method really helps clean the dust down from the tumbler to.

MJFlores · May 17, 2014, 08:00 AM

I went over 20 years without ever owning a tumbler...and after having finally bought one, I wish I had years ago. So the answer is, you don't have to tumble...but if you have one go for it. What I've just started doing (after buying my Hornady tumbler and a container of Hornady corn cob media) is: After shooting I use a universal decapper and pop the primers out of the cases. Next, I tumble them for a few hours in the media after cutting a few squares of a dryer sheet and dropping those in there, and 2 small cap fulls of Dillon brass polish. Tumble for a few hours and the brass looks almost like new...very clean. I then store the cleaned and deprimed brass in ziplock bags and it's ready to be sized, trimmed, etc. I love my new technique.

May 11, 2014, 09:36 AM	#1
pj2 Junior Member Join Date: September 2, 2013 Posts: 14	Brass I'm wondering how often to tumble brass

May 11, 2014, 09:43 AM	#2
Shootest Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2011 Location: Just outside Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 722	As often as you want to. Tumbling in corncob or walnut media does not harm brass. __________________ The private ownership of firearms is an American Heritage. Anyone who disputes that is Anti-American and unpatriotic. NRA Life Member

May 11, 2014, 02:22 PM	#6
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	I clean every time because I've worn a several steel dies out over time and got crud embedded in one carbide die that kept scoring cases and that I never got clear of the thing. However, cleaning and polishing are not the same thing. Cleaning can be dishwashing detergent and water shaken in a jug, then rinsed briefly (trace detergent doesn't hurt powder and it helps lube the cases for sizing), and then left alone on a rag to dry for a couple or three days. With a tumbler, even tumbling 15 minutes in plain corncob will get most grit off. Polishing, on the other hand, is something I consider a must for cases to be fed through self-loaders of any kind. It's just too much easier to find a polished case in the grass. The only exception is nickel-plated. If that stuff is polished and gets out in the grass, the white metal reflects the color green so well that you lose more of them. But for brass color, polishing shortens policing time and makes it more effective. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

May 11, 2014, 05:19 PM	#9
Wreck-n-Crew Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,820	I also Tumble after every firing. I don't like gunk building up in my dies. __________________ If you ever have to use a firearm, *you don't get to pick the scenario!*

May 11, 2014, 05:21 PM	#10
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	Shoot, tumble,size, retumble,load,shoot,tumble, size,retumble, ect ect __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

May 11, 2014, 09:51 AM	#3
Valornor Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2010 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 244	I tumbled after each firing. Mainly because I want to make sure I get as much of the dirt and grime off as I can. Before I run it through my reloading dies. Saves wear and tear on the equipment.

May 11, 2014, 10:39 AM	#4
LE-28 Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 759	I clean mine after every firing, like said above, it doesn't hurt or wear out the brass.

May 11, 2014, 10:56 AM	#5
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	The only time I clean mine is when I want or feel the need to give certain brass a thorough exam. First fires get a good cleaning. There after every now and then over their life span. Some fellows just like the extra process and some like the Bling. Me I just like to shoot >period.

May 11, 2014, 04:05 PM	#7
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,002	I tumble mine after each firing, I have found that they resize that much easier and as I take em from the media I do a inspection before sizing.

May 11, 2014, 04:06 PM	#8
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	I have gone to ultrasonic cleaning vs. tumbling. I de-prime the brass first. This way it cleans the primer pocket along with the interior and exterior of the brass. I find it quicker and provides a better finished product. Oh yes, I also do it after ever firing.

May 11, 2014, 05:37 PM	#11
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I tumble after every firing .../ its not like its labor intensive.../ just dump them in the tumbler and let it run for a few hours...??

May 12, 2014, 02:40 PM	#12
zeke Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 1999 Location: NW Wi Posts: 1,671	Every time, for the reasons Uncle Nick stated. Use walnut media, that cleans and polishes to a degree. After the first time they clean/polish up much easier. For bottle neck cases, if time/circumstance permits, clean carbon off necks with wet rag at range. Saves a lot of tumbling time.

May 15, 2014, 02:13 PM	#13
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,523	Went to the range today. That brass is tumbling in corn cob now After resizing, they will go for a wet tumble with Dawn soap, Lemi-Shine, and water. This will remove the case lube and get them sparkley clean, inside n out; including the primer pockets. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

May 16, 2014, 08:58 AM	#14
fretless33 Member Join Date: February 22, 2014 Posts: 50	Brass I shoot in a muddy back yard, so the brass I recover can be pretty messy (or old) at times. I polish, deprime/resize, trim, put them through a cycle in the sonic cleaner to remove the oils, then polish them again to make them pretty! That's just how I do it, because of the state of brass I get sometimes. Forgot to mention if the brass is very muddy, I'll sonic clean it first and let it dry real good (sometimes in a low degree oven) before I deprime to get the water and mud out of the case. Last edited by fretless33; May 16, 2014 at 09:05 AM.

May 16, 2014, 09:54 PM	#15
dickttx Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2011 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 500	I normally come home from the range and dump my brass in the tumbler on the way through the garage. However, sometimes when working up a load I will just sit down and reload a batch without cleaning. __________________ Education teaches you the rules, experience teaches you the exceptions (Plagiarized from Claude Clay)

May 16, 2014, 10:36 PM	#16
SpringOWeiler Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2014 Location: Washington (Dry Side) Posts: 116	My Technique I like to throw all my brass into a 64oz big gulb container then clean with 1/2 cup vinegar + ~ 1tbs of soap and salt fill 3/4 with faucet hot water. Shake it every few min and take it out after 15. Wash thoroughly then dry in the oven. After dry, throw in the tumbler until shiny. My media stays very clean and I only have to change it out every 5 months. I guess the amount you shoot will determine the media life. This method really helps clean the dust down from the tumbler to.

May 17, 2014, 08:00 AM	#17
MJFlores Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2013 Posts: 539	I went over 20 years without ever owning a tumbler...and after having finally bought one, I wish I had years ago. So the answer is, you don't have to tumble...but if you have one go for it. What I've just started doing (after buying my Hornady tumbler and a container of Hornady corn cob media) is: After shooting I use a universal decapper and pop the primers out of the cases. Next, I tumble them for a few hours in the media after cutting a few squares of a dryer sheet and dropping those in there, and 2 small cap fulls of Dillon brass polish. Tumble for a few hours and the brass looks almost like new...very clean. I then store the cleaned and deprimed brass in ziplock bags and it's ready to be sized, trimmed, etc. I love my new technique.