Is it better to tumble before or after sizing.

[mikenbarb]

When is it better to tumble your brass in a vibratory machine, Before or after FL sizing? I have always done it before and just wiped the lube off after they were sized. The only downfall I have is sometimes the media gets in the primer pockets if I tumble again after sizing and I have to pick it out(not often). Sorry im asking alot of questions lately. Im trying to make my life at the bench a little easier.(And hopefully someone elses)

[Bullet94]

I do both, before and after.

[Darren007]

I do both, before and after.

+1...I tumble before just to get all the crud off before sizing. And then again after, to get all the sizing lube off and make them really shiney!!!

[arizona98tj]

You certainly need to do it before the sizing die. I don't need dirty brass going through my die. As for afterwards, I don't....just my preference.

[Hawg]

Always before.

[Mal H]

Like arizona98tj, always before, never after - they don't need it then.

[Shoney]

Always before, never after.

What purpose does cleaning after accomplish???????????????

[jmorris]

Both, I tumble before sizing to make sure no debris makes its way into my dies. I tumble after loading to remove all lubricant used in the sizing process so there is nothing left on the loaded rounds that would attract/hold anything.

[Alleykat]

It's best to tumble when there's a primer, either spent or new, in the case.

[Darren007]

Always before, never after.

What purpose does cleaning after accomplish???????????????

You need to clean the sizing lube off. And sorry, wiping it off with a rag doesnt do it.

Always remember, whatevers on the case will end up in the chamber.

[BigJimP]

I always tumble before - then inspect brass when its clean.

I use the Dillon spray lube, sparingly, on all of my pistol cases - and let it dry - before I load them in the case feeder on my press - but I run them thru all stages on the press without wiping the lube off. When the rounds are finished - I dump them onto a terry cloth towel on my bench / roll them around under my hand on the towel - and take the excess lube off at that point. Then I run them thru a ' case gague ' - and box them up if they pass.

[totalloser]

+1 Darren007. I tried wiping, and got a dirty chamber pretty quickly. Media likes to find it's way into the flash hole (even with a new primer in), so I now tumble my brass first as well as my finished cartridges. Dunno if that's a bad idea, but in about 3000, I haven't noticed a problem.

[Bboomer]

I tumble before sizing. You will soon learn what happens if you tumble brass after its been sized- leaving the primmer pocket exposed.

After the rounds are reloaded I use a rag splashed with lacquer thinner to cut the lube. That allows me to inspect each round as I go. There are those however, that do not remove the case lubes, I don't fall into that category.

Myself I have never tumbled reloaded or live rounds, its just not my process. However, I do know a commercial reloaderer ?? that tumbles ALL of his live ammo.

So there you have it. Its a personal thing.

[Shoney]

The original question was:

When is it better to tumble your brass in a vibratory machine, Before or after FL sizing?

And the proper answer is before, as they must be clean.

Now consider cases that are lubed before sizing. Most straight wall pistol cases require no lubrication.
1. If you tumble lubed cases immediately after sizing, you are going to get clogged flash holes, and expend a lot of unnecessary work to be sure they are clear and not clogged.
2. If you have lubed them properly, there will be no lube inside the cases and they should then be loaded.

After you have loaded the case, then you tumble the cartridge clean.

So Darren007 and totalloser, your assumptions appear to be based on not reading the question and assuming that I do not clean the cartridge. I respectfully submit that you are adding unnecessary steps, which serve no purpose. But that is your prerogative.

[Darren007]

The original question was:

Quote:
When is it better to tumble your brass in a vibratory machine, Before or after FL sizing?

And the proper answer is before, as they must be clean.

Now consider cases that are lubed before sizing. Most straight wall pistol cases require no lubrication.
1. If you tumble lubed cases immediately after sizing, you are going to get clogged flash holes, and expend a lot of unnecessary work to be sure they are clear and not clogged.
2. If you have lubed them properly, there will be no lube inside the cases and they should then be loaded.

After you have loaded the case, then you tumble the cartridge clean.

We answered the OPs question fully. Before or after. We said both. And gave reasons for it. Clogged flash holes while a nuisance takes all of less than a second to clear out. Regardless, if you dont like doing it, then dont tumble after sizing. Big whoop!!!

So Darren007 and totalloser, your assumptions appear to be based on not reading the question and assuming that I do not clean the cartridge. I respectfully submit that you are adding unnecessary steps, which serve no purpose. But that is your prerogative.

We read and perfectly understood... you asked, we answered. I didnt have to assume anything. Whether you clean the lube off of your cases was/is irrelavant to the question you asked. Again you asked why, we answered why we tumble before and after sizing. If you didnt like the answer, too bad, im sure youll get over it.

I respectfully submit that you are adding unnecessary steps, which serve no purpose. But that is your prerogative.

Yet you do the same thing except after the cartidge is assembled. The difference is my way (poking flash holes) is just a minor incovienance as opposed to being potentially dangerous and moronic as tumbling live ammo.

But thats your perogative.

[butta9999]

Its always before. All reasons above especially getting all the grit off the cases before sizing and being able to inspect a clean case for cracks and defects. After well to me there is no point. If you tumble your brass to get case lube off well your putting case lube on your media so it defeats the purpose in the first place. A clean dry rag and a little metho or something will do the job.

[Stagger Lee]

I tumble before sizing, and I also give the loaded rounds a short tumble before boxing or linking them up and putting them away. This removes not only and case lube, but residual skin oil, etc. I find that the cases don't dull and tarnish nearly as much while stored if they're cleaned before putting them up.

[Shoney]

Darren007 wrote

You need to clean the sizing lube off. And sorry, wiping it off with a rag doesnt do it.

In this blatant attack on me, you definitely assume beyond the scope of information, and in an antagonistic manner reminiscent of gutter thinking.

Lighten up DUD.

Darren007 wrote

after the cartidge is assembled

What's a cartidge??? Is that when you transport things via cart????

[Darren007]

In this blatant attack on me, you definitely assume beyond the scope of information, and in an antagonistic manner reminiscent of gutter thinking.

Lighten up DUD.

Being a bit dramatic there, arent we?... (and your telling me to lighten up?)

You thought that was an attack on you??? How could it be??? In your last post you said I assumed you didnt clean your cases...So how would my opinion about using a rag apply to you???

Theres this thing, comes in real handy especially when you use a forum...Its called reading comprehension!!! Comes in real handy, you should try it sometime...that way you dont have to write arrogant and insulting posts to other members, just because you disagree with what they write.

What's a cartidge??? Is that when you transport things via cart????

Yeah...nice try.

[lll Otto lll]

Originally Posted by Shonie

In this blatant attack on me, you definitely assume beyond the scope of information, and in an antagonistic manner reminiscent of gutter thinking.

You go girl !

[mikenbarb]

I dont tumble live ammo. And as stated in my opening question, I tumble before sizing but I just wanted to get the opinion of others and didnt want this to turn into a spitting match. My question was answered many times over with good advice and I thank everyone very much for the replys that were kept nice and simple without a big drawn out reason why. I hope others that needed to know this got help from this post also. Thanks again, Mike

[CrustyFN]

The difference is my way (poking flash holes) is just a minor incovienance as opposed to being potentially dangerous and moronic as tumbling live ammo.

Not trying to step into the middle of a good argument, just wondering why tumbling ammo is dangerous and moronic? The top ammo manufactures tumble all of their live ammo before it's boxed. I could be wrong but it seems to me the way WWB ammo is shipped lose in a box and thrown around in the back of trucks is more dangerous than tumbling live ammo.
Rusty

[lll Otto lll]

...just wondering why tumbling ammo is dangerous and moronic? The top ammo manufactures tumble all of their live ammo before it's boxed.

Are you including rimfire ammo in this broad statement?

[CrustyFN]

Are you including rimfire ammo in this broad statement?

No, I thought we were talking about reloadable ammo.
Rusty

[Shoney]

Darren007: I know I’m being magnanimous here, but I accept your apology!