Handloading .38/.357 - Page 2

jumpingeezer · September 20, 2016, 12:33 PM

Is a tumbler an absolute necessity? NO.

But take some untumbled brass cases and run them through a carbide resizing die and then follow up with cases that have been tumbled and you will find that the effort required to resize the cases is dramatically reduced.

A tumbler and media is just not that big an expense. I wouldn't be without them.

g.willikers · September 20, 2016, 01:15 PM

No need to actually buy a tumbler, there's a really big one in your laundry room.
The clothes washing machine.
For years I used ours.
With up to 1,000 cases in a mesh bag and the washer filled with throw rugs, range clothes and such in a solution of good detergent with vinegar or lemon juice.
The cases kind of act as their own tumbling media.
Dry the cases in the oven at 100 degrees and you have very clean and surprisingly shiny brass.

September 20, 2016, 12:33 PM	#26
jumpingeezer Member Join Date: November 19, 2015 Posts: 88	Is a tumbler an absolute necessity? NO. But take some untumbled brass cases and run them through a carbide resizing die and then follow up with cases that have been tumbled and you will find that the effort required to resize the cases is dramatically reduced. A tumbler and media is just not that big an expense. I wouldn't be without them.

September 20, 2016, 01:15 PM	#27
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	No need to actually buy a tumbler, there's a really big one in your laundry room. The clothes washing machine. For years I used ours. With up to 1,000 cases in a mesh bag and the washer filled with throw rugs, range clothes and such in a solution of good detergent with vinegar or lemon juice. The cases kind of act as their own tumbling media. Dry the cases in the oven at 100 degrees and you have very clean and surprisingly shiny brass.