Uncooked rice for tumbling media

TennJed · October 27, 2011, 04:43 PM

Saw a post somewhere where a person used uncooked rice for tumbling media. Does anyone here have any exp. with this? How does it work for you

maggys drawers · October 27, 2011, 04:51 PM

I tried it for a while. It seemed to take longer than walnut to get the same results.

dickttx · October 27, 2011, 05:10 PM

Don't waste your time. It works, but not as good as the cob or walnut. I am sure it is more expensive than the 20/40 cob from drillspot.com ($26 for 40 pounds, shipped.) But if you get that you better have something to put it in. Needed 3 plastic 5 gal. buckets. It comes in a paper bag, and I am sure the mice would be into it almost immediately.

chack · October 27, 2011, 05:12 PM

has anyone ever tried pecan shells?

Jim243 · October 27, 2011, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Uncooked rice for tumbling media

Do not use!!!

Jim

GURU1911 · October 27, 2011, 10:22 PM

The best place for your uncooked rice, is in a hitachi rice steamer!!!

Been married to a french-speaking cajun for the past 31 years & we still have the rice steamer we received as a wedding present in 1980.

Crushed walnut, pecan, cashew, or brasil nut shell would all work for tumbling. The walnut however, is the easiest to obtain for this purpose.

Guru1911

Major Dave (retired) · October 27, 2011, 10:35 PM

available at a pet supply store?

I think it is crushed walnut shells, used as bedding for hamster cages, or something like that?

Cheaper, IIRC?

Don H · October 27, 2011, 10:55 PM

Uncooked rice at the nearest Mexican market usually runs right around 3 or 4 pounds to the dollar.

cheezhed · October 28, 2011, 04:00 AM

I once tried cooked rice and it made a huge mess. I will try cooked walnut shell
media next.

Jim243 · October 28, 2011, 08:40 AM

Quote:

I think it is crushed walnut shells, used as bedding for hamster cages, or something like that?

It's called Zilla Reptile Bedding (crushed walnut)

Jim

Tuzo · October 28, 2011, 11:02 AM

This distinction will make a big difference since most brown rice is not enriched. White rice is enriched by adding finely powdered nutrients that cling to rice grains. Using white rice for case cleaning will result in enriched cases that have a bit of nutritional value.

Otherwise, use crushed walnut shell for good results.

woody wood · October 28, 2011, 11:49 AM

i have seen an ad for stainless steel as tumbling media-how would that work?

Major Dave (retired) · October 28, 2011, 12:01 PM

Thanks for filling in the blanks for me. I've been meaning to go buy some, but didn't know exactly what it was called.

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · October 28, 2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

I once tried cooked rice and it made a huge mess.

Now that is just funny!

**Mike Irwin** · October 28, 2011, 05:01 PM

"I once tried cooked rice and it made a huge mess."

Geezsh, didn't you guys' Moms teach you how to deal with this?

You obviously forgot to add the cream, the beaten egg, the raisins, the vanilla, sugar, and the nutmeg.

Did you really think you were going to get a Brassy Raisin Rice Pudding with just... rice?

higgite · October 28, 2011, 05:26 PM

We don't need no steenkin' pudding! Gravy, man, gravy!

dsr30 · October 28, 2011, 10:23 PM

Quote:

i have seen an ad for stainless steel as tumbling media-how would that work?

The wet tumbling using ss works great. I've never used it myself, but have seen the results, they're impressive to say the least, the brass is super clean and shiny. It's a lot more expensive to get the equipment to get started compared to regular tumbling.

FrankenMauser · October 28, 2011, 10:44 PM

If you keep your media clean, it lasts for a very long time.

I'm still trying to finish off some corn cob that was purchased in 2007 (10 lbs, and I just got into the second half of it). With another 10 lbs sitting on the shelves... I won't have to buy corn cob media again, until 2020.

I'm still using rouged walnut I bought in 2008. The 3 lbs in the tumbler still has at least two years' worth of use in it, and there's another 6 lbs in the jug. Like the corn cob media, that should last me beyond 2020.

I only tumbled about 7k dirty cases, last year. By all accounts, that's pretty low (and doesn't include loaded rounds going through to remove case lube). By keeping the media clean, it just keeps chugging along...
At this rate, I'll be HAPPY to spend $1/lb on "premium" corn cob media and $2/lb for rouged walnut, when the time comes.

Besides... Most of the media marketed to reloaders doesn't have all the dust and chaff in it, that you get with the alternatives.

bilijon · November 7, 2011, 02:46 PM

Hi, I have been reloading for about 50yrs. I have found out that the best
polishing media is rice, right out of the feilds. In 2 hours the load is done
and the brass is like new. If you are not around where rice is grown, try
to buy rice seed. Here in AR we grow rice, so it is easy to find it, Thanks, Bill

south.texas.dead.I · November 7, 2011, 04:24 PM

What's the best way to keep your media clean? I've gone through my whole first bath of ground corn cob media from pet store in less than 6months.

Tapatalk ya

meatgrinder42 · November 7, 2011, 04:30 PM

Used it for valves in an engine after a chemical soak, worked pretty well after sitting over night in cleaner. I've also done this on carb parts and it took a lot of the varnish off, which impressed me, and got rid of the turpentine smell from old carbs.

It took longer than the normal media, which I believe someone else said as well, but it did work.

dickttx · November 7, 2011, 05:22 PM

What's the best way to keep your media clean? I've gone through my whole first bath of ground corn cob media from pet store in less than 6months.

Tapatalk ya

You are not trying to keep your media clean--you are trying to clean your brass. Most of the discoloration of the media comes from the polish cleaning the brass. Just keep on using it. If it is not cleaning quite as well, add a little more polish.

Elkins45 · November 8, 2011, 11:15 AM

Anyone ever try BB's? I can testify firsthand how effective they are in a rusted metal gas tank with a slosh of carb cleaner.

I guess a flammable solvent and an electric motor powered trimmer might not be a good idea?

chris in va · November 8, 2011, 09:23 PM

Sometimes I wonder if you can simply hose off the used walnut shell media to 'refresh' it a bit. My pick-up brass has so much dirt on it.

Yurko · November 9, 2011, 01:19 AM

The reason the media works is because it has fine sharp edges that actually scratch the brass clean.
As the media is used it rounds off those edges, meaning it takes longer & longer to clean the brass.

So trying to "clean" used media just doesn't work.

October 27, 2011, 04:43 PM	#1
TennJed Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2010 Posts: 1,536	Uncooked rice for tumbling media Saw a post somewhere where a person used uncooked rice for tumbling media. Does anyone here have any exp. with this? How does it work for you __________________ Find out just how tall I am By jumping in the middle of a river

October 27, 2011, 05:10 PM	#3
dickttx Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2011 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 500	Don't waste your time. It works, but not as good as the cob or walnut. I am sure it is more expensive than the 20/40 cob from drillspot.com ($26 for 40 pounds, shipped.) But if you get that you better have something to put it in. Needed 3 plastic 5 gal. buckets. It comes in a paper bag, and I am sure the mice would be into it almost immediately. __________________ Education teaches you the rules, experience teaches you the exceptions (Plagiarized from Claude Clay)

October 27, 2011, 10:22 PM	#6
GURU1911 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Location: SEALY, THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS Posts: 501	Uncooked rice ???? The best place for your uncooked rice, is in a hitachi rice steamer!!! Been married to a french-speaking cajun for the past 31 years & we still have the rice steamer we received as a wedding present in 1980. Crushed walnut, pecan, cashew, or brasil nut shell would all work for tumbling. The walnut however, is the easiest to obtain for this purpose. Guru1911 __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER (1984) & PRESIDENT: S.W. LA. R&P CLUB, LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (1994-1999) METALLIC CARTRIDGE RELOADER (1977) & GENTILE CHRISTIAN ZIONIST INFIDEL !!! "THERE AIN'T TOO MANY THINGS THAT YOU CAN'T FIX, WITH $500 DOLLARS OR A .30-06"

October 27, 2011, 10:35 PM	#7
Major Dave (retired) Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2008 Location: Between Dallas and Shreveport, LA Posts: 569	Isn't there a cheaper alternative available at a pet supply store? I think it is crushed walnut shells, used as bedding for hamster cages, or something like that? Cheaper, IIRC? __________________ Artillery lends dignity to what would otherwise be but a vulgar brawl.

October 27, 2011, 10:55 PM	#8
Don H Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2000 Location: SLC,Utah Posts: 2,704	Uncooked rice at the nearest Mexican market usually runs right around 3 or 4 pounds to the dollar. __________________ Don http://www.utahconcealedcarry.com/forum/

October 27, 2011, 04:51 PM	#2
maggys drawers Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2006 Posts: 178	I tried it for a while. It seemed to take longer than walnut to get the same results.

October 27, 2011, 05:12 PM	#4
chack Junior member Join Date: May 24, 2011 Location: dixie Posts: 477	has anyone ever tried pecan shells?

October 28, 2011, 04:00 AM	#9
cheezhed Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2007 Posts: 302	I once tried cooked rice and it made a huge mess. I will try cooked walnut shell media next.

October 28, 2011, 11:02 AM	#11
Tuzo Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 797	Brown rice or white? This distinction will make a big difference since most brown rice is not enriched. White rice is enriched by adding finely powdered nutrients that cling to rice grains. Using white rice for case cleaning will result in enriched cases that have a bit of nutritional value. Otherwise, use crushed walnut shell for good results.

October 28, 2011, 11:49 AM	#12
woody wood Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2010 Location: minnesota Posts: 271	i have seen an ad for stainless steel as tumbling media-how would that work? __________________ nra member proud father and patriot

October 28, 2011, 12:01 PM	#13
Major Dave (retired) Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2008 Location: Between Dallas and Shreveport, LA Posts: 569	Jim243 Thanks for filling in the blanks for me. I've been meaning to go buy some, but didn't know exactly what it was called. __________________ Artillery lends dignity to what would otherwise be but a vulgar brawl.

October 28, 2011, 05:01 PM	#15
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	"I once tried cooked rice and it made a huge mess." Geezsh, didn't you guys' Moms teach you how to deal with this? You obviously forgot to add the cream, the beaten egg, the raisins, the vanilla, sugar, and the nutmeg. Did you really think you were going to get a Brassy Raisin Rice Pudding with just... rice? __________________ "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.

October 28, 2011, 05:26 PM	#16
higgite Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2010 Posts: 1,025	We don't need no steenkin' pudding! Gravy, man, gravy!

October 28, 2011, 10:44 PM	#18
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	If you keep your media clean, it lasts for a very long time. I'm still trying to finish off some corn cob that was purchased in 2007 (10 lbs, and I just got into the second half of it). With another 10 lbs sitting on the shelves... I won't have to buy corn cob media again, until 2020. I'm still using rouged walnut I bought in 2008. The 3 lbs in the tumbler still has at least two years' worth of use in it, and there's another 6 lbs in the jug. Like the corn cob media, that should last me beyond 2020. I only tumbled about 7k dirty cases, last year. By all accounts, that's pretty low (and doesn't include loaded rounds going through to remove case lube). By keeping the media clean, it just keeps chugging along... At this rate, I'll be HAPPY to spend $1/lb on "premium" corn cob media and $2/lb for rouged walnut, when the time comes. Besides... Most of the media marketed to reloaders doesn't have all the dust and chaff in it, that you get with the alternatives. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

November 7, 2011, 02:46 PM	#19
bilijon Junior Member Join Date: November 25, 2005 Posts: 4	tumbler media Hi, I have been reloading for about 50yrs. I have found out that the best polishing media is rice, right out of the feilds. In 2 hours the load is done and the brass is like new. If you are not around where rice is grown, try to buy rice seed. Here in AR we grow rice, so it is easy to find it, Thanks, Bill

November 7, 2011, 04:24 PM	#20
south.texas.dead.I Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2011 Posts: 282	What's the best way to keep your media clean? I've gone through my whole first bath of ground corn cob media from pet store in less than 6months. Tapatalk ya

November 7, 2011, 04:30 PM	#21
meatgrinder42 Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2011 Location: Good Ol' Wisconsin Posts: 327	Used it for valves in an engine after a chemical soak, worked pretty well after sitting over night in cleaner. I've also done this on carb parts and it took a lot of the varnish off, which impressed me, and got rid of the turpentine smell from old carbs. It took longer than the normal media, which I believe someone else said as well, but it did work. __________________ When I die better bury me deep, two .45s layin' at my feet, An M16 across my chest, tell Chesty Puller I did my best

November 7, 2011, 05:22 PM	#22
dickttx Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2011 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 500	What's the best way to keep your media clean? I've gone through my whole first bath of ground corn cob media from pet store in less than 6months. Tapatalk ya You are not trying to keep your media clean--you are trying to clean your brass. Most of the discoloration of the media comes from the polish cleaning the brass. Just keep on using it. If it is not cleaning quite as well, add a little more polish. __________________ Education teaches you the rules, experience teaches you the exceptions (Plagiarized from Claude Clay)

November 8, 2011, 11:15 AM	#23
Elkins45 Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2010 Posts: 498	Anyone ever try BB's? I can testify firsthand how effective they are in a rusted metal gas tank with a slosh of carb cleaner. I guess a flammable solvent and an electric motor powered trimmer might not be a good idea?

November 8, 2011, 09:23 PM	#24
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Sometimes I wonder if you can simply hose off the used walnut shell media to 'refresh' it a bit. My pick-up brass has so much dirt on it.

November 9, 2011, 01:19 AM	#25
Yurko Junior Member Join Date: January 20, 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 13	The reason the media works is because it has fine sharp edges that actually scratch the brass clean. As the media is used it rounds off those edges, meaning it takes longer & longer to clean the brass. So trying to "clean" used media just doesn't work.

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