Tumbled Range Brass

FloridaGuy · February 7, 2013, 07:49 PM

This is the first time that I am using range brass. So I just tumbled several thousand rounds of .38 special brass. I used crushed walnut media in the tumbler. There seems to be some of the media stuck inside of the cartridges. What is the best way to get all of this out of the cartridge? Or is it ok to load these cartridges if there is still small amount stuck to the walls of the case?

grumpa72 · February 7, 2013, 07:54 PM

I take a small flat head screw driver and scrape the walls when I see media stuck in there. It is NOT ok to reload with media there because that will increase the case pressure beyond what you are reloading for and expecting. The inside of the case should be free of debris.

SVO · February 7, 2013, 08:08 PM

:
Lee makes a punch for removing crimped primers from military brass. The punch for a 223/5.56 case works great to remove any media stuck in the primer pocket/primer flash hole.

1Hobie · February 7, 2013, 08:18 PM

Take out the media and retumble the brass. The remaining bits should come out. If not, maybe you're using a tad bit too much compound in your media.

Hobie

GP100man · February 7, 2013, 09:11 PM

"maybe you're using a tad bit too much compound in your media."

This is exactly what I was thinkin !

If to much additives to the media it`ll clump & cling to places we don`t need it to .

Try takin the top off & letting it dry while running a bit .

Even if it don`t feel damp ,it`s damp enuff to clump/cling.

Jay24bal · February 7, 2013, 10:11 PM

I find that an air compressor works very well to blow any debris out of a case. It also works well to dry the cases if you use an ultrasonic cleaner. I have a small "pancake" compressor that sits next to the workbench for other things, and it often times gets called into duty for this as well.

While not nearly as cost effective, the cans of compressed air for electronics will also accomplish the same job.

Misssissippi Dave · February 7, 2013, 11:12 PM

Sounds like an additive to the media was not fully mixed in before adding the brass. That happens fairly often to people using an additive the first time or two. I would scrape out the cases and put them back into the tumbler for a while to let them get cleaned out. Don't put any additive in this time around. Any media stuck inside the case will reduce the volume and increase the pressure just like seating the bullet deeper would. It is a good thing you caught this problem prior to loading the cases.

February 7, 2013, 07:49 PM	#1
FloridaGuy Senior Member Join Date: December 8, 2012 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 237	Tumbled Range Brass This is the first time that I am using range brass. So I just tumbled several thousand rounds of .38 special brass. I used crushed walnut media in the tumbler. There seems to be some of the media stuck inside of the cartridges. What is the best way to get all of this out of the cartridge? Or is it ok to load these cartridges if there is still small amount stuck to the walls of the case?

February 7, 2013, 09:11 PM	#5
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	"maybe you're using a tad bit too much compound in your media." This is exactly what I was thinkin ! If to much additives to the media it`ll clump & cling to places we don`t need it to . Try takin the top off & letting it dry while running a bit . Even if it don`t feel damp ,it`s damp enuff to clump/cling. __________________ GP100man

February 7, 2013, 10:11 PM	#6
Jay24bal Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2011 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 735	Do you own an air compressor? I find that an air compressor works very well to blow any debris out of a case. It also works well to dry the cases if you use an ultrasonic cleaner. I have a small "pancake" compressor that sits next to the workbench for other things, and it often times gets called into duty for this as well. While not nearly as cost effective, the cans of compressed air for electronics will also accomplish the same job. __________________ I like guns. Once Fired Brass, Top quality, Fast shipping, Best prices. http://300AacBrass.com/ -10% Coupon use code " Jay24bal "

February 7, 2013, 07:54 PM	#2
grumpa72 Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2009 Posts: 487	I take a small flat head screw driver and scrape the walls when I see media stuck in there. It is NOT ok to reload with media there because that will increase the case pressure beyond what you are reloading for and expecting. The inside of the case should be free of debris.

February 7, 2013, 08:08 PM	#3
SVO Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2009 Location: Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 728	: Lee makes a punch for removing crimped primers from military brass. The punch for a 223/5.56 case works great to remove any media stuck in the primer pocket/primer flash hole.

February 7, 2013, 08:18 PM	#4
1Hobie Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2010 Location: west central Illinois Posts: 277	Take out the media and retumble the brass. The remaining bits should come out. If not, maybe you're using a tad bit too much compound in your media. Hobie

February 7, 2013, 11:12 PM	#7
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,411	Sounds like an additive to the media was not fully mixed in before adding the brass. That happens fairly often to people using an additive the first time or two. I would scrape out the cases and put them back into the tumbler for a while to let them get cleaned out. Don't put any additive in this time around. Any media stuck inside the case will reduce the volume and increase the pressure just like seating the bullet deeper would. It is a good thing you caught this problem prior to loading the cases.