Sand shot for cleaning cases

ragwd · April 30, 2013, 01:34 PM

Howdy , and thanks for taking the time to read my thread. I just read a thread about media and alternatives. I have access to a fine sand for blasting, will it ruin my RCBS vibratory case cleaner, or will it erode to much of brass casings? has anyone tried ?
Im sure this shouldnt take long.

Brian Pfleuger · April 30, 2013, 01:43 PM

Won't hurt the tumbler or the brass but it'll be hell on your dies.

Eppie · April 30, 2013, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Won't hurt the tumbler or the brass but it'll be hell on your dies.

I'd listen to brian

PawPaw · April 30, 2013, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peetza

Won't hurt the tumbler or the brass but it'll be hell on your dies.

Yeah, walnut is cheap. If you've got access to sand for blasting, ask if they've got any walnut media.

snuffy · April 30, 2013, 04:29 PM

Sure, go ahead IF you want to make your rifle/handgun into a smooth bore! Sand can never be completely removed from inside the case. During firing, it could/would be dragged down the barrel by expanding gasses, then run over by the next bullet.

As said above, it WILL scratch the heck oiut of your dies as well.

Media used for case cleaning HAS to be soft enough to not hurt dies or barrels.

Tuzo · April 30, 2013, 09:03 PM

One more item in addition to the truth of Snuffy's remarks. Sand media on thin metal causes micro dimples thereby increasing surface area and metal expansion. I know because I tried it and the blasted cases were out of spec for diameter and a bit for length.

ragwd · May 1, 2013, 03:19 PM

Thanks to all that replied, I will not use the sand. You guys are great, thanks again.

Lemmon · May 1, 2013, 04:28 PM

My Dad was in the tombstone business and I learned about sand blasting from the ground up. In the shop we used a carborundum (black) media as it would not turn to dust as sand would. We used a hard silica sand in the sandblasting machine to do lettering on existing monuments in the grave yard. That fine hard silica sand is great for sand bags but my best guess will scratch the heck out of brass if left in the tumbling cycle for a extended period of time. I personally use crushed walnut hulls with a case cleaner that I get from MidwayUSA that is not a RCBS or Lyman but does a great job of cleaning and POLISHING my brass. If you just want to clean the brass just use crushed walnut media without the polish for an hour or so and not worry about scratching up your brass. Those are my thoughts.

Lemmon from Rural South Carolina.

PA-Joe · May 1, 2013, 05:23 PM

Got to your local pet store and buy some rodent bedding media. Comes in corn or walnut and different grades.

April 30, 2013, 01:34 PM	#1
ragwd Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2006 Posts: 925	Sand shot for cleaning cases Howdy , and thanks for taking the time to read my thread. I just read a thread about media and alternatives. I have access to a fine sand for blasting, will it ruin my RCBS vibratory case cleaner, or will it erode to much of brass casings? has anyone tried ? Im sure this shouldnt take long.

April 30, 2013, 01:43 PM	#2
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	Won't hurt the tumbler or the brass but it'll be hell on your dies. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

April 30, 2013, 04:29 PM	#5
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	Sure, go ahead IF you want to make your rifle/handgun into a smooth bore! Sand can never be completely removed from inside the case. During firing, it could/would be dragged down the barrel by expanding gasses, then run over by the next bullet. As said above, it WILL scratch the heck oiut of your dies as well. Media used for case cleaning HAS to be soft enough to not hurt dies or barrels. __________________ The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly?

April 30, 2013, 09:03 PM	#6
Tuzo Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 797	One more item in addition to the truth of Snuffy's remarks. Sand media on thin metal causes micro dimples thereby increasing surface area and metal expansion. I know because I tried it and the blasted cases were out of spec for diameter and a bit for length.

May 1, 2013, 03:19 PM	#7
ragwd Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2006 Posts: 925	Thanks to all that replied, I will not use the sand. You guys are great, thanks again.

May 1, 2013, 04:28 PM	#8
Lemmon Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 2009 Location: Rural South Carolina Posts: 445	My Dad was in the tombstone business and I learned about sand blasting from the ground up. In the shop we used a carborundum (black) media as it would not turn to dust as sand would. We used a hard silica sand in the sandblasting machine to do lettering on existing monuments in the grave yard. That fine hard silica sand is great for sand bags but my best guess will scratch the heck out of brass if left in the tumbling cycle for a extended period of time. I personally use crushed walnut hulls with a case cleaner that I get from MidwayUSA that is not a RCBS or Lyman but does a great job of cleaning and POLISHING my brass. If you just want to clean the brass just use crushed walnut media without the polish for an hour or so and not worry about scratching up your brass. Those are my thoughts. Lemmon from Rural South Carolina.

May 1, 2013, 05:23 PM	#9
PA-Joe Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: NEPA Posts: 909	Got to your local pet store and buy some rodent bedding media. Comes in corn or walnut and different grades.