Case Cleaning - The Best Way I Have Found

[AllMovingParts]

I notice that most people use media tumblers for case cleaning. I have been reloading handgun ammunition for a few years and am just starting with .223/5.56. I have been using an ultrasonic cleaning, which seems to work well for what I have used it for. Are there any advantages I would see with a tumber for the rifle (or any other) brass? I noticed it mentioned to use media to remove case lube after sizing.

[brianheeter]

Complete and innocent ignorance on display:

What is the difference between using a tumbler with media (SS, walnut or corncob) and using this stuff?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/888624/iosso-brass-case-cleaner-kit

Thanks,

brian

[Mauser]

I notice that most people use media tumblers for case cleaning. I have been reloading handgun ammunition for a few years and am just starting with .223/5.56. I have been using an ultrasonic cleaning, which seems to work well for what I have used it for. Are there any advantages I would see with a tumbler for the rifle (or any other) brass? I noticed it mentioned to use media to remove case lube after sizing.

I guess I would list the advantages at least of stainless media in a rotary tumbler as:
1. The cases are clean so you can see issues on the inside of the case easier (like the beginnings of head separation)
2. If you run them for a short time after processing the brass it will remove any lube and brass shavings from the case
3. The cases are clean on the inside and outside so you may get more life out of a die set expander and/or sizing die body
4. The primer pocket is cleaned to spotless so no issues with installing the primer and may eliminate a step in the process of case prep by not having to use a tool to scrape the crud out of the primer pocket.
5. The Stainless media is a onetime buy where corn cob and walnut needs to be replaced sooner or later and does not get inside the case or primer pocket
6. The brass cases are just cool when they look that nice :-)

Ok, so maybe i got carried away with that last one, but i put a lot of time into my reloading and i like it when it look as good as it can get.  vain I know..

Cheers,
Mauser

[Mauser]

Complete and innocent ignorance on display:

What is the difference between using a tumbler with media (SS, walnut or corncob) and using this stuff?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/888624/iosso-brass-case-cleaner-kit

Thanks,

brian

Brian,

Man I don't know, I have never used it but someone did mention before in an earlier post about being careful about what you expose your brass to.  I looked into it a bit and wow, ammonia can really ruin your brass and mercury will not do it any favors either..  I don't know about this stuff in your link, but it does say that it is good for about 2000 cases.  I just cleaned 1000 cases this past weekend in my rotary tumbler and its none the worse for the ware.  It seems to me that cleaning 2000 cases and then having to replace the media (possible HAZMAT Shipping?) could get costly in the long run.  Someone else may have some better insight on this but that my two cents.

Cheers,
Mauser

[dronning]

I found a basket (aluminum) out of an ol' deep fat fryer, after I rinse my brass I dump it in the basket and put it in the oven set at 180 for an hour or so. My last step before priming is flash holes....O.L.

I do the same to dry the cases but with oven at 220 'cause water turns to steam at 212 so any water deep inside a case will vapor out and 220 won't hurt the brass.  Also I use a cheap turkey aluminum roasting pan I picked up several for $1ea (at Dollar store).

[Mauser]

Hey guys,

I tried something last night with mixed results.  A buddy of mine has a rifle that he would like to have refinished.  (nothing special here just an M48 Yugo that has a garage made stock it looks like)  The metal on the rifle had a little rust on it and a bunch of Cosmoline.  So, i disassembled the bolt and into the tumbler it went along with the but plate and a butt plate from another project Swede Mauser I'm currently working. Anyway, i was kind of perplexed by the results.  Yes, it got the rust off the metal parts (the bolt on a Yugo is not blued, just raw steel), and it got all the Cosmoline off the bolt.  The Swede Mauser butplate came out beautiful and just as I ahd hoped.  However, the Yugo metal came out a bit grey.... Huh.... Clean but grey...  So no big deal, a bit if cleaning up with the steel wool and a wire brush and we are back to bright metal again.
At this point i should mention that those little pins get stuck in everything... and can be a bit of a task to remove, but possible to do, and before I get blasted for putting raw metal parts into water for hours... yes, they came out immediately and were dried and oiled and yes the rifle headspaces perfectly.  Its the grey on the Yugo metal that has me wondering why?  I know the Lemi Shine is a citric acid and possibly turned the surface grey, or the tarnish that was already on the metal may have been more exposed from the tumbling, but it was surprising that the Swede part came out awesome, but the Yugo needs a bit of help to get back to perfect.  Anybody have any experience in tumbling (Gulp) parts in this red drum of stainless steel tumbling goodness?