Tumbling casings

[predatorpro]

how long do you guys leave your casings in the tumbler?

[Wazukie]

An hour or two 

[JimmyHoffa]

about a day.  I turn it on and go do other things, come back and they are ready.

[cwuwildcat]

Overnight.  Doesn't hurt anything to let them run.  It's not like they can be overpolished.

[runningboard]

Overnight.  Doesn't hurt anything to let them run.  It's not like they can be overpolished.

[Mike450r]

A few hours is good,  you can over tumble your brass.  It takes awhile but essentially it is erosion.

[crazysccrmd]

I use an ultrasonic cleaner. It's quieter, faster and cleans better. Brass is pretty much spotless inside and out in 20 minutes.

[predatorpro]

thanks for all the advice! i got mine running right now with a corn cob medium and alittle polish....i have never had one before but it doesnt seem too advanced...lol just wanted to make sure it was ok to run it for a period of time, what kind of medium do yall prefer?

[2labs]

Been reloading 30 years, never owned a tumbler. Do they shoot better when the're nice and shiny?

[buck man]

Been reloading 30 years, never owned a tumbler. Do they shoot better when the're nice and shiny?

Funny.....but actually yes they do.

[Mike450r]

Been reloading 30 years, never owned a tumbler. Do they shoot better when the're nice and shiny?

I hope you clean them somewhat before loading.  Lots of metal on metal contact,  you want to keep all other debris and grime out of the mix.  Kind of like putting an engine back together with dirty components. 

[LEN]

In reality you can over tumble brass. It has been shown that over polished brass does not adhere to the chamber and does cause problems.

LEN

[Jburke]

I use an ultrasonic cleaner. It's quieter, faster and cleans better. Brass is pretty much spotless inside and out in 20 minutes.

Which one do you use and which polish/cleaner do you use?

[BOWHUNTER45]

I usually let mine run over night and do not add any polishing liquids ..I do not want that type stuff in my casings ...Does it hurt ?  Do not know but I do not like taking chances when it comes to loading my bullets .

[crazysccrmd]

I use an ultrasonic cleaner. It's quieter, faster and cleans better. Brass is pretty much spotless inside and out in 20 minutes.

Which one do you use and which polish/cleaner do you use?

I use a Lyman TS-700 with Lyman turbo sonic solution. It isn't a big cleaner but it gets the job done. I can do around 75 pistol cases and 35 rifle casings in one load. I run it for two 10 minute cycles, rinse the brass off and either set them in the sun or on a rack in the oven to dry.

[Fisherdave10]

I use crushed walnut (http://www.amazon.com/11678-Ground-English-Walnut-10-Quart/dp/B000OQRGF2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1379570008&sr=8-2&keywords=lizard+litter) with red rouge added.  Adding a little bit of mineral spirits makes the mixture virtually dustless.  The crushed walnut I use is too small to plug flash holes. I am very happy with my choice of media.

I usually polish for at least 8 hours and as much as 24 hours, depending on how busy I am.

[TheHunt]

I use an ultrasonic cleaner. It's quieter, faster and cleans better. Brass is pretty much spotless inside and out in 20 minutes.

I have read about the ultrasonic cleaner.  Can you tell us more about this tool?

[Heredoggydoggy]

I polish my fired cases for a few hours to get any grit off of the cases that might scratch the dies.  I use walnut media, and add polishing stuff when the walnut wears out.  And it does wear out after a while.  With the addition of polish, you can run the same media until it turns BLACK.  Media is so cheap, though, it's not necessary to keep it that long....  After the cases are resized, trimmed, chamfered, and ready to prime, I tumble (vibrate) them for another hour to get any lube off of them.  Never tried the corncob stuff, but I heard it's good.

[NRA4LIFE]

I have a Lyman, but don't know the model.  It's been going strong for 20+ years now.  I also use the crushed walnuts.  I have found it works a little better and lasts longer than the corn cob media. 

Here's a tip.  If your wife has any sterling silver objects that will fit in the tumbler, it makes them shiny as heck.  I use a couple small blobs of Flitz when I do her silver candle stick holders.  Makes for a very happy wife.

[docsven]

I used the crushed walnut with polishing medium, better results with longer time.  I used to run it for two hours but found that if you have a full load, more time is better.

[crazysccrmd]

I use an ultrasonic cleaner. It's quieter, faster and cleans better. Brass is pretty much spotless inside and out in 20 minutes.

I have read about the ultrasonic cleaner.  Can you tell us more about this tool?

They're pretty simple. Just drop in brass, add water and some cleaning solution. I run mine for two 10 minute sessions, remove the brass (which sits in a strainer type holder), rinse in the sink under running water and either set in the sun to dry or put in the oven at 150* for a bit.

The cleaning solution basically breaks down the surface tension of the water so it completely contacts every part of the brass. The ultrasonic vibrations create tiny bubbles that form and pop violently at a tiny level. This action breaks loose all the particulates on the brass.