[NavArch]

For the first time, I tried using pet bedding corn cob (mixed with walnut shell and Nu-finish) as tumbling media. It worked very nicely, and is much cheaper than the 14/20 size corn cob sold to re-loaders ($13 per 40# at Southern States). However, when I used a colander to separate the media from the casings, very little of the larger-grained cob went thru the colander holes. Lots of hand sorting followed.

Suggestions?

[layusn1]

I suppose you could take the money your saving and buy a rotary type media separator. Seems like a large hunk of gear to store when not in use though. Or you could go with the theory that the less you spend the more manual labor will be required, like a Lee case trimmer versus Giraud, and decide what your time and effort are worth.

[RustyFN]

I drilled the holes in my collander larger so the media could drain better but not big enough the cases would get stuck in them.
Rusty

[layusn1]

Man, I hate it when somebody has an obvious answer I overlooked. The Mrs. wouldn't let me use the kitchen colander so I went to walmart and found a super cheap, flat rectangular one which was perfect, just too small for the cheap corn cob so I used it to get the crushed walnut out and just shook out each case by hand. I might have to give that a try. Thanks for the tip.

[ReloaderFred]

I used to use 1/4" mesh wire construction cloth from the hardware store until I bought a Berry's rotary sifter. The sifter I made still works for sorting brass and getting sand and debris out of it, but the rotary sifter works the best.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[Steel Talon]

Hello Nav..

Buy/find a finer grit of cob that will easily poor out of the .223 case. or just use the walnut exclusively.

Peace
Steel Talon:cool:

[Idano]

NavArch,

Go buy the rotary media separator; Cabela's sells the RCBS one under their name for $21.99 or $18.99 on sale. The rotary media separator does a much better job of getting all the media out of the small necked rifle cartridges like .223 and 22-250 then the colander . It also does a better job of clearing the flash holes if you tumble after depriming to remove the case lube.

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

+1 what Idano said. The rotary sifters aren't that expensive and they're a lot more convenient. You'll waste more time futzing with the strainer than you'll save money.

Regards,

Dave

[ilbob]

After more than 25 years of reloading, i just got a rotary sifter. Well worth the $20.

Works a lot better than the various other things I have tried over the years - colanders, cat litter box strainers, hardware cloth, etc.

[JoeHatley]

I replaced the bowl on my last three tumbers with a Lyman Auto-Flo Conversion Kit.

www.lymanproducts.com/lymanproducts/index.htm

Easiest/quickest media seperation I've ever used.

Good Luck...

Joe

[nitesite]

Still using the cat litter box scoop here, and shaking the media out of the cases two at a time.

CAUTION - do not try to use pet litter corn cob in small necked cases! You will be incredible sorry you ever tried to save money.

[ReloaderFred]

nitesite,

You must have used the 1/4" ground corn cob. That will only work for straight walled cases such as .45 acp, 45-70, etc. The stuff you want is the 1/8" grind, which is the same as used by the suppliers of brass polishing media. I pay $15.25 for a 40 pound bag and use it to polish everything, including .223 cases. With a little Berry's, Midway or Dillon polish in it, it does a fine job, and has for a great many years.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[nitesite]

Fred,

Thanks for the info. I use Lyman treated tumbling media, the green stuff, with Nu-Finish so no problems doing bottle necked brass like .223 (a cartridge I happen to reload). Half a jug has lasted me since the first of December and around 4000 cases and still looks good and does a great job!

But I do know of someone who once polished about two hundred .223 cases in the Hartz corn cob bedding sold at Wal-Mart for around $6.00. :rolleyes: Boy did I... uhhhh he ever have a fit over that mess!!! ;)

[RustyFN]

nitesite I feel your pain. It's amazing how much you can learn from one screw up. I am back to walnut and Nu Finish for 223. I still want to try the corn for pistol cases.
Rusty

[Shoney]

1. Try sifting the media before using it.

2. The media that does not sift can be put in a blender/food processor for short bursts and then resifted (Lawyer Speak: Use the wife's kitchen machinery at you own risk!) best when she isn't around.:)

3. Get a rotary sifter if all else fails.

[NavArch]

Thanks to all for the input. I have been tumbling .40S&W so far, but .223 is also on my to-do list. So, the advice about large corn cob granuals and small-necked cases is especially appreciated.

My wife's blender is pretty new, and so far she has been very supportive of my reloading - so we're definitely NOT going that direction. Rotary sifter, here we come.

[OLD DOMENION]

A vibrator media seperator is less than $10.00
Other types will run from $30[?] up into the $50 range.

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Go to the thrift store and buy yourself a used blender for grinding your corncob media. Cheap, simple solution.

Regards,

Dave