I'm new to this reloading thing so bear with me. I would like to start reloading for 45 auto, 9mm, and 223 rem. I recently purchased a Lymann tumbler and a Hornady Kit. The problem that I am having is getting the brass clean. I bought the Lymann green corncob media. I was having problems with a dull finish on the outside but I seemed to have taken care of that with the dryer sheets. Now the problem is the inside. It is not getting near as clean as the outside. Should the inside look just like the outside, and if so any advice on how to go about that. Thanks
Need some help with cleaning casings
- Thread starter Tank45
- Start date
- Status
jfh
Member.
The inside will remain stained. With the exception of one time, with reloads in new cases, and where I hit a real complete combustion sweet spot, I have never had the interior cleanup to somewhat "like new."
However, a more agressive media--like crushed walnut--does a good job of removing the junk and even polish a bit.
Jim H.
However, a more agressive media--like crushed walnut--does a good job of removing the junk and even polish a bit.
Jim H.
Shoney
Member
For very inexpensive cleaning media, go to a pet store. Buy the crushed wallnut "bird or lizard litter" and the corn cob media. IIRC it used to be $15/50lbs.
I mix 1/2 wallnut with corn cob. To improve the cleaning, add a tablespoon full of mineral spirits (paint thinner) and an equal amount of car polish to each batch to be cleaned.
Oh! By the way,
the only casings I know of are lamb, beef, and hog, used to stuff sausage, salami, and thuringer. Brass cases are used for reloading!
I mix 1/2 wallnut with corn cob. To improve the cleaning, add a tablespoon full of mineral spirits (paint thinner) and an equal amount of car polish to each batch to be cleaned.
Oh! By the way,
the only casings I know of are lamb, beef, and hog, used to stuff sausage, salami, and thuringer. Brass cases are used for reloading!
The Bushmaster
Member
Nawwww...Don't worry...When you get them loaded no one will see the inside of those cases...So who cares...
You will not get the inside as clean as the outside. Consider the heat of combustion and the carbon and you will understand the discoloration on the inside. Don't worry about it or it will drive you nuts and you have enough to worry about with this new hobby you have undertaken. Load'em...Shoot'em...And load'em again...Repeat.
You will not get the inside as clean as the outside. Consider the heat of combustion and the carbon and you will understand the discoloration on the inside. Don't worry about it or it will drive you nuts and you have enough to worry about with this new hobby you have undertaken. Load'em...Shoot'em...And load'em again...Repeat.
SilentArmy
Member
Lyman media is CRAP! Expensive and ineffective
As a Once fired Brass dealer, I have spent a couple yrs experimenting with "the perfect mix" for cleaning cases and I have developed it I believe. I have tried ALL the gimmicks and products and it has come down to a 70/30 mix of FINE corncob and FINE walnut (Yes, from the pet store) with a few tbs of a polish called Brass Bright from Berry's bullets. I also use a very small amount of a super fine red powdered rouge and my cases come out (in half the normal time) so bright, you cannot pick out the nickle from the brass as the reflection of one on the other tricks your eyes! I have have many customers comment that I could decap these and sell as NEW. If you want a "New Brass finish, the fine walnut lizard bedding will clean them quick inside and out to look like new unprimed but will mot produce the high polish. Good luck to you!
As a Once fired Brass dealer, I have spent a couple yrs experimenting with "the perfect mix" for cleaning cases and I have developed it I believe. I have tried ALL the gimmicks and products and it has come down to a 70/30 mix of FINE corncob and FINE walnut (Yes, from the pet store) with a few tbs of a polish called Brass Bright from Berry's bullets. I also use a very small amount of a super fine red powdered rouge and my cases come out (in half the normal time) so bright, you cannot pick out the nickle from the brass as the reflection of one on the other tricks your eyes! I have have many customers comment that I could decap these and sell as NEW. If you want a "New Brass finish, the fine walnut lizard bedding will clean them quick inside and out to look like new unprimed but will mot produce the high polish. Good luck to you!
aka108
Member
I've used 100% walnut with just enough mineral spirits to kill the dust. My main interest is to clean the casings for the dies. Not concerned with cases looking new.
evan price
Member
Lizza lizard bedding, fine crushed walnut from PetSmart. If I tumble my .45's overnight they come out so shiny inside and out that they look like new. As silentarmy says, I sometimes have trouble spotting the nickle in the brass cases. CCI cases especially look completely unused except for the dimpled primer.
I don't use any chemicals or additives except every tumbler load I take a used dryer sheet and roll it into a flat tube in my hand, then pinch it into chunks about the size of a wuarter (winds up I get 4-5 pieces from a single sheet) and drop these in the running tumbler. Traps the dirt and dust.
I don't use any chemicals or additives except every tumbler load I take a used dryer sheet and roll it into a flat tube in my hand, then pinch it into chunks about the size of a wuarter (winds up I get 4-5 pieces from a single sheet) and drop these in the running tumbler. Traps the dirt and dust.
- Status
