Hornady Media Sifter Review

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DRAINSMITH

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As most of you know I am a Hornady freak. My bench is all most all Hornady with the exception of my RCBS media sifter and my FART. Well, on the 29th of Oct I placed an order thew Midway on the new media sifter and the Rotary case tumbler. Well, today the 17th of April I got my media sifter in the rotary case tumbler is still on back order.

Now for the review:
The bad.
1. It is made from the same material as the RCBS and could have been a little more sturdy.
2. The clamshells do not lock together it requires the lid to hold it together.
3.The handle that locks the clamshell in position could have locked in both lock and rotating position but does not.

Now, the good.
1. It is RED.
2 The clear lid is a good touch.
3. It does not tip over when you rotate the clamshell. Even when you don't hold down on the lid like suggested.
4. Good base it does not creep across the bench when in use.
5. It comes with a mesh screen to drain stainless steel pins. This works great and the didn't even let you know about this feature.

Now, remember this product is about $35.00. It is well worth that but I wouldn't pay $50.00 for it. I sent a review to Midway and gave it 3 stars. I do except to keep it and give my RCBS to my son in law. But I find it only slightly better than the RCBS. Even though it is slightly smaller.
 
Even though Im a pretty happy Hornady customer (press, dies, etc), Ill stick with my Dillon media separator. If I ever break it, it was because I ran over it with my truck. :)
 
I do believe that Berrys plastic (bullets) makes the RCBS sifters. Who know if they make Hornadys??
 
I bought a Lyman Rotary Case/Media Separator years ago. It is very easy to use and it works great. Very sturdy. I really don't think I'll ever need another one. I got it so long ago I can't remember what it cost, all I can remember was that it was a good deal.
 
Kaldor said:
Even though Im a pretty happy Hornady customer (press, dies, etc), Ill stick with my Dillon media separator. If I ever break it, it was because I ran over it with my truck. :)
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I do like the metal crank on the Dillon. I do like the way it clams the clamshells together.

I used to use a cat litter bucket that I cut the bottom out and put square mesh on the bottom to separate my media. I was over at my doc place and saw his separator and told him I was going to get one.

He told me not to because he knows that I have my grandson in the reloading room all the time. He showed me how much "dust" gets out without the lid other separators have. Nice separator, but it's trying to kill you. That is why I originally went with the RCBS.
 
DRAINSMITH said:
As most of you know I am a Hornady freak
Click to expand...

You don't say?!??

Seriously though, thanks for that review. I was thinking about getting one to replace the RCBS unit that literally lasted 3 revolutions before it broke. If it breaks too I can always send it back as well

PS. I use the Dillon separator for dry media. I need something for the wet/SS pin process
 
Nature Boy said:
You don't say?!??

Seriously though, thanks for that review. I was thinking about getting one to replace the RCBS unit that literally lasted 3 revolutions before it broke. If it breaks too I can always send it back as well

PS. I use the Dillon separator for dry media. I need something for the wet/SS pin process
Click to expand...
O.K. I'm not a Hornady freak I'm a super freak.

But on a serious note use your Dillon separator outside with the wind at your back. I was shocked at how much "dust" was all over his bench and how far it got.
 
DRAINSMITH said:
I do like the metal crank on the Dillon. I do like the way it clams the clamshells together.

I used to use a cat litter bucket that I cut the bottom out and put square mesh on the bottom to separate my media. I was over at my doc place and saw his separator and told him I was going to get one.

He told me not to because he knows that I have my grandson in the reloading room all the time. He showed me how much "dust" gets out without the lid other separators have. Nice separator, but it's trying to kill you. That is why I originally went with the RCBS.
Click to expand...

I only wet tumble, so the Dillon is perfect for me. I would not use it for dry tumbling. Im kind of surprised they never made a lid for it honestly
 
I mentioned the mesh screen in my opening remarks. The thing looks like a large hair net. Just for sh!ts and giggles, I tried to see if it would fit over a tray on my dehydrator. It did so I filled it up with the pins and ran it for two five minute runs. After the run, they were perfectly dry. This makes my clean up a lot better.
 
Nature Boy said:
You don't say?!??

Seriously though, thanks for that review. I was thinking about getting one to replace the RCBS unit that literally lasted 3 revolutions before it broke. If it breaks too I can always send it back as well

PS. I use the Dillon separator for dry media. I need something for the wet/SS pin process
Click to expand...

That got my attention. 3 revolutions? My RCBS separator is going on its 8th year! I used it for 5 years to sort dry media out of it from my Big Lyman tumbler, and now 3 more separating s.s. pins from wet Thumbler-tumbled brass. For wet I don't have to use the clamshell closed, but it was wonderful when I used it dry. No sign of anything starting to break....at all. You didn't get RCBS to replace it???

Granted the hinges are on the weak side, and I've always been real careful hooking them up.....and suggest that to others as well....but if I ever break them I will buy some Home depot brass hinges with pull pins and bolt them in. That would last until my house burns down. IMO the hinges are the only weakness....besides color for....some.;)
 
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I pickup a used rcbs separator that the inside basket hinges were in sad shape. I cut them off and put on some metal hinges. Made a big difference. Works with dry or wet real well now.
 
Rule3 said:
It amazes me that the mighty Dillon can not put a cover on their media separators?? But I guess this is the "reloader" method of dealing with it.:what:

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And thats why I dont dry tumble period, dust. I hated it when I was a kid helping my grandfather, hate it now. And I wouldnt consider the Dillon tub for dry media unless it was just walnut shell and I did everything outside.
 
GW Staar said:
That got my attention. 3 revolutions? My RCBS separator is going on its 8th year! I used it for 5 years to sort dry media out of it from my Big Lyman tumbler, and now 3 more separating s.s. pins from wet Thumbler-tumbled brass. For wet I don't have to use the clamshell closed, but it was wonderful when I used it dry. No sign of anything starting to break....at all. You didn't get RCBS to replace it???

Granted the hinges are on the weak side, and I've always been real careful hooking them up.....and suggest that to others as well....but if I ever break them I will buy some Home depot brass hinges with pull pins and bolt them in. That would last until my house burns down. IMO the hinges are the only weakness....besides color for....some.;)
Click to expand...

I sent mine back to Amazon. It seems to me it was made as cheap and flimsy as possible but still survive shipping intact. After that there’s no way anyone would belive that piece of crap would hold up to moderate uses unless the customer babied or reworked it. I’m truly suprized RCBS would put their name on that steaming turd.
 
Well, I predict that "steaming turd" will continue to serve me well for another 8 years before the hinges break......for both wet and dry.....and I've never had to breath media dust either. If and when the hinges do eventually break, I won't mind spending $5 and an hours time to make it last a lifetime. To each their own.
 
Yup I have the RCBS as well and only been using it for wet tumbling. I have ten lbs of pins in my tumbler so there are a lot of pins and brass that go into it. Going on 4 or 5 years with it and no issues. It could have been made stronger but is what it is.
 
Nature Boy said:
I sent mine back to Amazon. It seems to me it was made as cheap and flimsy as possible but still survive shipping intact. After that there’s no way anyone would belive that piece of crap would hold up to moderate uses unless the customer babied or reworked it. I’m truly suprized RCBS would put their name on that steaming turd.
Click to expand...

"steaming turd"?:what:

Wow must have ruffled your boa!:):)
 
IMG_6089.PNG
I bought the Cabela's brand ripoff of the RCBS. It works well and seems sturdy enough. I will say though that it feels best if placed on the floor in front of me when I'm seated and then I turn both handles in unison.

I also dry tumble a mix of 50/50 corncob and wallnut media in a Thumler's model B. I haven't had any dust problems with this combo.
 
460Shooter said:
View attachment 786792
I bought the Cabela's brand ripoff of the RCBS. It works well and seems sturdy enough. I will say though that it feels best if placed on the floor in front of me when I'm seated and then I turn both handles in unison.

I also dry tumble a mix of 50/50 corncob and wallnut media in a Thumler's model B. I haven't had any dust problems with this combo.
Click to expand...


Same here, except I bought the MidSouth brand ripoff. Lot of these look like they came out of the same mold just different colors. The one from Hornady looks good but I don’t see any significant advantages over these brand ripoffs we have. If you’re heavily emotionally invested then you’ll need your color.

The one from Dillon looks superior to everything else, of course. But again, no significant advantages. Not going to put out the bucks for the color. Hmmmm, maybe for wet tumbling?

Don’t see how anyone puts up with dusty media. That would drive me nuts. Used dryer sheets, car polish, and mineral spirits equals no dust.
 
I never intended this to be a bashing thread. Knowing that I was the only one, or one of a very few that owns a Hornady tumbler I wanted to give an honest assessment of this product, As most of you know I have a lot of Hornady products on my bench and I do think highly of it. It would have been so easy to say (This is the greatest thing of all time. buy once cry once). But I wanted to help my fellow reloaders. But when I see something in a product. that can kill you either mine or yours I will mention it.
 
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