Tumbler Media Alternatives?

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SwampWolf

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Be it crushed corn cobs or crushed walnut shells, the prices in my lgs range from $17.00 to $20.00 per container for tumbler media. Anybody have any suggestions or ideas for a simple, cheaper "homemade" alternative? Thanks.
 
I haven't needed any myself in a long
time, so I can't expand on current pricing.
I do see where all these folks buy the
lizard litter ( untreated walnut I assume?)
and use that and add their choice of
polishes. ( i do that myself)
 
Depending on how much you reload... that $20 container may last you a year or two. I have 70/30 walnut/corn currently for my dirty brass and it has about 10,000 cases through it so far. Then I have 70/30 corn/walnut for final polish with the same. I still have 1/2 of each container that is still in the bag un-used. It lasts a long time.
 
Not wanting a debate

Greasy oily case lubes ruin conventional
vibratory case media really fast

I can't comment on oily case lubes. I can see how it would load up the media after awhile.

I run dirty brass through the walnut media to get the mud and grit off the cases. Then oneshot lube for deprime and resize. Then wet tumble for full cleaning. The after drying, I run through corncob with nufinish for polish and protecting from tarnish (also acts like lube reducing friction when run through progressive press for loading.)
 
As noted by Rule 3,corn cob blast media is probably the best buy for tumbling media. Also the best dry media I've found after a few years of experimenting. Corn cob blast media, 14-20 is all I have used for probably 30 years...
 
Be it crushed corn cobs or crushed walnut shells, the prices in my lgs range from $17.00 to $20.00 per container for tumbler media. Anybody have any suggestions or ideas for a simple, cheaper "homemade" alternative? Thanks.
The eco-friendly paper-based cat litter works pretty good for cleaning and isn’t too dusty. The Febreeze scent is kinda nice :D
 
As Rule3 said.

I prefer the 20-40 grit since it will flow through most all primer holes. Buying blast media is the best. 40# bags will last you a life time. I normally split it up with others needing it. Pet media may be cheaper but it's scrap that is left over after all the good is removed.

I use the same, works great.
 
I've had bad allergic reaction to the walnut and corn cob media. I used to use rice for the media, run with a little brasso brass polish first. Don't put much polish in or it gumms up.
 
Amazon, Tractor Supply or Home Depot is your friend for media. I have been using using corn cob or walnut in a vibratory tumbler for decades and have never had an issue. I don't have time to mess with pins,water and the like. More time at the range using the media method. I very seldom change out my media so it last a long time. Add a little polish when I want shiny but usually do not worry about it. Pretty does not make for accuracy. I tumble my brass before I size and de-prime so no worries about media in the flash holes. As I mentioned I like to shoot and don't worry about pretty brass so if it don't hit the ground it does not need cleaning...YMMV....
 
Thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions. Using kitty litter or its "equivalent", does it make much difference if you're using a tumbler or a vibrator (in terms of speed, degree of "polish" or both)?
 
Thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions. Using kitty litter or its "equivalent", does it make much difference if you're using a tumbler or a vibrator (in terms of speed, degree of "polish" or both)?
I use a Frankford vibrating tumbler and it works about as fast as corn cob but it soaks up grease and muck better. In my experience it’s the cheapest stuff that works best.
 
I can speak to cost. I bought a 40# box walnut and one of corn cob in 1982-3 (there abouts)

I am still using it. I mix walnut and cobb about 50/50. Don't measure precisely, just dump a cup in. Add a squirt of Nu-Finish.

When I come in from range, universal deprimer and throw it in the Frankfort vibratory bowl. Leave it from 3-24 hours.
 
In spite of my best efforts some Lizard Litter gets into the loading plate on my Dillon 550C and gums up the works. Lizard Litter is somewhat harmless but sand isn't.
 
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