Why tumble live rounds?

Robby from Long Island · Jan 20, 2010

I'm curious. Why do people want to tumble ammunition they have just finished putting together.

While I've only been handloading for a few years, have always found it easy to simply put my just fired cases in the tumbler when returning from the range, let it do its job for a few hours and then take out my bright shiny brass and set it aside until ready to start the reloading process.

Normally, from the time I reload 'til the time I shoot them again, there is no time for tarnishing to take place, and therefore my question. Why tumble live rounds?

Not being a wise guy, just curious.

shootinxd · Jan 20, 2010

I have to have BRIGHT shinny lookin reloads.Just me!

Gunfighter123 · Jan 20, 2010

I don't think it is a very good idea to tumble live rounds --- the gun powder can "break down " from tumbling and the results when fired can be a safety issue.

snuffy · Jan 20, 2010

Why? To get the lube off my loads coming off my dillon when doing bottle neck cartridges. When I kick that loader into gear, I do no less that 500 at a sitting. Some will say, well just wipe them down. Uh huh, you just try that sometime.

Another scenario is to put a final finish on any loads done in any quantity. To get finger prints off and any residual lube. It is NOT a good idea for some lead boolits that might have some lube on the exposed nose. It'll gather dust and gunk on that lube, nasty!

EddieNFL · Jan 20, 2010

To remove the lube.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=498890

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1386281&page=2

snuffy · Jan 20, 2010

I don't think it is a very good idea to tumble live rounds --- the gun powder can "break down " from tumbling and the results when fired can be a safety issue.

Oh? Then why didn't it here?

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=498890&page=2

Take a look at post # 27 AND # 35!??¿

Two different calibers, two different powders, no "break down". Quit repeating myths, unless you have personally confirmed them.

Gunfighter123 · Jan 20, 2010

Two different calibers, two different powders, no "break down". Quit repeating myths, unless you have personally confirmed them.

http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com/2008/09/02/why-you-should-not-tumble-clean-loaded-ammo/

Hey Snuffy ---- is this a " myth " also ---------- don't bother wearing shooting glasses when you are shooting or reloading , after all , you got two eyes and the chances are a million in one that you would lose both eyes ????

Floppy_D · Jan 20, 2010

Gunfighter123 said:
Hey Snuffy ---- is this a " myth " also ---------- don't bother wearing shooting glasses when you are shooting or reloading , after all , you got two eyes and the chances are a million in one that you would lose both eyes ????

Tumbling live rounds and not using PPE are not the same animal; I don't think those practices equate.

So, for fun; how is factory ammo put together? With mystical dies that don't leave die marks? Why is factory ammo shiny? It must go through some cleaning process.

Okay Gunfighter, let's use your source:
Answer: “… Extensive tumbling can cause the breakdown of the powder grains.
Tests run some years ago by a commercial entity did indicate that potentially dangerous changes in powder charge burning characteristics do take place after PROLONGED periods in either a vibratory or a tumbling cleaner. The key word here is prolonged. Many manufacturers of ammunition do a final cleaning of their product either by tumbling or a vibratory process before boxing it for shipment.

Underlining is mine.

If tumbling ammo is dangerous, should the military stop transporting it on bumpy roads? I betcha surplus ammo has seen a lot more tumble than the 30 minutes or so it takes to polish up and clean the lube off of loaded ammo.

jcwit · Jan 20, 2010

Quote:
Two different calibers, two different powders, no "break down". Quit repeating myths, unless you have personally confirmed them.

http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com...n-loaded-ammo/

Hey Snuffy ---- is this a " myth " also ---------- don't bother wearing shooting glasses when you are shooting or reloading , after all , you got two eyes and the chances are a million in one that you would lose both eyes ????

Once again it is proven anything can be found on the net!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

snuffy · Jan 20, 2010

Once again it is proven anything can be found on the net!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yup, and there's always some gullible people that don't even start to think it through, swallow it hook-line-and-sinker! Give somebody a keyboard, they instantly become an ex purt, oops scuse me an authority!

Again why didn't mine and walkalong's test result in powder breakdown? Oh I guess 48 hours wasn't "PROLONGED enough. Okay, define "prolonged". How much longer should I tumble those shells? Some other type of powder? A different caliber/cartridge?

In addition, just what is going to cause the powder to "break down"? Rubbing against itself? Rubbing against the smooth interior of the brass casing? Take a close look at powder, you do have a magnifying glass around, don't you? It doesn't have sharp corners, AND it's coated with graphite, a natural lubricant. Then try to crush an individual granual of powder. It's some tough stuff.

RDA 226sig · Jan 20, 2010

Yawwwwwn....I somehow think we have been down this road before. A thousand times. A short tumble cleans up the rounds a bit but if you are happy with stuff that looks like it has been around since WWI that is fine with me. Tarnished rounds shoot but I like mine shiny.

Robby from Long Island · Jan 20, 2010

Thanks for the response guys. I have to admit, Hadn't been thinking in terms of progressive reloading as I only use an old rock chucker and all other features of handloading are done individually.

Since I never reload more than 50 or 60 rounds at a time, I can afford to remove excess lube by hand with a clean cloth. But I can definitely see where it would be a pain with several hundred.

Like I said, just curious and now I know.

The Bushmaster · Jan 20, 2010

Get along with the tests Snuffy...Everyone is waiting [im]patiantly for you and Walkalong to complete the other thread...

Between you and the cold and Walkalong and the rain we'll never get this done... :evil:

Roccobro · Jan 21, 2010

I don't think it is a very good idea to tumble live rounds --- the gun powder can "break down " from tumbling and the results when fired can be a safety issue.

Complete FUD.

NEXT!

Justin

Sudden Impact · Jan 21, 2010

How about this...

Those who feel comfortable tumbling loaded rounds...Go ahead!

Those who do not feel comfortable tumbling loaded rounds...Don't!

Now everyone can be happy.

(This issue will never be agreed on by all.)

EddieNFL · Jan 21, 2010

Sudden Impact said:
How about this...

Those who feel comfortable tumbling loaded rounds...Go ahead!

Those who do not feel comfortable tumbling loaded rounds...Don't!

Now everyone can be happy.

(This issue will never be agreed on by all.)

Wise beyond your years.

Jacka L Ope · Jan 21, 2010

Why do people want to tumble ammunition they have just finished putting together?

I dunno. Prolly (for the English majors... :neener:

) why I opened this thread for a peek. Otherwise, I consider my finished rounds ready to be chambered.

Cheerio!

W.E.G. · Jan 21, 2010

I don't think it is a very good idea to tumble live rounds --- the gun powder can "break down " from tumbling and the results when fired can be a safety issue.

Die rumor! Die!!!

snuffy · Jan 21, 2010

Hey Snuffy ---- is this a " myth " also ---------- don't bother wearing shooting glasses when you are shooting or reloading , after all , you got two eyes and the chances are a million in one that you would lose both eyes ????

This doesn't really deserve a response, but I will anyway.

You start out on the losing side of an argument, then resort to implying I don't wear safety equipment? I have no choice but to wear glasses, so I make sure they're plastic lenses, they won't shatter.

Take a look at the test results on this thread, post #67 and 71. Like sudden impact said, if it don't seem like a good idea to you, then don't do it!

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=498890&page=3

Walkalong · Jan 21, 2010

if it don't seem like a good idea to you, then don't do it!

Yup....Free country....for now....

Why tumble live rounds?

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