It seems like it may last longer. I am anal about my reloads and the guys laugh at me at the range because my brass supposedly could win a beauty contest. I get told all the time that shiny brass doesn't shoot any better than dull. So I did a little test, I made a couple of 7.5 Swiss reloads. One batch was just wiped down with no tumble or polish then loaded. The other batch was prepped with my OCD polish. All cases were trimmed to the EXACT length prior to loading had the EXACT powder charge and the EXACT bullet and COAL. I went shootin yesterday and here are the results. The clean brass held a uniform length and only stretched a negligible .003. The dirty brass stretched .008. The stretch was pretty much consistent on all cases so I just averaged them. So my thoughts are that maybe the dirty cases "gripped" the chamber walls and stretched a hair on extraction? I really am stumped on this one but it seems with some expensive brass calibers it may be worth polishing them up so they dont stretch as much and your brass will last longer. Whats your thoughts on this?
Shiny brass doesn't shoot better but......
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Grumulkin
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Like oiling/lubing cases. I would think that yes, the cleaner slicker (Especially when using polishing agents that leave a bit of wax on the cases) brass moves back towards the breech face/bolt a little more than drier, stickier, "dirty", thus stretching a bit less. Seems feasible.
Did the some of the brass act like a greased round and alowed the brass to stretch more? I think several more tests would be required to come to a definative conclusion.
I also like my brass to be clean and shinny.Just my preference.
I also like my brass to be clean and shinny.Just my preference.
Clean brass makes it easier to spot cracks and potential case failures; the cracks show up as dirty lines on the shiny case.
Although I haven't done any comparisons per say, but this might be kind of contrary to your results, but in opinion only. I don't use polish on my brass, I just tumble it until it's completely clean and new looking. With dirty brass, I would think there could be soot and other surface residue including case lube residue that could interfere with necessary case sieze during firing, which I feel would increase case stretch? Where as a clean surface that is completely free of any residue, including polish that may even transform to some extent when pressures and heat present during firing, may interfere with case sieze. Yes, no, maybe?
I'm in the same boat. Shiny brass make me 
. Shiny brass also makes inspection easier, dies cleaner and makes for faster aquisition with the sun shining off them when they hit the ground.
. Shiny brass also makes inspection easier, dies cleaner and makes for faster aquisition with the sun shining off them when they hit the ground.Clean shinny brass puts less wear on the dies ... plus it looks nice. One of the things that pays big dividends for rifle load accuracy is cleaning the inside of the case neck. Greatly reduces runout when using a FL sizing die.
Grumulkin
Member
I use stainless steel media to clean my brass. Talk about CLEAN!
i did one time check for accuracy with different cleaning methods and found that different cleaning methods can result in different bullet impact points.
i did one time check for accuracy with different cleaning methods and found that different cleaning methods can result in different bullet impact points.
Couple of the RSO's at my local range were asking how my ammo got so shiny lol! I told them stainless media.
Who knows if it is more accurate (I doubt it), but sure looks pretty.
Who knows if it is more accurate (I doubt it), but sure looks pretty.
FROGO207
Member
Pride in ownership of any item is paramount and brass that shines is ALWAYS a pint of pride when going to the range. I will state to others that my ammo is reloaded by me and is more accurate. Then proceed to show them that it without a doubt, is. Some of the brass that I reload over and over at the range to develop a load will not get cleaned nor will a pile of it that I will use and load and use the next day. All other brass will be cleaned before reloading, besides the reloaders conduct code of ethics requires it.
If I think that the brass shoots better when it shines like the sun then it DOES shoot better.
Some of the brass that I reload over and over at the range to develop a load will not get cleaned nor will a pile of it that I will use and load and use the next day. All other brass will be cleaned before reloading, besides the reloaders conduct code of ethics requires it.If I think that the brass shoots better when it shines like the sun then it DOES shoot better.
35 Whelen
Member
I always throw my brass in the tumbler after sizing. One, to shine it, and two to get the case lube off it. I too like shiny brass. My 7.5 Swiss brass I try to get very bright as I shoot High Power and at the end of rapid fire strings it's much easier to find shiny brass than dull.
I've been told by some of the guys with whom I compete, that technically brass that's a little dingy or dirty is actually easier on the rifle because when fired it grips the walls of the chamber better thus decreasing bolt thrust.
35W
I've been told by some of the guys with whom I compete, that technically brass that's a little dingy or dirty is actually easier on the rifle because when fired it grips the walls of the chamber better thus decreasing bolt thrust.
35W
Captaingyro
Member
I have a Thumlers waiting under the tree. The stainless pins are on the bench, ready to go. (BTW, the folks at PelletsLLC couldn't be any nicer, or better to work with).
I don't much care if shiny cases shoot better or not...I like good looking guns and good looking ammo. Homely women can be just as enthusiastic as beautiful ones (don't ask me how I know), but given the choice...
I don't much care if shiny cases shoot better or not...I like good looking guns and good looking ammo. Homely women can be just as enthusiastic as beautiful ones (don't ask me how I know), but given the choice...
You didnt mention but did you trim the dirty brass? I would figure if you didnt trim it that would cause variances as well
mmorris
Member
.... besides the reloaders conduct code of ethics requires it.
It's the code of the west ... south ... east ... and north ... it's the code. Everyone has to have a code they can live by ... even reloaders.
It's the code of the west ... south ... east ... and north ... it's the code. Everyone has to have a code they can live by ... even reloaders.
That's why I use the Stainless Media now. I don't worry about crud buildup inside the case affecting powder capacity or burn.
Every case is a "fresh case".
Every case is a "fresh case".
I dont care what anyone thinks, I like my brass to be super shiny and look like new. I know a lot of guys that say "its too much work." Thats just plain lazy.
You guys that use the stainless and a rotary tumbler...it really works that well?
Only thing really holding me back is I don't know how much brass the Thumler's Model B will handle at once, with the water and media too. I'm very interested, but if it will only do a couple hundred at once, seems like a lot of time. How much can you really do at one time?
Only thing really holding me back is I don't know how much brass the Thumler's Model B will handle at once, with the water and media too. I'm very interested, but if it will only do a couple hundred at once, seems like a lot of time. How much can you really do at one time?
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