Really, what is it about clean, shiny brass?

same reason folks wash their cars. also, it's easier to spot damaged cases when they're cleaned.

Clean cases prevent damaging your dies. Clean cases prevent loading trouble if stuff is caked up inside the case.

Polished cases look good. They make me feel better about my reloads so I shoot better.

Do they need to be cleaned and polished like new? That is up to you.

I like it because it's the brightest, shiniest and newest looking (i.e., I like bling).

I also use stainless steel media.

I think NeuseRvrRat hit on the head - it's easier to see damaged cases, plus I don't want my dies to get scratched.

And on top of all that - I just like the bling!

Clean cases chamber easier in the AR15, especially if it has a match chamber, and when using a speed loader for a .357.

Because I'm just anal retentive like that. I also have my powder organized by approximate burn rate.

its the oooo, aaaah factor i get when my buddies look at my box of cartridges and pick them up and say "these are handloads?"

To me it's pride, plain and simple. I take great pride in the quality of my reloads and shiny brass is just part of it. The side affect is it's easier on the equipment, too.

Hope this helps.

Fred

To me it's pride, plain and simple. I take great pride in the quality of my reloads and shiny brass is just part of it. The side affect is it's easier on the equipment, too.

Hope this helps.

Fred

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Yup, what Fred sayes. Its the same reason I shave daily, wear clean cloths, have my hair cut, wax & keep my car washed, oil my firearms, wax the stocks, wipe off my tools after using them, never ever leave the house with jogging pants on and rarely wear white shoes(I wear shined black leather shoes and/or shined boots.

I know something must be the matter with me. But I do attempt to look as good/sharp as possible at least for a 68 yr old fat guy.

The 2nd and 3rd posts said it.

Its just older people that don't have anything else to do. 10#'s of Corn cobb would last me for years with a little of polish. Had nothing better to do and played with wet SS media and it looks better but doesn't shoot any different. My process is faster than the "old" method with the volumes I do but it really makes no difference as long as it is clean before it hits the size die.

CozMoDan said:

I agree about the damage detection, dies and the build up of gunk, however that is just clean, how about the cleaning them until you can see your face in them, that, is truely the question.

The Coz

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As said, shiny brass is a "touchy, feely" thing and up to the individual if he wants to see his face in the brass.

Before the introduction of reasonably priced vibrating tumblers, I used an ultrasonic cleaner I already had on hand with detergent to clean my cases. Got them clean, but not shiny. Worked just fine as far as loading and shooting was concerned.

But the cases were dull and stained.

Shiny is do much better.

Besides dry tumbling, I do have wet, stainless pin tumbling capability. I like it, but feel it is a bit over the top, I use it when the inside of cases are real dirty after a number of shootings.

I use SS media. Mine always come out clean and shiny. It is the nature of the method. I prefer this method as I don't have to deal with media dust. It all gets flushed down the sink and my garage doesn't have a thin layer (or thick layer if I got lazy) of dust that surrounds the area that my tumbler used to sit at.

I use pins in my Lyman twin and personally like the "new" look.For me the question can be turned around and asked why does it bother or matter to others if someone likes to have their brass so shiny?

I'm neither old, nor do I have a particularly large amount of time on my hands, but my brass is clean. Vibratory tumbler only and corn cob media only. Typically I just dump a batch of brass in the tumbler, turn it on and go find something else to do, so it's not like I'm sitting around waiting for the brass to finish tumbling. Adding a used dryer sheet to the media has all but eliminated the dust problem for me.

I like it clean because it cuts down on the amount of grime on my hands when loading the cases and it also makes it much easier to find when the AR kicks it out on the ground. For range pick-up, cleaning is required just to assess the condition of the case. I don't even bother to decap it before giving it a few hours in the tumbler.

CozMoDan said:

...just a simple question.

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Seems to me the simple answer is "Folks like their brass clean and shiny."

Nothing like putting dirty brass in the tumbler, and a few hours later, I sift the cases, feels like finding gold in a river.

Like one poster said, us old folks have a lot of time on our hands.

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We 31 year olds don't have all that much time on our hands, but we still like our brass shiny.

It is a well know fact that shiny brass shoots more accurately than dull brass.

And I will ignore facts to the contrary.

Because its purdy.

45acp cases. 30 minuts in the ultrasonic cleaner, then an hour in the vibrator with corn cob and NuFinish brings the cases to a high lustre. Now imagine a thousand rounds of that in an ammo can. Almost to beautiful to shoot ;-)

Y'all are leaving out the most important reason: to irritate the other shooters on the line

(I wasn't supposed to keep that quiet was I?)

dbarnhart said:

Because its purdy.

45acp cases. 30 minuts in the ultrasonic cleaner, then an hour in the vibrator with corn cob and NuFinish brings the cases to a high lustre. Now imagine a thousand rounds of that in an ammo can. Almost to beautiful to shoot ;-)

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Oh, a thing of beauty and a joy forever.