Alteenate Tumbling Media

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cwbys4evr

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I hesitate to ask, but I read here that instead of buying walnut at a reloading place, you can get it cheaper at a pet store sold as bedding. I live in a small town where there is no pet store, but we do have a Tractor Supply. I went in there because the have stuff for horses, dogs, and cats. Long story short, no walnut bedding, but they did have two tens that peaked my curiosity.
Cracked corn intended for birds - is that an acceptable corn cob substitute?
Sunflower seeds/hulls for wild birds - substitute for walnut?
Sorry if these questions are incredibly ignorant, I kinda feel stupid for even asking...
 
I think you may have spoilage problems with those.
Any place that handles blasing media?
You could always go here. $40 to your door.
 
Yeah, I didn't think about the spoilage issue...

There is probably a pet store in the nearest "big" town but it's 20 miles away. Perhaps a field trip one Saturday
 
What mdemetz says, or if you absolutly have to buy is locally and not have it shipped in, go the route of rice and put up with kernels stuck in your flash holes.
 
If you live in the country, expect a rat problem using feed as media. I have to keep all feed and seed in steel drums to prevent rats infestations. Not fun!

Order the media from the link in post 2. That's what I do. BTW, they ship fast.
 
Cracked corn intended for birds - is that an acceptable corn cob substitute?
Click to expand...
IMO, no. It's too light. The brass sits on the bottom of the bowl, and the media tumbles around, empty, on top.
 
I recently ordered from Drillspot. They ship free, and very fast. I want to say 40# was about $34.00, and thats enough to last a regular reloader for years! I've tried just about everything, over the years, but my next venture is going to be Stainless Steal Media. Lightman
 
Do what mdemetz says and go with the Drillspot corn cob media. I did the same, and it's enough to last for years. I use mine with a dollop of Mother's Aluminum polish that I get from the auto parts store, and my brass comes out looking brand spanking new after a 4-5 hour tumbling session.

I also use this method to clean live ammo that I get from the CMP. That stuff is downright filthy when it arrives at my doorstep.
 
I use rice. The rice in the flash hole isn't too big of a problem. One solution is to tumble before depriming.

I had a mouse problem until i stored it all in 5 gallon buckets with lids. You can get these for free at Krogers. Just go to the Bakery/Deli and ask for them. They are what the icing comes in, so you'll have to clean it out first. Makes your car smell good on the way home though.

I've also thought of bird seed, but I already have 50lbs of rice stored so I just dip into it when I need it. I'ts usually good for 5 or 6 tumbling sessions before having to replace it with fresh rice (that is if I use dryer sheets to collect the dust).
 
You can walnut hulls at Harbor Freight in person or order online from them as well. Make sure and get the fine grit.
 
I use the Zilla crushed english walnut with Nu-Finish car polish,works great and cheap. I get it at Petco.
Click to expand...
... yep this my method as well....gets brass back to sparkling bright in about 2 hours...that squirt of nu-finish...and just a 2" long, 1/4" wide squirt does it....makes all the difference. And here's another tip...I cut up my wife's used dryer sheets into 2" squares...four of them to each cycle of the tumbler and my media stays almost new.... VERY CHEAP...Best regards, Rod
 
Call around at the feed stores. Here in Sacramento, Western Feed and Pet Supply, a suburban/rural feed store sells crushed walnut at $17/50# but honestly, $40/50# is not a bad price and ought to last you so many years that you won't care about the difference in price.
 
Ironbar - You are the first person I’ve heard that uses Mother’s Aluminum Polish. Is there a reason that you like it better than NuFinish or other similar products?
 
30Cal said:
... yep this my method as well....gets brass back to sparkling bright in about 2 hours...that squirt of nu-finish...and just a 2" long, 1/4" wide squirt does it....makes all the difference. And here's another tip...I cut up my wife's used dryer sheets into 2" squares...four of them to each cycle of the tumbler and my media stays almost new.... VERY CHEAP...Best regards, Rod
Click to expand...

I use the dryer sheets as well...keeps it nice and clean
 
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