Case Cleaning?
- Thread starter ugaarguy
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backlash
Member
I have seen some liquid stuff (I think Midway has some), but I'm not sure how easy it is to get the cleaning liquid off the cases.
The Bushmaster
Member
Case cleaning revisited
Can't seem to be able to find the other strings partaining to this over hashed subject (no offence intended...Its just that.....). I know it's here somewhere....
Can't seem to be able to find the other strings partaining to this over hashed subject (no offence intended...Its just that.....). I know it's here somewhere....
backlash
Member
I have found 1 othe thread so far, this is for a liquid type cleaner.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=198142&highlight=clean
koolaid eh?
You can also try a search for "liquid media" with out the quotation marks. There are quite a few helpfull threads that come up. HTH.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=198142&highlight=clean
koolaid eh?
You can also try a search for "liquid media" with out the quotation marks. There are quite a few helpfull threads that come up. HTH.
Smokey Joe
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Case cleaning
Ugaarguy--You asked, "Is there any way to clean cases other than using a media tumbler that you folks recommend?" (Emphasis added)
Short answer is "NO."
Tumblers are cheap, last for years, work for you while you do something else, and the cases come out needing no further handling, drying, etc, etc. Ready to begin reloading right now. What's not to like?
Other cleaning methods, given smokeless powder and non-corrosive primers, include liquids to be drained/dried out of the cases, or labor-intensively hand-cleaning each case. I've tried both. Can't reccommend either.
If the cases in question are cruddy enough to warrant that kind of cleaning, I'd seriously consider recycling them and buying new cases. Well, also given that the cases are not particularly rare or expensive.
Replacement brass for "common ordinary cartridges" is easily available as free range brass in most locales, or cheap as once-fired @ a gun sho.
Ugaarguy--You asked, "Is there any way to clean cases other than using a media tumbler that you folks recommend?" (Emphasis added)
Short answer is "NO."
Tumblers are cheap, last for years, work for you while you do something else, and the cases come out needing no further handling, drying, etc, etc. Ready to begin reloading right now. What's not to like?
Other cleaning methods, given smokeless powder and non-corrosive primers, include liquids to be drained/dried out of the cases, or labor-intensively hand-cleaning each case. I've tried both. Can't reccommend either.
If the cases in question are cruddy enough to warrant that kind of cleaning, I'd seriously consider recycling them and buying new cases. Well, also given that the cases are not particularly rare or expensive.
Replacement brass for "common ordinary cartridges" is easily available as free range brass in most locales, or cheap as once-fired @ a gun sho.
ocabj
Member
I tried the Iosso liquid kit. Waste of money. Too strenuous to use.
I stick with the vibratory cleaner and the 25lb bags of crushed walnut shell I get for $8 (and 8 cents) from the local bird supply store.
I stick with the vibratory cleaner and the 25lb bags of crushed walnut shell I get for $8 (and 8 cents) from the local bird supply store.
OP
OP
ugaarguy
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Thanks for the replies folks. Looks like the tumbler is the easiest way. I've been collecting my brass for a while and I scrounge what I can at the local shootin hole. Most folks around here buy tons of WWB so there's plenty of nice once fired brass out there for the taking.
50 Shooter
member
Iosso to strenuous? You dump the cases in, pull out and rinse off, let dry. Your cases are clean in less then 1 minute, if you don't want to wait for them to dry just toss them in the oven. With it being summer and hot out, I'm sure they'll dry just as fast if you put them outside in the sun.
How many hours do people let their brass tumble? Waste of time and electricity, plus you need some kind of sifter to get the brass out of the media. Then it's more tumbling if they're not satisfied with the results. Most of that time is wasted, you only need the brass clean so you can run it through the dies without marring them. Yes I know people want ultra shiney brass but it's not neccesary. As long as it's clean you're fine, plus you'll have more time to be out shooting.
How many hours do people let their brass tumble? Waste of time and electricity, plus you need some kind of sifter to get the brass out of the media. Then it's more tumbling if they're not satisfied with the results. Most of that time is wasted, you only need the brass clean so you can run it through the dies without marring them. Yes I know people want ultra shiney brass but it's not neccesary. As long as it's clean you're fine, plus you'll have more time to be out shooting.
The Bushmaster
Member
And then there's the worry that there might be a little moisture still left, undetectable, in the case...Tumble them using a media that does the job without aditives. They just have to be clean (although I sure like shinny cases)...
Ron Brooks
Member
Tumblers are the easiest and the best way. Years agoI used to clean my 45 acp brass by heating it in stove in a pan of water with dishwashing detergent. I would heat it up and then pour it into a colander and agitate the cases while rinsing them with tap water. Then I would set them mouth down on a towel on my realoading bench. I would leave it like that for a day, then put it case head down for another day. Primer pocketws and moisture you say, ahhh, I thought of that. Used a lee universal hand decapper and decapped them before washing, A lot of trouble, yes, but it got the job done, and this was as I said a long time ago. about all I shot was 45acp. The tumblers were expensive and tended to be small.
like I said at the beginning though, get a tumbler and say, instead of buying media go to one of the big pet stores and get a bag of small animal bedding, the ground walnut. A whole lot cheaper and the same thing.
Good luck
like I said at the beginning though, get a tumbler and say, instead of buying media go to one of the big pet stores and get a bag of small animal bedding, the ground walnut. A whole lot cheaper and the same thing.
Good luck
KIMBER45TLE
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Vibratory
Vibratory cleaning is the way to go in my book. Like so many others have said, with the liquid cleaners you have to pull them out and let dry. Go to Wally World, get yourself a bag of corn cob pet litter, $2 and pocket change. Then go over to the cleaning supplies and look for "Mr. Metal" cleaner. Again only about $2 and pocket change. Fill your cleaner with the corn cob, then make two rounds of Mr. Metal around the top. Do not drop brass in just yet. Plug the machine in, let it run for about 20 minutes. Now drop your brass in, and come back in about 90 minutes. Nice shiny new looking brass. If you go to your local gun store and buy the corn cob media, your going to end up paying about $18 bucks. Corn cob pet litter is the same darn thing only a heck of a lot cheaper.
Don't tell Wally World what you're doing with it or they'll drive the darn price up.
I usually get about four cleanings before I have to change out and start from scratch again. If you know someone in the sand blasting business they can usually get you a fifty pound bag of corn cob for a really decent price as well.
Vibratory cleaning is the way to go in my book. Like so many others have said, with the liquid cleaners you have to pull them out and let dry. Go to Wally World, get yourself a bag of corn cob pet litter, $2 and pocket change. Then go over to the cleaning supplies and look for "Mr. Metal" cleaner. Again only about $2 and pocket change. Fill your cleaner with the corn cob, then make two rounds of Mr. Metal around the top. Do not drop brass in just yet. Plug the machine in, let it run for about 20 minutes. Now drop your brass in, and come back in about 90 minutes. Nice shiny new looking brass. If you go to your local gun store and buy the corn cob media, your going to end up paying about $18 bucks. Corn cob pet litter is the same darn thing only a heck of a lot cheaper.
Don't tell Wally World what you're doing with it or they'll drive the darn price up.
I usually get about four cleanings before I have to change out and start from scratch again. If you know someone in the sand blasting business they can usually get you a fifty pound bag of corn cob for a really decent price as well.
Smokey Joe
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FOUR cleanings???
I have corncob medium in my tumbler that has been there for over 2 years, done I-dunno-how-many cleanings (I quit keeping track awhile ago.) How can your medium be shot after so little use?? What is the difference I wonder.
FWIW, I do NOT use any additives in the corncob. If the cases are really dirty I just tumble 'em longer. Eventually they come out nice & shiny.
This medium is being used to clean various rifle cases, and my .357 and .45 cases from bullseye pistol league.
But I don't see how there can be such a great difference.
Kimber45tle--WHAT is going on??
I have corncob medium in my tumbler that has been there for over 2 years, done I-dunno-how-many cleanings (I quit keeping track awhile ago.) How can your medium be shot after so little use?? What is the difference I wonder.
FWIW, I do NOT use any additives in the corncob. If the cases are really dirty I just tumble 'em longer. Eventually they come out nice & shiny.
This medium is being used to clean various rifle cases, and my .357 and .45 cases from bullseye pistol league.
But I don't see how there can be such a great difference.
Matt Dillon
Member
I too have used my tumbling media for years, and I extend its life by taking the used clothes dryer fabric softener sheets that my wife would normally discard, cutting them up and putting them in the tumbler with the media. The fabric softener sheets attract dirt to them, and then I simply swap them out, instead of swapping out the media.
"I too have used my tumbling media for years, and I extend its life by taking the used clothes dryer fabric softener sheets that my wife would normally discard, cutting them up and putting them in the tumbler with the media. The fabric softener sheets attract dirt to them, and then I simply swap them out, instead of swapping out the media."
Matt...great idea!
I might add that you probably have the sweetest smelling brass at the range! Maybe Oleg would do a photo with a newborn nestled on top of your cleaned cases. 
Matt...great idea!
I might add that you probably have the sweetest smelling brass at the range! Maybe Oleg would do a photo with a newborn nestled on top of your cleaned cases.
Mr. Tettnanger
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- Dec 23, 2004
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How about the steel wool and hand turning tool from LEE!! I did this for about my first 200 loads before I realized that life is too precious to waste it on that tedious chore. Yeah, get yourself the vibratory cleaner.
Mr. T
Mr. T
Hawken50
Member
i did that exact same thing for closer to 2000 rounds. yeah, i'm cheap. then i built a tumbler from plans i found on the interweb. did i mention i'm cheap? it lasted all of 1hour 13min before burning up, but the results were great. finally i broke down a bought a tumbler (it was on sale). if someone offered me a brand new dillion progressive with dies, on the condition i gave up tumblers forever, i'd say thanks but no thanks.
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