Corn cob media size

[docrice]

I'm just getting into reloading for .45 ACP and I have a Dillon tumbler (the smaller one). I've been told that I can get corn cob media from Wal-Mart so I picked up an 8 pound bag from their pet department. However, the media isn't as fine as some of the name-brand stuff like the colored stuff from Lyman's. Is the Wal-Mart stuff going to be sufficient or do I need media where each bit is like Grape Nuts?

 

[roger460xvr]

I buy the stuff from walmart then put a capfull of nu-finish in it works fine....

 

[jcwit]

I'll bet that stuff from WW is the size of BB's or larger right? Some claim it works OK for straight walled pistol cases. Other people use the corn cob put out by Franklin Arsenal, Lyman, ect., its about the size of #6 shot, large enough to get caught in the flash holes and primer pockets.

I use ground corn cob from Graingers Industrial Supply 20/40 grit. It fine enough that it flows right out of the flash holes and the primer pockets. Fill your tumbler approx. 2/3 rds full with the corn cob and add about 1 1/2 tablespoons of Nu-Finish or any other paste or Liquid cleaning auto wax or polish. Turtle wax and Mothers and Macguires work great also.

Oh yes the stuff from Graingers costs about $23/25 for a 40 lb bag. If you pick it up there's no shipping charges of course.

 

[stonehenge69]

I use ground corn cob from Graingers Industrial Supply 20/40 grit.

+1 on the Graingers 20/40.
The smaller grit has more surface area per sg.inch.
The stuff from Walmart and .223 casings don't play well together.




Trey

 

[Jayhawker]

I've gotten excellent results from ground corncob from these folks:

http://www.greenproducts.com/

I use the 1014 grade they suggest.

 

[jcwit]

Thats the size that gets in the flash holes. Ask them for a sample on 20/40 sometime, polishes just as good. You might like it better, I know I do.

 

[Jayhawker]

I've got a long way to go on the bag I've got. It isn't too bad with the flash holes but I'll give the 20/40 a go next time. Anything is better than the Wal-Mart stuff.

 

[jcwit]

Amen to that. I see they have samples available, don't know how much you get but might talk them into a gal. ziplock bag of the stuff tho.

 

[Walkalong]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=5951197&postcount=12

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

Another Graingers 20/40 advocate here.

Used to scrounge around the pet shops for 1/8" cob, but the Graingers stuff has it beat big time. As jcwit says it just flows right out--no muss, no fuss.

I was amazed to find the number of Graingers shops in our area, too. Thought it would be mail order. I'd never heard of it but they're all over the place.

Oh yeah, works great.

 

[jjohnson]

Yep on Graingers

Yeah, I think I've bought both sizes from them - and they both worked. We're talking pretty small stuff, NOT what you usually get as "pet litter" of any kind, stuff more like the size of a poppy seed or something.

And I haven't met ANYONE who can beat their price.

 

[Geneseo1911]

I bought some of the Walmart stuff as well because I just finished building my tumbler & didn't want to wait to try it out. I also didn't want to buy a 50lb bag and have to store the rest somewhere. The stuff works just fine as far as polishing, and cleaned most of the crap out of the pistol cases (9mm, .38 spec., and .45 ACP). The problem came when I stuck my .223 brass in there. I've spent a fair bit of time picking stuck pieces out of necks. I suspect it would be fine for a 30 cal.

 

[MichiganShootist]

With all respect to some of the other posters.... any car polish that has ammonia in it will eventually ruin the cases.

Both Dillon and a great german company named Flitz make polishes SPECIFICALLY for adding to polishing media. I like the Flitz best but they both work fine.

 

[jcwit]

Automobile polishes/cleaner waxes DO NOT contain ammonia. Man I can just see someone using an amonia based polish on their brand new Corvette clear coat.


Now then if you get into some of the wheel cleaners and engine cleaners whe knows what chemicals are in there. But up till now no one has brought up wheel or engine cleaners.

Car polish and car cleaner waxes are safe.

 

[jcwit]

I bought some of the Walmart stuff as well because I just finished building my tumbler & didn't want to wait to try it out. I also didn't want to buy a 50lb bag and have to store the rest somewhere. The stuff works just fine as far as polishing, and cleaned most of the crap out of the pistol cases (9mm, .38 spec., and .45 ACP). The problem came when I stuck my .223 brass in there. I've spent a fair bit of time picking stuck pieces out of necks. I suspect it would be fine for a 30 cal.

And you have no experience with how good the fine grit will work.

 

[rondog]

I bought a bag of the WalMart cob, waste of time and money. The Grainger's 20/40 is the shizz.

 

[Seedtick]

Jayhawker said -

I've gotten excellent results from ground corncob from these folks:

http://www.greenproducts.com/

I use the 1014 grade they suggest.

Thanks for the link Jayhawker. That's an interesting website. Have you ever tried any of the smaller size? 2040 or 3080? I wonder if that would completely clean out and polish primer pockets in rifle brass? The stuff that goes through the number 80 sieve is suppose to smaller than .007".

I may get a sample of some of their smaller stuff and try it out.

ST

 

[jcwit]

I know I'm not jayhawker but to answer your question, no it will not polish the inside of your cases or primer pockets. Clean them somewhat, yes.

How bout posting their cost for a single bag of the 20/40 grit, and maybe their shipping terms.

 

[lgbloader]

graingers corn cob 20/40 works great. I use this 50/50 with pet lizard crushed walnut and cleans and polishes great. I add a couple capfuls of Nu-Finish and a capful of mineral spirits and it makes my cases *BLING*.

LGB

 

[41 Mag]

I went by one of the local blasting supply places and picked up the grit I wanted in 50# bags for$12 on cob and $15 for the walnut. Spit it up between several friends for cheaper than they could have gotten anywhere else, paid for the whole lot, and still have a full five gallon bucket on hand form close to 8 years ago.

Couldn't tell you how many cases I have cleaned in that time, but I add a couple tbls of flitz and run it till it won't clean anymore then toss it out.

 

[docrice]

Thanks for the responses everyone. There's a Grainger near my house, but I'm not home during the day. However, there's also one close to work, so I stopped by and ordered this:

http://www.grainger.com/1/1/254516-econoline-526040g-40-blast-media-40-lbs-corn-cob-20-40-grit.html

I presume this is what you guys are talking about.

 

[jcwit]

Thats the stuff. Use polish sparingly, more is not necessarly better. I use about 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons per tumbler full. A tumbler full is about 3/4 full, maybe 2 inches from the top.

 

[Ed Harris]

Flash hole diameter is 0.078-0.082, so you want corncob of US Sieve No. 12 size, equivalent to No. 10 Tyler Mesh (1.68mm) or 0.0661"

 

[jcwit]

As long as the corn media doesn't bridge in the hold ie: 2 or 3 or more pices causing a clog. This is why the 20/40 works so well and just flows out of the case.

 

[mdemetz]

How bout posting their cost for a single bag of the 20/40 grit, and maybe their shipping terms.

If you talking http://www.greenproducts.com/

I did not get pricing from them, but got this;
'We normally sell by the pallet (50-40lb. bags); but to cater to other people we can ship a bag or 2 via UPS.'