How often do you change tumbling media?

[jcwit]

The irony is you are picking up and washing brass cases to save a few bucks an hour, reloading. And most of you guys don't realize you are throwing even easier pickings into the garbage can. Next time I wash my media, I will record a video. Is ridiculously easy.

If you think $24/hour is not much, calculate how much money you are saving sitting in front of your press, picking up brass, tumbling and separating your cases, casting and lubing or pc'ing your bullets, or w/e else you do for this hobby. You will be sorely disappointed when you add up the numbers. The only people that can touch that are the guys who have a free source of lead and a progressive press.

I don't calculate everything I do by the hour as to how much I save. Never calculated how much it costs me to eat a meal or how much time and money is spent sitting on the throne.

 

[GLOOB]

So you are taking this personally, and you are going out of your way to argue a position based on... nothing? You've thrown out so many responses that don't make any sense, already. I don't get it.

 

[jcwit]

I can order 1000 new cases in 5 minutes. That's way faster than picking it up.

I haven't picked up a case in 5 years, other than those I've shot. No need to, as I have more brass than I'll ever use up. Case in point 45 acp? conservative estimate, 10,000, 9mm, 50,000.

Hey, gotta go, those tires are waiting.

 

[MightyMO1911]

*sigh. Evidently all forums are alike.

I change my media when it doesn't work anymore. Hit that point and it's obvious. I'm all for saving money but ground corn cob is dirt cheap. Switch it out when it needs it.

 

[jcwit]

So you are taking this personally, and you are going out of your way to argue a position based on... nothing? You've thrown out so many responses that don't make any sense, already. I don't get it.

Obviously!

 

[Rule3]

I can order 1000 new cases in 5 minutes. That's way faster than picking it up. Have a nice day.

So you would order new brass rather than pick up used ones? There is a heck of a lot more savings in using fired brass than cleaning used media.

I think this thread is toast.:banghead:

 

[GLOOB]

I haven't picked up a case in 5 years, other than those I've shot. No need to, as I have more brass than I'll ever use up. Case in point 45 acp? conservative estimate, 10,000, 9mm, 50,000.

Wow, so I'm pretty dumb to pick up my cases, then. I should just wait for someone to give me 60,000 pieces of brass. And I'll never pick up a case, again. What did you do, win the brass lottery? And you have never picked up a case? Oh, wait, you said you pick up your own cases, STILL. So what was your point?

Dang, why are you paying for media? Seems like you could trade for some of your 3 lifetime supply's worth of free brass and lead. When you have finished filling your media silo, your grandkids won't have to buy media, either.

 

[Schwing]

I know sometimes these threads get a little argumentative... I enjoy reading them a lot for for it. It kind of points out how we all have a different mindset, like our mindset and get stuck in it.

To me, it is fascinating what some people do with their time. For example, I find it almost ludicrous to clean my tumbling media. Then I turn around and polish all of the lube off of my loaded rounds because it bugs me... Then others spend hours trimming handgun brass... IMHO, a waist of time yet I spend hours now powder coating all of my handgun bullets which, to be honest with myself, is also a huge waist of time. I just like doing it and hate it less than polishing lube off of my finished rounds.

Different smokes for different folks.

 

[GLOOB]

So you would order new brass rather than pick up used ones?

Are you serious? No. Context, my friend. Go back and try putting that comment into context.

these threads get a little argumentative

I'm happy as a clam to explain my perspective on this. I'll still be here when JC comes back from the VA. I'm glad for his service to my country. And I'm happy that my tax dollars are spent on his well-being, and that my time on the forum can give him something to get excited about when he's bored of looking at his barn full of free brass and free lead and his purchased media.

The discussion falls apart, because no one can refute this. So they just go off track to brag about unrelated things.
Adjusted to 67 cents a lb, 3 lbs to fill a tumbler, 60 minutes in an hour:
It takes me about 5 minutes to wash a tumbler full. Hmm. How much money do I save on 50 rds of 9mm? About 3-4 bucks? But that takes well over an hour, including the casting and picking up, sorting, and cleaning the brass. I save a measly couple bucks an hour reloading. And I'm saving $24.12 an hour by washing my media.

I do understand the time & work involved. Dump spent media in bag, toss bag in trash, fill tumbler with fresh media.

Is used media dirty? Yup. You have handled it 10-20 times already when you separated your cases from the media. Is handling it one more time the straw that broke the camel's back, or something? Dumping it into a plastic bag is exactly what I do with it. But instead of dumping it into the garbage, I add a few cups of water, squeeze it out, and the dump it into a tray. Then dump that back into the tumbler. I don't reserve clean media for a final step. I don't bother with dryer sheets. When my media doesn't work as I want it to, I restore it in 5 minutes.

yet I spend hours now powder coating all of my handgun bullets which, to be honest with myself, is also a huge waist of time.

I find it ludicrous that anyone would do this. And I have actually tried it, myself. I suggest you try tumbling your cast reloads in corn cob with a healthy dose of mineral spirits to remove the tumble lube off the noses.

 

[jcwit]

Ever factor in the cost per hour you spend while shooting?????

Life is good to be retired. No worries about what anything costs per hour. hehehehe

Adjusted to 67 cents a lb, 3 lbs to fill a tumbler, 60 minutes in an hour:
It takes me about 5 minutes to wash a tumbler full. Hmm. How much money do I save on 50 rds of 9mm? About 3-4 bucks? But that takes well over an hour, including the casting and picking up, sorting, and cleaning the brass. I save a measly couple bucks an hour reloading. And I'm saving $24.12 an hour by washing my media.

Unreal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wonder how many dollars I should but my daily devotions at?

 

[jcwit]

I'm happy as a clam to explain my perspective on this. I'll still be here when JC comes back from the VA. I'm glad for his service to my country. And I'm happy that my tax dollars are spent on his well-being, and that my time on the forum can give him something to get excited about when he's bored of looking at his barn full of free brass and free lead and his purchased media.

What you talking about???????
I got back from the VA at 4PM eastern time.

when he's bored of looking at his barn full of free brass and free lead and his purchased media

Ya, I know, don't you wish. I blew $20 bucks on a 40 lb bag of media.

It's tough having bucks.

 

[GLOOB]

Ya, I know, don't you wish. I blew $20 bucks on a 40 lb bag of media.

It's tough having bucks.

Life is good to be retired. No worries about what anything costs per hour. hehehehe

I'm glad you can keep yourself amused within your means, my friend. W/e makes you happy and you can afford is what you should be doing. I would be lying if I said that I reloaded simply to pass my remaining time on earth. I get a bit of reward from the monetary aspect, as little as it is. If reloading didn't save me significant money, I would not do it. I get more enjoyment out of designing and making unique things, not the same thing over and over.

If I did this solely to pass the time, I would just as soon take up crochet or scroll-sawing or building model trains. At least you have something to show for it in the end. Reloaded ammo just gets shot.

 

[RugerOldArmy]

"I find it ludicrous that anyone would do this. And I have actually tried it, myself...."

With such a perspective, why do you find it so hard to accept that others may have the same take on cleaning media?

 

[GLOOB]

One difference is that "I have actually tried it."

Second difference is that anyone that is capable of shooting cast handgun ammo without leading and smoke will also agree it's a waste of time. There is very little practical benefit that you can point out in this case, for a relatively time-consuming endeavor. The OP of that comment even admitted as much, stating he feels like it is a waste of time other than he enjoys doing it!

Other thing is, I don't mind at all. I have not directly responded to anyone expressing merely a difference of opinion. I have responded to the posts that are being snide or using bad logic. I do that for my own personal enjoyment. I like poking holes in faulty arguments.

So far, the only direct challenge to my cost:benefit analysis basically boils down to "I don't value my own time, because I'm retired and rich and have nothing better to do. And I don't like icky dirty toxic media, but I use it to clean my brass. So I eat only the red M&M's and throw the rest of the bag away." I don't challenge that response. That's good for him. Do what you want. The other silly stuff about pollution and being cheap, or not having to count picking up and sorting brass because "I already have 60,000 cases" are what I refuted. Being cheap is spending more time and energy than is worth, in order to save money. I have mathematically shown that reloading itself, is a bigger waste of time than washing media, on average.

 

[RugerOldArmy]

" I like poking holes in faulty arguments."

You'll may love the State of the Union address tonight then!

More power to you cleaning media, and some may well benefit from the option.

Fresh media is simply a sure, cheap, path to 'bling' brass. A requirement to many of us here, who take pride in our handiwork.

 

[sauer1911]

WOW THIS IS AMAZING! I have been away for a few days and this is 3 pages long!

I like seeing how long my walnut media can last. I really dont care how much it costs, or doesnt cost! That is not the point.

If I can clean it and reuse it, I will. Why by more if you dont need to?

I can and do buy brass, I collect it, I reuse some etc, etc,.

If you don't wash it that is ok, If you do I dont see a problem.

This is how I do it, you do it your way, all is good!

Just sharing some cost saving ideas. If you dont wanna use em, don't.

Oh yeah I also use my own mix of motor oils/atf/stp at $.24 an ounce!

Now there is a new can of worms that has been beaten like a dead horse!

be safe

 

[9mmepiphany]

WOW THIS IS AMAZING! I have been away for a few days and this is 3 pages long

Yes, it has gotten way too long.

I think most points have been made and argued enough for others to make their own decision