Is it necessary to polish brass

[johndeeere1979]

I was wonder if it is nessary to polish the brass or is it ok to just tumble it. what is the purpose of polishing it? is to to just make it look pretty?

 

[Quigley]

Yes, it is purely cosmetic. There is no difference between tumbling and polishing. If you tumble your brass long enough it will shine, if you add a polishing compound to your media the brass will shine more and tumbling time will be much less.

 

[1911NM]

Clean brass so as not to scratch your dies. Tumbling, yep, pretty, and I can find it easier in the dirt at the range.

 

[ranger335v]

I think my bullets would fall out if my cases weren't polished to a high glitter.

 

[kelbro]

Makes 'em more accurate and provides better terminal characteristics too.

 

[tjj]

and it just makes me feel so much better at the range.

 

[Roccobro]

No.






(it isn't necessary, but too many benefits to NOT too!)

Justin

 

[wally]

Not necessary. I didn't even have vibrator/tumbler my first year of reloading -- just rinsed out the cases and let them dry before reloading.

But it really helps if you hope to find the brass to use again after shooting.

--wally.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Not absolutely necessary, but it does add life to your dies and in my mind, your chambers too - doesn't hurt accuracy either.

Add to this, when you're at the range and proudly open your ammo, wouldn't it be nice if it didn't look like 8 miles of bad road?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I like to clean my Brass until it gets a little shinny. I don't do it for looks but to make sure it's clean so as not to scratch my dies and the smoother surface seems help when they go through the dies. Even pistol rounds seem to resize easier when they shine a little.

 

[Chief 101]

It's all in your heads guys. Shiny is perty but not necessary.

 

[bertus]

another way to clean your cases is to stick them in a sock and bung them in the washing machine.
That is how I started when I took up reloading,came home from the range took oof my socks put the cases in and washed them,the sock doubles as a polishing rag

 

[aka108]

I just want the cases clean. Couple of hours in the vibrator cleaner does the trick. May be some staining left on a few but doesn't affect anything.

 

[dagger dog]

Barney Fife: "Otis (Otis was the 98yr old bank guard there in Mayberry) what are those green things on your belt?"

Otis: "why those are bullets Barney!"

not necessary but desireable.

ditto the wear and tear on the dies.
and polishing does stop wear and tear on the brass also.

 

[bluetopper]

I let mine soak in a bucket of gas with a lid on a couple of days. When they come out they are super clean, which is the intent, but really not shiney.

 

[The Bushmaster]

I Like Shinny Brass...

 

[GaryL]

No, but I've noticed the lack of tarnish on the polished ones vs. non polished in some older stock I have. And I've recently had to sort out and toss or clean up some older military ammo that has started to corrode, so anything that protects the brass is a good idea IMHO.

 

[Harley Quinn]

Part of the gun industry is based on shiny brass, the suppliers would be in a world of hurt if you did not do it Clean brass is good. Shiny, polished to a high glow I am not sure that is needed, but it seems to be in vogue.

I have often wondered if any tests have been done on very shiny brass and very polished chambers if it increased the back thrust of brass moving rearward (lack of purchase) and felt recoil was more

HQ

 

[packnrat]

and it also gives you a chance to find any defects or deffernt head stamps.


brass hounds all the way

 

[Rustynuts]

I let mine soak in a bucket of gas with a lid on a couple of days.

Hey, a good way to get good old leaded gas again!