Stainless Steel Media

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chagasrod

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I'm contemplating to use this media (Stainless) but the only videos i can find show someone using it with water, soap and a rock tumbler;

I wonder if it will work as dry media inside a regular vibratory Tumbler.

Anyone has tried that yet?
 
No, stainless steel media must be used wet in rotary "drum" tumbler, not dry vibratory tumbler (although some models do have wet vibratory option).

For cleaning fouling off spent cases, I use dry walnut media (about 30 minutes for range brass). For polishing cases, I use corn cob media with brass polish from Dillon/MidwayUSA or NuFinish liquid car polish (about 1 hour for mirror finish).
 
I believe bds nailed it.

Would like to know of a good source for it tho. I've seen what it is capable of and it really does make brass look like new inside and out.
 
I just started using Stainless media a few weeks ago and it is fantastic!

Yes you need a rotatory tumbler and water to use the type of media.

The best source to buy in quantities likes we need is http://www.pelletsllc.com/ !!!!

No one else sells it cheaper or in smaller amounts! $4 per pound with a minimum order of $25. You normally need 5lbs of media.

Thumbler's Tumbler model B is a great buy and idea for this kind of work. Mine holds 5lbs of the SS media and 1k of 9mm at a time. It takes maybe a hour to totally clean the brass inside and out. Good idea to decap the brass first to get all of the dirt out of the brass.
 
I did a quick google search & found several sources like Amazon.com & eBay
Click to expand...

I do not deal with Amazon as I understand they deal in pedophile merchandise, books as I understand, therefore, well I think you might get my point.

Thanks anyway.
 
I checked the stainless media out some time back; and the results are truly impressive.

I shoot pistol. The only problem I saw was I could buy a decent gun and a good supply of ammo for the cost of the media and tumbler.

I take pride in my cartridges' appearance, but stainless goes beyond my needs.
 
I do not deal with Amazon as I understand they deal in pedophile merchandise, books as I understand, therefore, well I think you might get my point.
Click to expand...

Actually, I believe they were just in the news for removing that crap, not for currently having it.
 
The price is really not as bad as some of you are claiming.

First of all the media is $25 for 6lbs + shipping and you never have to replace it like you do with corn or walnut media.

The tumbler can be bought used on sites like Ebay or Crigslist for much less then full price. This is what I did and got a Model B for $96 shipped. The cost of a vibratory tumbler is $40-$65 and are loud and don't last nearly as long.

All in all there is more work that goes into cleaning your cases with SS but, it does that much better of a job.

In total I paid $150 for media and tumbler but, I got 10lbs of media thinking I would need it for a second unit later. I will never need a second unit as this does a ton of brass per batch and cleans it beyond that of any vibratory tumbler can.

Is this for everyone? No but, heck there are some that don't clean their cases at all!:what::eek:
 
jcwit said:
Going to try the rock tumbler from Harbor Freight.
Click to expand...

I'll second that. I load it up and let it run all night in the garage,using just walnut shells. Brass looks brand new. If funds are tight I discovered that a heavy rubber band works great when the 2 belts provided fail.
 
I'm retired--got lots of time on my hands.
I make a mandrel from 3/8" steel rod---I cut down the end so a case will stick to the end of the mandrel & run it on a drill press---I only use my rifle cases.
As it spins -- I hold steel wool around it & the case shines like crazy.
This is the last step in my case prep.

223mandrel.th.jpg
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223polishedcases.th.jpg
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jcwit said:
I believe bds nailed it.

Would like to know of a good source for it tho. I've seen what it is capable of and it really does make brass look like new inside and out.
Click to expand...
That's the thing, jc. I can never get the inside of my cases THAT clean. They(with stainless) look like new brass..
 
I'm retired--got lots of time on my hands.
I make a mandrel from 3/8" steel rod---I cut down the end so a case will stick to the end of the mandrel & run it on a drill press---I only use my rifle cases.
As it spins -- I hold steel wool around it & the case shines like crazy.
This is the last step in my case prep.
Click to expand...

I'm retired also, have been for 10 years now. I enjoy shooting and all aspects of reloading, but with that said I don't believe I'd enjoy sitting or standing at a drill press polishing brass with steel wool. Much rather be at the range shooting. Also this does not clean the inside of the case or primer pocket at all. Once polished "using a tumbler" close to 5,000 cases of .223 brass, I can just see myself doing that with steel wool. OOOOOHHH yea, dream on.

Nope, I'll keep my tumbler and look into the steel media idea.
 
I clean the primer pocket after trimming the case.
I don't have 1000 cases to do.
I don't care about the inside of the case as it is covered with gun powder.
To each his own...............
 
I don't care about the inside of the case as it is covered with gun powder.
To each his own...............
Click to expand...

There is a study that was done about using dirty brass and barrel erosion. I can't remember where I read it right now but, when I find it I will post it.

It says that those bits and pieces of old gun powder get super hard over time and when you fire the rounds the bits go down your barrel causing premature barrel erosion.

Cleaning the inside of the brass serves a purpose as well.:what:
 
Most of my guns are 35/60 years old.
I clean them everyime I use them.
I don't have barrel erosion---belive it or not.
Whatever floats your boat.
 
Have you checked them with a bore scope?

I have a friend who shoots out a barrel a year to year and half, depending on caliber. A barrel will start to show wear with only 1,000 rounds thru it.

But then as you imply they are your rifles and it is your brass.
 
Another option available is Ceramic Media.I've been using it in a Thumblers B for quite a few years for BPCR cases.The brass comes out looking like new,inside and out,including the primer pockets!---FWIW,Mike.
 
I have looked into the ceramic media and it costs a bunch compared to $4 a pond for stainless but, if I recall correctly you don't use water with the ceramic media?
 
Buffalo Arms carries the kit for $42.00. I fill the tumbler with just enough water to cover the media,add a tsp of cleaner,and throw the brass in and tumble.When done I dump it all in a collander and rinse.Throw the cases on an old cookie sheet and into a warm[200] degree oven to dry,about 10 min.Cases come out like new,another bonus is the fact there is no residue to scratch your dies.--Mike
 
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