Tumbling final assembled cartage

[hogcowboy]

I have read several posts that talk about tumbling the final assembled rounds when reloading. Is there a good reason to do this or is it a waste of time. I would like your opinion.

 

[jmorris]

I do it to knock the case lube off. If you don't lube pistol cases, its because you have not tried loading lubed pistol cases.

 

[jcwit]

I believe most do it to remove any case lube from the case. I do not do it as I tumble/polish after sizing, so have no need to. Note also tho it does no harm.

 

[northark147]

Its just a way to get rid of any case lube that may be left over from sizing, finger prints, what have you. If you tumble after sizing probably no need at all.

 

[RustyFN]

I do it for 10 to 15 minutes to remove case lube. Other than that I don't see any reason to.

 

[mcofboise]

I tumble it in some super-fine corn cob media to get any remaining lube, gunk, dirt or whatever off of the finished product and give it that new ammo shine. I've gotten fussier over the years about what kind of abrasive matter I'm willing to to introduce to the bores of my guns. And it looks prettier. As previously stated in other threads, this is for FMJ ammo only. Tumbling exposed lead does it no good at all.

 

[MtnCreek]

I have a friend that says not to tumble loaded rds in a vibritory tumbler because the powder can break down into smaller pieces, changing the burn rate.
Thoughts?

 

[spelsh]

I will openly admit that I probably know nothing about this, but I can't imagine a short period of tumbling (or tumbling at all) will break the powder down. The ammo is moved around all the time from when it is made, transported to the shipper, stocked on shelves etc with no ill effects. Your magazine that is loaded with SD ammo, that is carried daily will get lots of moving around as well.

 

[MtnCreek]

I'm not saying it's true, but I could see how it could (as in: maybe) be possible. Oddly, he tumbles loaded rds in a cement mixer, but will not in a vibritory tumbler.

 

[juk]

I think I remember a guy doing a test of this on this very subject. He made several rounds as identical as possible. He used some for a baseline test, then he tumbled others of the same batch for different lengths of time and recorded the chronograph data. The conclusion was that it didn't make enough of a difference to get worked up about. I think he even tumbled some of his rounds for a day, and they still shot like the baseline rounds.

 

[RustyFN]

I have a friend that says not to tumble loaded rds in a vibritory tumbler because the powder can break down into smaller pieces, changing the burn rate.
Thoughts?

My thought is that I would love to see the results of the testing he has done to prove this. Otherwise I have seen enough testing done by others to prove the opposite.

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

I have a friend that says not to tumble loaded rds in a vibritory tumbler because the powder can break down into smaller pieces, changing the burn rate.

Friends are sometimes overrated.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=498890&page=3

 

[MtnCreek]

Thanks for the link Mike,
Looks like Walkalong and Snuffy could get their own Reloading Myth-Busters show.

 

[hogcowboy]

Okay, it sounds like a final tumble is just for looks then by some. Not enough performance improvement for me at least. Thanks for responses and the link.

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

Looks like Walkalong and Snuffy could get their own Reloading Myth-Busters show.

Ha! I think that's where Myth-Busters got the idea!

 

[Mel1776]

I tumble in clean corn cob medium 15 minutes (with a smidgen of ethanol) if I hadn't previously tumbled the resized, decapped cases.

 

[MtnCreek]

I tumble in clean corn cob medium 15 minutes (with a smidgen of ethanol) if I hadn't previously tumbled the resized, decapped cases.

I always wait until I'm done reloading before taking a smidgen of ethanol.

 

[jcwit]

Looks like Walkalong and Snuffy could get their own Reloading Myth-Busters show.

Don't leave rcmodel out of this.

 

[amlevin]

I have a friend that says not to tumble loaded rds in a vibritory tumbler because the powder can break down into smaller pieces, changing the burn rate.
Thoughts?

Most internet "facts" come from a statement that uses the first 6 words you used in the above statement.

No "vetting" of the information, just a simple statement offered suddenly becomes an "Internet Fact".

As for tumbling, I've done it for over 30 years in both a "Cement Mixer" type tumbler as well as a vibratory tumbler. Rounds have performed just the same as like rounds that were not tumbled. Even personal testing with a Chronograph doesn't show any difference.

If this action in a small tumbler was so detrimental, how would troops ever be able to transport ammo in a Helicopter or C-130? Tons of vibration in both environment. Ever seen how ammo cases are handled in combat? Sometimes the cases, boxes, and individual bandoleers are just tossed around without any regard for "gentle". Those tumblers in our shops are mild compared to what ammo in the field is subjected to.

 

[Seedtick]

Always good for a chuckle

I have a friend that says not to tumble loaded rds in a vibritory tumbler because the powder can break down into smaller pieces, changing the burn rate.

Mike - Friends are sometimes overrated.

MtnCreek - I always wait until I'm done reloading before taking a smidgen of ethanol.

We need one of those little smilies that's just looking down and shaking his head.

I wonder about some of ya'll............

Seedtick

 

[gamestalker]

I use a little denatured alcohol or acetone to remove lube. Even though I've never heard of problems caused by tumbling finished loads, I just con't get past the fear of one possibly detonating. I'm also concerned about other things happening like seating depths changing or primers getting damaged or partially dislodging. I realize me concerns are probably without any or very little merit, but bottom line is, it's difficult to teach and old dog new tricks!

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

I wonder about some of ya'll

Ha! See, I've got a buddy that "knows it all." I grew up with him, and he "knew it all" back then, too. The biggest problem is that he's right about 90% of the time. That's plenty to lull me in the other 10% when he really hasn't a clue. I'm not sure if I should call him "overrated" or just plain "dangerous", but he's something. Good guy, though.

 

[Walkalong]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=495611

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=498890

Good reads, and covers the subject fully.

 

[hogcowboy]

Thanks for the links walkalong.

 

[snuffy]

I use a little denatured alcohol or acetone to remove lube. Even though I've never heard of problems caused by tumbling finished loads, I just can't get past the fear of one possibly detonating. I'm also concerned about other things happening like seating depths changing or primers getting damaged or partially dislodging. I realize me concerns are probably without any or very little merit, but bottom line is, it's difficult to teach and old dog new tricks!

There just isn't enough movement inside a vibratory tumbler to cause a primer to fire. Also, there isn't anything hard enough to fire a primer. Lead tipped or even HP match bullet tips aren't hard enough and don't have the kind of force needed. Same goes for pushing bullets in deeper,IF you have the proper neck tension to start with.

I also use den. alcohol to de-lube cases.BUT doing so with even 500 .223 fresh off the press is NOT my favorite thing to do. Much easier to dump 'em in the tumbler for 10-15 minutes.