Tumbling media?

[Steel185]

I use Lyman cob media, got it half price (open box). I add some polish and let it tumble for about 5 days. I figure if the tumbler burns up ill get the harbor freight rock tumbler tophrnj uses. They go on sale once a quarter or so. Its all messy, dry or wet. Comes down to how cheep to can get it dine for and how fast or long does it take. If you only clean and use 250 rounds a week you can let it run for longer. Media that can last more uses and still clean is what you want. That's why stainless steel is being used.

Ive never heard of white rice. Ill look into that, if it works well I might be buying several pounds.

 

[EddieNFL]

http://www.drillspot.com/products/521055/econoline_526040g-40_40_lbs_blast_media

 

[Steel185]

The biggest problem i found with the Lyman Turbo tumble media is its large grains they get compacted and stuck in bottle neck rifle rounds. i had to clean out 200pcs of 223 by hand with a small screw driver. I'm not talking in the primer whole, i'm talking the entire case was full of media and wouldn't come out when you turn it upside down. I'll have to get special smaller grain for rifle rounds.

 

[JSmith]

Im using corn cob, and I have a related question about that. How often do you guys change out your media? I'm still new to reloading and I've only tumbled a couple of hundred cases so far. My brass is once-fired factory brass and wasn't very dirty to start with.

 

[jcwit]

Depending on how dirty your brass is "and it sounds like yours isn't very dirty" mine cleans a few thousand cases before needing to be tossed.

Also you can extend the life and remove alot of the dirt by adding a cut up USED dryer sheet to the media then tossing it after. I do this trick, but not every time, maybe every 3/4 times.

 

[JSmith]

Does it look dirty on visual inspection, or does it need changing before that?

 

[jcwit]

Neh! It'll look dirty, grayish/light black.

It'll be pretty obvious. Plus it will take longer and longer to clean/polish.

 

[JSmith]

Thanks, jcwit. The more I reload, the more I learn...

 

[jcwit]

The more I reload, the more I learn...

Believe me, you'll never stop learning, its a work in progress, and never ending, and enjoyable, all rolled into one.