Tumbling multiple calibers- FYI

[Reefinmike]

For what its worth- A while ago I remember reading a post by an elder- walkalong I think- That you can tumble different calibers as long as you put the largest in first, let them fill with media and then throw in the smaller ones. For years now I have been doing two separate two hour tumble sessions each week for my 45's and my 38/357/380. I tumbled my first properly layered multi caliber batch and was surprised to find no small cases made their way into the larger ones.

Just though Id pass this little tidbit along... It will save me a couple hours tumbling each week

 

[horsemen61]

awesome good to know mike

 

[Weber]

I just throw them in there, they all fill with media.

Sometimes I have to run it for a few minutes so I can fit more in there.

 

[GBExpat]

That you can tumble different calibers as long as you put the largest in first, let them fill with media and then throw in the smaller ones.

Sounds very wise to me. Thanks for sharing.

I have never mixed cases like that, but if I ever do, now I have a Plan.

 

[tootall]

I have changed my process from 'tumble all at the same time' to doing them separate.

Why?

I accumulate dirty brass in zip lock bags after range time. When I have enough to sort I use the plastic sorting bucket 'filters' to separate the brass. The dirty brass is then put in caliber specific 'dirty brass bins'.

When I have enough brass of one caliber (or need some for reloading), I tumble that lot, inspect and then store in 'cleaned' bins.

This has worked better for me. I have marked bins with cleaned brass ready along with a 'dirty' bin for the sorted brass.

This way I'm only sorting brass once.

 

[Walkalong]

walkalong I think-

Reloader Fred was actually was the first I saw to post this. Works great.

 

[Elkins45]

Lyman used to market mesh bags you could put your brass in so the smaller ones wouldn't lodge inside the others. I used them on and off, but now I just wait until I get a big batch of similar mouth diameter and tumble them together.

It's not the tumbling together I mind, it's the sorting afterwards that I find tedious.

 

[Schwing]

I don't tumble different calibers together because I am too lazy to sort them out after. I have accumulated enough brass that I just have a tumble day about once a month. I put it outside and tumble one batch right after the other.

 

[Rule3]

Here , you can be really metro and buy these or use you scrunchies!

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/618687/lyman-turbo-tumbler-brass-baggies-package-of-12

 

[MtnCreek]

Thanks for the info. My one and only time was mixed 9mm, 40sw and 45acp. It turns out 9mm fits snugly into a 40 and a 40 fits into a .45. It was a mess.

 

[John3921]

Thanks for the info. My one and only time was mixed 9mm, 40sw and 45acp. It turns out 9mm fits snugly into a 40 and a 40 fits into a .45. It was a mess.

yup, did that once.

 

[gamestalker]

I have tumbled mixed cartridges like this before, but I usually try to avoid doing so, cause I can't stand the sorting process. Sorting when media isn't present just seems a bit less cumbersome to me.

GS

 

[Maj Dad]

I don't tumble different calibers together because I am too lazy to sort them out after.

Dillon and I'm pretty sure Midway sell a three-basket graduated tier to separate brass by size. It doesn't stop 32 pistol or 30 carbine, but everything else will be sorted enough to make final sorting a snap.

https://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/25434/catid/8/Shell_Sorter

 

[oldpapps]

I'm happy for you all with your mixed tumbling.

I learned long ago the some pistol brass just loves to 'nest'. I only do .40s, .44s and .45 and have learned. I have also learned the those hammer kinetic bullet pullers will get the smaller brass out.

Moving on to rifle cases, few things irritate me more than the neck of a .223/5.56 not being cleaned because it got stuck in a bigger case.

So, I just don't mix and tumble many cases. So, I'm happy for you all.

 

[Icky The Great]

I found some old Tupperware bowls at a thrift store and drilled many holes in them. I sort my brass by dia before hand and tumble. Pour the tumbler into the bowl over a big bucket and run the next batch. I continue this for a good portion of the day. Then collect my buckets of media and put the aside. Having 3 buckets of media allows me to empty out the first set of cases and tumble the next without going thru the hassle of shaking the media right now. I can do it upstairs while I watch TV and sort out any bad casings. Or mostly often I leave the shells to be sorted another day.

 

[Icky The Great]

BTW, If you have some friends local to you who reload and use tumblers, corn cob and walnut shell can be bought in 40-50lbs bags for about $15-30 dollars off of sandblasting supply places. Its not coated with polish but it works well.