Why all the fuss over tumbling?

[SnakeEater]

Howdy. As a new reloader I'm a little confused about something. I've seen numerous posts regarding case tumbling, what's the best media, etc. After seeing so much controversy I was expecting a lot of experimenting before I got it right. Wrong.

I bought a bag of bird litter which is crushed walnut and a bottle of nu-finish. Filled the tumbler 2/3's with media, added 1 capful of polish and 250 .223 cases. One hour later they're bright and very shiny.

So why so much discussion on this basic subject?

 

[RustyFN]

So why so much discussion on this basic subject?

We don't have anything better to do. Seriously I don't know. My guess would be that some like them shiny, some don't and some don't even like to clean them. I clean mine the same way you do. I like mine shiny because I shoot at an outdoor range and that makes it easier to find them in the pea gravel.
Rusty

 

[RevolvingCylinder]

I try to clean them as little as I can. I'm cheap and lazy.

Cleaning isn't hard, it's just that there are so many ways to do it and everybody's got an opinion.

 

[ranger335v]

Mostly it's asked by persons of limited experience who seek short cuts. They just want to know which rifle is best, which dies and presses are best, which powder, which cartidge and load, etc. And which media/polish is "best". Maybe someday they will learn it's mostly opinion and/or hair splitting.

Anyone with a modest amount of experiece knows there are no products that are "best", if that were so there would only be that product survivng in the market. :banghead:

I started reloading in mid-'65 with mostly Lyman products. I suppose it took me maybe three weeks of use to learn it was good stuff. And another three weeks to learn the other brands my friends owned were just as good! Now I just laff when some "expert" tells the new guys to use brand "X", because it's all they ever used, it works for them and it's the BEST!

 

[MinnMooney]

I do the same but w/o the polish. It's just nice to have pretty brass at the range and it saves the inside of your dies from getting scratched.

 

[snuffy]

Snakey, it's because they want to try to re-invent the wheel! You went with one of the short cuts that have been repeatedly put forth here and other places. Using something commonly available to do a great job. You see discussions on what could be used in a tumbler other-than what the gun stores or internet suppliers sell at high mark up. Rice, kitty litter, oil dry, even a guy wondering if peanut shells would work!

 

[taliv]

most of the topics i've seen are around whether expensive products, like treated media, are worth it. not unreasonable questions for n00bs

 

[AmbulanceDriver]

My father-in-law has access to hazelnut shells. TONS of hazelnut shells. He mixes them w/ the wood pellets for his pellet stove, stretches that a bit, and burns a touch hotter.

I'm gonna try that out in the tumbler next.... See what happens.... May need to find a way to crush them a bit smaller though.... Anyone have any suggestions on that?

 

[The Bushmaster]

I can see that it will not be necessary for me to add to this subject...Well... Anyway...I like clean and shinny brass not only because it's easier to find, but also because of pride in completed product...

 

[Ian Sean]

My father-in-law has access to hazelnut shells. TONS of hazelnut shells.

I'm gonna try that out in the tumbler next.... See what happens.... May need to find a way to crush them a bit smaller though.... Anyone have any suggestions on that?

I got a ton of crushed corn cob for free, was too big, tried the blender, did an ok job, but the best thing was a coffee grinder (electric grinder) smaller batches but faster and better grind than the blender.