I am new to reloading and would like to know what tumbling media can be used?

I am allergic to Nuts and Walnuts so want to avoid their shucks due to the dust?

What do people tumble with and do you use more than one kind of media?

Also, what additives do you use for polishing?

Most people use either walnut or corn cob. I use corn cob from walmart, sold as pet bedding, about $4 a bag, still on my original bag. I use a couple harbor freight(just around the corner) tumblers. Work great, about 45mins. does the trick. I also use a little car wheel polish, only added some the first time I used the media, add some and run it a couple mins. to disperse it evenly before adding empty cases, if you don't it can clump and get packed into the cases. I load straight wall handgun cases. Media lasts a long time, many thousands of cases. Never bothered with the dryer sheet "trick".

Sir,

There are generally two kinds of media used, either the crushed walnut shells as you mentioned, or crushed corn cobs. The latter will solve your allergy problem. You may have to use something stronger than average in the way of a polishing compound; when I began reloading, I used some corn cob media and had trouble getting the cases clean in a reasonable period of time.

People use a variety of polishing agents; some use car polishes such as Nu Finish, others buy the stuff that Flitz makes, still others make their own concoctions from mineral spirits and other items.

I'm hardly an expert; I'm sure those who fit that category will show up here soon.

Andy


P.S. Looks like I'm behind again!

For under $30, get this stuff and not worry about buying any more for a long time. No worries with allergies either. Econoline 526040G-40 Blast Media, 40 Lbs, Corn Cob, 20/40 Grit

Don't really need to add anything to it, but adding the Nufinish to it every 4th time or so will make them sparkle. How long you have to tumble depends on how full your tumbler is. I run mine on a timer for 4 hours, comes out clean as a whistle.

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S&W15-22 RIA 1911
CZ75B SR9

Crushed Corncob media works slightly different than crushed Walnut shells but will do a good job for you especially since you can't use Walnut shells. I've found Walnut shells will clean the brass faster because it's slightly more abrasive but Corncob medial will shine the brass more although it will take a little longer because it's slightly less abrasive.

When I first started using a tumbler I used Corncob media and it worked very well. Someone gave me a bunch of Walnut shell media and I use that but it didn't work as well IMO. My "cure" was to use a 50/50 mix of both but IMO Corncob media does a better job so you really aren't losing by using Corncob as your cleaning media. (again, IMO of course)

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Same here only I bought mine at PetCo...$4 for a huge bag. It's more course than the corn cob stuff sold specifically for tumbling but it cleans very quickly and is great for straight walled cartridges. Do not use it for bottle neck rifle cartridges...trust me on this one. The media packs very nicely into those casings and is a PITA to get out.

Welcome to the addiction and good luck.

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Have .44, will travel

Tumbling brass can have 2 results:

1) Clean for reloading or to remove case lube

2) Polished to bright and shiny

#1 is easily done, but #2 can take a long time with just corn cobs if the brass is tarnished and oxidized to a brown patina.

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S&WHF 366

Another option is rice. I've tried it and it worked, but I like walnut better. There are also some ceramic media options, that can apparently be used almost forever, with an occassional cleaning. I now use walnut with Dillon rapid polish and a used dryer sheet. Does the trick for me.