Cleaning

[rockquarry]

Everyone should believe what they choose and practice what works well for them. This is not something that will be resolved factually on the Internet. A published report by a credible entity would be required and for whatever reason that's unlikely. This will continue, for the same reasons, with many such subjects that lack evidence-based testing and data. They surface regularly.

 

[Lance Boyle]

I once made the mistake of doing a poor job of wiping lube off and intended to finish in the RCBS tumbler. I left way too much lube on the cases and the dirt in the walnut made a sticky grunge on the shoulders and necks. A great way to clean the dirt out of your media!

I had to take a cloth with a heavy dose of rubbing alcohol to clean up the combined mess. Should have done that without the dirt!

Iirc it was the Dillon spray lube of lanaolin diluted with alcohol. Basically ordinary lanolin pad lube thinned out but the same once the evaporative carrier floated away.

 

[rockquarry]

I once made the mistake of doing a poor job of wiping lube off and intended to finish in the RCBS tumbler. I left way too much lube on the cases and the dirt in the walnut made a sticky grunge on the shoulders and necks. A great way to clean the dirt out of your media!

I had to take a cloth with a heavy dose of rubbing alcohol to clean up the combined mess. Should have done that without the dirt!

Iirc it was the Dillon spray lube of lanaolin diluted with alcohol. Basically ordinary lanolin pad lube thinned out but the same once the evaporative carrier floated away.

Many use media far beyond its useful life. It's an expendable item and should be replaced regularly. Media is cheap. It becomes discolored when dirty and doesn't clean as well. I'm guilty on this one, too.

 

[gym cat]

One word answer. NO!!!!!!

 

[venomballistics]

I've heard the tumbling of live ammo can damage the powder grains, increasing its burn rate and risking over pressure.
clean by hand if you must

 

[Raf1963]

I found some old ammo in a box. It is .308 round nose corlock and is old and cruddy. Is it safe to put in into a tumbler to clean? There are 10 rounds.

I'm thinking if you have to ask that question you should already know the answer.

 

[bph9]

It all depends how extensive the corrosion is. Myself, I have an old washer motor with a buffing wheel put on it. A wire wheel could also be substituted. I have buffed down by hand old corroded ammo and if the walls of the cartridge are not eaten through its safe enough to shoot. Probably expect a hangfire or even a dud round if the powder or primer deteriorated from water damage or other types of contamination.