So I don't Tumble

[fredj338]

I staryed put just wiping cases off. Clean brass is nicer to reload tjan crudy brass. So I tumble for 2-3hrs on dry media, dump/separate & load them up. Works better for me tjan wet tumbling which makes factory new looking cases, but not needed & really a pita.

 

[raljr1]

I am relatively new to loading, and at 1st I didn't tumble brass Recently I started tumbling brads before I reload it.. And last night I went through some brass that I had not tumbled to begin to process and they were filthy and I was not happy with it.. So henceforth I'm tumbling

Robert

 

[cgt4570]

Tumbling is mostly cosmetic.
That said, I've lightly tumbled loaded rounds to remove a little outside corrosion.
If you have unusually extremely dirty brass, and you don't have a tumbler, there are other, simple ways to soak and clean it like soaking in the sink in dish soap.

 

[BRL40]

To each his own AND To thine own self be true.....In other words I don't care.

Wow, you shouldn't get so overly personally emotional when posting on these threads!

Save that OCD stuff for the actual reloading.

 

[SMSgt]

Being as I have to pick up my brass from the Florida sand and grit, I don't want to ruin my $100 custom dies, so the cases get at least a light tumble to remove the grit. The shine I could not care less about.

The only time I clean primer pockets is when decrimping Mil brass and prepping the pockets. After that, each firing cleans out the previous firing's residue. I don't ever see any "build up."

 

[fredj338]

If you eant clean brass that is kinda shiny, all without the mess & time of wet or dry tumbling, here is what I have done.
1gal bucket of clean water with a 1/2t of lemishine, drop of dishsoap. Wet the an old terry towel & wring it out wet. Roll the brass around in it for a couple minutes. Then repeat with a clean water soaked towel, done. No drying time, clean brass, about 5min.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Started reloading in 1972. At the time it was all about economy, being able to afford to shoot while paying the bills and feeding the kids. I cleaned my cases in plastic buckets, starting with dishwashing soap and followed by two rinses, each done overnight.

By the early 1980's I acquired a nice used tumbler with a drum capable of accepting about 100 rifle cases or 200 pistol cases. Used that with general satisfaction for about 10 years.

Next up was a vibratory tumbler. Greater capacity, but usually required several hours to get a batch done and annoyingly loud while operating. Also, the media (walnut shells) can tend to leave dusty residue overall, and occasional chunks lodged in primer pockets or case interiors. Not a bad machine, but ended up giving it away a few years ago.

49 years into the reloading game, now I am back to plastic buckets with soapy water and double rinse, air dried. None of my reloaded ammo is sparkling bright or shiny, but it always works.

Confession time. I frequently process and reload my brass several times between cleanings. Seems to work just as well without adding another tedious chore. Clean enough seems to be clean enough.

Your methods may vary. OCD may affect your methods.

 

[Rammer Jammer]

I rinse my brass but see no need to tumble it.

My loads don't shine but they sure do shoot!

 

[Skeet 028]

Only primer pockets I ever thought needed cleaning was some 06 and 45 auto military brass most of WWII vintage. The ol corrosive primered variety. All I had at one time to load 25-06. I also had a RCBS case neck reamer as I found it was necessary to ream most brass after sizing. I also washed that brass with vinegar water and a little dish soap(of my mothers brand of choice). I loaded for 20 years with out tumbling. BTW cleaning brass with the formula listed was told to me by the person who gave me the brass. He was a reloader and happened to work at Aberdeen Proving Ground. He told me they actually reloaded some ammo at his place of employment.....cleaned in the same manner. I have no idea why they reloaded ammo but was part of his job. He also gave me my first 30 cal carbine at age 12...and enough ammo I didn't have to reload it

 

[mikld]

I totally disagree with the "filthy" cases post. My ego does not demand ultra shiny brass and I don't care what the shooter in the stall next to me thinks. (One of my first encounters with reloaders, 1969, was at a police range where two shooters were shooting a lot, 1911s. I got close to them and noticed their ammo was loose in ammo cans and were brown. No, not pretty, shiny, but the targets retrieved had one hole, about 2" in diameter dead center after 3 or 4 magazines were fired. They noticed my curiosity and told me they reloaded their ammo and explained a little about it. They didn't need pretty handloads, they just liked accurate, functional ammo.).

Before I tumbled any brass none of my handloads were "filthy". None of my dies were damaged. None of my chambers were scratched. None of my presses were "contaminated" by "filth". A simple wipe with a solvent dampened rag removed any "filth", dirt or grit. The only reason I tumble today is to clean the brass and leave a thin film of wax to prevent tarnish. But my opinions are based on my experiences and reloading for over 40 Years and I have no need to impress anyone with my handloads being pretty...

 

[df06]

Yes you are a bad person��
But it’s your choice
I started out as a bad person, since I’ve worn out one tumbler and working on another.

 

[SW Gun Guy]

Necessary or not, cleaning, sorting, and prepping my brass is an enjoyable part of the hand loading process for me. I guess I still view it as a hobby and not a chore.

+1 I enjoy each step and I like it when the finished product is a nice shiny piece of work. It is a fun hobby and I like to be proud of the look (and accuracy) of my finished product.