I have never owned a case tumbler, and as a result I have a bunch of really dirty/stained brass. Is there anything I need to know before I buy one? If I tumble sized/trimmed cases, do you have to do anything to the cases before you load them other than dump the media out and wipe them down? Is there a downside to cleaning your cases? What kind of media is best? I've seen walnut and a couple of other kinds. Any guidance anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.
And a last question: Has anyone ordered stuff from www.scharch.com? Its a colorado company, apparently. They sell plastic slip top ammo boxes for about 92 cents each. They also sell brass for what seems like very reasonable prices, along with tumbler media and other stuff. Thinking about ordering some stuff, and wondered if anyone had done any business with them.
Thanks!
jeff
quote:I use the Dillon vibration cleaner and it works well for me...I use corn cob media with added brass cleaner that I got from Midway USA....I haven't ordered from that company you mention....as for cleaning cases...I do it differently than you suggest...I clean brass BEFORE sizing...that way I can inspect it clean and see any problems and it makes the dies last longer without scratches on the brass..after cleaning I wipe the case as part of the inspection and check for caught media and clear flashhole after sizing I check for growth in trim length and wipe the sizing lube from the case.....I use holder/inspection blocks from Sinclair Intl. for batchs of brass.....for pistol brass I haven't heard of any downside to cleaning...some say/think too much cleaning by tumbling will "work harden" the brass the same as shooting/resizing cycles.....I don't tumble my brass for my bolt guns and only for the auto's if they get really gunky....I hand wipe and spin my bolt and precision loaded ammo.....good luck and good shooting with nice shinny cases.....!
Originally posted by raven045:
Hey everyone - Great forum!I have never owned a case tumbler, and as a result I have a bunch of really dirty/stained brass. Is there anything I need to know before I buy one? If I tumble sized/trimmed cases, do you have to do anything to the cases before you load them other than dump the media out and wipe them down? Is there a downside to cleaning your cases? What kind of media is best? I've seen walnut and a couple of other kinds. Any guidance anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.
And a last question: Has anyone ordered stuff from www.scharch.com? Its a colorado company, apparently. They sell plastic slip top ammo boxes for about 92 cents each. They also sell brass for what seems like very reasonable prices, along with tumbler media and other stuff. Thinking about ordering some stuff, and wondered if anyone had done any business with them.
Thanks!
jeff
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If you can't hunt, fish. If you can't fish, Hunt
[This message has been edited by Kerry.S (edited 01-05-2002).]
If you do a search here, a while back there were some recipes from guys who don't use tumblers at all, seems to me they used a mixture of something like lemon juice and dish soap. So don't let not having a tumbler hold you back right now.
I use a RCBS Sidewinder tumbler, which has polished zillions of shells over the last 18 years. They are pretty pricey though compared to the vibratory ones and I think they work about the same,but don't have a vibratory one yet so can't really compare just yet.
I am quoteing 243winxb
"Try this, i got it from the nra. Mix in plastic container. 1 pint water, 1 cup white vinegar, 1 tbl. spoon salt, 1 tea spoon detergent (wisk). shake add brass, shake 5 min. rinse and dry. DO NOT LET BRASS SOAK, THIS MIX WILL EAT AND WEAKEN THE BRASS.I for got and left a container sit for 24 hrs, brass looked ok but when fired, necks seperated at the shoulder on some rounds."
[This message has been edited by I Need Guns (edited 01-05-2002).]