Just got myself a new Lyman 1200 tumbler and have a couple questions. Do you guys tumble before resizing or after? The benefit I see in tumbling before sizing is that it's easier on dies, and it's just nice to work with clean brass all the way through the reloading procedure. The benefit of tumbling after resizing would be to get the primer pockets cleaned and save the hassle of wiping case luble off the brass. What is the most logical way to tumble? Maybe before and after?

MOA
I like to tumble before and after. Bad news it does not clean the primmer pockets.

I tumble after resizing because I hate wiping the lube off of cases. I don't really see wear on the dies as an issue, if I somehow manage to wear out a set of dies then I'll be mighty proud of myself and celebrate by going out and spending another $25 on a new set.

Both.

Before in walnut to clean all the crap off. And after sizing I use corncob with Midway polish added. That gets the lube off and makes 'em look purty.

MOA,
I have a system of my own. I use a decapping die first. I feel how much pressure it takes to remove the primers. If no pressure is required, that case is junked because the pocket has expanded to a point that may allow gas leakage. If the primers are removed during sizing, the pressure isn't felt. Once the primers are removed I use a Lyman tool to clean the pockets. During this, I also inspect the cases and wipe any dirt off them. Then its time for the tumbler. When they come out I neck size and trim them as needed, then they go back into the tumbler again. When they come out again I examine them for defect as well as corncob in the flash holes. I use a decapping pin rod with the pin still in to knockout any corncob and return them back into their ammo boxes. It's work, but I'm retired and this keeps me out of the bars. Good luck.

[ 06-10-2002, 12:10: Message edited by: BigBob ]