I have seen on several post to polish or tumble brass for up to 3-4 hours. I've been told about 30min is all you should do, due to the fact that it wears down the brass.

So, ,, my question is. .. how long do you polish brass for and what is the best media? This should be a fun one . .. :~?

TGW

I use treated corn media, but the walnut is nice because it does not get hung up in the primer pockets

------------------
www.rifleshooter.com

Everybody and his mother that reloads has a specific "system" to tumble their brass. Almost always arrived at after a series of experimentations. I usually use a vibrator tumbler from Midway, which is probabely not as good as the Dillion job, but it was what I could afford at the time.

I use corn cob for slightly discolored and dirty brass. I quit using the walnut, just didn't like the finish. For really dirty or discolored brass I tumble in a rock tumbler with one quart water, 1/4 cup white viniger and a small squirt of liquid dishwashing soap. From my experience the type of soap doesn't mean squat, but others disagree.

Usually for several hours, depends on how cruddy the cases are. I have tumbeled them for up to eight hours for "brown" brass. I rinse in cold, clean water and dry. I put them on a wood stove for five minutes or so to dry. Others use hair dryers, electric or gas ovens set real low, or what have you.

For pistol cases which go on the progressive, that's all I do. For rifle cases or others that go to the single stage press, I resize and then run them through the Midway vibrator for an hour or so.

I have to agree with Bill, you would have to run them for days to get any appreciable wear on the cases, in hard media. I've been cleaning my cases like this for at least six years, and using the liquid solution for over twenty. Most of my cases have been reloaded over ten times and look just fine. It is usually the firearm that trashes the case by denting or runing the rim.

Try different methods and use what works best for you, in the amount of time you want to spend, to get the product you require.

------------------
Surely we must all hang together, for separately we will all surely hang.

Everybody and his mother that reloads has a specific "system" to tumble their brass. Almost always arrived at after a series of experimentation. I usually use a vibrator tumbler from Midway, which is probably not as good as the Dillion job, but it was what I could afford at the time.

I use corn cob for slightly discolored and dirty brass. I quit using the walnut, just didn't like the finish. For really dirty or discolored brass I tumble in a rock tumbler with one quart water, 1/4 cup white vinegar and a small squirt of liquid dishwashing soap. From my experience the type of soap doesn't mean squat, but others disagree.

Usually for several hours, depends on how cruddy the cases are. I have tumbled them for up to eight hours for "brown" brass. I rinse in cold, clean water and dry. I put them on a wood stove for five minutes or so to dry. Others use hair dryers, electric or gas ovens set real low, or what have you.

For pistol cases which go on the progressive, that's all I do. For rifle cases or others that go to the single stage press, I resize and then run them through the Midway vibrator for an hour or so.

I have to agree with Bill, you would have to run them for days to get any appreciable wear on the cases, in hard media. I've been cleaning my cases like this for at least six years, and using the liquid solution for over twenty. Most of my cases have been reloaded over ten times and look just fine. It is usually the firearm that trashes the case by denting the case beyond repair or ruining the rim.

Try different methods and use what works best for you, in the amount of time you want to spend, to get the product you require.

------------------
Surely we must all hang together, for separately we will all surely hang.

[This message has been edited by Steve in MI (edited 12-11-2001).]

Corn cob media is probably the most economical. It can be reused many times when re-treated with something like Lyman tumbling additive, or even car polish.

If the brass is already fairly bright, about 2 hours in a vibratory tumbler is needed to assure that all of the "gunk" (lubricant residue) is scoured off of the cases. Overnight may be required for stained cases. Vibratory tumblers are generally faster acting than rolling tumblers.

[This message has been edited by Mauser98 (edited 12-12-2001).]

I've been using Corn Cob with Dillon Rapid Polish 290 in a Dillon Tumbler. I think the brass will come out a little nicer next time if I keep it in there longer. I been running the tumbler for only about 1 hour.

I also think that I'll mix some Walnut into the mix, but not sure what type of polish I'm going to use next time.

It's time to experiment, ,, :~/

Thanks Again,
TWG

PS HAPPY HOLIDAY or as George Castandsa would say from the Stienfield TV show "HAPPY FESTABIEST".

Al

Take them out the next day, and begin reloading. I always clean before I resize.

Works for me.

Pecos

Since I am currently loading aorund 2,500 9mm's, I decided leave a small batch of brass in the tumbler for 5 days.

Yup...5 whole days. And guess what...the brass was the same size as when I put it in. (I marked several pieces of the brass I was gonna toss with some deep scratches, and measured them before and after.)

No difference at all.

Were the brighter and cleaner after 5 days in the Lyman? No...they looked the same as the 1-day brass.

quote:

---

Originally posted by ricciardelli:
Okay, your question provoked me to do something.

---

Being provoked is very provocative. .. :~)

What media did you use for your science project?

TGW

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bill T:
TG Woody: I use a Dillion Magnum FL-2000 Cleaner. I've found for it's size and cost, it's a good buy as well as a good piece of equipment. I use ground corn cob media because it works the best of anything that I've found and it's cheap enough to toss when it gets dirty. I add about 4 capfuls of Dillions Rapid Polish to the mix and usually let it run for 6 to 8 hours and the dirtyist brass comes out better than new, inside and out. Don't worry about the little piece of media that will usually stick in the flash hole, your decapping pin will push it right out with the spent primer. I have reloaded thousands of rounds this way and have never broke a decapping pin because of it. Bill T.

---

Bill,

What caliber do you mostly reload?

Have you found any good VARMINT spots in your area??

TGW

Havasu has some of the best BEAVER shots around :~), I think the seasons best in the summer. .. (what do you think?? hehe)

We'll have to hookup at Ben Avery or Rio Salado some time. ..

Thanks for the input.

TGW