Cleaning brass.

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2006outback

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Hey everyone.

Just getting in to reloading. I need to get something for cleaning cases. I am looking at either getting a SS pin tumbler or a Lyman 6000 sonic cleaner.

What system should I go with?

Is one better than the other?

Is there a better system or does anyone have something differnt that works for them.

I am just doing pistol for now, but will be starting rifle in the coming months as well.

Thanks.
 
I started off with a small sonic cleaner, but upgraded to a ss pin tumbler within a year. I was processing 40lbs of brass at a time and found the CED tumbler and brass dryer combo really pumps through the volume much quicker and cleaner casings. If the volume of brass you will be processing is smaller, than you may be fine with a sonic cleaner.

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2006outback said:
Hey everyone.

Just getting in to reloading. I need to get something for cleaning cases. I am looking at either getting a SS pin tumbler or a Lyman 6000 sonic cleaner.

What system should I go with?

Is one better than the other?

Is there a better system or does anyone have something differnt that works for them.

I am just doing pistol for now, but will be starting rifle in the coming months as well.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
Someday the moderators will sticky the stainless steel pins so the same question isn't asked ad nusium, 4 times on this page alone with the same question.
 
Thanks for all the replies. Looks like SS pun tumbling is the way to go. Has anyone elected to go the route of sonic cleaner so that they can clean gun parts as well?
 
2006outback said:
Thanks for all the replies. Looks like SS pun tumbling is the way to go. Has anyone elected to go the route of sonic cleaner so that they can clean gun parts as well?
Click to expand...

Yup, I have both.

I started with the sonic and it cleaned, but I had to do it in small batches in order for it to clean in a reasonable time.
I moved on to SS pins and never looked back.
now I only use the sonic to clean my BP pistol bits and the smaller milsurp bits when corrosive is used.
 
I did notice the neck/lips of some 30-06 cartridges seem to get a little dented and beat up from tumbling them. Anyone know if this is a concern after repeated loading/tumbling cycles?
 
Since I only do rifle loading and don't have to process hundreds of brass at a time, I use a sonic cleaner. It gets the brass clean enough for me. The SS pins really do work great for cleaning- but I like the fact I just have to rinse and dry to get brass and not worry about separating media. I also clean gun parts in there too- it is amazing how clean a savage bolt head comes out after a few minutes.

For high volume brass prep I don't think a sonic cleaner is as good an option, but for a hundred or two it works for me. It is also the most gentle on the brass- no fear of neck damage at all. You won't go wrong with the SS pins though- and I don't think the pins will damage or wear the brass, but I don't know for sure.
 
VanMan said:
I did notice the neck/lips of some 30-06 cartridges seem to get a little dented and beat up from tumbling them. Anyone know if this is a concern after repeated loading/tumbling cycles?
Click to expand...

Depending on how big your drum is and how fast it is turning can have an effect on it, I have never seen that kind of an issue with the standard 3lb tubs but if you are using a cement mixer like some, I'm sure it maybe possible when 10 lbs of brass comes down on one neck lol
 
Thats my thought as well, perhaps having a couple of paddles in the drum and a slower rotating speed will help keep the brass from getting damaged.
 
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