Cleaning cases by hand

Knottybuoy

Knottybuoy

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
13   0   0
Location
Vancouver, BC
I only reload .303 British and I do it on a budget, so I use a Lee Loader and do it all by hand, so I haven't invested in the more "fancy" stuff like a tumbler and a press and all the bench tools (which would be sweet - one day)

Anyways,

I usually just use some WD-40 to clean off the powder residue, and that does a good job but after a few firings I'd like to get them back to a more factory look.

Is it safe to use Brasso on casings? (Just outside of course)
 
When I started reloading, I would just give the cases a warm soapy wash and rinse. After they were dried I buffed them with ultrafine steel wool. I would sit and watch a movie and polish cases. I now have a case vibrator etc. and still polish them by hand sometimes.... It does a nice job.
 
I guess I'll be the first to say it...Why don't you just spend $100 and get a tumbler that'll last a lifetime, trust me it's worth the money and the time you'll save.
 
I too am reloading .303 British on a budget. This is the solution that I use.
4 cups boiled water, 1 cup vinegar, 1 tbsp. table salt, 1 tbsp. dish soap.
I scrub them in the solution with a nylon brush, I towel dry them and let them sit neck down to dry over night.
while I am trimming the cases with my drill and trimmer, I buff them with some 0000 steel wool. They look great.
 
I'm on a budget as well I've got way too many hobbies and not enough money. I do like the idea of a tumbler so I've started to build my own. Once I get it built and running I'll post a video.
 
Steel wool, use it to clean up the exterior, and maybe a soapy wash to get rid of loose stuff inside, worked for me for years before I started to use a vibratory tumbler with walnut or corn cob. I now use SS pins but there is no difference in accuracy or brass life, my brass just looks prettier.
 
soapy water with a brush.... and steel wool.
you can use the canadian tire once a year car polish orange bottle

or get a tumbler, really.
 
As long as the cases are clean of dirt and sand i'm happy, if not wash. Got way to many to load and not enough time as it is. If other projects ever get done i might build a tumbler but would rather spend the money on more components. Used to have a polishing cloth for cleaning up real bad cases, worked good. May have been a g96 product.
 
mjn said:
I've never seen these steel pins where do you get them and do they do a good job.
Click to expand...


The wet-stainless method works very well... Only if you like brass that is clean and shiny inside and out.
De-priming prior to the tumble ensures that the primer pockets too will be completely clean.

This is what 500 dirty old oxidized .223 cases look like after a two hour ride in my home built tumbler... The insides are as clean as the outsides.

 
"...just use some WD-40..." Quit doing that. WD leaves a thin flim behind. So does any liquid dish soap.
Both vinegar and Brasso are hard on brass. Brass is a soft metal alloy. There are reasonably inexpensive liquid cleaners though. Best to buy a tumbler.
 
I cleaned all my brass while on the night shift with #0000 steel wool for years. Then I bought a basic Lyman tumbler "my god" what a difference. Should have bought the tumbler at the same time I bought the press many years ago. Do yourself and the end of your fingers a huge favour just go buy the best tumbler you can afford, you will never regret it. I am just about to switch over the media from walnut bits to the stainless pins as I hear there the ultimate.
 
seriously, how can you have money to reload and not to buy a damn 60$ tumbler, are you kidding me. internet is 60$ a month.
 
mrgoat said:
I cleaned all my brass while on the night shift with #0000 steel wool for years. Then I bought a basic Lyman tumbler "my god" what a difference. Should have bought the tumbler at the same time I bought the press many years ago. Do yourself and the end of your fingers a huge favour just go buy the best tumbler you can afford, you will never regret it. I am just about to switch over the media from walnut bits to the stainless pins as I hear there the ultimate.
Click to expand...

Stainless pins are not meant for a vibratory tumbler. Pins should be used in a rock tumbler type of polisher.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom