Anyone else using ss ball bearings instead of ss pins in their wet tumble?

ted_dent said:
So, how to get the best results with the least damage to the cases:
1. Don't overfill the drum with cases (Lyman suggests half full)
2. Don't overfill the drum with water (Lyman suggests just enough to cover the cases)
3. Most tumblers come with 5 pounds of media. Use it all.
4. Limit tumbling time (a absolute maximum of 90 minutes should clean the dirtiest of cases)

Now I'm not saying anyone's method is wrong but what I can tell you is that this is how I have done it and I've been wet tumbling for probably 10 years and have never had a problem with insufficiently clean cases or peened case mouths so I must be doing something right.
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Like you, I have been wet tumbling all me reloads for (more than) ten years and have been happy with the results at all times. My experience varies a little, but as you say, likely several different methods work.
1. I don't overfill the tumbler with cases. Never count them, but half full is likely the usual.
2. I fill the tumbler right to the top with water, virtually no air space.
3. I use the 5 lbs of pins that I originally bought, can't recall where, I didn't buy with tumbler.
4. I always tumble at least 4 hours, sometimes longer when I get distracted. (Can't recall if I came up with this because a batch wasn't clean enough earlier, or if it's just an arbitrary habit. Also I believe my tumbler turns somewhat slower than others I have seen.)

I use Tide laundry detergent and citric acid crystals.

I have never observed any peening, ever.

Another little lesson I learned early: mixing different sized cases can be problematic. Once did a batch of 50BMG and something small, think it was 223. Had a bunch of the small cases stuck inside the big ones and jammed with pins. A ##### to separate.

I am going to get some SS balls and try it. Seems no matter what I try, I always fight with a few pins dried into brass at some point,
 
Ghillbert said:
Here I go again hehe
After a couple batches with pins I wasn’t loving it so my overthinking brain went to work again and decided to try ball bearings out.
First go was .5 mm and it was smaller than sand so sent them back and got 1mm, still looked too small. With the goal of still being able to fit through the flash hole I ordered 1.5 mm and goldilocks found his porridge!
Theres no need to use a magnet just rinse in a small bucket and pour into a shallow container with some blue shop towel to dry and pour back in the tumbler next time.
Cleans primer pockets just fine and no peening of necks or any other negative.
Just thought I would share as maybe others aren’t loving the pins as well. View attachment 1114698
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I don't imagine you got a Amazoom link ta yer' balls do ya? lol

I am just getting into the reloading world and thought the idea of ball bearings was way better than pins, I am glad you are having success with them!
 
DGY said:
😂 I do clean them, I borrow a friend dry tumbler, throw them in and let it run for a while, they usually come out ok, not crazy clean but clean enough I guess. But I don’t clean them after every firing lol that seems silly.. just like I don’t shower after every firing either…
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Mine have to look New or Brighter for me to shoot 👍😊
Those are shot 14 times and annealed and cleaned every ey time . Still good brass !
 

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remington jim said:
Mine have to look New or Brighter first me to shoot 👍😊
Those are shot 14 times and annealed and cleaned every ey time . Still good brass !
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But we are really different people… I shoot for hunting only really so I don’t need to clean as often. I don’t want to use sent cover on my brass that laundry detergent is a no no on hunting trips, not only the deers will smell my brass but they will also see it better and locate my position…. 😮😎🫣🤫🤪
 
remington jim said:
Mine have to look New or Brighter first me to shoot 👍😊
Those are shot 14 times and annealed and cleaned every ey time . Still good brass !
Click to expand...
Oh but I do anneal my brass every few firing… do I have something fancy, no, a blowtorch is all I use, spinning the brass in my fingers counting Mississippis and bam 💥 they come out perfect every time… ish 🫣😎😂
 
Soooo.....everybody..... from previous comments by me and reinforced by some replies.... can tell I know nothing about 'wet' tumbling.
Dry tumbling gets brass really clean and shiney. What is the advantage of wet tumbling? Other than being able to buy stainless media instead of 'sustainable' corn bits? lol
 
ScottB said:
Soooo.....everybody..... from previous comments by me and reinforced by some replies.... can tell I know nothing about 'wet' tumbling.
Dry tumbling gets brass really clean and shiney. What is the advantage of wet tumbling? Other than being able to buy stainless media instead of 'sustainable' corn bits? lol
Click to expand...
Much CLEANER if its DIRTY brass and by depriming first the primer pockets are Cleaned too !
 
ScottB said:
Soooo.....everybody..... from previous comments by me and reinforced by some replies.... can tell I know nothing about 'wet' tumbling.
Dry tumbling gets brass really clean and shiney. What is the advantage of wet tumbling? Other than being able to buy stainless media instead of 'sustainable' corn bits? lol
Click to expand...
Deep Cleaning: Cleans case interiors, exteriors, and primer pockets thoroughly, removing carbon buildup.
No Toxic Dust: Eliminates airborne lead dust, creating a healthier environment.
Speed & Efficiency: Generally faster run times (often 1-2 hours) compared to dry tumbling.
Aesthetics: Produces a bright, polished finish that many reloaders prefer.
Reduced Friction: Cleaned cases can reduce friction during resizing.
 
Ghillbert said:
Deep Cleaning: Cleans case interiors, exteriors, and primer pockets thoroughly, removing carbon buildup.
No Toxic Dust: Eliminates airborne lead dust, creating a healthier environment.
Speed & Efficiency: Generally faster run times (often 1-2 hours) compared to dry tumbling.
Aesthetics: Produces a bright, polished finish that many reloaders prefer.
Reduced Friction: Cleaned cases can reduce friction during resizing.
Click to expand...
Now there is something I would like...1-2 hours tumbling..I might have to look into it. I've traditionally let the tumbler go for 24 hours. As to aesthetics...they come out pretty shiny with dry too. Although I use Dillon rapid polish in the media.
Guess the 'Midway' tumbler I got back in the 90's wouldn't cut it....gotta admit though, that tumbler doesn't owe me anything. Bought it in 90-92 thereabouts and still chugging along.
 
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