I just cleaned some brass for the first time and I used the Lyman walnut medum. there seems to be alot of the dust on the brass both inside and out. How does everyone clean this off the outside but most importantly on the inside? thanks for the help!
cleaning brass after tumbler
- Thread starter deertaker
- Start date
You should use some kind of polishing compound and also throw in a bounce sheet with every batch and it will collect most of the dust. After trying and listening to what everyone else uses for polishing compound I found the most inexpensve is the household cleaner called Vim or an other gritty liquid household cleaner.
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
After "tumbling" with the red Lyman Media, I swithch to plain, untreated
"Lizzard Litter" ( ground walnut, available at bigger pet stores)
+ a dryer sheet ... brass comes out very nice. Just watch that you check each and every primer/flash hole to make sure a chunk of the media/litter has not wedged in there.
"Lizzard Litter" ( ground walnut, available at bigger pet stores)
+ a dryer sheet ... brass comes out very nice. Just watch that you check each and every primer/flash hole to make sure a chunk of the media/litter has not wedged in there.
Go get a bag of crushed corn cobs from the pet store..
The walnuts (being harder) is usually used to clean the really dirty, caked on cases. if the cases just need a quick clean/polish, then use the corn cobs with a bit of polishing compound (of choice).. I don't have any "dust" issues with the corn cob.
The walnuts (being harder) is usually used to clean the really dirty, caked on cases. if the cases just need a quick clean/polish, then use the corn cobs with a bit of polishing compound (of choice).. I don't have any "dust" issues with the corn cob.
Handyguy said:You should use some kind of polishing compound and also throw in a bounce sheet with every batch and it will collect most of the dust. After trying and listening to what everyone else uses for polishing compound I found the most inexpensve is the household cleaner called Vim or an other gritty liquid household cleaner.
Best make that a used dryer sheet - the fresh ones still have the chemicals on them. I doubt that the chemicals will hurt brass, but I expect they will "clog" the media a bit and reduce the polishing effect.
Using a used dryer sheets in your tumber is a great way to prolong the media life and cut dust. My brass comes out better than it did before I stated using them.
(((Echo)))
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Old Man Land, AB
Used dryer sheets here too. I cut them into quarters and toss 'em in. Come out dirtier 'n hell, but the dust is gone and the brass is clean .
(E)
. (E)
I would steer clear of Brasso - or anything else that contains ammonia - as it can weaken brass. I first experienced split necks with moderate loads in a 350 Rem Mag when I had used "Sweets 7.62" to clean the bore...a very small amount was left the chamber of the rifle ... result was several cracked shoulders/necks over a range session...
ACKLEY ABE
Regular
- Location
- ST ALBERT, ALBERTA
With small cases I have found a lot of walnut gets stuck inside the case (ie. 22 hornet) Check the inside of your cases with a paperclip or something else you can get in there with. I went to corn cob after that. Sometimes you get cob stuck in the primer pocket but thats a lot easier to spot and get out.
When I first started reloading,I used the Lyman treated walnut media.
Red dust everywhere..I think it is jewelers rouge.
I tossed the Lymans and got plain walnut media.
I use Dillon rapid polish and a used dryer sheet cut into strips.
In my opinion that Lyman treated stuff is evil.
Red dust everywhere..I think it is jewelers rouge.
I tossed the Lymans and got plain walnut media.
I use Dillon rapid polish and a used dryer sheet cut into strips.
In my opinion that Lyman treated stuff is evil.
(((Echo)))
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Old Man Land, AB
Lef T said:
I cut mine down on a 4:1 ratio untreated corncob to Lymans Tuffnut. Keeps the dust in control and still polishes the brass.
(E)
Well Joe - (and I will try to avoid using your sarcastic smilies here as I don't think they add a lot to a serious issue fwiw) as a matter of fact I do think that ... but I specifically mentionned Sweets - which is almost pure ammonia...but I certainly don't want to discourage you from doing what works well for you.
I don't add brasso to my tumbler though...but then I only use the tumbler outside where dust isn't such a big factor....on the other hand....I would mention that it isn't a good idea to use a tumbler in doors....have you been doing that as well...out of curiousity?
AP said:
The smilies are here to spice up a post. You can disable them if you don't want to see them.....
Regardless if you had left pure ammonia in your rifle, a small amount would not have done squat to one piece of brass, let alone several over a range session. It just doesn't happen that fast. If it were in fact the case, just think what that ammonia did to the rifle barrel!
There is a reason the manufacturers of products with ammonia in them recommend not leaving it in the barrel for very long.If I were to venture a guess to the cause of your split necks, without knowing your level of experience, I would suspect a headspace issue with the belted magnum. Do you full length resize, or partial resize so the brass headspaces on the shoulder rather than the belt?
BTW, the brand of walnut I use is very clean, or at least the last several bags have been. Dust is not an issue. Besides, it stays inside the tumbler anyway. It's stuck to the walnut with brasso!
