New to Reloading

C

Collieman

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Chaplin, Saskatchewan
After years of rim fire decided to step up to center fire. Store bought loads are expensive for a retired person, so looking at reloading (.308 Win. )
I have books and information but one question I have is cleaning brass. I don't want to lay out money for a tumbler so what is the cheapest way to clean inside and out?
TIA for all responses
 
Dont worry too much about cleaning the inside. Outside can be done with any good cleaner like varsol. A tumbler can be built for 50 bucks or so if you are so inclined
 
A couple of years ago, I decided that after 40+ years of reloading, I;) 'needed' a case tumbler. I decided on an RCBS Sidewinder.

RCBSSidewinder.jpg


And then to complete the process, I:rolleyes: 'needed' a media/case separator.

RCBSmediaseparator.jpg


Normally or in a vast majority of the time I use crushed walnut shell media for cleaning & polishing. Why I went with the Sidewinder is for some of the really difficult cleaning, I can also use a chemical solution as a cleaning media. I might add, I have never yet had to use the chemical solution.

Cleaning and polishing cases usually isn't anywhere even close to a 'need' in the reloading process so for the time being, if I were you, I wouldn't worry about getting a tumbler. Getting into reloading, there's a number of things you'll 'need' before you need a tumbler. In reality and all a tumbler accomplishes in most cases, is to make the cases look prettier.
 
What I used for years before I got a tumbler was a sleeve from an old flannel shirt. Dumped the cases inside, soaked the cloth in lighter fluid, grabbed each end and shook it hard for maybe 15 seconds. Worked like a charm for normal purposes. The lighter fluid evaporated quickly with no risk of subsequent primer/powder contamination and the shirt sleeve could just be washed with the laundry when it got too dirty. Low-tech, but it worked.

I would agree with moosedude about not needing to clean inside.

One thing about a tumbler. Yes, it makes the cases nice and pretty, but it also makes it easier to see hairline cracks and beginning case separations. Not a top priority though - I reloaded a long time without one.
 
ATOM said:
What I used for years before I got a tumbler was a sleeve from an old flannel shirt. Dumped the cases inside, soaked the cloth in lighter fluid, grabbed each end and shook it hard for maybe 15 seconds. Worked like a charm for normal purposes. The lighter fluid evaporated quickly with no risk of subsequent primer/powder contamination and the shirt sleeve could just be washed with the laundry when it got too dirty. Low-tech, but it worked.

I would agree with moosedude about not needing to clean inside.

One thing about a tumbler. Yes, it makes the cases nice and pretty, but it also makes it easier to see hairline cracks and beginning case separations. Not a top priority though - I reloaded a long time without one.
Click to expand...

:redface:Right you are. I forgot to mention that.
 
Vinegar and hot water,soak for a short time then rinse.Don't leave them too long.
I also use my battery drill with the lee lock stud and give them a spin in steel wool while chamfering, deburing, and cutting to length.

LEE CASE TRIMMER Cutter & Lock Stud USD $5.38

CASE LENGTH GAUGE with SHELLHOLDER 308 WIN USD $5.40

LEE CHAMFER TOOL USD $2.98
 
Before I got a tumbler, I used the necessary lock stud and shell holder in my power drill and cleaned them one round at a time. Spinning the brass made cleaning somewhat faster but still a tedious process.
 
I clean the primer pocket with the tool from Lee. Then I mount the case in a Lee Zip Trim and from there I can trim to proper case length, chamfer, deburr, brush the inside, polish with fine steel wool, then wipe down with a paper towel. It takes about one minute per case.

I have a tumbler but I hardly use it since the steel wool and zip trim works so well and its fast.
 
I paid $50 for a used one with the media in it. As long as you keep putting pieces of 'bounce" in with the brass to clean up the dust, the media should last you a long time.
Clint
 
I`ve been reloading for 40+ years and don`t own a cleaner of any kind. As long as there is no dirt or grit on the out side your good to go. Primer pockets can be cleaned with a small brush or scraper sold by several companys, shiny brass looks nice but does not improve performance. If you get a bunch of cases that may have sand or what ever inside you can wash them just make sure you dry them well, years ago i bought some stuff that you mixed with water then soaked your cases in it. It worked okay. A lot of reloading gear is nice to have but not a must have.
 
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