Q: Walnut media - how do you tell when it's spent?

[Xippper]

Just purchased a tumbler and have successfully cleaned a couple of loads of brass. Question is... how do you tell when the walnut shell media is spent and needs replacing?


D

 

[yomomma]

When its powder....no seriously...when its not cleaning any more. I have done thousands, still using the first bag I ever bought

 

[Onagoth]

I've had mine for several years... Still going

 

[Xippper]

Interesting... Thanks!

 

[dogzilla]

For what it costs, change it fairly often

 

[trebor2880]

For what it costs, change it fairly often

I like this answer best.

 

[jrcarbine]

Does the walnut polish pretty good? Or is corn cob necessary? Also, would you tumble live ammunition in it?

 

[trebor2880]

Does the walnut polish pretty good? Or is corn cob necessary? Also, would you tumble live ammunition in it?

No problem with tumbling live ammo in it.

 

[Raton57]

I cheated and added the finest polishing compound I had to make it last longer.

 

[Onagoth]

Does the walnut polish pretty good? Or is corn cob necessary? Also, would you tumble live ammunition in it?

I use both together.... 50/50

 

[jrcarbine]

Thanks for the help. What tumblers do you guys use? I'm thinking of the Hornady m2.

 

[CanuckR]

Another tip I had a buddy tell me to try was to toss in a used dryer sheet with your tumbling media, a lot of the dirt and grime will stick to the dryer sheet.
My media was pretty dirty and dusty, I threw 4 used dryer sheets in with a big batch of brass and the media came out noticeably less dirty and dusty than when it went in. The dry sheets were filthy.

Also go check out your local pet store, look for ground walnut shells in the reptile section, it is used for bedding for certain reptiles. It is cheaper than buying it from a gun store in my experience.

 

[Collint2005]

Yeah the dryer sheet thing takes all the dust out wich can stay on your cases. Walnut does an excellent job too. Very shiny if you leave them in overnight.

 

[Xippper]

Walnut shell media is also available from princess auto... $32 for 50lbs

 

[vagrantviking]

Walnut shell media is also available from princess auto... $32 for 50lbs

I'm a fan of this stuff. It's finer and doesn't stick in the flash holes.
PA also has $8 metal polish or cheap polishing compound. Both are great in the walnut when it starts taking longer to clean.

 

[Bile]

No problem with tumbling live ammo in it.

I wouldn't take this advice.

tumbling live ammo breaks down the powder inside the round and will cause pressure issues.

I learned this from this source: http://ammosmith.com/

 

[snooze98k]

Why ever change it? Throw a used dryer sheet in with the mix to collect dust when it gets dirty then recharge with a few light drops of automotive polish you use on your favourite truck or hotrod....

I've done thousands of rounds with the same 2/3 of the very first jug of media i bought.
Cheap is still not free.. and storage is a pain in the ass.

 

[Longshot84]

Great info! Tagged for future reference

 

[mad max78]

when i was using the corn cob media. i cut up some used bounce fabric sheets into strips and through a couple in to help keep the media clean.

 

[KellyP]

I wouldn't take this advice.

tumbling live ammo breaks down the powder inside the round and will cause pressure issues.

I learned this from this source: http://ammosmith.com/

Manufactures tumble after assembly of ammo, hence its shiny and grease free in the boxes, I tumble all but precision after loading it. Never had an issue. This has been discussed on here and other sites on numerous occasions. To each their own.....