Stainless Steel Media

ATOM

ATOM

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I've been using mainly crushed walnut in my tumbler but the many references to stainless steel media here have led me to think about switching. Is there a source of supply in or near Calgary and is there anything in particular I should know about the stuff, eg is one type/size better than another? Can I use it in a normal tumbler?

Thanks for your patience - it would appear that my search-fu skills are wobbly right now.
 
We've been talking about stainless steel tumbing on Canadian Reload Radio recently.

You'll need a rotary tumbler, such as the Thumbler Tumbler Model B (get a high speed, 3000 rpm model vs. the 1500 rpm), and some pins.

There is only one type/style of pin out there, and it's supplied by PelletsLLC. They're available through sinclair's, or good stainless steel tumbling media, and you'll find your way real quick. 5lbs of pins go for about $50US, but you'll get strapped with shipping. If you can bring them across yourself you'll save a bundle, as, sinclairs sells the tumbler with pins for about $200 or so.

Once you go stainless tumbling you'll wonder why you've been doing it wrong for so long.
 
SPRTN308 said:
We've been talking about stainless steel tumbing on Canadian Reload Radio recently.
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Once you go stainless tumbling you'll wonder why you've been doing it wrong for so long.
Click to expand...

Once you use stainless steel media on cases that are intended for a tight match chamber, you'll switch back the "wrong" method (or ultrasonic) right quick.

It works well for pistol brass and rifle brass that is used in generous sporter/military chambers, but the peening it causes to the case mouth can cause some large pressure spikes in match chambers if the resulting burr is not fully removed and case material is being pinched between the bullet and the chamber wall.

Take a fired case that has been cleaned using that method and try to drop a bullet into it. A bullet should drop or slide easily into a fired case. If there is resistance in the case mouth area, you have a problem, especially if you're running hot loads.

Perhaps you might want to provide your listeners with all of the information about the stuff...
 
I've just been putting my pistol and 223 brass for CQB in the rotary tumbler with Hornady US solution, without the SS pins. It does just as good of a job on the outside of the cases. Doesn't clean the insides or the primer pockets, but I don't even bother cleaning those on that stuff anyway...
 
Suputin said:
My biggest issue wih the stainless pin media is separating the media from the cases. That really sucks but otherwise it seems to work really well.
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You buy a media separator from Cabela's for 30 bucks and problem solved.

As far as penning the mouth, never ran into a case that was penned by the tumbling media, most people re size and reload after the case has been cleaned in the tumbler.

I could see if you are after extreme long distance match type shooting then you wouldn't be using anything in a rotary tumbler anyway, most likely you wouldn't be using a vibrating tumbler either. I have a friend that just cleans the brass in his ultrasonic and it works for him for his 30 rounds that he takes to the range and spends 3-4 hours shooting.

To each his own, what ever floats your boat as the saying goes.
 
I use the small ss pellets, about the same as #4 shot, from Bedrock Supplies in Edmonton. They are the same ones used for cleaning jewllery. NO peening what so ever. The mixed one don't work as well as there are some the same size as the primer pockets and can get stuck.
 
kombayotch said:
Once you use stainless steel media on cases that are intended for a tight match chamber, you'll switch back the "wrong" method (or ultrasonic) right quick.

It works well for pistol brass and rifle brass that is used in generous sporter/military chambers, but the peening it causes to the case mouth can cause some large pressure spikes in match chambers if the resulting burr is not fully removed and case material is being pinched between the bullet and the chamber wall.

Take a fired case that has been cleaned using that method and try to drop a bullet into it. A bullet should drop or slide easily into a fired case. If there is resistance in the case mouth area, you have a problem, especially if you're running hot loads.

Perhaps you might want to provide your listeners with all of the information about the stuff...
Click to expand...

this is very interesting. myself and many of my friends have match rifles and we have all used stainless to clean our brass with no problems whatsoever. i have never noticed any peening on any of my brass. Are you neck sizing after cleaning?
 
I believe the peening boogie man has been put to rest...
It's a pretty gentle process.
I like it 'cause it's quick, dust free and the results are very nice...
I built my own tumbler... That "thumbler" unit STM sells is too small for me.

[youtube]YmTjfo4H4cA[/youtube]

'Bought my pins direct from Pellets LLC at $6/lb.
Actually went to the factory and picked then up myself, but you can call and order direct.
 
There has been several tests on websites including some .338 Win Mags that were left in for 24 hours in the tumbler just to see what would happen. Normally you can take horrible looking cruddy brass and in 3 hours or less have virtually new brass so 24 hours is an extreme test.

They measured the before sizes and after and no change what so ever.
 
If there is peening, might want to add more water to the mix so the media and cases are always (or almost always) fully submerged.
 
ripitup911 said:
myself and many of my friends have match rifles and we have all used stainless to clean our brass with no problems whatsoever. i have never noticed any peening on any of my brass. Are you neck sizing after cleaning?
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What kind of match chambers? A factory match is not nearly as tight as a custom chamber that only has 2-3 thou clearance. The method of sizing is irrelevant. FL size, neck size, collet die... makes no difference. If the burr is there, it will still be after sizing.

As I said, if a bullet drops freely into a fired case, you're fine. However, if there is resistance, then it's robbing you of accuracy at the very least. Not an issue for applications like 3-Gun rifle ammo, but it is for high precision, long range applications. I've had guys tell me that they haven't seen any problems with it and that it works great only to be shown that it's very much there, using a bullet and a fired case. In each instance, their groups improved noticeably (especially at distance) when the burrs were removed and a bullets dropped freely into the fired case.
 
kombayotch said:
What kind of match chambers? A factory match is not nearly as tight as a custom chamber that only has 2-3 thou clearance. The method of sizing is irrelevant. FL size, neck size, collet die... makes no difference. If the burr is there, it will still be after sizing.

As I said, if a bullet drops freely into a fired case, you're fine. However, if there is resistance, then it's robbing you of accuracy at the very least. Not an issue for applications like 3-Gun rifle ammo, but it is for high precision, long range applications. I've had guys tell me that they haven't seen any problems with it and that it works great only to be shown that it's very much there, using a bullet and a fired case. In each instance, their groups improved noticeably (especially at distance) when the burrs were removed and a bullets dropped freely into the fired case.
Click to expand...

Out of curiosity, how do you ensure uniform seating depth with that?
 
kombayotch said:
In each instance, their groups improved noticeably (especially at distance) when the burrs were removed and a bullets dropped freely into the fired case.
Click to expand...

Thinking about it again, the peeing is likely due to the cases hitting each other in the rotary tumbler, not because of the media itself. A vibratory tumbler is gentler on brass.
 
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