Techniques for cleaning out brass after tumbling?

Blackcloud

Blackcloud

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So, whats your favorite method for removing walnut media and dust from your brass after a good tumbling?

I cycle a large quantity of Lapua 308 brass and am interested in what people are doing in hopes of finding a more efficient way of getting this done.

I am very picky during my reloading process. Removing the remaining walnut media is obviously easy and straight forward. Now getting the inside of the case clean and dust free prior to reloading is a pain in the A** :D But, I do spend time getting it clean and dust free, however, its slow going.

Lets hear what your doing!

Also, whats your favorite polishing compound. IE; do you run bare walnut media, or do you add a polish. If so what are you using and what kind of luck have you had?


Lets hear all about how you get the job done,,,,

Thanks
Blackcloud:)
 
I use the Cabela's kit. The add of polishing compound keeps the dust at bay. No real need for special care.
I have batches I deprime before tumbling, and then the primer pocket needs some attention, but I've never had any problems with the inside.
 
I find theres always some dust and junk (very small amount) at the bottom of the case.

MUST GET RID OF THE GUNK!

Call me silly but I always get them clean. Someone out here must have a better way or tumbling routine that spares one the grief of this.
 
I use corncob media w/ no polishing compound. I find it has less dust than walnut.

I still hate poking particles out of the flash holes, though...
 
I dump the cases and media into a plastic $1 colander, which is positioned in a bucket. then I swirl them around, and pick the brass out, dumping any media still inside individially.

The dust inside stays inside, it won't hurt anything. I am not about to clean out each case wiht a Q-tip...
 
I haven't started reloading yet, but I agree with Sharkbait. Ultrasonic cleaning seems to be the way to go. Apparently, you get ALL the crap out of the case, primer pocket, and flash hole.

I want to buy one big enough to dunk a pistol in too.

Good luck!
 
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I use a small shot of compressed air from a can of computer cleaner in each case. It doesnt take much and cleans any dust out. One can will do lots of cases

Norm
 
There is usually a piece of corncob media stuck in the flash hole. It gets pushed out during the depriming process. As for the dust, no need to go overboard. I have reloaded thousands and thousands of dusty casings, they all go bang.
 
Blackcloud - I know what you mean - I'm obsessive/compulsive too...:D

After tumbling, and sometimes sizing, I throw brass in a plastic jug, add two glugs of dishsoap, and flush the hell out of them (swirl around some) under the hottest water my tap will put out, then dump onto towels and dry with hairdryer....Spotless!
 
Dmay said:
Blackcloud - I know what you mean - I'm obsessive/compulsive too...:D

After tumbling, and sometimes sizing, I throw brass in a plastic jug, add two glugs of dishsoap, and flush the hell out of them (swirl around some) under the hottest water my tap will put out, then dump onto towels and dry with hairdryer....Spotless!
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Seek medical help, you are not healthy! :p
 
Griffoneur said:
Seek medical help, you are not healthy! :p
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Hey, if my brass is clean and dust free, then away we go!

If I find a quick and easy method I will advise all here.

The Ultrasonic Cleaner sounds like the REAL way to go, how much was it and where did you get it?

Thanks guys:D
 
I use fine oilfield walnut shell media that never plugs flashholes, Lyman compound for untreated media and separate the media and cases with an RCBS salad spinner. None of this makes them shoot any better, but it is easier than wiping lube by hand.
 
Sticker said:
Hi

Am I the only guy that has the Dillon media separator:D . Spin it enough times and even the bits stuck in the flash holes fly out.
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I always wondered about using a salad spinner for this. I bet it woudl work...
 
Sticker said:
Hi

Am I the only guy that has the Dillon media separator:D . Spin it enough times and even the bits stuck in the flash holes fly out.
Click to expand...


I use the RCBC version, basically the same thing except its green. I really don't know how I got by without it. Lifes too short to pick brass out by hand and the sifters aren't much better.

Gatehouse,
I don't think a salad spinner would work because the centrifugal force by itself won't do it. You need the tumbling action as well. On the other hand, the media separator would work as a salad spinner.:dancingbanana:


http://www.rcbs.com/default.asp?menu=1&s1=4&s2=3&s3=25
 
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