Tumbeling loaded ammo?

If you read the warning they tell you don't tumble ammo as it can cause the powder to become finer which can change the propertys of how fast it burns making it dangerous. At least have a chance of going kaboom instead of bang. With most safety warnings it's unrealistic but they say don't do it so...
 
I've done it many times with pistol ammo. Nothing ever happened except clean ammo. It worked as it should have afterwards. I wouldn't tumble loaded ammo with steel pins tho...
 
So are you guys running a full cycle 3+ hours or something like 1 hr max???
I have some very dirty 30-30 that i want a bit cleaner before going to the range.

Also has any one tried 22lr to get rid of excessive wax that some of the bulk stuff has?
 
Riven said:
So are you guys running a full cycle 3+ hours or something like 1 hr max???
I have some very dirty 30-30 that i want a bit cleaner before going to the range.

Also has any one tried 22lr to get rid of excessive wax that some of the bulk stuff has?
Click to expand...

tumble it pretty much as long as it takes, try an hour or 2 and go from there.

never tried 22lr's but it should work, although once the media mixes with enough wax, i don't know how well it will polish.
 
Tumbling reloads is a reloader's best kept secret.

I tumble mine 60 to 90 minutes in walnut shell and a bit of brass polish, Dillon's stuff in both case. Takes the oil away and puts a ###y shine on my brass.

Now in strict confidence. From the moment I started that process, all my hunting rounds have been heart shots up to 600 yards; my pistol rounds are 100% double alphas; and I go to bed with a different virgin every night. Could be risky. Makes certain you are ready for this.

Don't tell everyone like the Talibans did or we'll run out of virgins too. Good luck. Be safe. Always wear a helmet.
 
haha49 said:
If you read the warning they tell you don't tumble ammo as it can cause the powder to become finer which can change the propertys of how fast it burns making it dangerous. At least have a chance of going kaboom instead of bang. With most safety warnings it's unrealistic but they say don't do it so...
Click to expand...

What warning, where. And who is they.
Oh, now I get it, this post is from "haha."
Silly me.
 
UR2X3M4ME said:
Tumbling reloads is a reloader's best kept secret.

I tumble mine 60 to 90 minutes in walnut shell and a bit of brass polish, Dillon's stuff in both case. Takes the oil away and puts a ###y shine on my brass.

Now in strict confidence. From the moment I started that process, all my hunting rounds have been heart shots up to 600 yards; my pistol rounds are 100% double alphas; and I go to bed with a different virgin every night. Could be risky. Makes certain you are ready for this.

Don't tell everyone like the Talibans did or we'll run out of virgins too. Good luck. Be safe. Always wear a helmet.
Click to expand...

Virgins you say... Im gonna go fire up my tumbler right now. You did mean the cute 18yr old type right?
 
What about ammo loaded with cast bullets ? I'm thinking 45-70. Would the tumbler style matter ? Or are you guy's talking about the vibrator style. I built my tumbler out of 6" PVC pipe for use with the ss pins. It would be nice to get rid of the ugly Alox lube as long as the bullets don't get beat to hell. I wouldn't use the ss pin if you were wondering.
 
I've tumbled cast bullets with alox lube and the black dust just sticks to them and turns them black. If there is abrasive compound in there, which I would think is fairly likely, it can't be good for your bore.
If you want to get rid of the alox from the tip I've read that you can just give them a quick wipe with mineral spirits.
 
got to go said:
What about ammo loaded with cast bullets ? I'm thinking 45-70. Would the tumbler style matter ? Or are you guy's talking about the vibrator style. I built my tumbler out of 6" PVC pipe for use with the ss pins. It would be nice to get rid of the ugly Alox lube as long as the bullets don't get beat to hell. I wouldn't use the ss pin if you were wondering.
Click to expand...

Dust will stick to them and make it worse.

For cast I take an old towel and put maybe a tsp of mineral spirits/paint thinner and pour it in the center. Then take 50 or so at a time (9mm,45acp etc) and fold the towel in half. Shake it around and they come out shiny and clean.

Only problem is if you have soft lead it lightly dents the bullets as they collide.
 
got to go said:
What about ammo loaded with cast bullets ? I'm thinking 45-70. Would the tumbler style matter ? Or are you guy's talking about the vibrator style. I built my tumbler out of 6" PVC pipe for use with the ss pins. It would be nice to get rid of the ugly Alox lube as long as the bullets don't get beat to hell. I wouldn't use the ss pin if you were wondering.
Click to expand...

Use a rotary tumbler, the vibratory ones don't work very well; all the bullets settle on the bottom.
 
Don't tumble hollow points especially Sierra Matchkings or similar.
You'll be picking out corncob for hours using a sewing needle.
Guess how I know that.
 
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