Vibratory tumbling live .50 BMG rounds

[acrashb]

I've got it going now.. 12 hours, and then under the microscope to document the differences

It would be interesting to have a control group, then chrony both the control and the tumbled rounds.

 

[daveg01]

Most manufacturers of bullets polish their bullets in huge cement mixer type looking machines before sales to the public and have seen pictures of same.....no doubt similar units are used for final "loaded round" prepping prior to packaging.

.......been there and had a small amount of .22 rimfire go through a wash and dry cycle with my hunting pants...still went bang later.

I can't prove it 100%, but I had a fail to fire in my .270 @ 15 yards from the buck in my avatar. I'm pretty certain it was the one that went through the wash.

Luckily (for me) the deer didn't hear the click and stuck around while I waited before ejecting it, and loaded another. (it was really thick bush/swamp)

On the second round the deer was not so lucky

 

[juanvaldez]

Hmmm

 

[ckc123]

It would be interesting to have a control group, then chrony both the control and the tumbled rounds.

There is no need at all.. the images speak for themselves.

I tumbed a round for 12 hours, with NO media, so the case was bounced around as much as possible (as was visable from the bullet and the marks on the copper plating)

There is no difference what so ever..even the "sharp" edges on the powder was not broken off at all. (Titegroup powder)


Original Powder

After tumbling

 

[acrashb]

Great shots. Camera adapter or made-for-pc microscope?

 

[slushee]

Huh .. well go figure eh! Good work guys, I always love it when people get together to prove/disprove old wise tales!

Coincidentally, I also tumble my brass after I resize to get all the 'lube residue' out of the neck. I usually only tumble about 1/2 hour for this step. Rounds seem to look okay after as well.

 

[Fixit]

wow cool picts, and I just thought you were being sarcastic!

 

[ckc123]

Great shots. Camera adapter or made-for-pc microscope?

Medical Grade microscope with a camera attachment on it.. I have one that will do about 100X more magnification then that one.

 

[Bruce from Calgary]

I always found it easier to just wipe off the case lube with paper towel. Only takes a second a round and you have to handle them to put them into a box or wherever you are storing them anyway. I think (yes, me - no one else has to agree) that jigging around with the tumber/media/separator, dust, noise, etc is a bigger PITA than doing a quick wipe down.

Anyhoo, keep doing what you're doing if it works for you!