Your preferred brass cleaning method?

Deprime rifle brass, never pistol brass. Toss in the wet tumbler with dawn, stainless steel pins and lemishine. Let it roll for 1-3 hours (depending on the condition of the brass) then rise heavily and put them into a dehydrator to dry. They then go into a vibratory tumbler with corn cob media treated with wax. I feel a light coating of wax helps with oxidation and makes the reloading process for non lubed cases easier.
 
I found that since I've moved to SS pin cleaning, and AMP annealing, that the necks are so soft and clean, that I have to lube or my mandrels start to build up. The extra lube means post cleaning to remove it, but it is what it is. I moly coat my bullets, so I have that consistent friction modifier to keep my neck sticktion under control for ES/SD.
 
PGW Steve said:
I found that since I've moved to SS pin cleaning, and AMP annealing, that the necks are so soft and clean, that I have to lube or my mandrels start to build up. The extra lube means post cleaning to remove it, but it is what it is. I moly coat my bullets, so I have that consistent friction modifier to keep my neck sticktion under control for ES/SD.
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Is that working quite well??
 
Bubba Yugga said:
Pardon my ignorance, but is that like wiping anti seize on them? Educate me please.
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You use tumbling to 'impact plate' moly powder onto the surface of the bullet. It gives it a silvery black surface, that has less affinity to bond to the brass, especially over time in what is called 'cold welding'. Some people dry brush moly into their necks to improve neck tension consistency, I find that practice to be annoying, as well as inconsistent in application. A lot of people also said that moly would react chemically and destroy barrels with moisture, but I've seen no such thing out of rifles I've been shooting for 25 years.

 
PGW Steve said:
A lot of people also said that moly would react chemically and destroy barrels with moisture, but I've seen no such thing out of rifles I've been shooting for 25 years.

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The hydroscopic conspiracy theory was perpetrated mainly by a gunwriter whose name I will not even give the time of day to, as he figured he was the " inventor" of the Short mag cartridges and sued several gun companies over it for royalties.
The fact that P.O.Ackely did it decades before seemed to be lost on him and the courts!
When I used moly I never saw anything of the sort. Neither did any of the numerous shooters that I spoke to .
But then, we take care of our rifles!
Danged near anything will ruin a barrel, such as using a high ammonia cleaner improperly, or Stuff like CLR.
Used properly there is no problem.
Same as moly .
Used properly, it works .
Cat
 
I've heard of people not cleaning their necks fully, so that the old residue would act as a "lubricant".
I guess with this moly approach, you can surgically clean the insides of your necks without worry...
 
I'm jumping in the conversation as I'm about to start reloading and I'm trying to educate myself on the cleaning process.

I already have an ultrasonic cleaner and I was thinking about using that with a proper brass detergent. I guess I'm not sure if the next step is necessary; but once they're dry, should I tumble them in crushed corn or go straight to reloading? Thanks guys!
 
ELEMENT WIND said:
I'm jumping in the conversation as I'm about to start reloading and I'm trying to educate myself on the cleaning process.

I already have an ultrasonic cleaner and I was thinking about using that with a proper brass detergent. I guess I'm not sure if the next step is necessary; but once they're dry, should I tumble them in crushed corn or go straight to reloading? Thanks guys!
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If you are using the PROPER detergent, the only thing that tumbling will do is make your brass more shiny, not cleaner than if it was only ultrasonically cleaned.
I once discolored a bunch of 12 gauge brass cases by using the wrong stuff i my ultrasonic machine, and it turned the brass black!
Too much of a good thing is not good, ad this stuff was given to me by a friend who had mixed it up.
Live and learn, I guess! LOL
Cat
 
iron cat said:
If you are using the PROPER detergent, the only thing that tumbling will do is make your brass more shiny, not cleaner than if it was only ultrasonically cleaned.
I once discolored a bunch of 12 gauge brass cases by using the wrong stuff i my ultrasonic machine, and it turned the brass black!
Too much of a good thing is not good, ad this stuff was given to me by a friend who had mixed it up.
Live and learn, I guess! LOL
Cat
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Oh ya, that would be a bummer! I hope it wasn't too much of a big load... Ok noted, so only if I want super shinny brass for the tumbler then. Thanks!
 
ELEMENT WIND said:
Oh ya, that would be a bummer! I hope it wasn't too much of a big load... Ok noted, so only if I want super shinny brass for the tumbler then. Thanks!
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It didn't really ruin the brass, but it did turn it black, and I have never really got it back to a "normal " brass color! LOL.
No matter, it still sends a load of shot into a rooster with authority.:)
Cat
 
iron cat said:
It didn't really ruin the brass, but it did turn it black, and I have never really got it back to a "normal " brass color! LOL.
No matter, it still sends a load of shot into a rooster with authority.:)
Cat
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Well if they still work then that's good! Cheers
 
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