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Does anyone have a recommendation for media to use for tumbling 223 brass? I currently use two sizes; one for 45 caliber plus and one for 30 caliber and up. The smaller stuff used for 30 cal is still too large and will jam in the 223 brass.
MVP
Take a look at the stainless steel media and the Thumbler's tumbler. You'll get a couple pieces stuck in the primer pocket (if you tumble after you deprime) but it will make old brass look very new. I'll give you more details if you like.
Peregrino
09-30-2011, 18:19
I've been using the SS method for three months. It's more involved than the usual methods but the results are well worth the extra effort. (Ask TR.) I just finished 1000 30.06 that look better than new. Everything is well explained on Sniper's Hide. I got the tumbler from the Hobby Lobby (cheapest per Google) and the media from the guy who popularized the method. The original source prefers to maintain his privacy so I'm sharing the contact info with all the usual caveats. Be nice to him, he passed the bona fides tests I used.
From:
Subject: Media supplier
This is from Terry on the Hide........
Contact name is Mark
His email is ac4ht@aol.com
Provide him your contact info Phone, email, best time to contact you!
Marks information is "Confidential and is not to be republished in any form without his direct approval"
Terry
LINK (http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1513345&page=1)
Here's a 41pg thread from SniperHide on Stainless Steel Media. Suasponte (Terry) is very helpful if you have questions. I swiped the photos from that thread.
My recipe is Thumblers Tumbler Model B. I got mine from Cabelas. It's a faster tumbler than some others. They sell it for around $180.
I ordered my stainless media from Mark (per Peregrino's post).
I use a shot of Dawn dish detergent and a 9mm case full of LemiShine (you can find it at Target or Walmart in the dish detergent section).
Fill about half full of brass maybe a little more then usually around a gallon of water. It should be near the top. Media is already in the tumbler. Put the top on and let it run for about 3 hrs.
I got a Frankfort Arsenal media separator. I fill that bucket with water (which keep the media from flinging out when you spin the thing. Also get a good magnet (I pulled one out of an old hard drive) so you can pick up any media that falls on the floor.
I dry it under a work light in my garage and it looks like it's brand new. Even brass that sat in the weather for years looks good.
Like Peregrino's post, it takes a little longer but it does wonders to brass. Plus the media never wears out.
mark46th
10-09-2011, 08:32
Sorry this is a little late. Take a look at an ultra sonic brass polisher. They are about $70.00 at Harbor Freight Salvage, up to $200.00 everywhere else. Use 50% distilled water, 50% white vinegar and a couple of drops of dish soap. Run for about 5 minutes.
This cleans out the carbon build-up on the inside of the case which results in more consistent pressures. This isn't important to the average shooter but if you are shooting competitive long range, it is important.
Sorry this is a little late. Take a look at an ultra sonic brass polisher. They are about $70.00 at Harbor Freight Salvage, up to $200.00 everywhere else. Use 50% distilled water, 50% white vinegar and a couple of drops of dish soap. Run for about 5 minutes.
This cleans out the carbon build-up on the inside of the case which results in more consistent pressures. This isn't important to the average shooter but if you are shooting competitive long range, it is important.
Use "Cartridge Clean" solvent with the ultrasonic.
mark46th
10-10-2011, 15:38
Thanks, Dusty...
Thanks, Dusty...
I meant in conjunction with your recipe, of course. Gets even the primer area shiny.
mark46th
10-10-2011, 17:11
Thanks for the clarification...
Guys - I had to change the thread title - every time I came upon it I had flashbacks to getting ready for Class A inspections, the XVlll ABC NCO Academy, and OCS. :eek:
Richard :munchin
mark46th
10-11-2011, 09:17
Richard- You should have brought home a Thai maid to take care of those things for you.
How many 223 cases can the ultrasonic polisher hold? I can only do about 40 308 cases in my old midway vibratory polisher at once. Using the small ceramic it takes about 30 minutes to clean a batch of moderately dirty cases. I might be able to do more if I had more media but the load might also be too heavy for the motor if I used more media with more cases. I have more of the large media and routinely clean 50 or so 50-90 or 45-110 cases. They clean quickly as well especially since the large diameters allow the media to really move around.
MVP
rob99vmi04
10-19-2011, 06:54
How many 223 cases can the ultrasonic polisher hold? I can only do about 40 308 cases in my old midway vibratory polisher at once. Using the small ceramic it takes about 30 minutes to clean a batch of moderately dirty cases. I might be able to do more if I had more media but the load might also be too heavy for the motor if I used more media with more cases. I have more of the large media and routinely clean 50 or so 50-90 or 45-110 cases. They clean quickly as well especially since the large diameters allow the media to really move around.
MVP
I have a both a hydrasonic cleaner and dry tumbler. I prefer the dry tumbler. I use to use the big chucks of ground up corn cobb and had the same problem you are experiencing with the particles getting stuck in the necks. I went to "Pets Mart" and purchased very fine walnut lizard litter for around $9.00. With the lizzard litterd I throw in a couple cap fulls of Dillions Rapid Shine. This has lasted me now for about a year and half. Since I started this, I have loaded around 5,000-6,000 rounds of .223, and still have about half a bag of lizzard litter left over.
I have never seen dry tumbling clean primers pockets very well. Does the lizard dust do that?
MVP
Team Sergeant
10-19-2011, 10:48
I have never seen dry tumbling clean primers pockets very well. Does the lizard dust do that?
MVP
No but this will............
Now get to work! :D
(I felt a tinge of what might be PTSD when I uploaded that picture....;))
rob99vmi04
10-19-2011, 11:41
I have never seen dry tumbling clean primers pockets very well. Does the lizard dust do that?
MVP
Not really, I tumble with the old primers still in the cases. When I'm done with that I have an RCBS case prep station that has a steele brush to clean large and small pockets. One thing I have not tried, but seems to be getting very popular, is "Wet Tumbling". There are some videos on Youtube and many people swear by it. I stopped cleaning primer pockets along time ago for my target loads. I live in Northern Virginia and the longest public range are indoor shooting ranges going out to 50 yards. Doing all that case prep only to shoot 50 yards started to seem very unnecessary.
I have never seen dry tumbling clean primers pockets very well. Does the lizard dust do that?
MVP
The "Cartridge Clean" does...
Tumbling in ceramic with a small amount of water and vingar makes the pockets as clean as the rest of the case, no need for a brush.
Dusty,
Are you talking about using the stuff from Swimway? In dry media or in ceramic
MVP
Tumbling in ceramic with a small amount of water and vingar makes the pockets as clean as the rest of the case, no need for a brush.
Dusty,
Are you talking about using the stuff from Swimway? In dry media or in ceramic
MVP
It's from "cleanmybrass.com" (?). It's for ultrasonic.
http://cleanmybrass.com/
Buffalobob
10-19-2011, 19:07
I live in Northern Virginia and the longest public range are indoor shooting ranges going out to 50 yards. Doing all that case prep only to shoot 50 yards started to seem very unnecessary.
Lift up your foot and inspect the boot print on your Johnson.
The longest range in Northern Virginia is at Quantico Marine Base Range #4. It is set at 100 yard increments out to 1000 yards and is open to the public on specified days. I will be there on Saturday to see some of my buddies.
In as far as the original thought of the thread, I would merely remind people that sidewall friction in moderation is a good thing to reduce bolt thrust and if your loads are over max then highly polished brass may create a problem with excessive bolt thrust.
I don't run hot loads with Nitro. Most of my loading is done with BP and the requirement there is a full case, no air gap. Depending on bullet length and seating depth I use charges that vary as much as 15 grains in my 45-110.
MVP