How Clean Is Your Brass?

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 1:54 pm

I didn't want to step on another thread, so, I started this one.
I use the Hornady Media. For no particular reason, I don't tumble brass much past the actual grime on the case. If the brass is stained, it does not seem to matter. IMO, the carbide dies seem to work better if the brass is NOT shiny clean, and I'm sure I don't have any problems with other cases if I just use a tiny bit on the neck and pull it down with my fingers (Lee solid lube). Any other opinions?

Catshooter · Post by **Catshooter** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 2:13 pm

Blaine,

I"m not a fanatic about it. I bought a bunch of 30-30 brass that was in ok shape as far as cleanliness, so I'm cleaning them now.

I use the stainless steel pin method as I don't like the lead dust that comes off of the dry media I used to use. It's quieter and does a better job too. And no media stuck in the primer pocket/flash hole is a nice treat.

Cat

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 2:20 pm

Let's see... two weeks in the tumbler:

and a burned out tumbler motor... or just knockin' the grime off?

Gettin' the grime off is good 'nough! Shiney or stained, doan' matter, s'long as it's clean!

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 2:39 pm

I have brass that I found in the Arizona desert that was black on the exposed side and brass on the burried side. It's been that way for 30+ years.
Clean it, load it shoot it. Doesn't matter if it's tarnished or don't shine.

Joe

Lastmohecken · Post by **Lastmohecken** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 5:23 pm

When I shot competition back the 80's and 90's, I guess I was always too tight to buy a tumbler, and I never cleaned my brass, I just figured the carbide die scrapped then off good enough, when I re-sized them.

The only down side I ever ran into was that it was harder to find dull brass on the range then nice shinny brass so I may have lost a few more cases then others did, when looking for spent cases between stages. At any rate, even after thousands of rounds fired, I never thought my guns reliability or accuracy suffered because my brass was not shinny.

COSteve · Post by **COSteve** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 5:26 pm

I tumble enough to get it clean and sometimes to get it shiny if I'm a mind to. Depends upon how I feel that day.

elmo123 · Post by **elmo123** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 5:36 pm

I usually resize and deprime then use the sonic cleaner. After that I tumble them in corn cob media to dry them off. I have used the stainless pins and they come out like new. This might sound like a lot of work but to me reloading is relaxing and I enjoy it, I'm retired so time is not an issue.

Mike

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 6:05 pm

I like mine to shine. After all it`s a hobby and hobbies are for relaxation, why not do it the best you can?
Some of the Cowboy action shooters at our club shoots obviously don`t clean their brass at all and they loose lots of it to the brass gods due to the fact it just don`t show up against the dirt. The brass pickers have little trouble finding mine.

Dan 444 · Post by **Dan 444** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 6:22 pm

I like mine clean and a bit shiney. I use a Lyman universal de-capper and then tumble in walnut to clean them up. Wipe 'em down & clean the flash holes out, if necessary Keep them in zip lock bags til later. Later, I spray with Hornady One Shot and full length size. Tumble in corn cob with Lyman Turbo Polish to remove One Shot and make shiney. Wipe down and trim. Ready to go.
Dan

gundownunder · Post by **gundownunder** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 6:52 pm

I don't clean my brass if I don't have to. If I can't see the brass for the crud on it I run a green pot scourer along it as it spins in the chuck while trimming.

oldguy · Post by **oldguy** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 1:55 am

+ 1 to elmo 123. i like clean primer pockets and inside case necks.
oldguy

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 11:18 am

I'm very anal about my **butt. (brass) I want it clean and shiney and these atributes will show the cracks and any signs of incipient separation. Plus, like my Jeeps and guns, clean and shiney makes me feel better. (never said nothin' 'bout my underwear

)

Low pressure cartridges get lubed with spray on Hornady----I use more of this and its more efficient but not as slippery as RCBS)

High pressure cartridges get sprayed with RCBS lube---better

Load her up.

Dump loaded rounds on towel and spray with Simple Green solution (10-1) Give 'em a good rub down and swissy/swassy around the towel and put in the little green or blue boxes.

This pic has nothing whatsoever to do with this post.

(come on, you guys know I'm an idiot) I just wanted to show off my Great Western derringer 38 S&W I just picked up after some old guy had it hidden in his drawer since 1955 and his son figured it would be nice to convert his Dad's hidden treasure into a night of drinking and snorting.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 11:22 am

Mr. Sixgun, you are invited to organize my chit anytime you want.....

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 11:29 am

BlaineG wrote: Mr. Sixgun, you are invited to organize my chit anytime you want.....

Blaine,
I am a truthful man and will freely admit that I WISH I was less organized. Its a curse---for real--everything has to be perfect and is very annoying at times but..I just can't change--its who I am.

Remember me telling everyone I am half Italian? Well, my other half is German and this is where it comes from and I think we all know most Germans can be a little nutty at times.

---------Sixgun

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 12:02 pm

I've got a bunch of German in my family, but, I'm the BlackSheep of the family.....My little slice of heaven looks like a bomb went off in Cabelas.....

Ji in Hawaii · Post by **Ji in Hawaii** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 12:39 pm

Neither me nor my dad ever owned a brass tumbler, we'd just hit the brass with 0000 steel wool as needed which was rare. Only shiny brass we had either was new or nickel plated.

Charles · Post by **Charles** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 1:15 pm

I started handloading in the late 50's and if anybody had a tumbler or shined brass, I never heard of it, nor saw it. Brass was wiped clean with some solvent on a rag and loaded. I used plain ol rubbing alcohol. It didn't take long until it was almost black. Didn't matter at all!

This shining of brass is a fairly recent wrinkle in the reloading world and 100% not needed. Dirty and stuff will scratch dies, but once that is gone you are good to go!

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 2:35 pm

And besides, the sound of that dang vibrator is annoying as hades

SteveR · Post by **SteveR** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 4:19 pm

I found using vinegar and water in a 5 gallon bucket with a top, works great to get all the black primer and powder residue off. And all the other stuff that maybe on the brass. I put it in by caliber and shake it up, let it set a day, shake it up again, then take the brass out, dry and if I really want a shine put it in the tumbler/vibrator cleaner.

Some time a few days are needed to get really dirty brass cleaned up, and I found the vinegar/water mixture lasts a long time, I use it till its completely black.

Steve

1894c · Post by **1894c** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 4:34 pm

clean brass---that's a somewhat personal question, yes mine is somewhat shiny...thanks for asking...

BlaineG -- "chit", what is chit, and why would you want another to organize it, and if it truly becomes organized by another will you be able to find your chit--will we then see a post that tells us that you lost your chit, then you'll need additional help to find it...sounds way to complicated...in the end i would just leave your chit alone, at least you know where it is... :)

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 4:59 pm

Sixgun wrote:

I WANT IT!

I have a very fine, hammered double shotgun to trade!

Well... ok, maybe not VERY fine... bbut not as bad as it once was!

BlaineG wrote: Mr. Sixgun, you are invited to organize my chit anytime you want.....

+1! I'll throw in a free Thanksgiving dinner and a trip to the range with some other levergunners... if they ain't all out huntin'!

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 6:30 pm

Griff wrote:
I have a very fine, hammered double shotgun to trade!

Griff,
This ain't no museum up here at the Sixgun household. Money talks and hammered double barrels don't, especially if they came from S.E. Pa.

Hey, I was playing with it in the backyard shooting some factory/handloaded stuff over the chrono, even had a few real old factory blackpowder stuff.

R-P factory 146 rn----610 fps
Old B.P--U.M.C.--547 fps
1 gr. bullseye--150 gr. Lyman swc--342 fps
4 gr. of Unique--150 Lyman--854---yes, 854

Sorry Blaine on steppin' on the post--justr trying to capitalize a bit on Griff.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 10:15 pm

Sixgun,

You've got mail!

Sixgun wrote:Sorry Blaine on steppin' on the post--justr trying to capitalize a bit on Griff.

+1

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 10:16 pm

Don't bother me none.....

L_Kilkenny · Post by **L_Kilkenny** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 10:14 am

Don't own a tumbler and don't treat my brass in any way. Wipe em down good, run em thru the sizing die, clean primer pockets and then ready to go again. If I ever load enough to wear out a set of dies from the remaining dirt and grime I'll take that as a badge of honor and spend the $30 to get another set. Being said, my hands ain't what they used to be and I get cramped up pretty quick so I've been thinkin of buying a tumbler just for a little more "ease". Not like it would break the bank. But it's not for the shine though, on that I could care less.

COSteve · Post by **COSteve** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 11:05 am

Deleted

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 11:57 am

Where's that "shakin' head" smilie?

My "mess" IS organized; just not neatly!

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 5:29 pm

I know exactly where everything is! Well sorta.....
In here.

TedH · Post by **TedH** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 7:07 pm

Usually clean and shiny. Easier to see defects.

Old Time Hunter · Post by **Old Time Hunter** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 10:27 pm

Use a small brillo pad to break the glaze, then hand rub brasso on each cartridge, followed by hand polishing with a soft clean cloth...changing the cloth for each shell.

Also sell ice to eskimos...

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 10:43 pm

Old Time Hunter wrote:Use a small brillo pad to break the glaze, then hand rub brasso on each cartridge, followed by hand polishing with a soft clean cloth...changing the cloth for each shell. Also sell ice to eskimos...

JohndeFresno · Post by **JohndeFresno** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 3:20 pm

Sixgun wrote:...I want it clean and shiny and these attributes will show the cracks and any signs of incipient separation....

Me, too.

Instead of corncob media purchased online, I get it at a pet store (puppy/kitten litter) at a much cheaper price. Then I add some media polish to it; currently the Lyman variety. I use the RCBS vibrating drum for whatever time it takes.

JohndeFresno · Post by **JohndeFresno** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 3:30 pm

Catshooter wrote:...
I use the stainless steel pin method ...Cat

Catshooter (or other steel user),

Please edd-yew-cate me.
EDITed - went to site and found answers!

1) Do you have to invest in a new tumbler (e.g. a steel one) to use the pins?
ANSWER: Yes. You use water and soap; vibrator won't take weight.

2) (Or) Will the stuff safely and effectively work in a plastic vibrating bowl/drum like the RCBS?
See Nr 1.

3) Does the "dirt" just fall to the bottom of the tumbler or vibrator, or what do you do to keep the pins clean?
ANSWER: Use a citrus based soap (that they sell) with water, then drain water. Must be careful or you lose the tiny pins down the drain, thus their "replacement" pins for sale at site.

4) How long does it take with this media versus the walnut or corncob method?
ANSWER: Tumble for 4 hours. (Most of my tumbling takes nowhere near as long).

CONCLUSION: Looks to be an impressive method, especially for dirty range brass. And it probably really cleans the inside of the brass, but the necessity for doing that (even with match ammo) is subject to various opinions.

It seems to me that for the handloader who has already invested in a vibrator and uses cheap corncob or walnut media, the move is not worth it. I also don't like to deal with taking the drum to a sink for emptying, and then laying out the brass and drying it, as with the steel pin method.

Old No7 · Post by **Old No7** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 10:08 pm

Sixgun wrote:"This pic has nothing whatsoever to do with this post..."

Wow, that's quite the setup!

But seeing that, I think your forum name is wrong...

Maybe it should be Fiftygun!

Old No7

spaceman spiff · Post by **spaceman spiff** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 10:33 pm

I use Iosso after a short tumble in plain corncob media then decapping.
Very clean and ready to reload w/o any abrasive elements getting into my
dies and press.

spaceman

JohndeFresno · Post by **JohndeFresno** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 4:36 pm

After a brief exchange with a friend who uses steel media (but not the pins):
1) He states that this process saves him the extra step of having to clean primer pockets - A PLUS.

2) He states that with normal brass - not that which is stained or has baked in the sun at a range - the cleaning process is pretty quick, and he likes the look of truly shiny brass - like new, in fact.

3) Drying isn't that big a deal. He lets the brass sit briefly, then tosses it into corncob media for 15 minutes to dry it out. ANOTHER PLUS - that frees youto do other things and allows you to make use of your vibrating drum instead of tossing it out, if you go this way.

4) Yes, he says, the initial investment is pretty costly, since you must buy the steel media AND the tumbler. He purchased a used rock tumbler on the cheap to start up with his processing.

Maybe I'll take another look at this method. Primer pocket cleaning is a good chore to avoid.

Ben_Rumson · Post by **Ben_Rumson** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 1:58 pm

It might be a plan before you change over to a wet media process to test a batch of brass to see if there is any flash channel or primer pocket clogging in the drying out process where the damp brass is thrown in the corncob media...If ANY is found, it would then be prudent to check every case in the remainder of the batch...and there would go the time saving angle...

JohndeFresno · Post by **JohndeFresno** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 4:49 pm

I can't let this go. I remember that Technical Director introduced the ultrasonic method of cleaning brass to this forum (or at least was the first one that I remember mentioning it since I joined). And either e-mailed me or mentioned here that Harbor Freight has a suitable ultrasonic cleaner at a very low price. I see it is still advertised at only $70!

Here is the original post:
http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... ultrasonic

The tumbler method is a bit bothersome, but I like the idea of clean primer pockets. And perhaps it is not such a bad idea to clean out the inside of the cases at least once in a while.

Technical Director has had good success with just plain water and his Harbor Freight ultrasonic cleaner, and he is into high accuracy rifle loads.

Hmmmm... perhaps we are missing the boat, and the ultrasonic is the best choice for those of us who like clean casings but don't care if they look like they are absolutely new. Then, if a high sheen is desired, we can use what most of us have already purchased, anyway - a vibrator with corncob or walnut media with a little polish to put that shine on. I like the idea of quick setups, and then walking away and doing something else while the machine does the cleaning, or as mentioned above, the follow-up polishing.

I see that Harbor Freight has a pretty long cleaning cycle on their cleaner:
http://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-u ... 95563.html

I just ordered the 2.5 liter cleaner (above) for a total of $81.98, postage and all. That is much cheaper than re-investing in a tumbler and pins, or even tumbler and steel bearings setup.

6pt-sika · Post by **6pt-sika** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 10:18 pm

I have a Lyman vibrator case cleaner I bought back about 10 years ago that works great when I'm of a mind to use it !

However the darn thing is dusty , which I don't like !

We just got a new Lyman Sonic Cleaner at the shop tuesday and the cleaning liquids today . I think monday I'll give it a try to see how it does with brass !

JohndeFresno · Post by **JohndeFresno** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 7:13 pm

6pt-sika wrote:I have a Lyman vibrator case cleaner I bought back about 10 years ago that works great when I'm of a mind to use it !

However the darn thing is dusty , which I don't like !

We just got a new Lyman Sonic Cleaner at the shop tuesday and the cleaning liquids today . I think monday I'll give it a try to see how it does with brass !

Six Point,
I can't remember, or find, the rules about posting another forum's link. I am not sure if posting another gun forum's link is allowed without the express permission of the author. But on the other hand, anything that is on a public forum is public domain, per my belief. So I'll send you a PM with an excellent link from 6mmbr.com about tests of various products used to aid the ultrasonic cleaning process.

After studying the article and others like it, I conclude that vinegar is highly effective but that its acetic acid also attacks the zinc on the cases. The best formulas seem to be a two-step process, where the effects of the vinegar are counteracted with a base such as baking soda. That is the next cycle.

For my first foray, I have just given in to what I suspect might be the wisdom and expertise of big laboratories staffed by people smarter than me - at least in the field of chemistry! I have order Hornady One Shot Ultrasonic cleaner, which is on "Clearance" right now at Midway.com.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 9:01 pm

For many years I went without a tumbler. Got one about 20 years ago and really like it. Clean brass is easier to inspect for cracks and other issues. Cleaning brass using a tumbler is a breeze. Load it and walk away. It's not like you have to do babysit it.

JohndeFresno · Post by **JohndeFresno** » Fri Nov 30, 2012 3:23 am

I decided to take a plunge and see what this "ultrasonic" fuss is all about.

My Chicago Digital Ultrasonic Cleaner arrived from Harbor Freight after I parted with $81.98. That's not bad, considering the shipping was part of that cost and this is a decently sized device with all the features I wanted:

* Five time settings, from 90 to 480 seconds (8 minutes)
* Heater coil to aid in the process
* Digital display and foolproof buttons
* 82 ounce capacity
* Clear top to see what's happening
* Small enough to fit easily on my reloader's bench
(after I clean away all other stuff, of course)

WHAT WAS MISSING: The manual. But no problem, I just Googled "Chicago ultrasonic 95563 manual" - the number is the model number - and I downloaded the document, in pdf form, immediately.

Having read several entries at various Internet gun sites, I decided that the best cleaner for me is the Hornady One Shot Cleaner. It just happened to be on sale at Midway, so it arrived shortly after the machine.

Vinegar and some other additives are reportedly very effective, but then you must run another cycle with baking soda or some other base to counteract the stripping effect that the acid(s) have on the brass. I read that the zinc is somehow separated from the brass which makes your brass more brittle, otherwise. No thank you. And too much work, and I have other things to do.

With this One Shot solution, one uses 40 parts water to 1 part cleaner. Two bottles would last me a long time, especially if the used cleaning solution is properly filtered and reused, as others have suggested.

For my experiment...

...I assembled the necessary items to test this machine. I have read provisos that warn you not keep the brass in touch with the walls of the ultrasonic device because the effectiveness of the mechanism is canceled out. I also read that the smaller the area, the better the cleaning.

Distilled water was suggested to avoid water spots upon the drying brass. So, I filled the main body of the machine with tap water and combined my cleaner with distilled water in a smaller container that held the brass. As you can see, I spared no expense, opting to go for an empty Cool Whip container after dutifully emptying it of its contents and consuming same. It fits perfectly, by the way.

The test media was some old 9mm pistol brass. Unfortunately, I did not have any really blackened or otherwise cruddy brass. I always tumble my reloads, and the stuff I have found at a range or elsewhere in that condition frequently is corroded or unusable in some way, so I won't pick it up.

I decided that it would be a good test NOT to remove the spent primers, so that cleaning would be a bit more difficult. I decided, however, that it might be a good idea to double check to see that there were no live primers in the batch. I know, call me crazy.

Okay, this is what I started with:

8 minutes later, using the heated solution - that's one cycle - this is what I ended up with. Remember, I left the spent primers in the cases:

Look carefully at the case at the center of the photo - the inside and the flash hole area are spotless, even though the primer was not removed. Those sound waves just "retch" down and cleaned that puppy, as an old Midwest friend would say.

The followup: I emptied the cleaning solution through a Mr. Coffee filter placed in a funnel, over a clean and empty Mary Ellen's jelly jar. I had helped to empty that, as well. Details are important, you know.

So - The solution can be used again; there was really no discernible loss.

I rinsed the cases briefly in warm water, put them on a towel and used my wife's hair dryer to finish the drying process, which took only a couple of minutes. You bachelors - at least most of you - will have to make do with something else, or else get friendly with a female neighbor and borrow hers.

CONCLUSION: This is the cat's meow for occasional deep cleaning, such as primer pockets or for removing the soot inside after several reloads of the same brass (if I deprime first). And it is great for trading brass when you want it to look purty. I am impressed, and will use the ultrasonic method occasionally.

Yet for ninety percent of my reloading, I will still dump a large load of brass into my vibrating drum, turn it on and walk away, check it in two to three hours at the most, then sift it out and bag it. That is much easier; no worries about spills, bringing water to the device so that the Cool Whip container is surrounded by water (very necessary), or having to dump the water and then go through the rinse and dry process.

As for the device - it was indeed a bargain, well worth the purchase.

Birdman · Post by **Birdman** » Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:37 pm

Mine don't shine like new any more. I tumble mine in corn cob media about every three uses and don't worry about it.

JohndeFresno · Post by **JohndeFresno** » Sat Dec 01, 2012 2:36 pm

Birdman wrote:Mine don't shine like new any more. I tumble mine in corn cob media about every three uses and don't worry about it.

Ditto, for the most part. Corn cob media from the pet store is ultra cheap, and seems to last forever.

But when the inside of the brass gets heavily carboned up, or the primer pockets get nasty, no more painstaking work on each casing with that little wire brush or auger. I'll just give it the treatment.

I checked the experimental brass today. Remember, I only rinsed it, dried it and put it away, and didn't bother with any baking soda or other neutralizer.

No discoloration or signs of the brass being adversely affected, no spots. Just factory-new looking brass with spent primers. And the stuff in my Mary Ellen jar is pre-measured and ready to go again.

JohndeFresno · Post by **JohndeFresno** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 4:25 pm

Today I had trouble sizing and decapping one previously tumbled .223 Rem Once Fired Lake City brass. I discovered that, for some reason, some corncob material was jammed into the bottom, ever after decapping. It activated the safety feature of my Lee Sizing die to engage: The decapping pin was pushed upwards.

I rapped the shell several times but the material would not dislodge, and digging around with a toothpick became a bit time consuming. Suspecting that perhaps some other cases in the batch might have similar problems, I decided to put whole lot into the ulltrasonic cleaner.

I put 50 of the cases into my faithful Cool Whip container inside the water filled tank, dumped in the previously used 40:1 solution and ran two 8 minute cycles (since this was a lot of brass bunched together. I like this method because I don't have to manhandle the device when I clean out the tank; I just wash and rinse the plastic inner tub.

RESULT: No more stuff inside those skinny little cases. And, of course, the cases and now the primer pockets are pristine for those cases that were already decapped. if I had used fresh One Shot solution, probably only one 8 minute cycle would have sufficed; but it's nice to do things on the cheap.

.223 Cases From Ultrasonic Cleaner and Before Water Rinse

CONCLUSION: I have found a definite regular use for this ultrasonic device - the troublesome .223 caliber cases. This is the way to go.

For drying this many narrow necked cases, the hair dryer trick wasn't makin' it, and putting them out in the sun is also too time consuming. I dumped them into a large towel (to cut down on the clanging) and then into a tightly knotted old pillowcase for a 10 minute ride in the clothes dryer. I know have the procedure down pat; effortless and very little hands on time wasted, as long as there is electricity.