BPCR- homemade drop tube and brass cleaning?

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:58 pm

What material is used for drop tubes? Is there an optimum size for reloading .45-120?

Before buying one, I thought I'd ask if one could be made since I'd have to order one. Seems no one around here carries them (or at least I can't find any in the places that actually carry reloading equipment).

What about cleaning the brass after shooting bp? I didn't think about the brass needing cleaning so the brass has been sitting about a month since I last fired it. DOH! Is the brass toast now?

Thanks!

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:07 pm

Decap the cases and soak them in soapy water. Non ammonia dish soap. After a while rinse them in hot water and when they are dry toss them in the tumbler. If you look inside and they are not corroded you should be OK.
You might need to use a brass or nylon brush inside the cases to get the heavy stuff out, but it should come out.

I don't know enough about drop tubes to answer that question.

Joe

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:23 pm

Most I've seen were of copper tubing. I think Don McDowell made his own, not complicated. I think 20-24" is the recommended length. See Shiloh's versionfor a good example.

Naw, the brass ought not be toast. I deprime then wash in hot soapy water, let 'em air dry, then tumble if I want them sparkly. Sometimes I get a residue on the inside that is flaky and comes loose in the sizing die, I just dump that out and continue.

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:54 pm

Thanks!

After pricing brass for this cal, I was hoping it wasn't done for!

cowboykell · Post by **cowboykell** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:25 pm

Made my drop tube from an aluminum arrow. If you shoot a lot of black powder, get a Thumler's tumbler and ceramic media...works slick and I hate doing dishes.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:19 pm

cowboykell wrote:Made my drop tube from an aluminum arrow. If you shoot a lot of black powder, get a Thumler's tumbler and ceramic media...works slick and I hate doing dishes.

I've asked this before and lost the info, where do you get the ceramic media?

Joe

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:24 pm

I made one specifically for my .45-120 Sharps sveral years back. Copper tubing and funnel with oak supports. Works great!

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:29 pm

I think that I asked this question last time one of these were posted, but, what are they for? and how do you use one?

cas · Post by **cas** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 1:12 am

I used a water supply line, purchased at Lowes (along with the wood)

Old Time Hunter · Post by **Old Time Hunter** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:42 am

I carry a cleaned out, used gallon milk container, half filled with 2 parts vinegar to 10 parts water to the range. Don't even bother de-capping until I get home most often(keep forgetting my Lee Hand Press), put the cap on the bottle, shake 'em up good, rinse with clean water, and air dry....good as new.

Know the theory behind the drop tube, just do not see any difference between using that and filling the cartridges then placing them up right in your loading block and hitting the bench with a large wooden mallet next to the block. Seems to settle the powder the same in the cartridge.

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:57 am

Ysabel Kid wrote:I made one specifically for my .45-120 Sharps sveral years back. Copper tubing and funnel with oak supports. Works great!

I like that and it's good to know copper is an option. I have easier access to copper than I do brass.

Got a pic of it with a case in place for loading?

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:26 am

My testing shows that I can pack 14% more Goex FFG into a .40-65 case using my 24" drop tube.

The only way to get the maximum velocity and accuracy from those BP cartridges for long range shooting. Have fun!

gimdandy · Post by **gimdandy** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 5:30 pm

What tubing I. D. and wall thickness are you using. Griff mentioned 20-24" , does either one seem to appear any better than the other? Also anyone got any outlet for brass funnel? Old time Hunter, are you using white or apple cider (yellow ) vinegar ? Great topic and pics .......thanks

Grizzly Adams · Post by **Grizzly Adams** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:18 pm

cowboykell wrote:Made my drop tube from an aluminum arrow. If you shoot a lot of black powder, get a Thumler's tumbler and ceramic media...works slick and I hate doing dishes.

+1 on the ceramic media! Great stuff for cleaning your brass. I use it with a plain old Lyman vibrator tumbler and it does a great job.

mad mucus · Post by **mad mucus** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:43 pm

Joe... mate, looks a tad expensive(?) but Richard Rhody sells ceramic media here >>--->

http://www.biglube.com/BulletMolds.aspx?ProductID=15

Mucus

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:08 pm

Gimdandy , The brass tubing on mine is very thin wall, about the same as a rifle cartridge and can be found in 36" lengths at better hardwares and hobbie shops. It is made so that each size just fits (telescopes) into the next size.
I live in a small town and two shops carry it. I get the one that is closest to the inside of the case I intend to load.

This works with some smokeless loads also. Certain smokeless loads with slow burning powders wont develop enough velocity,not because of high pressure but because of limited case volume. And compressed loads become just a case full when using the drop tube.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:40 pm

Andrew wrote:I think that I asked this question last time one of these were posted, but, what are they for? and how do you use one?

Andrew - in large cases originally designed for black powder (such as the .45-70 ot a .45-120), using a drop tube allows you to get more powder into the case, and the powder size is distributed more evenly (fines to coarse), which allows for more consistent performance cartridge to cartridge. You need to be VERY careful though using a "drop tube" - don't use any material that will allow static electricity to build up. I know some debate this point, but why take the chance?

awp101 wrote: I like that and it's good to know copper is an option. I have easier access to copper than I do brass.

Got a pic of it with a case in place for loading?

I'll have to snap one when I get back from a business trip this week.

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:08 pm

Ysabel Kid wrote:Andrew - in large cases originally designed for black powder (such as the .45-70 ot a .45-120), using a drop tube allows you to get more powder into the case, and the powder size is distributed more evenly (fines to coarse), which allows for more consistent performance cartridge to cartridge. You need to be VERY careful though using a "drop tube" - don't use any material that will allow static electricity to build up. I know some debate this point, but why take the chance?

Ohhhh....I get it now.

Thank you.

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:14 pm

Static build up with black powder is like catching VD from a door knob. Nobody ever has but do you want to be the first one?

Rusty <><

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:31 pm

Rusty wrote:Static build up with black powder is like catching VD from a door knob. Nobody ever has but do you want to be the first one?

Rusty <><

Genius...

And that's also why I was wondering WHAT materials were safe.

gimdandy · Post by **gimdandy** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:25 pm

thanks Chuck, since I've put this project off long enough I'll pick it up this week if I can and get started

Dakota7 · Post by **Dakota7** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:04 pm

You can get ceramic media from this outfit, they are good people. They sell different sizes for differant cartridges. I use the spheres.
Their cleaner called tumble brite work great. https://www.sageoutfitters.com/cgi-bin/ ... &key=68002