How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

elfster1234

elfster1234

Gunny Sergeant
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    • Jun 3, 2012
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    #1
    Lately I've been running my brass in my tubler with stainless steel media for only 30minutes and it looks great. Don't see a reason to run it any longer.... Then I'll get a handfull of clean brass with case mouth facing up, hit up the inside case mouth with my air compressor, kick it in a tray with a fan blowing on it, and its dry in about 30min. I find it helpful to clean media with a good dish soap for about 5 to 10min just to clean the media. Then i'll drain cleaned media and run my brass for about 30min with lemishine and dish soap.

    Just wondering what the rest of you are doing for running times / drying times with tumbler / SS media???

    <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">edit:</span></span> I've been running my brass for 1hour now, then deprime and resize, and then run it another 1hour... still hitting up my brass with my air compressor and it really does the trick for making my brass dry really fast (one shot of good air right down each case mouth).... my first batch of reloads "seamed" to make my bolt much more dirty in comparison to factory ammo so i'm running my brass longer to clean out my primer pockets better and the inside of my case better... learning as i go here.
     
    #2
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    3 hours. All clean. Anything less and the primer pockets are not clean. At least for me.
     
    #5
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    I go 2 hrs. I started at 4, then moved to 3 and finally settled on 2. I have not seen any difference between 2 and 4. I have not done any less time.

    I put in 2, 45acp cases of powdered lemishine and a generous squirt of palmolive dish soap. I have not measured the soap, but it is probably 4-5 cases of soap.

    I rinse 3 times and then air dry for 3-5 hours. No problem with spotting or discoloration.
     
    #6
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    When I started, I had thousands of pieces of brass that were all pretty grungy. If I tried to go less than 4 hours, they weren't as clean. Now with brass that has only one firing since they were cleaned, I've shortened my times. Still working on the minimum that will suit me.
     
    #7
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    1.5 hrs for stuff that gets cleaned regularly, and contemplating less. The primer pockets are plenty clean, as is the inside. Maybe not shiny/glowing like the outside, but definitely clean down to bare metal.

    Times will probably be somewhat dependent on whether you have a 'high speed' model or not.
     
    #8
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    "....30minutes and it looks great. Don't see a reason to run it any longer...."

    I agree. If that's working for YOU what difference does what I do make?
     
    #12
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    At least 3 hours for clean primer pockets for me on cases that use large rifle primers.
     
    #13
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    2hrs for 75/100ea of 300WM RWS/Norma brass. Same duration for equal quantity of 270WSM Norma brass. Excellent results.

    Note: clean primer pockets with pocket uniformer and SS brush, <span style="text-decoration: underline">prior</span> to tumbling.
     
    #15
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    edit: I've been running my brass for 1hour now, then deprime and resize, and then run it another 1hour to get spray lube off and clean out the primer pockets... still hitting up my brass with my air compressor and it really does the trick for making my brass dry really fast (one shot of good air right down each case mouth).... my first batch of reloads "seamed" to make my bolt much more dirty in comparison to factory ammo so i'm running my brass longer to clean out my primer pockets better and the inside of my case better... learning as i go here.
     
    #17
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    I tumble for 2 hours and the brass is pretty shiny.

    All the brass I have tumbled after resizing have very little and lite dents all around the mouth. I usually wait to trim the brass with my Giraud trimmer after cleaning the last time. That way the mouths are very nice and sharp. Not sure if you will have any problems with seating the bullets with the brass after tumbling due to these dents.
     
    #18
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    I have been running mine for about an hour and 15 minutes. Any more, and I get a lot of case neck peening that won;t come off with the trimmer. Less than that, and it is not as clean as I would like. At 1:15, I would like cleaner, but it is still cleaner than any other method.
     
    #19
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: elfster1234</div><div class="ubbcode-body">its ok to tumble after resizing right? doesn't screw with the case mouth does it? atleast by looking at the case mouth it doesnt seam to...??... </div></div>
    Your approach should be fine. From experience, SS tumbling media does not alter the brass geometry. Use the identical protocol when NO-sizing my 300WM Norma/RWS brass via Wilson dies. No issues.

    However when using standard threaded dies for 270WSM, complete the following steps: deprime, clean/brush primer pocket, SS tumble, lube and NO or FL resize, case trim (if req'd), chamfer inside/outside case mouth, prime, throw/weigh powder and charge cases, seat bullets, and verify desired COAL.
     
    #22
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gutshot53</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good info! I have been considering going to stainless media. </div></div>

    I think the extra work of separating the SS media from brass and drying is greatly outweighed by having primer pockets come out completely clean and shiny.
     
    #23
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: vdub</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gutshot53</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good info! I have been considering going to stainless media. </div></div>

    I think the extra work of separating the SS media from brass and drying is greatly outweighed by having primer pockets come out completely clean and shiny. </div></div>

    Trust me, it's well worth it.
     
    #24
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Carter Mayfield</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have been running mine for about an hour and 15 minutes. Any more, and I get a lot of case neck peening that won;t come off with the trimmer. Less than that, and it is not as clean as I would like. At 1:15, I would like cleaner, but it is still cleaner than any other method. </div></div>

    +1

    I've found it takes 3+ hours to really get the primer pockets 100%, buy the case mouths will be pretty peened if you run it that long. The peening is a serious issue if you've got a tight-necked chamber.

    I normally run them about 1.5hrs.
     
    #25
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: vdub</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gutshot53</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good info! I have been considering going to stainless media. </div></div>

    I think the extra work of separating the SS media from brass and drying is greatly outweighed by having primer pockets come out completely clean and shiny. </div></div>

    Separating is about the same as sifting dry media.

    Waiting for the drying is the bane of the process, though I don't mind it much anymore. I built a drying box from a 50 Cal ammo can, a muffin fan and a 100W light bulb. 45 minutes and bone dry.

    Honestly, I don't give a shit if my brass is shiny and pretty, nor if my primer pockets are clean. I DO care that I don't have abrasive dust on/in my cases, that will ultimately be in my barrel. Also, when running high-pressure cartridges, it's important the case is dry and free of ANY residue/lube, to ensure the case bites into the chamber well upon firing. Otherwise, you get ejector marks on the Casehead.
     
    #26
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    4 hours, only do pistol cases. Never have seen any irregularities in the case mouths.

    Best way to dry is seperate the cases and pins, then dump brass in an old bath towel and shake rapidly for a reasonable amount of time, then run in corn cob with nu-finish for 15/20 minutes.
     
    #27
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    I have been using denatured alky as the final step in washing the cases to help the dry fast but am wondering if this is causing my cases to darken up after drying? They are brilliant coming out of the SS media but don't stay like that very long. What are you guys doing afterwards?
     
    #28
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jig Stick</div><div class="ubbcode-body">3-4 hrs for clean primer pockets</div></div>

    Same for me.
     
    #29
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    Yes, alcohol will cause your brass to turn purple'ish and ruins the finish. I rinse in a bucket of warm water, lay them out on a towel and dry the outsides, blow the inside out with an air compressor or I place them in ammo boxes primer end up and let the water drain out over night after drying the outside of the case as above. Keep your fingers off when handling by wearing cotton gloves and your ammo will look better than new!
     
    #34
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    I do - i tighten and retighten with a wrench - using a cross lug pattern similar to changing a tire. I have been placing the whole thing on a towel - it still works but is very annoying. Do you have to use a wrench? Does yours seal drip free everytime?
     
    #35
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    I got rid of the wingnuts a while back and use the plastic knobs. I don't remember where I got them, but there is information on the "stainless steel media" thread. Get a lot better grip than wingnuts.
     
    #36
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    yeah, i got the plastic nuts also... they work great

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: judgedelta</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I got rid of the wingnuts a while back and use the plastic knobs. I don't remember where I got them, but there is information on the "stainless steel media" thread. Get a lot better grip than wingnuts. </div></div>
     
    #37
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    I think it partially depends on how much brass you are doing at any one time. For me, I load about 75 .308 casesand tumble for two hours. After it dries I size it and run it for another hour to remove the case lube. Pretty as a picture.
     
    #39
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    Just a word to the wise: the load limit on a Thumbler is 15 pounds. If you use 5 pounds of media, a gallon of water is eight pounds, more or less. that leaves you 2 pounds of brass. If you overload it, those little nylon bushings will squeal in protest.You can google "weight of cartridge brass" of something similar and get how many of what brass equals a pound...
     
    #40
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    5lbs of Stainless media, 1 Gallon of warm water + Plus dish soap (Optional addition of Lemishine or Teaspoon of Citranox), and brass.

    Model "B" is rated for 15lbs:

    1) Media = 5lbs
    2) Water = 8lbs (approx)
    3) Brass = 2lbs
    _________________________
    This puts you at the 15lb capacity.

    Every once and awhile I toss my drum when its loaded on my 50lb rated digital scale to make sure I am at or under that rating.

    Thumlers Tumblers are tanks! They last for ever, but I recommend not to overload the drum.

    308 brass = .4oz > 80 cases approx 2lbs
    223 brass = .2oz > 160 cases
    45 brass = .2oz > 160 cases
    40 S&W = .15oz > 212 cases
    9mm = .14oz > 228 cases

    Above is a guide line for qty's based on 5lbs media and 8lbs (1 gallon of water).

    I just put exactly 1 gallon of water in my empty drum. The water level was 1 1/4" below the top of the rubber inner liner.
    So, with the 5lbs of media in with the water I would say the 7lbs of water would leave a safe level to add brass without over flow.

    Based on that you can figure:

    3 lbs of brass into the drum!

    Refigure from above 16oz = 1lb

    16 / .4 = 40 x 3 = 120case of 308's
    16 / .2 = 80 x 3 = 240case of 223's & 45's
    16 / .15 = 106 x 3 = 318cases of 40S&W
    16 / .14 = 114 x 3 = 342cases of 9mm

    All the above case weights was taken on a DI-MXX123 so they are pretty close.

    This is a guideline only. Because I know that I typically clean 200 308's per batch!

    Just be mindful that the rated capacity is 15lbs! If its anything like calculating steel beams for loads I am sure that they have a safety factor in that load rating!

    Just play it smart! I have found if you can tumble in small batches it cleans better and takes less time! I try to keep close to what I have figured above.

    Hope it helps!

    Terry
     
    #42
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    Same here. I started with a sonic cleaner and that just wasn't cutting it. Then my buddy burned his hand on it, so that got sold.

    It's taking us about 3 hours to get sparkling from filthy
     
    #45
    Re: How long do you run brass in Tumbler w/ SS Media?

    It depends on the number of firings on the cases. The first time that I used SS media, my cases were fired 5 to 10 times and it took 8 hrs to get the inside of the cases clean but the necks were peened and therefore needed trimming. For cases fired once between cleanings, it took about 2 to 3 hours.
     
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