Recommended abrasives

[Pector55]

I recently picked up a Lyman tumbler and some abrasives and the first thing I notice when tumbling .243, .270, 308 and 300 win mag brass is that the stuff gets caught in the primer hole.

What do you guys use and does it do that to you too?

Thanks

[2Late45]

I tend to stick with crushed walnut shells and tumble "BEFORE" sizing/decapping...

[Pector55]

I tend to stick with crushed walnut shells and tumble "BEFORE" sizing/decapping...

That's a good point on tumbling before decapping. I assumed it would be better to decap first so that the tumbling would help clean the primer pockets. It appears that it's simply causing more work.

Thanks for pointing out my "duh" moment. I'm new to the reloading so I'll chalk it up to a lesson learned.

Does the crushed walnut leave the brass shiny or do you have to wash them somehow afterwards?

[2Late45]

Most all of the nut shell media I've tried has been kind of dusty when new out of the bag. It doesn't bother the brass and comes off easily when pouring/sifting the brass through a sieve or colander type seperator.

Some folks have taken to using a new or used drier anti-cling sheet,(from the laundry room), to collect the dust and grime from the tumbler media as it ages. Some suggest a capfull of Nu-Finish car wax every 3rd or 4th session of tumbling instead of the costlier tumbler media prep-sollutions.

Another tip is to try some crushed walnut media from the pet store. It's sold as lizzard or pet bedding. It's very finely ground, and it is dusty. It's also about half the price you'll pay from MidWay,Lyman or any other reloading accessory outfit.

[dk99358]

I use lizard litter and I tumble after resizing. That way I don't have to wipe off the case lube, I hate doing that. I keep a small finishing nail in my hand as I am dumping the media out of the cases, just poke the pointy end into the flashhole, usually the piece of tumbler media pops right out.

Dale

[.45Kimber1911]

I use crushed walnut shells aka lizard litter that I picked up at the local pet store. I also have tried adding in some Dillon brass polish and found that it got to be too expensive after a while, but I really liked the results. I have switched over to adding about a teaspoon of Turtle Wax into each batch that I run through my rotary tumbler. I have three small rubber cans on my tumbler, so your proportions may vary. Cases come out bright and shiny with nothing clogged up inside.

BTW...I agree with tumbling before you decap and size. You still may need to use a flash hole cleaner, but that is no big deal if you set it up on a drill press or hand drill. I heard some don't even clean out the primer pocket. That will be your choice.

[Brick]

Hey Pector!

Some folks favor crushed corncob, some favor ground walnut. I've found it to be Machts Nicht! But, no matter whatever you choose do not use rouged media! If you want your brass real bright and shiny get a bottle of Nu Finish car polish and add a capfull when you do your tumbling. The rouge powder used on some brands of media tends to settle out and can give you fits if it cakes in the bottom of the case and occludes the flash hole.

The "lizard litter" grind found in pet stores is Ok to use on pistol cases with wide mouths, not so good on bottle-neck rifle cases, stuff going in might jam and be a real PIA to get out.

[spblademaker]

Hell yes!! The rouged media, the red stuff, is horrible!!!!

[saleen322]

I have used both walnut and corncob. Most of the walnut I bought over the years is a little more course and does a better job on dirtier brass of cutting through where the treated corncob leaves a little more polished finish.

[dk99358]

Hey Pector!

The "lizard litter" grind found in pet stores is Ok to use on pistol cases with wide mouths, not so good on bottle-neck rifle cases, stuff going in might jam and be a real PIA to get out.

Never had a problem with it so far. I reload from 223 to 358 Win and 44 Magnum. But I add nothing to the media, just use it as it comes from the bag. I don't care about shiny, I just want the damn case lube off.

FWIW,

Dale