Tumbling Question

[Didnotcomply89]

I am new to reloading and had a question regarding tumbling brass. I am collecting brass as I go from the range. I have put it in my frankford arsenal tumbler with walnut media for some time, and when it comes out it still has a rather dull appearance. Is this normal, or is there a way to shine it up? does it really matter? thanks.

[animalmother85]

There a plenty of ways to shine it up. The best way is stainless media, a low grade acid, and water.

you can put an additive in dry media, as well. Dry media kinda sucks in comparison, but it's good if it's all you have.

[Didnotcomply89]

Thank you for the input. I can get Nu Car Polish (I heard good things) and I have vinegar here at the apartment. Will any of that work?

[MT1]

A high shine isn't required, it is more a matter of choice. Some brass, specifically milsurp, isn't made to shine like your commercial hunting ammo.

As long as the brass is clean you are ok.

[bigdawgbeav]

I tried the car polish, no difference to me. I ended up switching to wet tumbling. Really bright and shiny cases don't really matter that much, I did it for health reasons. Dry tumbling doesn't clean the cases as well.

I actually wet tumbled brass that was previously dry tumbled and the water was still black when it was done. Maybe a shade lighter then if I tumbled just fired brass. Still disgusting to think about handling brass that you think is clean and it's still loaded with carbon and lead.

[animalmother85]

A high shine isn't required, it is more a matter of choice. Some brass, specifically milsurp, isn't made to shine like your commercial hunting ammo.

As long as the brass is clean you are ok.

I can get milsurp brass to shine like it had Lapua on it's stamped on it's head.


If this is just for shooting, I wouldn't get too crazy. You're mainly just cleaning out the crud in there. Corncob or walnut is fine as is. Add a drier sheet to keep the dust down.

[Yoder]

My brass always looks like crap. Unless you want it pretty, it doesn't matter. I've even loaded some without tumbling without any problems.

[Gunowner99]

I have heard from a few that they only tumble every other reloading.

[animalmother85]

My brass always looks like crap. Unless you want it pretty, it doesn't matter. I've even loaded some without tumbling without any problems.

But...but...but! The children!


Yeah, you most certainly can do that. Some people's heads will explode over it, but it can be done.

[Hawk]

I've had very good luck using finely crushed walnut media (lizard bedding from a pet store) and a cap full of Nu Finish every 3-4 batches. I only tumble for 2 hours per batch of 58 rounds of various .223 brass in a Frankfort Arsenal vibrator. I drop in half a drier sheet on every 3-4 batches to help keep down the dust. The brass smells pretty good too after using the drier sheet! My goal is clean and semi-shinny.