What case cleaning method do you use?

What case cleaning method and media do you use?


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CB11WYO

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Just wondering what methods/media you all use and find effective. Curious also to see specifically what media most people like in their vibratory tumblers.

Also, what additives, polishes, concoctions, brews etc. do you add for best results with your chosen method?

Thanks :)

PS- I was gonna do this in the "Reloading" section but it wouldn't let me add a "Poll" ?? ...sorry... :rolleyes:
 
I have used the vibratory type tumblers for years with walnut media. Saying that I also tried the ultra sonic cleaners as well with some success. I now use STM and like Broz will never look back, takes less time than any other method I have used with much better results.
 
STM for me as well. It gets the brass super clean. My buddy used to ask me to clean his brass for him after he saw how much nicer the STM rotary method worked than his vibratory tumbler full of walnut or corn cob.
 
Since I don't reload a huge amount of ammo I just use a cheap harbor freight rotary tumbler and SS media and it works great! I want to try some liquid polish additive but haven't yet.
 
Currently cook them in the sonic cleaner for a while at a high temp, then polish for about 10-12 hours in a vebratory tumbler filled with corncob media and Frankford Arsensal brass polish.

Works good, but I would love to make it a one-step process and order the STM setup.
 
I started polishing cases about 50 years ago with just some 0000 steel wool. 15 years ago went to viberator with walnut shell and polishing compound. A couple years ago in Cabela's Bargain Cave and came out with a Lyman Ultrasonic, and Lyman compound. Also bought a large and small RCBS de-prime only dies, Love these, So I can clean cases before running through the resizing dies. On cases with several reloads, A 24 hour soak starting in 160 degree water and Blue high test Dawn makes the cases clean a lot faster in the ultrasonic. For pretty cases I like to clean in the ultrasonic. Then resize, do all prep work, wipe of as much lube as possible the put them in the Viberator with walnut shell and compound for that pretty shiny outside. Wear a T-shirt glove on left hand to keep them pretty. Here is a stand for drying wet bath cases. 16d finishing nails. The nails do rust a little. Now to a welding shop for some stainless steel welding rod and cut the into 3 5/8 inch lengths.
 

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Lee zip trim and green scotch pad. Only takes a few seconds per case.

Then the occational vibratory with corncob.
 

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Lee zip trim and green scotch pad. Only takes a few seconds per case.

Then the occational vibratory with corncob.
Never used stainless, but i havent found anything that is better for cleaning the INSIDE of the case and primer pockets than the ultrasonic cleaners. It does a pretty good job on the outsides of the cases as well, but obviously not as well as the abrasive methods. I just simply use the steel wool approach to clean off any residue that is left. Dont really care if i impress anyone with shiny brass
 
Why was there no "I don't clean my brass" option?

Well the name of the topic is what CLEANING METHOD do you use. Doing nothing isnt really a cleaning method haha. If you dont clean your brass then this is probably not a good topic to be browsing in
 
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