Sonic cleaned and no difference....

[Glenn Tullius]

I bought a Harbor Freight sonic cleaner to do 20 Grendel cases only. I used distilled water and the recommended 1/4 tsp. of powdered cleaner, and ran 4 times. Twice with heat, and added another 1/4 tsp. of cleaner. Result is the brass looks like I never ran it! See the pic, before and after neck looks unchanged.

 

[Pdvdh]

Add some citric acid to the water solution.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

It is easier and faster to clean the outside of dirty necks with steel wool. A few quick twists and you're done.

 

[Buckleman]

Dawn dish soap and Lemishine

 

[Tommytrees]

It is easier and faster to clean the outside of dirty necks with steel wool. A few quick twists and you're done.

Sometimes old timey way is as good or better.

 

[waveslayer]

I ditched the sonic cleaner and so stainless steel media ( wet) . A total game changer.

 

[just_jon]

At least the lady of the house will get free jewelry cleaning.

 

[Glenn Tullius]

I have been using the water pins etc. with awesome results, but I often work with only 20 rounds at a time for testing, which is why I bought it. I also thought it would eliminate my tired thumb from cleaning the necks with steel wool etc. I will try the suggestions of citric acid, lemishine etc. Thanks!

 

[Rick Richard]

I have a sonic cleaner also and not impressed with the results. I will stick to my ole vibratory cleaner.

 

[Muddyboots]

It is easier and faster to clean the outside of dirty necks with steel wool. A few quick twists and you're done.

Steel wool works great. Another way is dab of Flitz on rag, twist around neck and looks new.

 

[Glenn Tullius]

Steel wool works great. Another way is dab of Flitz on rag, twist around neck and looks new.

Oh.... I didn't think of that, and I have two tubes of Flitz! Thank you!

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I've used all three types and have settled on the SS/pins method. However, I rarely clean my rifle brass. Mostly I'm cleaning pistol brass or anything that flies out of an AR.

One thing that I learned about the SS wet method is that "lees is more". I was originally tumbling for 2 hours. Eventually, I experimented with less, and less time. The mouth peening issue is related to excessive tumbling IMO. Excessive tumbling also removes ALL of the carbon from inside of the necks which most people feel is undesirable.

I'm currently tumbling for about 45min and get good results. Shorter times may work just as well. I lightly chamfer the inside of the case mouths just for consistency, but it's not really needed.

 

[Glenn Tullius]

I've used all three types and have settled on the SS/pins method. However, I rarely clean my rifle brass. Mostly I'm cleaning pistol brass or anything that flies out of an AR.

One thing that I learned about the SS wet method is that "lees is more". I was originally tumbling for 2 hours. Eventually, I experimented with less, and less time. The mouth peening issue is related to excessive tumbling IMO. Excessive tumbling also removes ALL of the carbon from inside of the necks which most people feel is undesirable.

I'm currently tumbling for about 45min and get good results. Shorter times may work just as well. I lightly chamfer the inside of the case mouths just for consistency, but it's not really needed.

Yes, I reduced my time to one hour max as well.

 

[Bravo 4]

It is easier and faster to clean the outside of dirty necks with steel wool. A few quick twists and you're done.

Steel wool works great. Another way is dab of Flitz on rag, twist around neck and looks new.

For years I've used a green scotchbrite pad and Lee zip trip.

Edit: Lee zip trim…not trip.