Author Topic: Case cleaning media  (Read 478 times)

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Offline Marc5000

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Case cleaning media
« on: September 09, 2007, 10:59:52 AM »
Are corncob and walnut media about the same? Or are there pros and cons? I will be cleaning .223 and .308 rifle cases in a vibratory tumbler.

Thanks,
Marc

Offline Evil Dog

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Re: Case cleaning media
« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2007, 04:01:05 PM »
My guess is that walnut would be a little harder than corncob but that is just a guess.  Check your local pet store for "lizard bedding"... same stuff but a lot less expensive.  Add a cap full of liquid car polish every now and then... brass comes out nice and sparkley.
Evil Dog

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Offline Gun Runner

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Re: Case cleaning media
« Reply #2 on: September 09, 2007, 08:05:50 PM »
Try your local feed store. I get a 50lb bag for $12.00 (crushed walnut shell) I used to do a lot of reloading and went thru a lot of crushed walnut shell. Then started getting it at my local feed store,at 12 bucks a bag. and probable have a several year supply.

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Offline corbanzo

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Re: Case cleaning media
« Reply #3 on: September 09, 2007, 09:21:07 PM »
Yeah, the nuts are harder, and will take off older stains and such cause the are more abrasive.  The corncob is like using a finer sandpaper though, I say it gets it shinier, and I dont use any additives.  Usually tumble my brass overnight though. 
"At least with a gun that big, if you miss and hit the rocks in front of him it'll stone him to death..."

Offline Lloyd Smale

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Re: Case cleaning media
« Reply #4 on: September 09, 2007, 10:49:01 PM »
I ususaly use corn cob bought at the feed mill or pet stores but for bottle neck rounds i still use crushed walnut as the corncob will pack into the cases and its a bitch to get out. Another option for bottlenecks would probably be rice. I havent tried it but alot of guys i know swear by it.
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Offline shakey

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Re: Case cleaning media
« Reply #5 on: September 14, 2007, 06:03:06 AM »
After experimenting with several kinds of media and both rotary and vibratory machines, I have settled on a vibratory tumbler and 24 grit walnut shell media.  The key ingredient being the fine 24 grit media.

This is not the cheapest or fastest way to clean but, I like clean primer pockets and the 24 grit is fine enough to get in there and clean them without packing up anywhere and stopping things up.  It just pours right out when you are done.  It helps that I got what is probably a lifetime supply when Harbor Freight put 25 lb. boxes of it on sale for about $10.

If you are wanting it to clean primer pockets don't expect miracles though.  It will get the main crud out reasonably quickly and that is all I really care about.  But, if you want the pockets to be shiny bright.... well, I don't know how long you may have to vibrate them.  Probably, TOO long.