Media Matters

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I went down to my local Sportsman's Warehouse to buy some media for my new brass tumbler. I knew I wanted the neutral colored type, rather than dyed green or red, because it's easier to tell if it's dirty amongst other reasons. I spent waaay too long in the reloading isle trying to decide between corn and walnut. Eventually decided on Berry's 20/30 course walnut for my first batches of .308 then .45acp. I also got some Berry's additive that looked OK, even if it is from Utah (Mormon media?) ;)

I just know there are LGCers on here that would like to weigh in with thumbs-up / thumbs-down on my brass cleaning choices. It's OK, I'm a newbie. Have at it.
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Re: Media Matters

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HuckleberryFun wrote:I went down to my local Sportsman's Warehouse to buy some media for my new brass tumbler. I knew I wanted the neutral colored type, rather than dyed green or red, because it's easier to tell if it's dirty amongst other reasons. I spent waaay too long in the reloading isle trying to decide between corn and walnut. Eventually decided on Berry's 20/30 course walnut for my first batches of .308 then .45acp. I also got some Berry's additive that looked OK, even if it is from Utah (Mormon media?) ;)

I just know there are LGCers on here that would like to weigh in with thumbs-up / thumbs-down on my brass cleaning choices. It's OK, I'm a newbie. Have at it.
I don't have any thumbs on the subject because I don't polish the brass, I just clean and passivate the brass in pure citric acid and very hot water. No need to worryabout breathing in any nasty dust that way.

Re: Media Matters

3
I'm a clean not polish person as well, but I do use a vibratory tumbler .. lizard litter from the pet store is made from the same stuff.. it's just isn't marked up as much usually ... you don't really need the polish, perfectly okay to make shiny brass.. but really it just needs to be clean enough to be able to inspect it for cracks or flaws and so it won't scratch up your dies and chamber.

Re: Media Matters

6
For those who use citric acid and dish detergent, is it a slosh, sit, and rinse sort of affair for de-capped brass, or is there machinery involved? I'm building up to reloading myself. :) I'd like not to get extra machinery if I can get away with it.
"I am not a number, I am a free man!" - Number Six

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Re: Media Matters

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Bacchus wrote:For those who use citric acid and dish detergent, is it a slosh, sit, and rinse sort of affair for de-capped brass, or is there machinery involved? I'm building up to reloading myself. :) I'd like not to get extra machinery if I can get away with it.
I use just the citric acid, I buy it at beer and wine home brewing shops. I put a heaping tablespoon into near boiling water, about a gallon and dump the deprimed brass into it. When the water is hot it takes only about 15mins top. I use the Lee universal depriming die, it's the best thing that Lee makes, I'm not slamming the other products they feature. I scoop the brass out and save the solution for the next time. I only do this with scavanged brass that I find on the ground, it makes it easier to inspect. If you experiment with solutions just make sure what ever you use has no ammonia in it, that will eat copper.

Re: Media Matters

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eelj wrote:
Bacchus wrote:For those who use citric acid and dish detergent, is it a slosh, sit, and rinse sort of affair for de-capped brass, or is there machinery involved? I'm building up to reloading myself. :) I'd like not to get extra machinery if I can get away with it.
I use just the citric acid, I buy it at beer and wine home brewing shops. I put a heaping tablespoon into near boiling water, about a gallon and dump the deprimed brass into it. When the water is hot it takes only about 15mins top. I use the Lee universal depriming die, it's the best thing that Lee makes, I'm not slamming the other products they feature. I scoop the brass out and save the solution for the next time. I only do this with scavanged brass that I find on the ground, it makes it easier to inspect. If you experiment with solutions just make sure what ever you use has no ammonia in it, that will eat copper.
Perfect! I have the Lee depriming die and some hardened replacement pins for it. Thank you. :)
"I am not a number, I am a free man!" - Number Six

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Re: Media Matters

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I've been using the same walnut for a while now, for reasons not necessarily related to tumbling. I live in a yuge walnut producing area, so like "local" medium. My brass is still shiny when I tumble it, so not looking to replace just yet. Been some years, now.

CDFingers
Crazy cat peekin' through a lace bandana
like a one-eyed Cheshire, like a diamond-eyed Jack

Re: Media Matters

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shinzen wrote:Citric acid and dish detergent for me as well. Don't have a dry tumbler anymore

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Yep!

Or tumble with petshop availavle lizard liter, same stuff at less the price
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