Why tumble cases

By cwc
Published on: 2011-11-28 at 1:27 AM

Replies: 0

Hello, I am getting set up to reload, and am wondering why people tumble their cases before reloading them. If the brass is picked up from a relatively clean range, is there a need to tumble them before reloading? I understand that if the cases were really dirty they could damage the dies. For clean cases can I skip the tumble?

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Posted by: dillon

Posted on: 2011-11-28 at 07:34:36 AM

The main reason to clean brass is to remove any dirt and grit that might damage the dies, and more importantly, might damage the chamber of your firearm. beyond that, a shiny case is slightly easier to resize.

Posted by: markwalter

Posted on: 2011-12-02 at 09:25:09 AM

AND..... Pretty ammo just shoots better too! I reload for CAS and most of my low power loads soot up some. I use a lot of Unique though. You really don't realize how much crud the tumbler takes off.

Posted by: drainman

Posted on: 2011-12-22 at 03:28:23 PM

My tumbler does not clean the inside of the casings as much as the outside. Is that ok?

Posted by: rpgman

Posted on: 2012-01-03 at 02:13:48 PM

"My tumbler does not clean the inside of the casings as much as the outside. Is that ok?"

Perfectly fine.

Posted by: ed9339

Posted on: 2012-01-05 at 07:23:07 PM

One other reason to clean your pre primer punched brass is that some cracked or split cases are hard to see on dirty cases.

I soak my cases in cleaner drain, dry and sort. I then tumble and then punch out the primers. Clean the primer pockets and then the fun begins.

Ed

Posted by: xhybridtheorylp

Posted on: 2012-02-16 at 02:02:15 AM

I suggest checking the inside of your casing after also. Im using walnut shell with additive that creates a lot of dust. You can reduce this by running paper towel squares in the tumbler or pouring the media back and forth between containers outside on a windy day. I didnt run papertowels maybe 2 times and I ended up with powder condensing inside of the longer casings.

This resulted in a 158gr .38 getting stuck in the barrel with a light powder charge. After shooting 20 rounds, I heard this really light pop and I knew something was wrong and the bullet was stuck maybe half an inch past the forcing cone. I pulled the remaining 30 and the all had a decent amount of red dust mixed in with the powder so now I give them a quick scrap with a small allen wrench and try to reduce the dust any chance I get. Lesson learned haha.

Posted by: signess

Posted on: 2012-03-20 at 01:27:32 PM

I use NuFinish car wax on my paper towels. Not only does it pick up the dust, but it also helps the shine and gives the brass a slick coating which seems to help it feed better.

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Why tumble cases

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