Wet vs Dry Tumbling

[JoeUSooner]

Some of the competition shooters were using Harbor Freight cement mixers and pins when loading a thousand or so a week.
Nothing but vibratory for me. Gets em clean enough and worked since 1980 when starting to reload.

Agree. I only vibratory dry-tumble.
My first step is to de-prime the old brass (on a little single-step Lee press), using a combination die that both de-primes and initially re-sizes the case. While I'm de-priming, I run the tumbler to evenly mix the polishing liquid into the walnut media. I then add all the de-primed brass, and tumble for about 60 to 90 minutes - which is plenty long enough to obtain the level of 'clean' that I want. I construct the cartridge on a Lee Pro1000 press (which also includes a die to re-size the brass, for a second time). Been using this system since early 2016, and have never had any problems.

 

[dennishoddy]

Agree. I only vibratory dry-tumble.
My first step is to de-prime the old brass (on a little single-step Lee press), using a combination die that both de-primes and initially re-sizes the case. While I'm de-priming, I run the tumbler to evenly mix the polishing liquid into the walnut media. I then add all the de-primed brass, and tumble for about 60 to 90 minutes - which is plenty long enough to obtain the level of 'clean' that I want. I construct the cartridge on a Lee Pro1000 press (which also includes a die to re-size the brass, for a second time). Been using this system since early 2016, and have never had any problems.

My vibratory tumbler is in the shop. I've been guilty of forgetting it's on and leaving it for a couple days running. Sure gets the brass shiny!

 

[okietom]

I really think having and using both wet and dry tumbling is best. You can use the one you think will give the desired results. As most comments here say different brass conditions can use different methods. If you can use both you will be able have more options and maybe more practical and satisfying results.

 

[Gadsden]

Lots of great information here. I really appreciate everyones input.

 

[PanhandleGlocker]

I still use my vibratory but it is used for steel and aluminum cases.

wait.. what?

 

[Aries]

My vibratory tumbler is in the shop. I've been guilty of forgetting it's on and leaving it for a couple days running. Sure gets the brass shiny!

I've been known to do that. I was outside the barn once, having forgotten I had it on, and noticed the sound in the barn was very different. The bolt that holds the lid on had broken, the lid came off, and media was EVERYWHERE!! Fortunately, it was the barn....

 

[swampratt]

Don't tell you do not reload the boxer primed steel and aluminum cases.

Those shoot just fine and you do not care if they are lost in the tall grass.
In fact the steel cases can take some pretty high pressures.
Not that we load anything beyond factory pressures.

 

[Gadsden]

I still use my vibratory but it is used for steel and aluminum cases.

Until you mentioned it I didn't know you could reload steel and aluminum cases.

 

[swampratt]

I heard from some years ago that you could not do it.
Well i picked some up off the ground and seen a boxer primer hole in them and figured
might as well try and size and load them.
I reloaded an aluminum case 9 times before I spotted a bit of primer seepage that was 45acp.

I have even reloaded boxer primed .223 and shot those.
I hand cleaned them.. wipe down and brush out the necks. FLS with some lube.
Worked just fine.

Another great use for old shot rounds you will not reload is to use them as a hole punch.
When I make a carb gasket or side case gasket I need to make bolt holes and an old steel case or berdaned primed one is
excellent for hole punching.
some can make multiple holes before you mess up the necks or case mouth.

 

[Shriner]

Wet = OCD

Dry = I got better things to do , set a timer and walk off