Do I need a case tumbler?

[nighthawkf-117]

Hello!

I'm getting started reloading. So far I've acquired most of what I need to get going but looking into case cleaning. Do I need a case tumbler to get started? I'm not against spending the money on one if it makes a big difference. Can I clean cases by hand with a simple IPA bath or something like that?

 

[NRA4LIFE]

My answer would be yes. Wet or dry, they save a lot of time cleaning cases.

 

[Ram94]

You don’t need to clean cases. Wipe them down to get any sizing lube off and keep shooting. If you want shiny brass, then a tumbler is handy. I don’t clean my brass.

 

[Marbles]

No. Deprime/resize, check spec, and load.

 

[TaperPin]

It’s definitely not needed. Wiping case lube off with a dry rag or even paper towel has been done well before case tumblers became common. They are sold as if they must be used, but it’s simply not true. Wax will come off with a little mineral spirits, or alcohol. Wiping a case prior to sizing encourages the close inspection for splits or the beginning of a head separation, so I think it’s better for a beginning reloader. Heavily tarnished cases can be brightened up with super fine steel wool, but it’s not required.

 

[Taudisio]

You absolutely do not need one. I have one and rarely use it. If I get a hankering to clean my brass, some steel wool shines it right up. I wouldn’t buy a tumbler unless you were doing 200+ pieces at a time.

 

[TaperPin]

I was just thinking to myself why I love all sorts of specialty tools and don’t a tumbler (I did have one for 10 years, sold it before a move and never replaced it). If there was more bench space, or a big clear shelf with nearby outlet, that could be dedicated to a tumbler I’d probably get another. As is, there are too many hobbies competing for space in the garage and it’s only good for one thing in one hobby.

 

[hereinaz]

A sealed plastic container with hot water with lemishine and some shaking will wash dirt and dust off if brass is dirty. Just dry it well before the next step.

 

[Marbles]

I was just thinking to myself why I love all sorts of specialty tools and don’t a tumbler (I did have one for 10 years, sold it before a move and never replaced it). If there was more bench space, or a big clear shelf with nearby outlet, that could be dedicated to a tumbler I’d probably get another. As is, there are too many hobbies competing for space in the garage and it’s only good for one thing in one hobby.

You need to take up rockhounding and silverworking, then it would be good for 3 hobbies.

 

[waspocrew]

Not required at all, but I like mine. I deprime my brass and toss them in the tumbler for a few hours, then it's done. I'd rather do that instead of using steel wool, etc.

 

[nighthawkf-117]

Thanks everyone! I'll stick with steel wool to start

 

[SDHNTR]

The only time I use mine is for big batches of brass.

 

[Leaf Litter]

No, I've used mine once and regret spending the money.

 

[AZ_Hunter]

I wouldn’t think about not using a tumbler of some kind… but I’m different I guess. I mostly shoot gas guns and all my rifles are suppressed. I have moved to wet tumbling exclusively after using media tumblers and ultra sonic, and wet tumbling is the way to go.

I deprime in a Lee universal deprime die. Then chuck the cases in the wet tumbler. Go about my day and get to the cases whenever I get to them. Then put them in a dehydrator and go about my day… I do this during the week. Then will prep and prime have it ready to load over Friday and Saturday night for shooting on Sunday.

 

[ID_Matt]

Most of my loading is in big batches - usually 100+ at a time. I like being able to come straight from the range and throw a big pile of brass in the tumbler and not have to push a dusty/carbon covered case in my die. I also like shiny brass, so maybe it is more mental. Frankford tumbler, corn media, and a timer are cheap.

 

[BallisticJesus]

Absolutely. In the big picture a case tumbler/cleaner is fairly inexpensive. I have alway just used walnut media. Put it out in the garage and turn it on when you leave for work. Or in the evening before you go to bed. Hornady’s basic one is digital and I believe you can set the tumble time up to 8 hours or so and it will automatically shut off. Loading clean brass is way less messy and keeps your dies clean.

 

[Leaf Litter]

The biggest reason I don't clean brass is metallic fusion between bullets and cases. I'm less worried about high chamber pressure issues than I am inconsistent neck tension and adhesion causing higher ES and SD figures.

 

[TaperPin]

The biggest reason I don't clean brass is metallic fusion between bullets and cases. I'm less worried about high chamber pressure issues than I am inconsistent neck tension and adhesion causing higher ES and SD figures.

I agree - keeping some carbon inside the neck is not a bad thing.

 

[dfschell]

If you go with a popular tumbler (I have a midway) get your media from a hobby store like Hobby Lobby usually a lot less than from our reloading vendors.

Also Harbor Freight has rock polishers that I see many use.

Like it was mentioned “no a tumbler is not needed” but sure beats steel wool by hand.

Good luck