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I know this has been discussed before but what the heck. I normally use a tumbler with jewellers rouge added. I was in pets at home to day I bought a couple of 2kilo bags of reptile sand and some fine grit. I tried the sand first the cases are spotless and it does not get stuck in the primer pockets. The cases are lovely and clean but they are a mat finish as apposed to shiny shiny. I'm going to try the grit to morrow and see how that pans out. I don't suppose the mat finish will make any difference to the way they go bang but we will see. I might try a 50/50 mix depending on to morrows result. Its all go this shooting lark. Never a dull moment.

I like dirty cases - it fools the opposition into thinking I can't shoot straight.

Bought a tumbler a while ago and just getting started in reloading, what's the best media to use other than steel pins ie standard media and what do people add to the media ?

I decided I did not like the grit or the fine sand the cases look like they have been shot blasted. Nice and clean but no shiny shiny. The fine sand takes some cleaning off as well. I'm in winter mode at the moment tucked up in my nice warm shed trimming cases cutting primer pockets and full length sizing ALL of my cases. Culling any that look iffy and just generally faffing about.
(I need a bigger shed. But that's another story.) I think I only have two full bore ranges over 100 yards left this year. Any way back on track.
My next trial is ProRep Ground Walnut Grit 5Litres for £12.00 from Pets at home. Its used for reptile bedding. Ill add some jewellers rouge to it if it works Ok.

Alpha1 wrote:I decided I did not like the grit or the fine sand the cases look like they have been shot blasted. Nice and clean but no shiny shiny.

If you've reviewed the previous posts on the subject then you should have seen the photos of my results with fine walnut media (which are repeated below, just in case). You should definitely be able to replicate this with any fine grade walnut and the right polish (as long as the tumbler isn't overloaded). The fine grade Pro-rep is basically the same as the 25/52 grade walnut that I buy by the quarter ton. I would be more inclined to try an ammonia-free liquid metal polish, as I have recommended in the past, rather than jeweler's rouge, which is a little messy and doesn't seem to be delivering the results.










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Just a general question... how often do you change your media..??

By the look of your brass bin, you have a lot more cases than I do, but I've used the same media for my .357 cases for many years.

Daryll wrote:Just a general question... how often do you change your media..??

By the look of your brass bin, you have a lot more cases than I do, but I've used the same media for my .357 cases for many years.

I'd guess it lasts around 15,000 cases for cleaning (30 cycles). De-lube media lasts less, perhaps 7,000-10,000.

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Ok thanks, I'm still ok then.. :-)

I do maybe 2000 a year (.357 is the only calibre I currently load), so 7-8 years....

Daryll wrote:Ok thanks, I'm still ok then.. :-)

Some folks even wash it and start again (but it helps with drying if you live in Arizona). I'm cheap, but not that cheap.

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