Get it wet.... Or keep it dry?

Hoop · Oct 6, 2014

I've reloaded shot shells for years, but have decided to step off into bullet reloading..

My question is: If you were just getting into the reloading game, would you go the dry media, vibratory method, or jump off into the wet tumbling?

Seems the "latest greatest" thing is wet tumbling. I have no doubt it makes the casings look damn good, but other than that, are you seeing any real advantage?

Guess I'm just trying to compare cost/time/effectiveness/efficiency of both methods.

Thanks!

Matt1911 · Oct 6, 2014

Dry with vibratory is dandy for me.

drmitchgibson · Oct 6, 2014

I moved away from dry tumbling last year. Too low a volume, too dirty, too many steps. I use a 5 gallon bucket of hot soapy water with a little citric acid. Agitate by hand, rinse with water. Air dry on a towel on the kids' trampoline in the backyard. Clean 4000-5000 at a time. Which basically means I only clean brass 2-3 times a year, so far. It is wonderful.

desert_gypsy · Oct 6, 2014

I'm using a vibratory cleaner right now, and it works well. I'm considering picking up an ultrasonic unit when I have some more dead presidents to spare.

JMorris · Oct 7, 2014

I have both. Wouldn't be without a vibratory tumbler.

drmitchgibson · Oct 7, 2014

I still have a tumbler, but only use it for de-lubing resized rifle brass.

OKCHunter · Oct 7, 2014

I've used vibrating, ultrasonic, and SS pins in a wet tumbler. SS pins is by far the best method I have found. De-prime, 2 hours wet pin tumbling and 1 hour in the clothes dry (on drying rack) and the brass looks like new; including the primer pocket. Another advantage is no dust on the brass that could damage carbide dies.

wav3rhythm · Oct 23, 2014

I only reload for pistol right now and I only wet tumble with SS pins. I like it because it saves me the trouble of cleaning primer pockets. When I used the vibratory unit I tumbled with the primers in and it took a lot longer to clean the pockets after I deprimed.

I would recommend you go wet. It would have saved me some money...

TerryKendell · Oct 23, 2014

wav3rhythm said:
I only reload for pistol right now and I only wet tumble with SS pins. I like it because it saves me the trouble of cleaning primer pockets. When I used the vibratory unit I tumbled with the primers in and it took a lot longer to clean the pockets after I deprimed.

I would recommend you go wet. It would have saved me some money...

Why are you cleaning primer pockets for Pistol Brass?

drmitchgibson · Oct 23, 2014

I don't even clear out flash holes anymore. Just let the BOOM handle it.

dennishoddy · Oct 23, 2014

I haven't shot a factory round since the 80's. Always used the vibratory to polish brass. Still have the Lyman I started out with, but there are three on the bench now.

Yeah, its a little dirty, but using enough used dryer softeners keeps the dust down, and the RCBS case/media separator makes getting the media/cases to separate pretty easy.