Tumbler media question

[dbshabo]

Reloading virgin here. Got a question for you experts out there. First off I have read the tacked posts in this forum and have learned a lot from them.

I read a post somewhere, maybe here, not sure, by someone who uses a reptile bedding material in his tumbler. I went to the local Pets Mart yesterday and found a product called Calcium Sand. All the other bedding material they stocked was obviously not suitable for tumbling. This stuff is really course large grained [sand?]. Not sure what the calcium part of it all about. So I buy a 10lb. bag of the stuff. I put about 8lbs. of it in my new tumbler and tumbled 120 once fired cases for about 3 hours.

The cases came out with a dull sheen to them, not bright and shiny as I expected. They looked clean, although they didn't look dirty before tumbling. I wiped the cases down with a dry rag which removed some of the haze on them.

My question is has anyone used this stuff before? Is it ok to use as a cleaning media? The haze I wiped off the cases was like a concrete/mortor haze/film. Anyone who has worked with masonry stuff knows what I'm referring to. My concern is what may be inside the cases. If I reload these cases will I be blowing abrasive material into my barrel when I fire these rounds? I certainly don't want to destroy the barrel on my rifle. Thanks in advance for any advice offered. Love this site, so glad that I found it.

Shabo

 

[rem300wm]

Re: Tumbler media question

What's wrong with a corncob or nut shell media? Fifteen dollars worth has lasted me almost 5 years. It works good without the worries your having.

I don't know if the "sand dust" inside your cases is likely to cause any damage to your barrel. I would be inclined to shoot them the way they are and find a more suitable tumbling media. If it worries you greatly try scrubbing it out.

Good Luck.

 

[mnchopper]

Re: Tumbler media question

I buy my walnut media at the pet supply I think its sold for reptiles and does a better job in my opinion than the corn media and is cheaper just add a little liquid car wax and they come out clean and shiney

 

[TacT-MecH]

Re: Tumbler media question

I go to harbor freight. They have a 15 or 20 pound box of walnut shell for 10 bux on sale. I am still using my first scoop. Just add flitz when needed.

 

[-Claybuster-]

Re: Tumbler media question

$9 at the local pet store for 25lbs.

 

[Twitch2120]

Re: Tumbler media question

lyman tuff nut.

 

[sic65stang]

Re: Tumbler media question

I use a walnut lizard bedding I got from a local store really cheap. I put about a capful of Nufinish in there with every tumbling and the brass comes out really nice.

 

[RobG]

Re: Tumbler media question

Never heard of using sand. I wouldn't want any sand particles in my action or barrel so clean those thoroughly before loading. I use corn cob myself. I found walnut to be too dusty as well as leaving too much residue behind.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Tumbler media question

I don't know what Calcium Sand is but I wouldn't use it for the reasons you mention. I don't care if my tumbling media is nut or cob, both work fine.

All any plain media can do is leave cases clean with a soft sheen, if you want shiney you gonna have to add some kind of metal polish. Personally, I prefer natural, new looking cases rather that glittery stuff. Brass tarnishes so a high shine doesn't last very long anyway.

 

[50APIT]

Re: Tumbler media question

That haze is from the sharp edges on the grains of sand scratching the brass. Another concern would be getting some of that sand inside my dies and scratching the brass and dies up.

I have read about folks trying plastic BBs, rice sand (you are not the first one), and ceramic media, but none of them has been able to replace corncob or walnut as an effective and economical dry tumbling media (stainless media obviously works great for wet tumbling).

 

[Unknown]

Re: Tumbler media question

I buy crushed walnut shells at industrial safety stores. Usually, a 50 pound bag sells for around $22-$26. At those prices, I can afford to toss out any media that starts loosing it's reddish color.

I throw old media into the garden, and the plants seem to love it. I'm guessing that the nitrogen from the powder residue in the fired cases acts like fertilizer, and the media helps keep the soil from packing together.

 

[Genius.]

Re: Tumbler media question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sic65stang</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use a walnut lizard bedding I got from a local store really cheap. I put about a capful of Nufinish in there with every tumbling and the brass comes out really nice. </div></div>


This^^^^^

 

[bachelorjack]

Re: Tumbler media question

As I understand it, and have it written in my notes.

Silica from the sand imbeds in the soft brass. Then you put it into your dies. Where it can scratch them or change their dimensions. Then onto your chamber.

I use cement mixers full of walnut. If using sand was as effective I would be using it instead.

 

[roggom]

Re: Tumbler media question

Zilla walnut shell Desert blend from pet Smart. Works great and small enough that it does not stick in any flash hole.

http://www.petsmart.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2769277

 

[2ndPanzer]

Re: Tumbler media question

I went from corn cobb to the walnut lizard litter, and now I have a layer of walnut dust on everything within 5 feet of the tumbler, cases clean quick and nice but the dust is intolerable. I tried dryer sheets, car wax, even mineral spirits in it, and still dusty. Never had this with the corn, and Dillon sells it cheap enough.

 

[1lnbrdg]

Re: Tumbler media question

20/40 corncob media

Less than $30 delivered. The best media that I've ever used. Sell what you don't need and make your money back.

 

[Thump_rrr]

Re: Tumbler media question

I gave up on vibratory tumblers over a year ago.
I switched to wet tumbling with stainless steel pins and would never go back.
No more dust, low noise, and clean cases inside and out.

 

[zuke]

Re: Tumbler media question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Thump_rrr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I gave up on vibratory tumblers over a year ago.
I switched to wet tumbling with stainless steel pins and would never go back.
No more dust, low noise, and clean cases inside and out. </div></div>

It's pricey to start, but there is NO better method out there.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Tumbler media question

<span style="font-style: italic">"I switched to wet tumbling ... No more dust, low noise, and clean cases inside and out."</span>

Some of us think a wet mess to seperate the cases and media and wet cases that must be completly dried before use are somewhat worse to deal with than any light dusting, even if the cost was the same, which it sure isn't.

My dry tumblers aren't loud and I keep the lid on while they're running so there's NO meaningful dust around them. And my cases are ready to use the moment they're taken out; I like that. No, they aren't surgically clean but I'm gonna shoot 'em again, not do surgery with 'em.

 

[roggom]

Re: Tumbler media question

My Lyman twin tumbler came with a plastic lid, it will fit the small and large bowls. Never have a dust problem (outside the tumbler). If the brass starts to get dusty, I change media. That 10 lb bag of zilla lasts the whole year.

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/tumblers/turbo-twin-tumbler.php

Looks like they sell the bowls separate as well.

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/tumblers/bowls-conversion-kits.php