New to reloading-help!

glockvilleAZ · 02-09-2011, 12:04

New reloader here

just ordered the Lee challenger anniversary kit with 9mm dies, digital calipers, Modern Reloading 2nd edition, and 100 Winchester 124gr bullets. All from Midwayusa.com<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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I already have a little bit over 100 once fired 9mm shells and I'm going to Cabelas to buy my primers and powder (didn’t want to pay hazmat fee online)<o:p></o:p>
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I was just wondering if you guys had any tips on how to get my brass clean inexpensively. I don’t have tumbler or media to clean my brass and with all the other stuff I purchased already the Mrs. is starting to get on me about it (happy wife is a happy life)

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Any alternatives on getting my brass clean? Eventually I will get a tumbler but I need alternatives for now.<o:p></o:p>
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Thanks for any info!<o:p></o:p>
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XDRoX · 02-09-2011, 12:10

A damp towel will work fine.

When Jack wakes up from his 2nd nap he'll chime in. They didn't make tumblers when he first started reloading, so he'll have some other good techniques I'm sure.

Colorado4Wheel · 02-09-2011, 12:16

Just wipe them with a rag. They won't be shinny but my stuff is never shinney anyway. Don't worry about that. You can also wash them and rinse in water but it may take a while for them to dry.

GioaJack · 02-09-2011, 12:37

Little Stevie is correct, and depending on what you shoot you many times don't even need to do that.

If shooting revolvers unless you eject your cases onto dirt or some other debris laden surface you can pretty much just keep loading your brass, occasionally using a rag to wipe off soot if you're shooting low powered loads.

If you're shooting an auto and you retrieve your brass at the end of the session a simple tapping of the case on your bench top to dislodge any grass, dirt, pebbles, etc. and a quick wipe with a rag will remove anything that might cause scratches to the case during sizing or chamber scratches.

If you pick up cases that have been exposed to the elements for long periods of time and are caked with mud then a washing and drying is in order.

Many loaders prefer very shiny brass for ease of locating on the ground after ejected from the gun or purely for esthetic reasons but other than that factory shiny brass serves no real purpose.

Jack

fredj338 · 02-09-2011, 13:06

As Jack notes, a tumbler isn't needed, jsut easy. I reloaded for about 5yrs before I bought one. Roll them around in a damp towel & that is sufficient. If you want them shiney, water & lemon juice or vinegar works. Just make sure the cases are bone dry before loading. That can take days or you can overn dry them @ 200deg w/o hurting brass. PITA, hence the tumbler.

glockvilleAZ · 02-09-2011, 13:15

Thanks you guys, I guess I thought it was a bigger deal than it is to have them all squeaky clean. I was worried that not thoroughly cleaning the inside of them would affect performance. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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I just got my confirmation email and my order has been shipped! I can’t wait to start reloading. I've been thinking about it for a while now and finally took the plunge. <o:p></o:p>

PCJim · 02-09-2011, 13:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by glockvilleAZ

Thanks you guys, I guess I thought it was a bigger deal than it is to have them all squeaky clean. I was worried that not thoroughly cleaning the inside of them would affect performance. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
I just got my confirmation email and my order has been shipped! I can’t wait to start reloading. I've been thinking about it for a while now and finally took the plunge. <o:p></o:p>

Even using a tumbler, the insides of a case will not be cleaned much if at all. It is the outside of the case that some of us desire to have very shiny, mainly to insure our dies remain clean and also for ease in examining the brass for defects.

sellersm · 02-09-2011, 13:39

Nothing more to add here except welcome to reloading!

Take your time, be safe, have fun!

teweekley · 02-09-2011, 13:39

When I started out reloading, I used Brasso and a rag to clean the outside and make it shiny. Used a nylon brush to scrub the inside if it was really bad. Now, I only use Brasso for rifle rounds to make them look nice. I could care less about pistol brass but I do attempt to get them clean in the tumbler and wipe the dust off before running them up in a carbide die.

PCJim · 02-09-2011, 13:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by teweekley

When I started out reloading, I used Brasso and a rag to clean the outside and make it shiny. Used a nylon brush to scrub the inside if it was really bad. Now, I only use Brasso for rifle rounds to make them look nice.

Brasso should be avoided around ammo cases...

Zombie Steve · 02-09-2011, 13:50

I suppose you could get a paint can and fill it half way with corn cob media, put in your brass, seal the top, lay it on its side in the back of your truck and go 4-wheeling...

Welcome to the nut house.

DoctaGlockta · 02-09-2011, 13:51

A higher caliber of woman seem to be attracted to shiny brass. Don't let any old timers tell you different.

It is the sole reason I tumble.

glockvilleAZ · 02-09-2011, 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zombie Steve

I suppose you could get a paint can and fill it half way with corn cob media, put in your brass, seal the top, lay it on its side in the back of your truck and go 4-wheeling...

Welcome to the nut house.

got it! now I have to tell my wife I NEED a truck for reloading!

mnhogrider · 02-09-2011, 14:25

When I started reloading, I started with .44 magnum shooting out of a S & W 629 revolver so the brass never touched the ground. I reloaded those cases many times without cleaning. Never even wiped them off.

After about 6 or so months into it, I bought a cheap Frankford Arsenal tumbler and some crushed walnut media from Midway. It's still going strong today and doesn't owe me a nickel.

The tumbling just adds to the hobby of reloading and shiny brass looks cool. It's also a challenge to figure out was combination of stuff works best to shine em' up. I like Nu-Finish car polish and a bit of mineral spirits added to the walnut media and the a couple of used dryer sheets cut up into squares. Tumble 2-3 hours.

WiskyT · 02-09-2011, 16:05

I rarely tumble my brass. I go years without tumbling brass. I don't wipe it down either. You can't scratch carbide dies with dirty cases.

robin303 · 02-09-2011, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by WiskyT

I rarely tumble my brass. I go years without tumbling brass. I don't wipe it down either. You can't scratch carbide dies with dirty cases.

I must have reloaded 5000 before without cleaning them also before I got a tumbler.

PCJim · 02-09-2011, 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by WiskyT

You can't scratch carbide dies with dirty cases.

Very true. But you can scratch brass that is run thru a dirty carbide die.

dudel · 02-09-2011, 16:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by WiskyT

I rarely tumble my brass. I go years without tumbling brass. I don't wipe it down either. You can't scratch carbide dies with dirty cases.

True, but you can scratch brass. I tumble because:

1) clean brass makes it easier to spot defects in the brass (especially rifle)
2) clean brass resizes easier
3) clean brass is easier on the extractor
4) clean brass does not dirty up the dies
5) clean brass attracts a better class of women

It matters little what they did 30 years ago. Today is today. Tumbling is cheap, set and forget, and does not harm. Read carefully, all those who didn't tumble at first do so now. Hmmm.

**Cavalry Doc** · 02-09-2011, 17:21

Just be sure to get her a nice gift for Valentines, then perform well afterward....

Then tell her you really need one of these...

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=587176

DON'T tell her about how it will attract hot babes. When you brush off the hot babes for her....

WiskyT · 02-09-2011, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by PCJim

Very true. But you can scratch brass that is run thru a dirty carbide die.

Well I sure never have. I used to shoot in a rock quarry, brass on the ground, then run through the same die I still have now, never been cleaned in 25 years, and it never scratched the brass as far as I can tell.

BTW, according to Richard Lee, and my experience is similar, polished brass is harder to resize.

Police10-42 · 02-09-2011, 18:01

If you want shiny brass on the cheap, buy some wheel polish from an auto parts store. It will take a while with a rag and hand, but it will work. I bought a small tumbler off ebay for $35 and it works great! I just put some nu-finish and dryer sheets in it. Like someone said earlier, 2-3 hours and you've got hundreds ready to reload!

njl · 02-09-2011, 18:07

100 brass and 100 bullets? Are you going to take the press and supplies to the range and reload while you're shooting?

You'll probably use up those 100 bullets while developing/testing your first load.

**Cavalry Doc** · 02-09-2011, 18:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by njl

100 brass and 100 bullets? Are you going to take the press and supplies to the range and reload while you're shooting?

You'll probably use up those 100 bullets while developing/testing your first load.

So, just curious, but does your Butler or your Maid push the handle down on your press for you while you are busy dipping the toast in the caviar?

Just kidding.

Chastising guys that are starting out because they don't have all the cool toys you've accumulated over your lifetime, is just a little rude.

I hope to buy all of Jack's stuff in an estate sale one day (in about 30 years), and then I'll be cool.

But I encourage beginners. It's the right thing to do.

njl · 02-09-2011, 18:33

My point was that 100 bullets and 100 brass isn't enough for a proper start. And buying bullets and primers by the 100, you're probably not saving much over buying value packs from WalMart.

**Cavalry Doc** · 02-09-2011, 18:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by njl

My point was that 100 bullets and 100 brass isn't enough for a proper start. And buying bullets and primers by the 100, you're probably not saving much over buying value packs from WalMart.

So?

From small starts, come great enterprises.