is it OK to tumble different size cases together? (Read 5963 times)

macsak

is it OK to tumble different size cases together?
« on: July 27, 2014, 08:07:48 AM »
does it affect cleaning time or efficiency?

oldfart

Re: is it OK to tumble different size cases together?
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2014, 08:33:23 AM »
does it affect cleaning time or efficiency?
==========
Bad idea all around
Dry tumbling:
1-If one can slip inside the other, then they get wedged  together. Sometimes you gotta pull'em out with pliers. The inside shell stays dirty.
2- If you don't notice a small shell inside a big shell, you might break the decapper pin
3- It takes time to sort them out

Wet tumble:
1- It still takes extra time to sort them out

On a side note, tumblers work a little better/faster when filled to capacity or near full capacity as the metal-to-metal rubbing helps remove tarnish too.
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SpeedTek

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Re: is it OK to tumble different size cases together?
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2014, 08:38:43 AM »
As long as they dont get stuck like 45 acp and 9mm or 40 in the same tumbler.  223 and 308 or 308 and 30-06 I mix together.  I like reloading steel cases.  No need clean!  Just wash and dry
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macsak

Re: is it OK to tumble different size cases together?
« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2014, 08:46:00 AM »
==========
Bad idea all around
Dry tumbling:
1-If one can slip inside the other, then they get wedged  together. Sometimes you gotta pull'em out with pliers. The inside shell stays dirty.
2- If you don't notice a small shell inside a big shell, you might break the decapper pin
3- It takes time to sort them out

Wet tumble:
1- It still takes extra time to sort them out

On a side note, tumblers work a little better/faster when filled to capacity or near full capacity as the metal-to-metal rubbing helps remove tarnish too.

mahalo OF

TorpedoLube

Re: is it OK to tumble different size cases together?
« Reply #4 on: July 27, 2014, 09:01:05 AM »

How do I sort the 22lr casings from everything else?

Do they get stuck in cases?

Bota-CS1

Re: is it OK to tumble different size cases together?
« Reply #5 on: July 27, 2014, 09:05:28 AM »
How do I sort the 22lr casings from everything else?

Do they get stuck in cases?

I think Brownell's sells a 22lr brass magnet.  You should check it out.
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jaynick

Re: is it OK to tumble different size cases together?
« Reply #6 on: July 27, 2014, 10:17:34 AM »
as already mentioned pistol brass can easily get stuck inside each other and can damage your dies and/or decapping pin. ask me how i know  :grrr:
i dont have a dry vibratory cleaner but mixing brass in a wet tumbler leaves you with acidic water trapped inside the stuck brass that slowly leaks all over your other freshly cleaned brass during the drying process. it leaves weird tarnishing all over. not a big deal since its mostly cosmetic, but the whole point of wet tumbling is to be left with perfectly shiny brass.
now i presoak all my brass in a 5 gallon bucket of dawn and citric acid for a bit then i rinse and sort. less health hazards and cleaner hands/resizing dies. i then tumble after decapping to get the primer pocket clean.

p.s. some pistol brass will also get stuck to rifle brass. i think it was either a 9mm or .32acp that got all linked up with .308s.

oldfart

Re: is it OK to tumble different size cases together?
« Reply #7 on: July 27, 2014, 11:31:01 AM »
I think Brownell's sells a 22lr brass magnet.  You should check it out.
=================
I bought one. Works good for 45acp. Also works on copper pennies. See the pic. I don't know for sure if it works on 22LR too.
Got mine from Midway long time ago. $22.95 plus shipping if I recall.
I tie it to a bamboo stick and it grabs all my 45 shells easily. No more bending down to pick up shells!
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Walena

Re: is it OK to tumble different size cases together?
« Reply #8 on: July 27, 2014, 06:57:18 PM »
I sort mine out before they go into the tumbler. Occasionally one will get mixed up in with the other, but I inspect after tumbling anyways.

kekoa

Re: is it OK to tumble different size cases together?
« Reply #9 on: July 27, 2014, 07:01:57 PM »
I  like reloading steel cases.  No need clean!  Just wash and dry

I thought reloading steel was a no go.

oldfart

Re: is it OK to tumble different size cases together?
« Reply #10 on: July 27, 2014, 07:36:36 PM »
I thought reloading steel was a no go.
...
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