MikeSantor wrote:Ok, Got brass now its time to order the first round of actual equipment. Picking up the Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler, some simple green, the RCBS Trim Pro which I am going to rig up to a drill and the spear loading manual.
In regards to cleaning, I know the Wiki mentioned the ultrasonic cleaner. HF has a 2.5 liter for 75 bucks. Do you use this in conjunction with something else like the arsenal tumbler or is it more less one or the other? If it is one or the other, Is there a general consensus on using something like the EZ tumbler compared to the ultrasonic cleaner? I have no problem buying both if it will be worth it.
Am I missing anything in the case prep stage? After this purchase I should have everything to get my cases ready to roll in the dillion 550b...
I just use the ultrasonic cleaner. My experience with the tumblers is that they're noisy, and I'm living in an apartment, so it is kind of out of the question. The insides of my cases are still a bit dirty, but I'm still shooting sub MOA out of my Rem700 .308 (completely stock) @400-525 yards, so it doesn't bother me.
One thing about tumblers is that the media tends to leave a fine dust on the brass, and when you go to size the brass (this depends on if you size before or after cleaning) with lube, it makes a mess and the dies need to be cleaned way more often... that's just my experience anyway.
Here is how I used to process the brass I put in a tumbler (used my dad's):
Deprime
Tumble
Clean and remove the tumbling media from the flash holes
Size
Trim/chamfer/debur and polish with steel wool
Prime
Measure/throw charges
Seat bullet
Here is how I do it now with my ultrasonic cleaner:
Deprime/Size
Ultrasonic clean
Trim/chamfer/debur and polish with steel wool
Prime
Measure/throw charges
Seat bullet