Ammunition & Hand Loading > Cartridge and Shotshell reloading
Getting into reloading questions.
Fb7782:
I'm new to the forum so if these questions have been answered in threads before pleas point me in the right direction.
I have decided to take the plunge and start reloading. I have watch all the videos on YouTube and read the books but I would like the input of those that are actually reloading.
Question 1) Brass cleaning-dry or wet? Pro and cons
Question 2) Who has the best dies?
Thanks in advance
Bryon
Lorimor:
Best dies IMHO are Redding. But as long as you stick with a name brand, you should be okay.
Dry tumbling works but is dusty. Wet tumbling makes magnificent brass inside and out. I don't run my wet tumbler long as I find if the interior of the case wall gets too clean, it drags on the powder funnel/expander on the downstroke. I've been experimenting with car wash with wax in it as the detergent versus Dawn dish detergent. I think it does help with the brass drag, but still I only tumble for no more than 45 minutes. Usually 30 mins is sufficient.
What I really like about wet tumbling is that if cases have dried dirt inside them, it's gone when the cycle is complete. Dry tumbling doesn't get that out. That goes for any kind of interior corrosion as well.
Of the two, I prefer wet. No dust. Clean brass inside and out.
HuskerXDM:
--- Quote from: Lorimor on August 08, 2016, 08:00:47 PM ---
Dry tumbling works but is dusty. Wet tumbling makes magnificent brass inside and out. I don't run my wet tumbler long as I find if the interior of the case wall gets too clean, it drags on the powder funnel/expander on the downstroke. I've been experimenting with car wash with wax in it as the detergent versus Dawn dish detergent. I think it does help with the brass drag, but still I only tumble for no more than 45 minutes. Usually 30 mins is sufficient.
What I really like about wet tumbling is that if cases have dried dirt inside them, it's gone when the cycle is complete. Dry tumbling doesn't get that out. That goes for any kind of interior corrosion as well.
Of the two, I prefer wet. No dust. Clean brass inside and out.
--- End quote ---
This. I'm fairly new to reloading but have done it long enough to get tired of dry media. Wet tumbled brass are very clean inside and out, including primer pockets.
SemperFiGuy:
Two additional cartridge case cleaning methods are also available to you: Ultrasonic Cleaning and Acid Wash.
U/S is a good method. Gets the cases clean inside and also in the primer pocket. However, it is done in smaller batches because of the light cubic space capacity of the u/s cleaning device. Even the Hornady Magnum.
Acid wash is quick-to-clean (about 5-10 minutes, maximum). And doesn't require expensive equipment, just some plastic bottles and buckets. Batches can be as big as the biggest bucket you can find, even 5 gallon. Cases don't come out quite so shiny as with tumbling. But they do come out clean. Birchwood Casey markets a good acid wash concentrate.
Both U/S and Acid Wash do require drying of the cleaned cartridge cases. Put 'em out in the hot sun on a towel on the deck or patio in the summer; use your woman's hair dryer in the winter.
Lee dies are the least expensive and Lee die sets usually contain a shell holder along with the dies. Hornady, RCBS, and Redding are good dies, but no shell holder. I've always considered Lyman reloading equipment to be top-of-the-line. My recommendation would be for tungsten carbide dies; even then, still use at least a bit of spray case lubricant.
You'll need a good manufacturer's reloading book. In fact, 3 or 4 won't hurt.
Start at the low end of the velocity spectrum and work up.
Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.................................................
Are getting Hooked!!
Congratulations.
sfg
Fb7782:
SemperFiGuy,
Where can I find information on this acid wash of which you speak?
Thanks
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version