Dry tumble media that does not leave dust behind

The red is jewelers rouge, iron oxide, AKA rusted iron. Once it is used and dirty, no.
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Just for the heck of it I added a sort of light jeweler's/silverware polish some time back. I really couldn't say if it improved things but my brass came out with a matte finish! I was annoyed by that. But when I would resize the cases the matte finish would turn shiny. Hmmm. But it was intermittent and I tossed that mix.

I also tried some larger grit walnut shells and they worked but the larger grit clogged the primer pocket! :mad: It took way too long to manually unclog the pockets so THAT got tossed. too.

Now I'm using corn cob but I have some used lapidary ceramic polishing stones (rounded from wear...) and I might try dropping a couple of them in to see what happens.
 
I use corn cob with cleaning/polishing liquid in the right amount and have practically no dust whatsoever. And no residue, just shiny clean cases.
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Define "the right amount" please. A capful, squirt or what? Do you mix a certain amount of polish to the amount (by weight) of the corn or walnut? I'd be interested....
 
I think i will just stick with my wet tumbler for now then, it works great with just soap and water and i dry my brass in the oven on 170 for 45mins. The only cases it dulls are nickle plated, gives them more a matte finish but brass comes out shiney new.
 
I've not tried Lymans brand so can't give an answer to that particular problem.
Not all treated walnut shell media does this. I have used the treated polishing media from Midway for the last 25 years. It is now called Frankford Arsenal Treated Walnut Hull Polishing Media, 7 lb. box is 10.99 . It's not dusty , about twice a year I add some Rooster Labs Polish Additive. After long use the red residue starts to appear...this comes from the nut hulls getting loaded up ,like a polishing wheel , and with a build up of Polishing additive. Time to toss it out. In 25 years I'm on my second 7 lb. box.
The stuff Polishes, is not dusty (if it is dusty to you add some Nu-Finish or Rooster Labs Polishing Additive) it is the right size for case polishes.
Just remember not to put too much liquid additives in the media, it should be dry to work. Once it gets dampened with too much liquid additives it leaves the red residue and stops polishing.
Sounds like the Lyman stuff has too much liquid in it. Possibly absorbed moisture or Lyman just puts too much in and being old is a possibility.
I would toss it and get some from Midway, it has always worked just fine for me...and don't obsess over a little dust ....the media has to be dry ... very dry to work properly.
Gary
 
Saw recommendation of Raw Buckwheat in a thread on other forum. It’s available in most ethic foods sections, large enough to not go through primer holes, sharp enough to be walnut like effective, no dust, and pretty cheap.
 
Ground corn cob, a tablespoon of NuFinish, and a tablespoon or two of gun cleaner or mineral spirits is what I use. I've never noticed any dust at all.

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Exactly what lordmorgul said[post #25]. This works friggin' great. I have not tried it yet on rifle cases,but, works well on pistol cases. I hour tumbling, done. Try a squirt or two of "Turtle Wax Spray" and you're in.
 
Ok i am going to give the buckwheat a try. For sure going to spray some turtle wax in there, i am also going to try some car wash/wax soap in my next wet tumble cleaning session instead of dish soap to see if this helps with case resizing. I'm not worried about wax buildup in the dies since i clean them after every couple sessions.
 
locknloader, make sure it is "Toasted Buckwheat". That is what you want, not the other, as it will be too soft. Toasted Buckwheat.
 
Trader Joe's had it. I don't know if they all carry it. About $2.99 a bag. 32oz?
May have to do a local google search in your area.
 
locknloader, that looks like what I bought. Can't read Russian, just make sure its toasted. That bag will last you a good while. Give it a try. Thinking you'll like it.

Marco Califo, yeah, that works pretty good. But, being that the wife is Asian, she sorta frowned at that! Went the Russia route. Safer!
 
Lucas Oil

Lucas Oil makes some great stuff. I will have to look for the metal polish.
Lucas Oil White Lithium grease is the only case sizing lube I use. Just tumble or wash cases after the sizing.
 
The walnut media at Harbor Freight is still cheaper than the Russkoe material. HB walnut is 25 pounds for $22. And Harbor Freight ALWAYS has a 20% off coupon. Just google Harbor Freight 20% coupon. That comes out to about $19.00, after tax and discount, for 25 pounds.

It’s cheaper to use it and toss it then to use polishing material or dryer sheets.
 
Lead poisoning of the reloaders by breathing their mess is one concern. But more importantly, in my opinion, is contamination of working, living, family, space and utensils, etc. Not to mention pets and children.
I am against unnecessary contamination, period.
The more rapid onset and effects of kinetic lead poisoning (getting shot) are a greater concern:eek:
I decap, with rubber gloves on, then wash fired cases with hot water and dishwasher detergent. So by the time I tumble, the cases are no longer contaminated, and I dont get black residue. If I use red stuff, yes I get red residue. And will not purchase that product again.
 
I wonder if some of you guys wear a helmet when driving? Much more likely to be in an auto accident resulting in head injury than getting lead poisoning from primer dust in media dust...:D
 
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