newbie: cleaning .38/.357 cases without a tumbler?

Discussions covering the components and techniques of reloading for your handgun.
User avatar
Old Scribe
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 369
Joined: 02 May 2015 09:13
My Press Choice: Turret
Location: State of Jefferson
Has thanked: 461 times
Been thanked: 120 times

Re: newbie: cleaning .38/.357 cases without a tumbler?

Post by Old Scribe »

Some of my reloading buddies don't tumble brass. I tumble sometimes and for sure any range brass I gather. The rest of the time I clean the primer pockets check the case mouths and reload. Simple.
"Well here's another nice mess you've gotten me into." Oliver Hardy
User avatar
akuser47
Moderator & Supporter
Moderator & Supporter
Posts: 1397
Joined: 30 Jun 2013 09:16
My Press Choice: Single Stage
Location: ohio
Has thanked: 666 times
Been thanked: 266 times

Re: newbie: cleaning .38/.357 cases without a tumbler?

Post by akuser47 »

I'm the same if I know the brass I don't worry anymore. If new to me I clean and inspect it. +corn
Image
Live Free,Ride Free, Or Die Fighting, For The Right, To do So!
User avatar
alphalimafoxtrot
Supporter
Supporter
Posts: 160
Joined: 14 Feb 2016 07:19
My Press Choice: Lee Loader
Location: Alexandria, Virginia
Has thanked: 462 times
Been thanked: 80 times

Re: newbie: cleaning .38/.357 cases without a tumbler?

Post by alphalimafoxtrot »

Well guys, I have to say - thank you very much for many helpful ideas! I figured I really didn't have to go to the extremes of high-polishing brass especially if I don't care about how shiny it is. I just wanted to get some reassurance that the "myth" about dirty brass tearing up your dies was just that - more of a myth than a reality.

You all have confirmed some of my thoughts, and I am thankful for your feedback. Now, all I have to do is gather more .38/.357 hulls whenever I find them!!! +guns

Thanks alot guys.

Adam
I am a regular joe, consisting of 78% coffee, 12% hot air, 9% organizational abilities, and 1% luck.
User avatar
Fyodor
Founding Member & Supporter
Founding Member & Supporter
Posts: 1512
Joined: 04 Jan 2014 05:45
My Press Choice: Progressive
Location: Gernsbach, Germany
Has thanked: 794 times
Been thanked: 504 times

Re: newbie: cleaning .38/.357 cases without a tumbler?

Post by Fyodor »

But don't forget to stop collecting at some point... I got enough .38 cases by now, if they all were loaded, I didn't need to reload for at least three years. Luckily I don't find the time to make 10k rounds at once, so I can go to my reloading room once in a while.
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
- Evelyn Beatrice Hall, often misattributed to Voltaire

I think I'm thinking, therefore I may possibly be.
rdover
Posts: 13
Joined: 14 Feb 2017 15:47
My Press Choice: Turret
Location: Tennessee
Been thanked: 7 times

Re: newbie: cleaning .38/.357 cases without a tumbler?

Post by rdover »

I read an article recently where a guy puts his cartridges in a bottle of water as soon as he shoots them. Starts the cleaning right away.
NRA used to (still does?) recommend this solution:
1 - QT Hot Water
1 - Cup Vinegar (can use citric acid)
1 - tbsp salt
1 - tbsp dish soap
Soak for no more than 15 minutes.
___________________________________________
Neutralize
1 Qt water
1 teaspoon baking soda
Soak for 15 minutes.

What I've started doing is take the above solution, leave out the vinegar so it's just 1 - QT Hot Water, 1 - tbsp salt, 1 - tbsp dish soap, throw the brass in there at the range. You can leave it for several days in that solution. Then when I'm ready to actually wash it, pour in the 1 Cup Vinegar, agitate, let sit for 5 minutes, agitate, sit 5, agitate, sit 5 pour and rinse. Then do the neutralize. You'll want to rinse after the neutralizing about 4-6 times. I put the brass back in a screw top container and shake it real well.

It comes out looking nice.
I do tumble in a vibratory with lizard litter (walnut shell) and Nu-Finish. Brass looks brand new, better than a lot of factory rounds.
User avatar
Ranch Dog
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 6456
Joined: 22 Jun 2013 17:16
My Press Choice: Progressive
Location: Inez, TX
Has thanked: 1616 times
Been thanked: 2850 times

Re: newbie: cleaning .38/.357 cases without a tumbler?

Post by Ranch Dog »

I like the idea of getting them in a solution quickly. I've been wanting to clean my brass before it gets decapped to keep some to shooting grim out of my room and off my press and dies.
Michael
Image
User avatar
bayou
Posts: 145
Joined: 10 Jun 2015 06:14
My Press Choice: Hand Press
Location: Louisiana
Has thanked: 142 times
Been thanked: 77 times

Re: newbie: cleaning .38/.357 cases without a tumbler?

Post by bayou »

I'm a SS wet tumbler, but before wet tumbling, I pre-soak the cases in water with some detergent and citric acid (lemon juice) added. Often times, just soaking them like this shines them up. It certainly cleans them.

Let them soak overnight for a better cleaning. Just an idea for cleaning on the cheap!
bayou
NRA Life Member
44WCF
Posts: 5
Joined: 30 Jun 2013 09:16
My Press Choice: Hand Press
Location: WI
Has thanked: 5 times
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: newbie: cleaning .38/.357 cases without a tumbler?

Post by 44WCF »

Iosso brass cleaner.
I do mostly small batches, 100 or less. I decap with the universal decapping die then throw them in a tupperware container with Iosso and shake for 1 minute, scoop the cases out and rinse them with water. I save the cleaner and reuse on the next batch. I set the cases up to air dry overnight. Brass comes out shiny with very little effort or time invested, and it's fairly cheap.
User avatar
buckeye43210
250 Shots
250 Shots
Posts: 253
Joined: 20 Dec 2014 09:47
My Press Choice: Progressive
Location: TPA
Has thanked: 23 times
Been thanked: 131 times

Re: newbie: cleaning .38/.357 cases without a tumbler?

Post by buckeye43210 »

44WCF wrote:Iosso brass cleaner.
I do mostly small batches, 100 or less. I decap with the universal decapping die then throw them in a tupperware container with Iosso and shake for 1 minute, scoop the cases out and rinse them with water. I save the cleaner and reuse on the next batch. I set the cases up to air dry overnight. Brass comes out shiny with very little effort or time invested, and it's fairly cheap.
Brasso contains ammonia that will weaken your brass.
User avatar
akuser47
Moderator & Supporter
Moderator & Supporter
Posts: 1397
Joined: 30 Jun 2013 09:16
My Press Choice: Single Stage
Location: ohio
Has thanked: 666 times
Been thanked: 266 times

Re: newbie: cleaning .38/.357 cases without a tumbler?

Post by akuser47 »

Losso is different than brasso 2 different companies and different chemical make up. No worries I thought same thing until I checked it out.
Image
Live Free,Ride Free, Or Die Fighting, For The Right, To do So!
Post Reply

Return to “Handgun Reloading”