Preferred Media for shell tumbler - The Firearms Forum

midlifevette · 01-05-2011, 03:16 PM

Is there any advantage using one media vs another in your shell tumbler. I've read about "corn cob media" and "walnut shell media". I'll be reloading .45 colt and .32 S-W longs. Thanks, Ken

LDBennett · 01-05-2011, 03:48 PM

Walnut shell media is more aggressive and leaves the brass with a semi-matt finish. It cleans powder burns and crude off better than corn cob media. Corn cob media give a shine to the brass but doesn't remove staining as well as walnut shell media.

After using both over the years I now use walnut shell media because it cleans better. Shiny brass makes no difference to me. The brass just has to be clean so that it does not screw up the sizing die. Now, its the gun that has to be shinny, not the brass :-) :-)

I also find that the walnut shell media last a lot longer than the corn cob media. And it is easier to find from other sources than reloading supply sellers for less money.

LDBennett

312shooter · 01-05-2011, 04:46 PM

+1

Walnut media does it for me, if you're really out to impress someone with mirror like brass then use corn, otherwise get the job done with walnut and a touch of polish compound, harbor freight has the best deal on walnut I have found so far.......
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...gory=&q=walnut

The fine grade has one great adavantage over most media, it will not jam up your primer pockets and flash holes if you decide to deprime before tumbling.

midlifevette · 01-05-2011, 07:18 PM

Thanks, I never would have thought about looking at Harbor Freight for the media. We have a Harbor Freight in Louisville and I'll go by there tomorrow. Thanks again, Ken

springerbuster · 01-05-2011, 07:34 PM

Midlifevette, look for an industrial supply that sells sandblast media for construction projects. I can't remember exactly what I paid for it, I want to say around $12. That got me a 50# bag of walnut shell media. They also had corn cob for about the same price.

JLA · 01-05-2011, 09:43 PM

fine corncob (from harbor freight) treated with cabelas brass polish (pretty much the same thing as brasso)

woolleyworm · 01-06-2011, 06:13 AM

I use Lizard bedding from the pet store; it's med-fine walnut and half the price of anything else. Either Roosters or Lyman Polish works just fine. Dillons Rapid Polish has been good too.

Most any reloading branded polish will do just fine. Don't try to use anything that isn't designed for cartridge brass, as anything that has ammonia in it will comprimise your brass. ( Brasso, Wrights, Liberty, etc etc )

bayhawk2 · 01-06-2011, 09:14 AM

WW-A thought crossed my mind on that.I saw that stuff at Petco here while back.
I was going to ask about that here,but you answered my question. Right now I'm using corn cob,pre-mixed with cleaner.It works good.
I think I'll give that Petco stuff a try when I use this up.

RandyP · 01-06-2011, 09:48 AM

Many of us use a mix of corncob/walnut for the best of both worlds...along with a little liquid car polish now and then. Corncob polishes best, walnut cleans best. IMHO

As I always suggest, while you're at Harbor Freight pick yourself up one of their el-cheapo lamp timers. Plug your tumbler into it.... "set it and forget it". Works great especially if you put your tumbler in the basement or spare room to cut down on the noise. Also lets you safely tumble while you go out or overnight while you sleep.

01-05-2011, 03:16 PM	#1
midlifevette Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 20	Preferred Media for shell tumbler Is there any advantage using one media vs another in your shell tumbler. I've read about "corn cob media" and "walnut shell media". I'll be reloading .45 colt and .32 S-W longs. Thanks, Ken -->

01-05-2011, 03:48 PM	#2
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,719	Re: Preferred Media for shell tumbler Walnut shell media is more aggressive and leaves the brass with a semi-matt finish. It cleans powder burns and crude off better than corn cob media. Corn cob media give a shine to the brass but doesn't remove staining as well as walnut shell media. After using both over the years I now use walnut shell media because it cleans better. Shiny brass makes no difference to me. The brass just has to be clean so that it does not screw up the sizing die. Now, its the gun that has to be shinny, not the brass :-) :-) I also find that the walnut shell media last a lot longer than the corn cob media. And it is easier to find from other sources than reloading supply sellers for less money. LDBennett Last edited by LDBennett; 01-05-2011 at 03:50 PM..

01-05-2011, 04:46 PM	#3
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,148	Re: Preferred Media for shell tumbler +1 Walnut media does it for me, if you're really out to impress someone with mirror like brass then use corn, otherwise get the job done with walnut and a touch of polish compound, harbor freight has the best deal on walnut I have found so far....... http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...gory=&q=walnut The fine grade has one great adavantage over most media, it will not jam up your primer pockets and flash holes if you decide to deprime before tumbling. __________________ "Democracy is based on citizenship- perhaps the greatest gift the United States has given to the world- Power is vested in the people themselves, and government flows from the people" James M Henslin

01-05-2011, 07:18 PM	#4
midlifevette Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 20	Re: Preferred Media for shell tumbler Thanks, I never would have thought about looking at Harbor Freight for the media. We have a Harbor Freight in Louisville and I'll go by there tomorrow. Thanks again, Ken

01-05-2011, 07:34 PM	#5
springerbuster V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southwest Washington Posts: 154	Re: Preferred Media for shell tumbler Midlifevette, look for an industrial supply that sells sandblast media for construction projects. I can't remember exactly what I paid for it, I want to say around $12. That got me a 50# bag of walnut shell media. They also had corn cob for about the same price. __________________ The second amendment was put there to protect all of the other amendments

01-05-2011, 09:43 PM	#6
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,321	Re: Preferred Media for shell tumbler fine corncob (from harbor freight) treated with cabelas brass polish (pretty much the same thing as brasso) __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

01-06-2011, 06:13 AM	#7
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,884	Re: Preferred Media for shell tumbler I use Lizard bedding from the pet store; it's med-fine walnut and half the price of anything else. Either Roosters or Lyman Polish works just fine. Dillons Rapid Polish has been good too. Most any reloading branded polish will do just fine. Don't try to use anything that isn't designed for cartridge brass, as anything that has ammonia in it will comprimise your brass. ( Brasso, Wrights, Liberty, etc etc ) __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

01-06-2011, 09:14 AM	#8
bayhawk2 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 102	Re: Preferred Media for shell tumbler WW-A thought crossed my mind on that.I saw that stuff at Petco here while back. I was going to ask about that here,but you answered my question. Right now I'm using corn cob,pre-mixed with cleaner.It works good. I think I'll give that Petco stuff a try when I use this up.

01-06-2011, 09:48 AM	#9
RandyP V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 430	Re: Preferred Media for shell tumbler Many of us use a mix of corncob/walnut for the best of both worlds...along with a little liquid car polish now and then. Corncob polishes best, walnut cleans best. IMHO As I always suggest, while you're at Harbor Freight pick yourself up one of their el-cheapo lamp timers. Plug your tumbler into it.... "set it and forget it". Works great especially if you put your tumbler in the basement or spare room to cut down on the noise. Also lets you safely tumble while you go out or overnight while you sleep. __________________ Lee Anniversary and Lee Classic 4-Hole Turret, presently reloading .380, 7.62 Nagant (32-20), 9mm and 45ACP