What's your preferred method of case cleaning...

[henschman]

... and why?

I just got a reloading setup for Christmas, and am trying to figure out how I want to do do it. I have tons of filthy range brass waiting for the press!

 

[Nimaro]

Vibratory tumbler with a cap of nu finish and a used dryer sheet. you can get cheap media at the pet store, look for the lizzard bedding made of crushed walnut

 

[Grumulkin]

A Thumler's Tumbler with Lemishine, Dawn and stainless steel media.

 

[ASP785]

I have an ultrasonic cleaner and a vibratory case cleaner. I much prefer the vibratory cleaner. I didn't like using water as a solvent and hated having to dry the cases each time and worry about any moisture remaining. With the vibratory cleaner you can separate your brass from the media and you are good to go. I recommend the Dillon media separator. Nu Finish car polish and a used dryer sheet will certainly get your brass looking like new.

 

[angsniper]

A Thumler's Tumbler with Lemishine, Dawn and stainless steel media.

^^^This. Because it comes out so purdy!

 

[sklfco]

Vibratory tumbler with a cap of nu finish and a used dryer sheet. you can get cheap media at the pet store, look for the lizzard bedding made of crushed walnut

This is exactly what I do. But hey, I am cheap and it WORKS>!

 

[Old Fart]

Vibratory tumbler with a cap of nu finish and a used dryer sheet. you can get cheap media at the pet store, look for the lizzard bedding made of crushed walnut

Pretty much what I've done for roughly 40 years. Except I still buy the regular tumbler media. I just feel like the extra cost is offset by quicker cleaning. YMMV Also I've used a couple other polish brands with similar experience. And just so you know the dryer sheets are just to help hold down the dust.

 

[swampratt]

I have cleaned brass many ways..
Dust is my enemy , that is what my dies tell me..
I spent countless hours removing dust and chasing the carbon out of primer pockets.
Just recently i built a tumbler and use copper pins and the lemishine mix that was stated.

My brass never looked so clean and no more carbon in the case or the primer pocket.

Yes some do not worry about a little carbon..
I do that stuff as it ages gets really hard and will find it's way into the barrel ..
I shoot a bunch and my .308 savage will produce .376" groups with my hunting loads...If there is no wind!! Like we see that very often..But during windy days it is always under .75"
So i want to keep everything as clean and carbon / dust free as i can.
You can do it with a vibratory..but takes many more steps and much more time.

I have about 2 bucks in my home made pin tumbler.. this is it...has been modified and tweaked.
http://www.handloadersbench.com/forum99/23395.html

 

[TCummings]

I recently picked up a small ultrasonic cleaner, and I also use a Lyman vibratory tumbler, both work well for me. It is kind of a pain having to dry the cases out of the ultrasonic cleaner but man they sure do come out nice and shiny.

 

[swampratt]

I rinse my brass after the water cleaning method with hot hot water ..then shake off the water. and lay on a towel.
6 hours later all dry..
I remove primers with a universal primer decapper before i clean them..
You may want to look into one of them if you do not already have one