Clean brass is easier to inspect, runs smoother through your dies, and won't drag grit into them. A case tumbler cleans fired brass in batches, and this collection covers vibratory and rotary tumblers from Hornady, Frankford Arsenal, Lyman, and RCBS, plus the media separators and sifters that finish the job.
Vibratory or rotary?
| Vibratory tumbler | Rotary (wet) tumbler | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Shakes brass in dry media like corncob or walnut | Turns brass in water, cleaner, and stainless steel pins |
| Best at | Polishing the outside of the case | Cleaning inside, outside, and primer pockets of decapped brass |
| Extra step | Separating the media | Separating the pins and drying the brass |
| Brands we carry | Hornady, Frankford Arsenal, Lyman, and RCBS | Frankford Arsenal, Lyman, and RCBS |
A vibratory brass tumbler is the simpler, lower-cost place to start, and plenty of reloaders never need more. A wet rotary tumbler takes longer because the brass has to dry, but it delivers the deepest clean.
Getting the media out
Picking corncob or steel pins out of a few hundred cases by hand gets old fast. Rotary media separators and sifters from Frankford Arsenal, Lyman, and RCBS do it in seconds. If you run stainless pins, look for a separator or sifter rated for pin media, since the pins are much smaller and heavier than corncob.
Where tumbling fits in your case prep
For wet tumbling, decap first so the solution can reach the primer pockets. A universal decapping die from our reloading dies and accessories collection does this without sizing the case. After cleaning, move on to lubing, sizing, and trimming with tools from case trimmers and prep centers and case prep tools and case lube.
How long should brass tumble?
Most dry vibratory batches take one to three hours, depending on how dirty the brass is and how fresh the media is. Wet rotary tumbling with pins usually runs a similar time, plus drying. When cases start coming out dull, it's time to refresh or replace your media.
A word on dust
Dry media picks up residue from fired primers and bullets, and that dust can contain lead. Run your tumbler in a ventilated area, avoid breathing the dust when you pour, and wash your hands after handling brass or media.
