A Reloading Problem of the Media Type

Mortis · Aug 20, 2012

Now.....I have been reloading rifles for over 20 years.... but except for the 22 HOrnet I reloaded for Silhouette....never had a problem with tumbling media build up in a case.

Well.... not any more.

I had a powder overflow problem this weekend loading 22-250's that puzzled me.

I unloaded a couple rounds I had already loaded and guess what fell out with the powder..... you guessed it..... walnut.

Checked several of the unprimed cases....... a grain or two fell out.... banged them hard on the bench... a bunch fell out..... ran a small screwdriver around inside... a whole bunch came out.

What you see in the photo is from 110 cases I ran through the Lyman Ultra sconic cleaner. The pile does not include the media left in the bottom of the Lyman.

I've never had this problem before...and I am wondering WHY???? Smaller case mouth then I'm use too? Damp media maybe?? Brain Fart??

So..... back to the drawing board.... pull all my test loads and insure the insides are clean.

nvbroncrider · Aug 20, 2012

I have that problem with 223. So I wait to size after I tumble and then knock the cases together until all media is out.

AzDak42 · Aug 20, 2012

I sonic clean and then polish with flitz + corn cob media in a vibratory cleaner, and I've had that happen when I didn't let them dry completely before tossing them in the tumbler.

Has it been excessively humid down in your neck of the woods?

Guest · Aug 20, 2012

Damp media is not your friend. Be sure cases are dry when you put them in the tumbler, and be sure the media has fully soaked up any polishing agent you added before you put cases in, too.

Mortis · Aug 20, 2012

Yeah....it's beeen a tad dry here in Oklahoma till this last weekend...

Drag a stick across a rock and ya got a match.

I always let new polish tumble for at least 5 minutes to let it spread out in the media......

I'm considering all possibilities and will keep an eye on it from here on out.

rick smith · Aug 20, 2012

.Mortis, when you add polishing cmpd to your media, let it run for at least an hour and stir the media with a wooden dowel during the process. I keep some old cases that I throw in after the media has been going for an hour just to breakup any wet clumps. The media has to be DRY before you toss in the cases you plan to load.Rick.