Print Page | Close Window

Dry tumbling choice of media

Printed From: Enfield-Rifles.com
Category: Reloading
Forum Name: Reloading .303 British
Forum Description: Enfield-Rifles.com accepts NO responsibility for any loads that may be used by persons reading this forum. USE CAUTION WHEN TRYING ANY NEW LOADS!!! ANY DATA DEEMED UNSAFE WILL BE REMOVED!!!
URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14415
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 3:31pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Dry tumbling choice of media
Posted By: Canuck
Subject: Dry tumbling choice of media
Date Posted: February 08 2026 at 10:12am
I have been using Lyman corn cob for years but have been wondering about using rice as a media. Have any of you reloaders used rice? Opinions welcomed.

-------------
Castles made of sand slip into the sea.....eventually



Replies:
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: February 08 2026 at 2:19pm
The big problem is keeping it dehydrated.
I've used walnut she!!s for ever as it seems a little better able to polish brass.


-------------
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)


Posted By: andy h
Date Posted: February 08 2026 at 4:25pm
tried rice many years ago and got sick of having to dig it out of the flash hole , Used crushed walnut media ever since 25 yrs plus.


Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: February 08 2026 at 7:38pm
i use walnut andi add a couple dryer sheets [used] to hold down the dust 


Posted By: Sauron
Date Posted: February 08 2026 at 9:10pm
I don't do a lot of reloading so this isn't meant to scale to thousands of rounds a day/week/month/etc.  For cleaning brass, I've been using the same ultrasonic cleaner I use for cleaning gun parts and occasional carburetor and other small engine parts.  That's worked for me, but I don't have any really filthy or corroded brass either.  I mix about 2-3ml of dawn dish soap and a teaspoon of citric acid crystals in a 1 gallon ziplock bag and fill it with water and 50-100 spent cases.  Seal it up and put it in my ultrasonic cleaner that's filled with clean water.  I turn on the heat for the cleaner to 50C and then set the timer for 45 mins.

When that's done, I rinse the brass and put it on a cookie sheet and throw it in the oven at 200F for 20 mins or so.  

That's been working for me.  I re-use the liquid in the bag a few times before I dispose of it.  Easy peasy.

Best,



Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: February 09 2026 at 1:48am
Haven’t heard about using rice.  I’ve used corncob media, bought a 30 lb bag of it shortly after I started to reload.  A bit of car polish in the media and a drier sheet.  

A few years ago, I switched to a wet tumbler, haven’t looked back. 


Posted By: M@tt
Date Posted: February 09 2026 at 2:22am
I use Corncob with the green additive, not sure what it's called.

I tried the walnut with rouge (tufnut?), what a mess that made, dyed my fingers, the brass seemed to get a red tinge too.


Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: February 09 2026 at 8:26am
If your going to tumble with rice, probably not a good idea to add any liquid 🤣




Posted By: paddyofurniture
Date Posted: February 09 2026 at 8:47am
I use lizard bedding .


Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: February 09 2026 at 10:43am
Just walnut is the way to go. its "harsher" than corncob so additives aren't really needed.

-------------
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)


Posted By: Canuck
Date Posted: February 09 2026 at 12:22pm
I'm going to try walnut next after my supply of corn cob media expires. Wet tumbling sounds great but I am on a tight budget.....

-------------
Castles made of sand slip into the sea.....eventually


Posted By: paddyofurniture
Date Posted: February 09 2026 at 1:09pm
My father in law used to use white Florida beach sand.


Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: February 09 2026 at 2:22pm
Hopefully well washed to get rid of the salt!Evil Smile

-------------
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)


Posted By: paddyofurniture
Date Posted: February 09 2026 at 3:19pm
He never told me how he cleaned it.



Print Page | Close Window

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Copyright ©2001-2024 Web Wiz Ltd. - https://www.webwiz.net