Lyman Ultrasonic and/or/no tumbler?

D

ducati07

New member
I'm new to reloading and am really close to doing my first batch! I've picked up a Lyman Ultrsonic 2500 cleaner and I was just wondering if I will also need to tumble as well?

I was thinking I'd trim, chamfer, debur, de-prime, tumble, primer pocket clean, sonic clean. Then rebuild the ammo.

Question is: do I need to sonic clean AND tumble? I already have the sonic so should I go buy the tumbler now?

Thanks for the advise!
 
I've found that while the ultrasonic cleaner does a great job cleaning, especially inside the case, it does not make the brass shine like new. To get that new brass look, you will still need to tumble. All depends on whether you care if your brass is shiny or not.
 


I like CLR with a distilled water to clean my brass. I like clean brass before I prime. I do wipe the wax off my necks with lighter fluid before the CLR soaking. Then, I rinse in distilled water. Even if you tumble your brass it needs cleaned.

I have just started to use a Sonic cleaner. I like it so far. It has worked for my pistols and my AR's. Brass will be next.
 
Originally Posted By: willy1947

I like CLR with a distilled water to clean my brass. I like clean brass before I prime. I do wipe the wax off my necks with lighter fluid before the CLR soaking. Then, I rinse in distilled water. Even if you tumble your brass it needs cleaned.

I have just started to use a Sonic cleaner. I like it so far. It has worked for my pistols and my AR's. Brass will be next.





Best bang for the buck that I have found.

I need to get a sonic cleaner.

How is the CLR in the sonic Willy?
 
I use the ultrasonic cleaner and follow up with a short tumble to put a shine on the cases. I think it also puts a slight protective finish on the cases as well but everybody does things a little different.
 
I ultrasonic clean my brass and haven't used my tumbler much since....the Hornady Magnum does a great job. Like mentioned above it won't shine the brass but to me shiny doesn't matter...clean does. After tumbling your brass is covered with dust and grime, after the ultrasonic you just need to dry it and go. The only important thing is that you deprime before you ultrasonic clean the brass....if you don't the primer pocket won't dry and you're likely to have a bear of a time getting the primer out after it corrodes. I like my ultrasonic, it's quick/easy and I reuse my cleaning solution dozens of times so it's cost effective after you have the ultrasonic cleaner.

The ultrasonic also works wonders on AR bolts and other small parts.
 
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