Walnut vs. Corn Cob?

To learn and introduce new loaders. Tips and tricks from old timers.

Moderators: Chuck, Mustang380gal, Coordinators, Moderators

User avatar
BobK
Posts: 15602
Joined: Sun Jan 14, 2007 10:26 pm
Location: Houston TX (formerly Franklin County)

Re: Walnut vs. Corn Cob?

Post by BobK »

JustaShooter wrote:I suspect he means that the grain size of the Zilla brand crushed walnut shells is about sugar sand sized.
Yes, this is what he meant.

There is no actual sand in the Zilla Walnut shells.
I am a: NRA Life Member, Texas State Rifle Association Life Member, Texas Firearms Coalition Gold member, OFCC Patron Member, former JFPO member (pre-SAF).

This froggie ain't boiling! Shall not be infringed! Μολών Λαβέ
More Obamination. Idiots. Can't we find an electable (R) for 2016?
BigBuilder
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2013 10:56 pm
Location: NW Franklin County

Re: Walnut vs. Corn Cob?

Post by BigBuilder »

JustaShooter wrote:
igolfat8 wrote:
evan price wrote: I use Zilla brand lizard litter which is crushed English walnut shells in a fine grit like sugar sand. |
Are you saying the Zilla mix has sand in it too or do you add sand to the mix?
I suspect he means that the grain size of the Zilla brand crushed walnut shells is about sugar sand sized.

Yes, the grit is sugar or sand sized. Nothing but crushed walnut shells in the Zilla product.

As a follow up to my original post, I wanted to note that when prepping 308 cases that have been tumbled with walnut/polish (Evan Price recipe) the brass comes out really smooth and it makes the case sizing process, especially with once fired military brass, much more efficient with fewer stuck cases. You still have to lube (Hornady wax has worked best for me), but fewer cases got stuck. I might have 1 out of 100 get stuck because the case is polished smooth. The liquid or chemical method will clean the dirt/corrosion, but the cases are not smooth. Even with lubing 1 out of 15 might get stuck. Depending if you have a ton of mud or dirt on the cases from outdoor shooting, you can try the liquid first to clean and remove the dirt, but then put it in the tumbler with the walnut to complete the process. (I believe Evan Price mentioned something to this)

Good stuff. Hope this helps.
Thanks.
BigBuilder
BigBuilder
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2013 10:56 pm
Location: NW Franklin County

Sizing lube or wax

Post by BigBuilder »

Anyone have a good home recipe for sizing lube? I use the Hornady wax, but it is hard to find like everything else lately. Midway has been out for awhile and the new Cabelas doesn't have it either. We tried some Mobile 1, not bad, but still had a stuck case 1 in 25. With Hornady wax we get about 1 in 100 stuck.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks.
BigBuilder
igolfat8
Posts: 23
Joined: Sat Dec 29, 2012 10:55 pm

Re: Walnut vs. Corn Cob?

Post by igolfat8 »

I take a gallon size Ziplock bag then spray the inside lightly with Silicone aerosol spray. Toss in some clean brass, zip the bag and toss brass around for about a minute until its all lightly coated. Open the bag and spread out to dry for a few minutes and then its ready to use and stick free :mrgreen:
User avatar
HancockCountyHAl
Posts: 1100
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2010 7:48 pm
Location: Hancock County, Ohio

Re: Walnut vs. Corn Cob?

Post by HancockCountyHAl »

Thanks for the car polish tip. I tried it and it worked great.
HancockCountyHaL
Loading
Posts: 128
Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2011 11:47 am

Re: Walnut vs. Corn Cob?

Post by Loading »

I started with corn cob, worked fine for dirty brass.
Then I had some really dirty brass. Black tarnish.
I tried CC, then picked up walnut at Harbor Freight and it did better.
Still wouldn't come clean. So I tried the LSD clean.

Lemi Shine Dawn
It turned the black into brown stuff that tumbled off.
I used a huge rubbermaid tub with lid.
Put a line of dawn edge to edge.
Then I went and did overkill because the brass was so bad
Covered the dawn with lemi shine. Looked like kids candy.
Tossed in the brass and covered it with hot water.
Shake like he// let it sit. Shake a few more times and go to bed.
I don't like waiting so I did mine in a 2hr soak. Could have done better but I just can't wait.
Because I tumbled it already I removed the primers to help dry time.
Photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/94348079@N ... 8588851328" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The brass came from a public range that sat in wood chips for who knows how long.

For sizing motor oil works well (223)
Oil the die and every 5th shell.
Super Tech wally world crap 10w-30 is what I use.
R.I.P The Late Great Sir Winston 1-5-01 to 8-10-13
User avatar
JustaShooter
OFCC Coordinator
OFCC Coordinator
Posts: 5800
Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2013 3:08 pm
Location: Akron/Canton Area

Re: Sizing lube or wax

Post by JustaShooter »

BigBuilder wrote:Anyone have a good home recipe for sizing lube?
Get some anhydrous lanolin - ask at your local pharmacy. That is what almost all lubes are primarily made of. In fact, if I recall correctly Imperial Sizing Wax is nothing but anhydrous lanolin...
Christian, Husband, Father
NRA Life Member
NRA Certified Range Safety Officer
NRA Certified Pistol & Rifle Instructor

Want to become more active with OFCC and help fight for your rights? Click Here!
User avatar
Nick_M
Posts: 59
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2010 3:22 pm
Location: Wellington, OH
Contact:

Re: Walnut vs. Corn Cob?

Post by Nick_M »

evan price wrote: I use a dab of NuFinish liquid car polish added every couple weeks to add some polish and some polymer wax for shine and sparkle.
How much is a dab? Like a teaspoon? I assume it cakes up in the media at first but then distrubutes throughout during the mix?

Im trying to get brass super clean and shiny and the RCBS corn cob and polish isnt getting the job done.

Thanks Evan!
User avatar
BobK
Posts: 15602
Joined: Sun Jan 14, 2007 10:26 pm
Location: Houston TX (formerly Franklin County)

Re: Walnut vs. Corn Cob?

Post by BobK »

Nick_M wrote:How much is a dab? Like a teaspoon? I assume it cakes up in the media at first but then distrubutes throughout during the mix?
I use a capful of NuFinish with a half cup or so (eyeballed) of paint thinner.

Run the tumbler for a few minutes and it will distribute, Then add the brass.
I am a: NRA Life Member, Texas State Rifle Association Life Member, Texas Firearms Coalition Gold member, OFCC Patron Member, former JFPO member (pre-SAF).

This froggie ain't boiling! Shall not be infringed! Μολών Λαβέ
More Obamination. Idiots. Can't we find an electable (R) for 2016?
User avatar
mbott
Posts: 350
Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 6:10 am
Location: Westerville

Re: Sizing lube or wax

Post by mbott »

BigBuilder wrote:Anyone have a good home recipe for sizing lube? I use the Hornady wax, but it is hard to find like everything else lately. Midway has been out for awhile and the new Cabelas doesn't have it either. We tried some Mobile 1, not bad, but still had a stuck case 1 in 25. With Hornady wax we get about 1 in 100 stuck.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
From the old AR15 reloading e-list:

1 part Lanolin
8 to 12 parts isopropyl alcohol (experiment)
shake well before use


I use the 1 to 8 ratio in a spray bottle. Cheap and it works well.

--
Mike
The fight will not be the way you want it to be. The fight will be the way it is. You must be flexible enough to adapt. -- Unknown
NRA Benefactor Life & Golden Eagle Member
NRA Certified Pistol, Rifle and Personal Protection In The Home Instructor
Law Enforcement Sales, Retired
User avatar
JustaShooter
OFCC Coordinator
OFCC Coordinator
Posts: 5800
Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2013 3:08 pm
Location: Akron/Canton Area

Re: Walnut vs. Corn Cob?

Post by JustaShooter »

I was able to find 2oz bottles of lanolin oil on Amazon, as well as 99% isopropyl alcohol. I did 8:1 ratio, and it seemed to help to warm them both in a hot water bath to get them to mix better (*no* open flames!).
Christian, Husband, Father
NRA Life Member
NRA Certified Range Safety Officer
NRA Certified Pistol & Rifle Instructor

Want to become more active with OFCC and help fight for your rights? Click Here!
stephen45-70
Posts: 129
Joined: Sat Jul 27, 2013 8:29 am
Location: lisbon 44432

Re: Walnut vs. Corn Cob?

Post by stephen45-70 »

My fool proof method to purty brass .

First thing i do is boil about a gallon of water .. i then add about 3 tablespoons of citric acid e
Lemi shine is my preferance ... but any citric acid is good ... including koolaide

I then pour the boilng hot liquid over my brass in a nonmetalic bowl .
Let sit a few minutes then stir with a wooden or plastic spoon .
After about 5 minutes drain and rinse .

I then go with the many time mentioned walnut shells mineral spirits and nu finish
For about an hour in the tumbler

Easy peasy perfectly clean brass that shines like new .

Now why do i use both .... the citric acid serves two purposes .

First it cleans ... and it cleans very fast
Second it also normalizes your brass .... in other words your brass will not tarnish
Nearly as fast .
And it keeps the dirt and crud out of your media .. lest dust and crud from the tumbler to spread around or breath .
And it cuts the amount of time you need to run the tumbler by a whole bunch .
Its also cheap .... about a quarter every time

I do admit to being a convert to stainless pins for all of my black powder brass .
But it is a bit more work then its worth for a high volume shooter .
All my smokeless brass gets the above treatment
Post Reply