Ceramic media for BPCR case prep...

[bpcshooter]

It seems a lot of BPCR shooters have switched over from corncob / walnut media to ceramic media for cleaning fired blackpowder cartridge cases. The advantage as I see it, is ceramics ability to clean the interior of the cases and primer pocket ... to like new condition.
I recently ordered 5 lbs of 5/32"x5/16" small white ceramic media [angle cut cylinders] and soap from an online lapidary supply house. But, the stuff doesn't work well in my old Lyman Turbo 1200 vibratory tumbler, because wet ceramic media appears too heavy for this unit.  I've ordered a large capacity rock tumbler, which will most likely resolve this problem.
Question: What size/shape and type (white or gray) ceramic media are you using? Also what brand/model vibratory or tumbling equipment is providing great results with ceramic media?  ... John

[Timberlake]

bpcshooter,

The media I have been using for a long time now is .156 rd and .284 long, angle cut cylinders.  Along with that came a large bottle of magic stuff.  I've used agout 20% of that solution.  I started with a Lyman Turbo 1200 and ended up with a Thumler's Tumbler, Model B.  I've probably cleaned 3,500 cases with the set up so far.  The media kit can be purchased from DKittydave@aol.com.  It is well worth the price, as is the tumbler.

TL

[hiram]

How long does the media last for before being replaced?  Why did you change--does it clean better or last longer, or both?

[Sharps-Nut]

I was at the national this year and a fellow shooter used these things.   I think you about have to have a tumble vs vibrator type.   I bought his old beads as they were larger diameter and he did not like them.  I tried them in my midway with fluid, yea that was dumb.  Fails bigtime.  I did find a use for my bargain ceramic beads.  I threw a bunch og them in with new wanlut media.  I think they actually work way better than walnut alone.  I treated the media with flitz and noticed cleaner brass on the inside where walnut hulls fail.  I would guess my amout was maybe a coffe cup full of beads.  I only clean my cases with vinigar after shoots as its cheap and seems to work.  My pockets are not perfectly clean but its better than  media alone, at least my tumbler.     The thumbler deal is the way to go but they are pricey.

[Gunny]

The ceramic beads do not wear out and never need to be replaced due to wear. I have been using these for about a year, and clean up could not be easier. I shoot a Silhouette match every week end so my media gets a lot of work. There really is no way to compare the ceramic media to walnut or corncob, they are just in another league all together. Brass cleaned this way appears brand new both outside and the inside of the case, and I do mean appears new. The inside of the case looks as if it has never been fired at all. The primer pockets are just as clean. The feller I got my media from said that a vibrating type tumbler could be used as long as the bowl was water tight. I never tried this and use a Thumlers Tumbler and they are made for rock polishing but work really great. Great stuff!!

Gunny

[thedean]

I just heard of a place that sells ceramic media kits that consist of 8# if media, a bottle of liquid cleaner and a bucket for $50 delivered.  Is that a good price?  I want to try it. Dean

[bpcshooter]

Yes, with shipping included for 8 lbs ... a good price.

[Dusty Ed]

Howdy Pards
I just recieved my ceramic media from Dave Mauer .
I followed the instructions eight hours in my Lyman 1200 and my 45-70s' came out like new.
So i kept cutting back on the time my last batch of 150 45LC real grungy
1 hr. they were shiney on the outside but could have been cleaner on inside.
$65.00 delivered to the door with 8pounds of media and a bottle of cleaner.
Dusty Ed  :wink:

[The Shrink]

What's in the bottle of cleaner?  I have 3mm ceramic beads, white, and with soapy water with them my brass is clean but not shiny.  An hour or so in dry walnut shell media shines them up, though.  This is with the Lyman vibratory "tumbler".  

Wayne the Shrink

[hiram]

I have been reading and it seems ceramic media is described as abrasive which would wear away metal, like a ceramic sharpening stick.  An alternative I am looking into is porcelain media, used wet.

[Dutch Canyon Red]

Howdy Folks,
Could someone please post a link or the name and address of a company that sells ceramic media?
Thanks,

[hiram]

http://shorinternational.com/TumblingMedia.htm

[Lead pot]

http://www.sagebrushproducts.com

[Car Knocker]

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod.jhtml?id=0024108&navAction=jump&navCount=0&indexId=&parentId=&parentType=&rid=&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fpod-link.jhtml.1_A&_DAV=search

[The Shrink]

I got mine from Buffalo Arms, www.buffaloarms.com, I think.

Wayne