Cleaning Cases

[Alex L]

I have a case vibrator for cleaning my .32 cases.
I use crushed walnut shells as the cleaning agent. However I am unable to get them at the moment, and I wonder what others use.

Can the walnut shells be washed clean?
Or I heard that some people use crushed corn, or rice. Does anyone know about this?

I used to use the liquid chemical before, which was OK, but is too much bother to clean the shells, and dry them inside. I also used to put the shells - in a bag - in the washing machine, and dry them in the oven!!

This is all too much bother these days, and I prefer to use the case vibrator. I just need the cleaning agent for it.

Thanks,
Alex L.

[Spencer]

put 1 lb medium grain rice in the cleaner, add 2 dessert spoons of Brasso, leave vibrator running for about 30 minutes to disperse the Brasso.
Allow to dry overnight - break up cake of rice that forms with an old spoon.

works wonders

spencer

[jrmcdaniel]

Case cleaning is more for you than for the gun/bullet. One high-power rifle rebuilder mentioned that more barrels are worn out from the rouge used in cleaning cases (and left on the case) than from shooting. A wire brush will do an excellent job of cleaning the inside of the shell. A brief tumble in clean media will make cleaning case lubrication off the outside easy (if you lube to resize) -- otherwise, wiping the case with a cloth is good-enough.

Best,

Joe

[Misny]

I usually buy my ground walnut shells at a pet store. Don't know about where you live, but that might be an option. It usually is sold as lizard or bird bedding.

[ColinC]

Alex
Are you going to MISC Open on May 24-25. I can bring you enough of the media to get you by as I have a large bag which will take me a year or two to use up.

Regards the polishing agent to put into the mix, you can buy a Winchester version or a couple of others which your sports store can order in for you or just use Brasso. I don't think it is too much different. Certainly smells the same and does the same job, at about quarter the price.

Now if you really want to get serious, throw away that piddling .32 and get a .38 revolver!!!

Hope to catch up at MISC
Regards Colin

[Alex L]

Hi, Colin.

No I won't be at MISC on the 24/25th. We are on duty at the Club.

Thanks for the offer, I may take you up on it later. We are going to the Lightning Ridge Open in a couple of weeks time. I am still looking for some local supplies. I have been to lapidary stores with no luck. Now I will try the pet shops!!!

[Spencer - we have just eaten the rice!!! (Liz)]

I am not throwing away my 32!! I know a lot of people who would be pleased to pick it up!
With a .38 Revolver my best score was 587 - so watch out if I Do decied to go back to a .38!!!!!!!!!!!!! (It was many years ago, though!!! )

I will catch up with you later. Good luck at MISC.
Alex L.

[Spencer]

Liz,

rice is getting to expensive to waste on food

Spencer

[Steve Swartz]

Yeah here in the states a couple of grocery chains are limiting (rationing) the amount of rice we can buy to one 25 lb bag per customer per visit.

Amazing what constitutes "rationing" in different parts of the world . . .

Next thing you know we will be rationing motor fuel to 100 gallons per vehicle per day!

Steve

[Alex L]

We have not got rationing in Oz - Yet!

I have been told, by a fellow club member, that you can clean walnut shells by washing them in detergent, and drying them well.

I have not tried this, and wonder if anyone else has ever washed their walnut shells?

Steve - thank for the information, but I don't know of any local cars that take 100 gallons of fuel - except trucks. At $1.56 per litre (¼ of a US gallon) it would be a very expensive trip if it used that much fuel!!
(We don't have many Hummers to drive around, down here! The big V8 cars hold about 80 litres.)

[PASA008]

Brasso can weaken brass and eventually cause cases to split or rupture. It is an unsafe situation. Use a cleaner, brightner specifically made for firearm cases.