Firearm Cartridge Polishing

Ammunition reloading is an economical alternative to purchasing ready-made bullets. Especially if you are an avid marksman or target shooter - professional or amateur - the cost of ammunition can become astronomical. Spent cartridge polishing and brass cartridge case polishing become attractive options in these cases.

Reloading vs. Ready-Made Bullets

Besides the cost savings, reloading your own shells and cartridges allows the enthusiast to customize the bullet with heavier or lighter grain balls and more gun powder for additional acceleration. With ready-made bullets, the selection is limited and high-powered loads are not easily found. However, you can collect your spent casings and begin reloading immediately.

Firearm Cartridge Polishing and Cleaning

If you have ever seen a spent bullet casing, you know it is a filthy-looking mess. One of the steps for reloading cartridges involves brass cartridge case polishing. This is to remove the gun powder marks and dirt while restoring the casing to its pre-fired shine.

This process of spent cartridge polishing and shell casing polishing is fairly simple and quick. This is due to the casings being made from brass. Brass is a soft metal and does not require too much effort to clean and polish. The following list of equipment is necessary to completely and properly polish spent brass cartridges and shell casings:

1. Vibratory Bowl Machine
2. Walnut Shell Grit
3. Corn Cob Grit

You want to purchase a good quality vibratory machine that will handle the amount of spent brass casings you need to polish for reloading. Kramer Industries offers three sizes in their MB Series Mini Bowl Vibratory Finishing Systems. Any one of these bench model systems is excellent at cleaning and polishing spent cartridges and shells.

There are two different polishing media used in the polishing process: walnut shell grit and corn cob grit. Both come in a variety of particle sizes; which one to use and in what size will depend upon the number of shells being polished as well as the type (i.e.: rifle, shotgun, pistol) and caliber size.

Once the vibratory machine is finished with the cleaning and polishing cycle, your brass is beautiful and ready for the next step in the reloading process.

Always make sure to read the directions carefully before loading the vibratory machine will casings and grit. Also double check that you properly closed and locked the machine prior to turning it on. Don't over load the compartment with brass or grit; the shell casings will not be adequately cleaned.

Reloading spent cartridges and shells is a relaxing way to spend some time saving money and doing something for you as well. It's a hobby anyone can try; all you have to do is pick up after yourself at the end of target practice.