Stuck media in .223 cases

[entropy]

Same tumbler, same media I was using. Get the walnut Zilla, well worth it.
I tried the coarse corn cob like that because 5# was @ 3.50 at work, plus a 10% discount. I got sick of picking (literally, with the dental pick) out the corn cob. With Zilla, I shake the 'prospector's pan' good, then just tip them before putting them in the storage bins I use.

 

[Gus Chiggins]

Same tumbler, same media I was using. Get the walnut Zilla, well worth it.
I tried the coarse corn cob like that because 5# was @ 3.50 at work, plus a 10% discount. I got sick of picking (literally, with the dental pick) out the corn cob. With Zilla, I shake the 'prospector's pan' good, then just tip them before putting them in the storage bins I use.

I'll save it for the bigger brass and get some Zilla for the .223. Thanks

 

[Blackbeard 44]

I leave the tumbler running and hold the shells upside down and against the side of the tumbler, It knocks everything out

 

[Mark_Mark]

I just tried a few with a stiff piece of wire and it will come out. I only put a hundred cases in the media so it'll probably take me around an hour to empty them. I will let them rattle around a bit like you suggest. Thanks

put then in a kenetic bullet puller, tap tap tap... problem sloved. You can even use paints tape instead of screwing on the cap

 

[Mark_Mark]

I leave the tumbler running and hold the shells upside down and against the side of the tumbler, It knocks everything out

good point, dump it back into the tumbler without media... should shake it right out

 

[Gus Chiggins]

good point, dump it back into the tumbler without media... should shake it right out

Too late. I already mailed it to you.

 

[Blackbeard 44]

it is time consuming but I have made it a habit, it only takes a few seconds for each case.

 

[Blackbeard 44]

I dont put the shell back into the tumbler, I just hold it upside down against it, the media loosens right up and falls into the tumber

 

[Mark_Mark]

Too late. I already mailed it to you.

OK ... I got a brilliant idea... yes, 4 beers in....

Put like 3 shop rags into the tumbler, pour rubbing alcohol on rag, add clogged up brass! prestos! clean brass and Covid free

 

[NMexJim]

Lizard media??? Man, I been to two World Fairs and a goat roping, but lizard media? And they got it in walnut as well??? Oookkkaaaayyyyy, if you say so ......

 

[HowieG]

I usually do my case prep one casing at a time for my 30.06 but decided to get a vibratory tumbler and start reloading my .45 auto brass. I went to the pet store and bought a bunch of corn cob media for lizard cages. It worked great on the .45 brass so I decided to do a hundred 7.62 x 54 cases. No problems. Then I thought I might as well do some .223. It seemed to be going fine but on closer inspection, the corn cob is filling the cases and doesn't want to come out.
Any ideas on getting it out easily?

One of the previous answers basically hit the nail on the head. Pet corn cob has soft part of the cob in it and isn't good for tumbling at all. Tumbling or blast media cob is required. For walnut shell, Zilla from the pet store is fine for polishing, but good cob is absorbent and removes lube real well. I buy #2 blast media corn cob on ebay, also know as 14/20 mesh. You can get 5 pounds of it for 17 bucks. I use it mixed about 50/50 with Zilla walnut and add a couple of capfuls of Nufinish car polish. It works great, doesn't clog things up, and turns the brass factory bright.

 

[Rod47]

Hold the inverted casing against the threaded rod in the tumbler that holds lid on. Tumbler running, of course.

 

[cfullgraf]

Lizard media??? Man, I been to two World Fairs and a goat roping, but lizard media? And they got it in walnut as well??? Oookkkaaaayyyyy, if you say so ......

Yes, it has been a staple source for tumbling media for at least couple decades. It can be found at most of the big box chain pet stores.

There are sources for media with a more consistent grind/size of the media but not as handy as your local mall or strip center.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Lol. If I'd decapped them, I'd prime them and shoot it out.

Not with today's primer shortage
A pipe cleaner or bore brush should do the trick.

 

[Keyfer 55]

I tried pet store bedding for media it sucks for small caliber. Works ok for my 44 and 4570,
I don't use it for bottle neck cases.

 

[Keyfer 55]

Back in the day, I used a nylon brush and a tiny screwdriver to clean the primer pocket.