For the majority of my operations, I use dry tumbled brass.
Not only is the degree of cleanliness afforded by wet tumbling not required for this average use, it also increases the time required ( drying ) and difficulty ( removes "naturally" occuring lubricants from the firing and prior cleaning cycles- resulting in stuck cases and a large amount of galling if not relubed precisely).
I also finish tumble loaded rounds- something I believe is actually more beneficial than a squeaky clean case to begin the operation.
This aids my end use by removing toolmarks and residue from the presses and loading operation, and coats all of my ammunition with a combination of superfine dry lubricant that aids in chambering and extraction, and a(n) polymer that prevents corrosion during storage.
I also possess an ultrasonic cleaner for restoring excessively corroded brass, or for completely "undressing" a set of cases for both detailed inspection of fireforming results and the progression of general brass fatigue, and where the absolutely uniformity of the brass is of upmost importance ; long range benchrest rounds and personal defense loads that are worth the extra effort. Even with that process, they still get dry tumbled first to remove coarse material, and dry tumbled last for the reasons stated above.
For me, I've danced around the idea of wet tumbling. If I were to do it, it would be in extremely large drums to process first use brass that was obtained from a bulk source. We're talking in the neighborhood of thousands of cases- not hundreds.
In the end, its hard to say which method suits anyone the best.
What really matters is which method suits YOU the best.
As to overall beauty of the brass ? I offer many fine examples ( as have others ) that the end results very quite widely by user, and how the techniques were applied, here :
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=654866
Little steel pins are not required for great results.
But, while you are running up the electric bill running the dryer for 40 minutes drying your wet brass?
I got my dry brass out of the tumbler and reloaded it!!!
rc
True.
AND, if I stuck brass in my dryer
intentionally, I'd be figuring out how do disengage from a fully armed wife- being shot at with ammnunition I designed to be as lethal and reliable as possible