Can i use the final polishing media for rocks on brass cartridges?

I am a reloading instructor.

As tempting as it seems - you should not do this. If your brass is so bad looking you are considering this - my recommendation is to move to a drum tumbler or take better care of your brass. Drum tumbers are allot more active in cleaning brass than standard vibration tumblers, and, they get allot more brass on brass contact.

They do make treated walnut shells - green and red - that have a bit of polish in them.

The main reason for not doing this - the leftover residue of the tumbling media in the casing can react with the powder or neutralize the primer. If it reacts with the powder - it's a crap shoot if it will make the powder charge more powerful or less powerful. There is no saying what the long term effect would be......... but since nobody else does this, my guess is the long term effect is pretty bad.

Gun shops all across America are decorated with blown up rifles, shotguns and pistols - most all from poor reloading practices. The secret to reloading success is to only do what is verified in writting - and - avoid any 'man moment' ideas.

Hope this helps

I agree with Tom B. Test with a very small batch of brass. I'm thinking that it might be too abrasive, so don't run the tumbler for very long before checking the brass.

FWIW, I've used cheap rice for a cleaning media for years. It works great, the only problem is that sometimes it clogs the primer pockets.

Doc

I would not try to use anything such as rocks being they could lead to very fine denting and "sanding" of the Brass walls. Gun that fire with Higher Presssures will blow out your cases more easily. but to metion the denting at the necks witch will lead to having to trim your cases....Stick with walnut shells that will Polish...I have used it for YEARS.....

with the cost of brass now days why screw up good brass?

Bad idea. Rocks are a lot harder than brass,

and require differentabrasive.

That hard grit will embed in the soft brass and eventually

cause increased wear to your chamber and dies.

Walnut husks work just fine ...I done it and seemed to have no ill effects!

tes but be very carefull because it can set off a chemical unbalence and cause a rash