Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
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Have you ever cleaned your gun? It’s a pain, right? Well, we have the solution for you. The best way to clean your gun is by using a best case tumbler. A best case tumbler will polish and remove all the dirt from your weapon. Case tumblers have been used for decades. They are a favorite of gun owners and collectors alike because they do an excellent job cleaning the inside and outside guns.
Hornady Rotary Case Tumbler – This Wet Tumbler Cleans and Polishes Brass Cartridges Quickly and Efficiently – Holds 5lbs of Cases, Includes Steel Tumbling Media and 6 Liter Drum – Item 050220
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- Hornady Rotary Case Tumbler – Clean and polish brass cartridge cases to a brilliant shine with the rotary action of this tumbler and stainless steel pin tumbling media (included). Designed for cleaning large quantities of cases at one time, quickly and efficiently
- Large Capacity – The 6-liter rubber-lined drum holds 5 pounds of brass cartridge cases
- Wet Tumbler – This Hornady Case Tumbler is designed for use with the One Shot Cartridge Case Solution to keep your cartridges looking like new
- Digital Timer – The digital timer allows the tumbler to run for up to 8 hours, in 30 minute increments
- Case Care – Hornady cleaning, case care and prep tools make cleaning, trimming, deburring, or chamfering cartridge cases easier. Each product is designed to boost the accuracy of your handloads and increase the efficiency of your efforts, saving you valuable time on the bench so you can get out in the field!
Case tumblers are tools used to polish metal parts such as guns or other machinery. They can be made from wood, plastic, steel, or aluminum. Still, typically they have stainless steel bowls and rotating spindles, which causes the water inside it to spin around and agitate any dirt on the bowl’s surface, causing it all to fall into the water. There are many gun cleaning products out there, so it can be overwhelming when you are in the market for one. We have found 7 case tumblers that will help to keep your guns clean and ready to go at all times.
Table of Contents
If you are in a hurry to purchase the best Case Tumbler, and you want to make the best decision, here are our top 3 picks:
Top 3 Best Case Tumbler
Read on for our top seven favorite case tumblers in the market.
7 Best Case Tumbler (Ranked And Reviewed)
Specifications
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Dimensions:
43.82 x 34.29 x 30.48 Centimeters
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Weight:
3 Pounds
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Capacity:
5 Lbs.
The new Rotary Tumbler from Hornady® is the most advanced tumbling system ever created. It features a digital timer, a fan-cooled motor, and an easy-to-use control panel to make your cleaning process efficient and straightforward. The new Hornady Rotary Tumbler is the ultimate in brass cleaning technology. This tumbler also features a rubber-lined drum that will not crack or chip when used with steel shot or media. The rubber liner also reduces noise and protects your valuable brass from damage. Hornady’s Rotary Tumbler is a high-performance tool for polishing, cleaning, and shining brass cases.
The tumbler uses a rotary action with stainless steel pins to polish your brass while you tumble it in the included media. The rotary movement keeps the case in constant motion, preventing scratches and dents from forming during the polishing process. The large capacity of this unit allows you to clean hundreds of cases at one time, saving you time and money. The tumbler includes a removable media basket that will enable you to customize your polishing experience by adding or removing different media types. You can also use this basket for easy.
Positive
- Protect from scratching brass
- Steel pin media included
- Finishes in less time
- Reduced noise
Negatives
- Lid seals are not perfect
2. Lyman Cyclone Rotary Case Tumbler
Specifications
-
Dimensions:
38.1 x 26.7 x 31.8 Centimeters
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Weight:
10 Pounds
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Capacity:
5 Lbs.
Lyman’s Cyclone Rotary Case Tumbler is the perfect solution for reloaders looking to polish brass cases. The tumbler’s durable construction and easy-to-use design make it a great addition to any reloader’s workshop. The high-performance motor and spinning barrel work together to polish your brass to a brilliant shine. While the included media separator quickly and easily removes polishing media from your cases when you’re done.
The design of the Lyman Cyclone Tumbler is such that it will never scratch or damage any tumbling media and can be used to clean brass cases from both handguns and rifles. Best of all, the rugged plastic drum has an airtight seal that prevents dust and moisture from getting inside, so your brass stays cleaner longer. It features rubber lining that absorbs vibrations and reduces sound levels without compromising performance. The case cleaner has an easy-to-use dial with a convenient ‘on’ position, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to turn the unit off when not in use.
Positive
- Protect from scratching brass
- Budget-friendly
- Perfect finishing
Negatives
- A little noisy
3. Frankford Arsenal Rotary Tumbler
Specifications
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Dimensions:
16 x 15 x 11 Inches
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Weight:
19 Pounds
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Capacity:
7 Litres
The Frankford Arsenal Rotary Tumbler is the ultimate accessory for any reloader, allowing you to clean brass or polish firearms. Frankford Tumbler is the best way to clean up to 1,000 cases of brass at a time. The drum rotates effortlessly at three different speeds that can be changed by simply turning the drum. This innovative tumbler features a built-in timer that lets you know when your media has been thoroughly mixed and is ready to be removed from the drum for cleaning. The timer will run for 3 hours and then shut off automatically, preventing over-tumbling of the media. This tumbler features a durable plastic barrel with an easy-to-use lid and handle. The double-wall construction of this rotary media separator provides maximum safety, and the clear cover allows you to see your media as it turns.
Positive
- Wet tumbling
- Perfect finishes
- Large capacity
- Option to use without media pins
Negatives
- Need adapter to power it up
- The motor makes a little sound
4. Frankford Quick-N-EZ Tumbler Kit
Specifications
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Dimensions:
12.75 x 12.5 x 11.75 Inches
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Weight:
2.2 Pounds
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Capacity:
N/A
Frankford Quick-N-EZ Tumbler is a durable and practical tumbler used to polish and clean brass, copper, silver, stainless steel, and other metals. The rotary action allows the user to turn the barrel with one hand for fast cleaning quickly. Quick-N-EZ Tumbler Kit is the easiest way to clean your brass cases. Just dump your brass into the drum, add water, and turn it on. When you’re done, just pour out the dirty water and rinse your cases. It comes with two removable rubber end caps for easy media removal and cleaning.
Frankford Tumbler Kit is the premier cleaning system for your firearms. The kit includes a plastic bucket and media, a tumbler lid with a rubber seal, and an instruction sheet. This kit also consists of the Frankford Arsenal Media Separator, which will separate your media from the brass at the end of the cleaning process.
Positive
- Additional plastic bucket
- It comes with a power switch
- Media separator
- Reduced noise
Negatives
- High priced
- It takes a long time
5. Lyman Pro 1200 Tumbler
Specifications
-
Dimensions:
4.21 x 5.51 x 4.13 Inches
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Weight:
6.9 Pounds
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Capacity:
2 Pounds
The Lyman 1200 Pro Series Electric Tumbler is the top-of-the-line electric tumbler on the market. It has a unique design that allows it to work with small and large media, making it ideal for reloading. This easy-to-use, versatile unit has many features that make it adaptable to any type of reloading application. The removable sifter lid makes quick work of separating media from brass and bullets. A large-capacity hopper holds two pounds of media to process 350 cases at once. The Lyman Tumbler has a powerful motor and can tumble even heavy-duty items like brass casings. A large-capacity hopper holds enough media to process hundreds of 9mm cases at once. It also comes equipped with an easy-to-use digital timer, making it simple to set up your tumbling sessions. This product is made in the USA and carries a lifetime warranty.
Positive
- Easy media separation
- Flexibility to work with media
- Tumbling basket
- Fine finishing
Negatives
- Not durable or long-lasting
- A little noisy
6. Lyman Pro Magnum Tumbler
Specifications
-
Dimensions:
31.75 x 41.91 x 34.29 Centimeters
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Weight:
3.36 Kilograms
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Capacity:
N/A
Lyman Pro Magnum Tumbler is engineered to handle the high-volume reloader’s needs. It features a large capacity, a large diameter drum, and an innovative design that delivers superior performance and durability. The two-gallon capacity bowl has enough space for even the most significant loads. At the same time, the removable lid makes it easy to add more media or remove brass without having to dump out your tumbling media. The fast-operating, heavy-duty motor provides the power needed for large loads of brass or copper media.
An automatic shutoff prevents overheating, and an electronic timer allows you to set the exact run time. The Lyman Pro Magnum Tumbler has a large capacity and can easily handle up to 1000 cases of .38 LR or 9mm at one time. It features a rubber over-molded handle with stainless steel inserts for durability and long life. The Lyman Pro Magnum Tumbler uses traditional media, so it’s easy to change out the media when needed.
Positive
- Large capacity
- Efficient motor
- Durable and long-lasting
- Finishes in less time
Negatives
- Need an adapter to power up
7. Leegol Electric 5LB Vibratory Tumbler
Specifications
-
Dimensions:
15.5 x 11.5 x 10.6 Inches
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Weight:
5 Pounds
-
Capacity:
5 Pounds
The Leegol Vibratory Tumbler is a great tool to use for polishing small metal parts. The machine vibrates at a high frequency, giving your metal parts the perfect shine. It has an adjustable timer, so you can set it up to 2 hours of continuous operation or just one hour if needed. You can also adjust the speed and intensity of the vibrations. This vibratory tumbler has up to five pounds of capacity and can be used to clean all kinds of things, including metal parts, media, plastics, and more. It comes with three different size containers that are removable for easy cleaning.
Positive
- Perfect for small parts
- Dust removing space in bottom
- Comes in reasonable price
Negatives
- No instruction manual included
How Does a Case Tumbler Work?
A brass case tumbler is quite different from other models because it has two parts: an outer barrel with holes in its side and an inner barrel that sits inside it, which holds the media used to polish or clean items. The process begins by filling up both barrels with water, then adding in some cleaning materials, such as baking soda or dish soap. So they can dissolve into the water before being agitated to remove dirt and grime from gun barrels. The smaller barrel is twisted in a rotation motion to help the media dissolve and mix with water more quickly before tumbling around. Both barrels are agitated during the process until all of the dirt has been removed. Finally, you pour out both barrels and use a cloth to dry off any surfaces that may have been wet before placing them back in the slots on either side of the tumbler.
What To Consider While Buying The Best Case Tumbler?
The first question that most people ask when buying a new gun is what type of cleaning supplies I should buy? Scrubbing brushes can be used to clean pistols and rifles, but brass tumblers are more effective at getting rid of heavy dirt and grime and cleaning barrels with greater precision. There are two significant types of brass case tumblers.
Vibratory Tumblers
The vibratory tumbler uses both vibration and spinning motions to remove all dirt, grime, and old oil from the surface of the gun parts. It also removes powder residue like lead and copper, as well as any other debris that may be present on your firearm’s surfaces. The cleaner is mixed with water inside the container until it reaches a certain level, then you put your firearm into the barrel first, followed by other parts such as clips or magazines. You then close the lid and let it run. This type of tumbler is perfect for cleaning all types of guns, but you should be careful not to use it on any ammunition. If the vibrations are too excellent and quick, the gun can explode or cause serious injury in a way that’s similar to what happens if someone tries to fire live rounds with an empty chamber.
Rotary Tumblers
Rotary tumblers are the most popular type of brass tumbler for cleaning guns. They work by rotating the barrel and inside pieces at high speed while water is sprayed to create a vortex that washes away dirt and debris. Unlike other types of equipment, rotary tumblers will not remove any metal from your gun barrel or inside parts means it’s safe to use on all calibers, gauges, metals and materials, and antique firearms with delicate finishes. Rotary tumblers come in different sizes ranging from small units ideal for home hobbyists to large commercial applications where many barrels can be cleaned simultaneously. All you need to do is add media such as corn cob grits (for removing rust), walnut hulls (grit), or walnut shells (to polish brass) to the tumbler before adding your parts.
FAQs
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
Wet tumbling is a process used in metalworking, specifically as an intermediate step to produce a uniform finish on the surface of ferrous metals.
The wet tumbler rotates the object against one another while immersed in water that gradually becomes more saturated with abrasive particles. Generally speaking, more extended periods result in brighter finishes than shorter ones do.
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
Tumbled brass should not be washed, as water can cause the metal to rust. If you’re looking for an easy way to protect and care for your polished pieces, use a high-quality carnauba wax (or paste) that will provide a protective sealant against tarnish.
Carnauba waxes are also great because they don’t leave any residue on the surface of your finished product. So it’s perfect for your guns or other delicate items that can’t handle any type of oily coatings like beeswax or oil-based polishes.
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
Many different types of tumbling media can be used, but the most popular and likely the best type to use is walnut shells. Walnut shells are very abrasive, and they will take off any oxidation from brass pieces. They’re also small enough to fit in any tumbler barrel.
Conclusion
The tumbler you purchase should accommodate the types of ammunition that are fired from your firearm. A good rule of thumb is a one-to-one ratio, meaning that there should be an equal number of pounds or ounces of media inside the drum for every caliber size. It’s essential to keep in mind that brass cases can only withstand so much pressure before they’re crushed and become unusable. If you find yourself with too many casings than what will fit into your tumbler, store them at home until you have enough to load up again. Finally, it pays off big time when buying a case cleaner because not only does this take care of cleaning all those dirty cartridges, but it also takes care of polishing your guns.
Our Research Process
Our curated list of products has been provided to you by our experienced team of researchers and writers at Ballachy who have tested and scrutinized product recommendations on the market. Our experience in the field, in-depth research and hands-on approach has allowed us to objectively analyse products for years and continuously providing value for buyers who are looking to get accurate and unbiased reviews. If you would like to know more about our research methods, we welcome you to visit our page here detailing how our recommendations are done. Furthermore, as we are always looking keep our guides updated and welcome any feedback from readers regarding different experiences or recommendations to adjust our list. If you consider that we have missed on some important recommendations, please let us know here, so we can add-on any valuable feedback.
Author Profile
- Gabriel Tackett
- Gabriel Tackett is an experienced shooter and hunter for over 15 years with a degree in Engineering from the University of Minnesota. He is also a certified National Rifle Association (NRA) officer for 10 years And his passion lies in teaching others how to safely enjoy the hobby by recommending the best practices & products in the gun industry.