Unlocking Superior Brass Preparation: The Frankford Arsenal 304 Stainless Steel Tumbling Media – 5 lbs

For serious reloaders, competitive shooters, and firearms enthusiasts, the pursuit of precision and consistency begins long before a round is ever fired. It starts with meticulous brass preparation. Dirty, tarnished, or carbon-fouled spent casings are not just an aesthetic issue; they are a critical impediment to reliable reloading, consistent accuracy, and the longevity of your valuable reloading dies and firearm components. The perennial question for anyone looking to optimize their ammunition reloading process is: "What is the best way to clean my spent brass?" While various methods exist, one stands out for its unmatched effectiveness and long-term value: wet tumbling with high-quality stainless steel media.

Enter the Frankford Arsenal 304 Stainless Steel Tumbling Media, a 5-pound solution engineered specifically to transform your used brass into a factory-fresh, mirror-like state, both inside and out. This premium media is designed to tackle the toughest grime, carbon, and oxidation, ensuring every casing is perfectly prepared for its next life cycle. If you're wondering how to achieve impeccably clean brass, remove stubborn primer pocket fouling, or extend the life of your brass, this product provides the definitive answer.

The Critical Importance of Clean Brass in Reloading

Why is brass cleaning so crucial for the reloading process?

• Enhanced Reliability and Safety: Dirty primer pockets can lead to inconsistent primer seating, misfires, or hangfires. Fouled flash holes can restrict consistent ignition. Clean primer pockets and flash holes ensure uniform ignition, which is foundational to predictable ballistic performance.
• Prolonged Die Life: Abrasive dirt and carbon on uncleaned brass can prematurely wear out your expensive resizing dies, leading to costly replacements and inconsistent sizing. Clean brass slides smoothly through dies, reducing friction and extending the lifespan of your equipment.
• Improved Accuracy and Consistency: Uniformly clean brass, free of external and internal carbon buildup, provides a consistent case capacity and neck tension. This contributes directly to better bullet seating, consistent powder ignition, and ultimately, tighter groups downrange. For precision shooters, this level of preparation is non-negotiable.
• Extended Brass Case Life: Carbon residue, especially inside the case and around the primer pocket, can contribute to brass fatigue and cracks over time. Thorough cleaning helps to preserve the integrity of the brass, allowing for more reloading cycles and a greater return on your investment in components.
• Professional Appearance: While often overlooked, clean, shiny brass projects an image of professionalism and attention to detail. It reflects a commitment to quality in your reloading practices.

Traditional dry tumbling methods, while better than no cleaning at all, often leave much to be desired, especially when it comes to internal case cleaning, primer pockets, and flash holes. They can also create significant dust, which is not ideal for your health or your reloading area. This is where wet tumbling with stainless steel media provides a superior, comprehensive solution.

Introducing the Frankford Arsenal 304 Stainless Steel Tumbling Media

The Frankford Arsenal 304 Stainless Steel Tumbling Media is specifically engineered for rotary wet tumbling applications, offering an unparalleled level of cleaning performance. This 5-pound container of media pins is the cornerstone of a truly effective brass cleaning regimen. But what makes these pins so effective, and why are they considered the gold standard for many reloaders?

Key Attributes and Unmatched Benefits:

1. Superior Cleaning Performance – Inside and Out: Unlike dry media that primarily cleans the exterior of cases, the Frankford Arsenal stainless steel pins, when combined with water and a cleaning solution in a rotary tumbler, provide a thorough clean that penetrates every crevice.
   • Primer Pockets: This is a major pain point for many reloaders. The small, dense pins effectively agitate within the primer pocket, dislodging stubborn carbon buildup that traditional methods often miss. This ensures proper primer seating and consistent ignition.
   • Flash Holes: The slender design of the pins allows them to pass through and clean the flash hole, removing carbon and ensuring an unobstructed path for the primer's flame.
   • Internal Case Walls: Carbon and powder residue inside the case are completely removed, returning the internal volume to its original, consistent state. This is vital for uniform powder charges and consistent ballistics.
   • Exterior Brilliance: The friction and polishing action of the pins against the brass, combined with the cleaning solution, result in a bright, mirror-like finish on the exterior of your casings, making them look brand new.
2. Dust-Free Operation: A significant advantage over dry tumbling methods is the elimination of airborne dust. Dry media can generate fine particulate dust from the abrasive action, which can be irritating to the respiratory system and create a mess in your reloading space. Wet tumbling with stainless steel pins is a clean, dust-free process, contributing to a healthier and more enjoyable reloading environment.
3. No Damage to Brass: Frankford Arsenal's media pins are crafted from high-quality 304 stainless steel, a non-abrasive material. This means they will clean your brass effectively without scratching, denting, or deforming your valuable casings. The pins work by mass friction and gentle peening action, not by grinding away material. This preserves the integrity and lifespan of your brass.
4. Exceptional Longevity and Reusability: One of the most compelling economic advantages of stainless steel media is its durability. Unlike organic media (like corn cob or walnut shells) that degrade over time and require frequent replacement, stainless steel pins are virtually indestructible. They will not wear down, break apart, or lose their effectiveness, offering a lifetime of use. This translates into significant cost savings over many years of reloading.
5. Corrosion Resistance: The 304 stainless steel composition ensures excellent resistance to rust and corrosion, even when exposed to water and cleaning solutions. This guarantees the media will remain effective and pristine over countless cleaning cycles.

Comparing Media Types: Why Stainless Steel Reigns Supreme

When considering different tumbling media, reloaders often weigh the pros and cons of various options:

• Corn Cob and Walnut Shells (Dry Tumbling): These are traditional dry media options.
  • Pros: Relatively inexpensive initially, good for external polishing, readily available.
  • Cons: Do not clean inside cases, primer pockets, or flash holes effectively. Generate dust. Degrade over time, requiring replacement. Can leave media dust inside cases.
• Ceramic Media: Sometimes used for tumbling.
  • Pros: Can be more aggressive than organic media.
  • Cons: Can be overly abrasive and potentially damage brass if not used carefully. May not be as effective in small crevices as pins.
• Frankford Arsenal 304 Stainless Steel Pins (Wet Tumbling):
  • Pros: Cleans brass inside and out, including primer pockets and flash holes. Dust-free operation. Extremely durable and reusable for life. Non-abrasive to brass. Achieves a superior shine.
  • Cons: Requires a rotary tumbler and a media separator. Initial investment for equipment might be higher than for a vibratory tumbler. Requires drying of brass after tumbling.

For reloaders seeking the absolute best in brass cleanliness, longevity, and consistency, the advantages of Frankford Arsenal's stainless steel pins for wet tumbling are clear and compelling.

Achieving Optimal Results with Frankford Arsenal Pins: A Step-by-Step Guide

To leverage the full potential of your Frankford Arsenal 304 Stainless Steel Tumbling Media, a specific setup and process are recommended. You'll typically need:

1. A Rotary Tumbler: A dedicated rotary tumbler, such as the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Rotary Tumbler, is essential. Unlike vibratory tumblers, rotary tumblers utilize water and cleaning solution, along with the pins, to thoroughly clean brass through a continuous tumbling and friction action.
2. Cleaning Solution: A high-quality brass cleaning solution, like Frankford Arsenal Brass Cleaning Solution, is highly recommended. A small amount of liquid dish soap can also be added for improved lubrication and cleaning power.
3. A Media Separator: A rotary media separator, often available from Frankford Arsenal or similar brands, is crucial for quickly and efficiently separating the small stainless steel pins from your cleaned brass after tumbling.

The Wet Tumbling Process:

• Step 1: Load the Tumbler: Place your spent brass casings into the rotary tumbler. A good rule of thumb is to fill the tumbler roughly one-third to one-half with brass.
• Step 2: Add Frankford Arsenal Stainless Steel Pins: For the 5-pound quantity of media, you'll typically use a ratio of media to brass that allows for effective movement and friction. Many users find a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio of brass volume to pin volume to work well, but follow your tumbler manufacturer's specific recommendations. For 5 lbs of media, you'll have plenty for numerous batches.
• Step 3: Add Water and Cleaning Solution: Fill the tumbler with enough water to completely submerge the brass and pins. Then, add your preferred brass cleaning solution according to its instructions. A small squirt of liquid dish soap (e.g., Dawn) often helps break down carbon and lubricate the process.
• Step 4: Tumble: Close the tumbler lid securely and run the rotary tumbler for the recommended duration. For very dirty brass, 2-4 hours might be sufficient, while heavily oxidized or carbon-fouled brass might benefit from 4-6 hours or even longer. Experiment to find the optimal time for your brass and desired cleanliness level.
• Step 5: Separate Media: Once tumbling is complete, pour the contents of the tumbler into a media separator. Rotate the separator to allow the water and pins to fall through, leaving the sparkling clean brass behind. The Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Wet/Dry Media Separator is an excellent tool for this task, ensuring no pins are left behind.
• Step 6: Rinse and Dry: Thoroughly rinse the cleaned brass with clean water to remove any residual cleaning solution or tiny debris. The final, crucial step is to dry the brass completely. This can be done by air drying on a towel, using a case dryer, or even a low-temperature oven (ensure proper ventilation and supervision). Ensure brass is completely dry before reloading or storage to prevent water spots or corrosion.

Answering Common Questions About Stainless Steel Wet Tumbling

Q: Is wet tumbling messy?
A: While it involves water, the process itself is contained within the tumbler. The messiest part is often the separation and rinsing, which can be done over a utility sink or outdoors. Unlike dusty dry tumbling, you won't have fine particulate matter spread throughout your reloading space.

Q: How long do the Frankford Arsenal stainless steel pins last?
A: Indefinitely. Because they are 304 stainless steel, they will not degrade, rust, or wear out under normal use. They are a one-time investment that will serve you for tens of thousands of rounds, making them incredibly cost-effective over the long run.

Q: Do I need a special cleaning solution, or can I just use water and soap?
A: While water and a good dish soap can provide decent results, a dedicated brass cleaning solution (like those offered by Frankford Arsenal) is highly recommended. These solutions are formulated to break down carbon, oxidation, and other residues more effectively, often containing mild acids or chelating agents to enhance the cleaning and polishing action, leading to a brighter finish.

Q: Can I use these pins in a vibratory tumbler?
A: No. Frankford Arsenal 304 Stainless Steel Tumbling Media Pins are specifically designed for rotary tumblers. Vibratory tumblers do not use water and are not designed to handle the weight and density of stainless steel pins effectively for comprehensive cleaning.

Q: Will these pins damage my brass, especially bottleneck rifle cases?
A: Absolutely not. The 304 stainless steel is softer than brass, and the cleaning action is through friction and gentle peening in a water solution, not abrasion. Your brass will be cleaned thoroughly without any damage, scratches, or deformation, preserving its integrity for many reloads.

The Frankford Arsenal Advantage: Precision for Every Reload

Frankford Arsenal is a brand synonymous with quality and innovation in the reloading community. Their commitment to providing precision tools and components empowers reloaders to achieve superior results. This 304 Stainless Steel Tumbling Media exemplifies that commitment, offering an industry-leading solution for brass preparation that significantly enhances the quality, safety, and consistency of your reloaded ammunition. It represents a smart investment for any reloader who values efficiency, cleanliness, and long-term performance.

By choosing Frankford Arsenal's stainless steel media, you are not just buying cleaning pins; you are investing in a cleaner, safer, and more precise reloading experience. You are adopting a method that has proven to be the most effective for achieving truly pristine brass, ready for flawless resizing, priming, and loading. Elevate your reloading game and experience the difference that perfectly prepared brass can make.

The Frankford Arsenal 304 Stainless Steel Tumbling Media (UPC: 661120091912) is available for purchase and ready to enhance your reloading setup. You can find this essential reloading component at DEGuns, a trusted retailer for quality shooting sports equipment and reloading supplies.

Product Specifications

Attribute	Detail
Brand	Frankford Arsenal
Model	Tumbling Media
Function	Clean Spent Brass Casings
Material	304 Stainless Steel
Media Type	Magnetic Stainless Steel Pins
Quantity	5 lbs (Pounds)
SKU	909191
MPN	909191
UPC	661120091912