Optimizing Your Reloading Workflow: The RCBS Case Media Sifter (87075)

For anyone serious about reloading their own ammunition, the pursuit of precision, safety, and efficiency is paramount. Every step in the reloading process, from resizing spent casings to seating a fresh bullet, demands attention to detail. One often-underestimated yet critically important phase is the meticulous cleaning of brass cases. Failure to properly clean cases can lead to inconsistent powder charges, damage to dies, and ultimately, less accurate and potentially unsafe ammunition. This is where dedicated tools like the RCBS Case Media Sifter (87075) become indispensable, transforming a messy and time-consuming chore into a streamlined, efficient operation.

Are you a reloader who meticulously prepares your brass, often spending hours tumbling cases to achieve that pristine shine? Do you find yourself wrestling with colanders, buckets, or makeshift screens, trying to separate tiny cleaning media from hundreds of polished cases? Is your reloading bench constantly dusty from media residue, or do you frequently find yourself picking stubborn pieces of media out of case mouths? If you answered yes to any of these questions, the RCBS Case Media Sifter 87075 is designed specifically to solve these common frustrations, offering a dedicated, purpose-built solution for a cleaner, faster, and more enjoyable reloading experience.

Why Clean Brass is Non-Negotiable for Quality Reloading

Before delving into the specifics of the RCBS Case Media Sifter, it’s crucial to understand why case cleaning is so vital. Reloading isn't just about saving money; it's about crafting ammunition tailored to your specific firearm and shooting needs, often achieving levels of accuracy and consistency unreachable with factory loads. Clean brass contributes directly to:

• Die Protection: Dirty, abrasive cases can scratch and wear down expensive resizing and seating dies, leading to costly replacements and inconsistent results.
• Primer Seating: A clean primer pocket ensures proper primer seating depth and consistent ignition, which is critical for reliable performance.
• Powder Charge Consistency: No media trapped inside the case means the full volume is available for powder, leading to more consistent powder drops and less variation in velocity.
• Overall Ammunition Appearance and Longevity: Clean, polished brass is easier to inspect for flaws and extends the life of your casings through multiple reloadings. It also simply looks more professional.
• Safety: Removing abrasive contaminants reduces the risk of brass failure during firing and contributes to the longevity of your firearm.

Most reloaders utilize vibratory or rotary tumblers with various media (corn cob, walnut, stainless steel pins, etc.) to achieve this cleanliness. While tumblers excel at cleaning, they create a new challenge: separating the small media from the now-clean brass cases. This separation process, if not handled efficiently, can be the most frustrating part of the entire brass preparation workflow.

The Frustration of Manual Media Separation and Its Solution

Many beginners or those with limited equipment often resort to manual methods for separating cleaning media from their brass. This might involve:

• Using a kitchen colander: While seemingly convenient, most colanders have holes too large or too small, leading to media falling through with the cases, or cases getting stuck. It's often slow, messy, and inefficient.
• Shaking cases in a bucket: Extremely dusty, very slow, and rarely gets all the media out.
• Hand-picking: Feasible for a few cases, but utterly impractical for bulk processing.

These improvised methods share common drawbacks: they are incredibly time-consuming, create significant dust and mess, leave residual media in cases, and can be physically tiring. Imagine spending hours carefully cleaning hundreds of cases, only to face another hour of tedious, dusty sifting. This is precisely the problem the RCBS Case Media Sifter 87075 is engineered to solve, offering a robust and purpose-built alternative that streamlines this critical step.

Introducing the RCBS Case Media Sifter (87075): Designed for the Serious Reloader

The RCBS Case Media Sifter (87075) is a specialized tool engineered by RCBS, a name synonymous with quality and innovation in the reloading community for decades. This sifter is specifically designed to efficiently separate tumbling media from your freshly cleaned brass cases, ensuring that your cases are free of debris and ready for the next stages of the reloading process. It’s an essential accessory for any reloader who uses dry media (like corn cob or walnut) in a vibratory tumbler.

What makes the RCBS 87075 stand out?

1. Durable Construction: Built from heavy-duty, impact-resistant plastic, this sifter is designed to withstand the rigors of regular use in a reloading environment. It's not a flimsy kitchen utensil; it's a piece of dedicated reloading equipment. This robust build ensures longevity and reliability, giving you confidence in its performance for years to come.
2. Generous Capacity: The sifter features a large basin, capable of holding a substantial volume of brass and media from your tumbler. This means you can process more cases in a single batch, significantly reducing the number of sifting cycles required and saving valuable time. For reloaders dealing with hundreds or even thousands of cases, this capacity is a major advantage.
3. Efficient Design: The internal screen is precisely engineered with the optimal mesh size to allow various common tumbling media (corn cob, walnut, even smaller granular media) to fall through, while retaining brass cases of virtually all popular calibers, from pistol to rifle. The design ensures maximum separation with minimal effort. The intuitive rocking or swirling motion required to operate the sifter is ergonomic and effective.
4. Dust and Mess Containment: Unlike open-air sifting methods, the RCBS sifter helps contain dust and media particles within its basin, leading to a much cleaner reloading area. This not only makes cleanup easier but also reduces airborne dust that can be inhaled, promoting a healthier work environment.
5. Simplicity of Use: There are no complex parts or motors. Its effectiveness lies in its straightforward, user-friendly design. Simply pour your tumbled brass and media in, close the lid, and sift.

How to Use the RCBS Case Media Sifter 87075 for Optimal Results

Using the RCBS Case Media Sifter is incredibly straightforward, yet following these steps will maximize its efficiency and keep your workspace clean:

1. Prepare Your Tumbled Brass: Ensure your brass cases have been thoroughly cleaned in your vibratory tumbler with your chosen media.
2. Open the Sifter: Unlatch and open the lid of the RCBS 87075 sifter.
3. Load Cases and Media: Carefully pour the contents of your vibratory tumbler (brass cases and media) into the sifter's basin. Avoid overfilling; while the sifter has a large capacity, leaving some space allows for better agitation and separation. A good rule of thumb is to fill it about halfway to two-thirds full.
4. Secure the Lid: Close the lid firmly and latch it securely. This is crucial for containing dust and media during the sifting process.
5. Begin Sifting: Hold the sifter securely and begin to gently rock, swirl, or shake the unit. The motion allows the smaller media particles to fall through the screen into the lower basin, while the clean brass cases remain on top.
   • Tip for dry media: A gentle rocking motion combined with occasional rotation often works best to ensure all surfaces of the cases are exposed to the sifting action.
   • Listen and Observe: You'll hear the media falling. Continue sifting until you no longer hear the distinct sound of media dropping into the collection pan.
6. Empty Clean Cases: Once separation is complete, unlatch and open the lid. Your perfectly clean, media-free brass cases will be in the top sifting chamber, ready to be poured out into a container for the next reloading step.
7. Empty Spent Media: The used media will have collected in the lower basin. You can then dispose of it or store it for future use, depending on its condition.
8. Repeat as Necessary: For large batches of brass, repeat the process until all your cases are clean and separated.

The Undeniable Benefits of Integrating the RCBS Sifter into Your Workflow

Beyond simply separating media, the RCBS Case Media Sifter (87075) brings a host of tangible benefits to the reloader:

• Significant Time Savings: What once took tedious minutes or even hours of manual sorting can now be accomplished in mere seconds or minutes per batch. This frees up invaluable time for other critical reloading steps or more shooting range time.
• Enhanced Cleanliness: By containing the media and dust, the sifter dramatically reduces the mess on your workbench and in your reloading room. No more media scattered across the floor or clinging to every surface.
• Improved Media Longevity: While the primary purpose is separation, a cleaner sifting process can contribute to less contamination of your media, potentially extending its useful life.
• Reduced Hand Strain and Fatigue: Say goodbye to repetitive wrist movements from hand-shaking colanders. The ergonomic design of the sifter allows for efficient operation with less physical exertion.
• Consistency in Brass Preparation: Every case gets uniformly sifted, ensuring no stray media is left behind, which directly contributes to more consistent and reliable ammunition.
• Professional Results: Clean, media-free brass not only performs better but also looks better, reflecting the care and precision you put into your handloads.

Answering Common Questions About Media Sifters and Case Cleaning

Many reloaders, especially those new to the hobby, often have questions about the brass preparation stage. The RCBS Case Media Sifter 87075 addresses several of these common inquiries:

• "What's the best way to get tumbling media out of my brass?"
  The RCBS Case Media Sifter is widely considered one of the most effective and efficient methods for separating dry tumbling media (corn cob, walnut) from brass cases. Its dedicated design outperforms makeshift solutions.
• "Is a media sifter really necessary for reloading?"
  While you can technically reload without one, a quality media sifter like the RCBS 87075 quickly moves from a "nice-to-have" to an "essential" tool for anyone processing more than a handful of cases. It dramatically improves efficiency, cleanliness, and overall reloading enjoyment, saving you time and frustration in the long run.
• "How do I keep my reloading area clean?"
  The RCBS sifter is a key component in maintaining a clean reloading space. Its enclosed design minimizes media dust and spills, making post-sifting cleanup significantly easier compared to open-air methods.
• "What accessories do I need for my vibratory tumbler?"
  Beyond the tumbler itself and the cleaning media, a dedicated media sifter like the RCBS 87075 is the single most important accessory to complete your brass cleaning setup.

The RCBS Legacy: A Name You Can Trust

RCBS has been a cornerstone of the reloading community since 1943. Founded on the principle of providing innovative, high-quality, and durable reloading equipment, RCBS has consistently delivered tools that meet the rigorous demands of reloaders worldwide. The RCBS Case Media Sifter (87075) embodies this legacy, offering the same commitment to reliability and user-focused design that permeates their entire product line, from presses and dies to powder measures and scales. When you choose an RCBS product, you're investing in decades of expertise and a reputation built on precision and performance.

Maintenance and Care for Your Sifter

Maintaining your RCBS Case Media Sifter (87075) is straightforward, ensuring its longevity and continued peak performance:

• Regular Cleaning: After each major sifting session, it's a good practice to wipe down the inside and outside of the sifter with a dry cloth to remove any residual media dust.
• Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Do not use strong solvents or abrasive cleaners, as these could damage the plastic construction. Mild soap and water, followed by a thorough drying, is sufficient if a deeper clean is needed.
• Proper Storage: Store the sifter in a clean, dry area, away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures, to prevent material degradation over time.
• Inspect for Damage: Periodically check the latches and the main body for any signs of cracking or damage, especially if dropped. While built to be durable, prompt identification of issues can prevent further problems.

Your Path to Efficient Brass Preparation

In conclusion, the RCBS Case Media Sifter (87075) is more than just a simple accessory; it's a fundamental upgrade to any reloader's brass preparation process. It eliminates the mess, frustration, and inefficiency associated with manual media separation, allowing you to quickly and cleanly move hundreds of cases from your tumbler to the next reloading step. Its robust construction, thoughtful design, and the trusted RCBS name make it a wise investment for both novice and experienced reloaders who prioritize efficiency, cleanliness, and the highest quality in their handloads. Enhance your reloading experience and spend less time sifting and more time shooting with this essential tool.

All RCBS products, including the versatile RCBS Case Media Sifter (87075), are available for purchase at DEGuns or deguns.com, providing a reliable source for your reloading needs.

Product Name	Key Feature	UPC
RCBS Case Media Sifter	Heavy-Duty Plastic Construction	076683870759
RCBS Case Media Sifter	Efficient Media Separation	076683870759
RCBS Case Media Sifter	Reduced Dust and Mess	076683870759