Corn cob media

PaulS · Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 7:50 pm Post subject: Corn cob media

I found out that it is not a good idea to use corn cob media when cleaning 223 cases. It goes into the cases but it has to be picked out with a pick. This is the first time reloading the 223. I couldn't find my walnut media (it is probably in storage with some of my tools and other stuff) so I used some corn cob media that I had on hand. I spent the last two hours getting the cob out of about 100 cases. I called the local feed store and they have 25 pound bags for $12.They are open til 7 so as soon as I eat I am getting a bag. I called the local shooting supply store and they had six pounds for $25.

The 25 pounds from the feed store will be more than I will ever use but I can always give some to my son and brothers.

gelandangan · Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 10:19 pm Post subject: Re: Corn cob media

Never do it myself since I clean my cases with ultrasonic bath.
I saw my mate blows the media out with a quick blast of compressed air from the primer hole.

PaulS · Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 3:08 am Post subject: Re: Corn cob media

Gelandangan,
I tried the compressed air trick but that just wedged the cob into the neck worse. If the case only had one piece of cob in there it worked great but with two or more they would line up and wedge most of the time making it even harder to use a pick. I have the walnut media now so I don't think I will have that trouble any more. The one batch I tumbled for an hour with the walnut media emptied by giving them a little shake. I did have several that had media in the primer hole but that was easy to push out. I am going to try cleaning the 223 brass with the primers left in and the pocket will get cleaned up with a pocket cleaner (which I always do anyway). I don't think I will have any more problems from here on out.

Vince · Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 3:40 am Post subject: Re: Corn cob media

I don't seem to have that problem Paul. However, what I do is individually pick cases out of the vibrating cleaner and hold the case neck down with the shoulder against the bottom rubber encased nut that holds the tumbling bowl down. The vibrations "vibrate" all the media out of the case. Haven't had media stick inside the case yet. An added bonus of doing it this way is it gives me the opportunity to inspect the cases as well.

I also tumble my cases before depriming, this stops the media from jamming up in the flash hole and primer pocket. I find the difference in time between depriming and not is negligible.

Bushmaster · Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 10:11 am Post subject: Re: Corn cob media

The reason you have this problem in the first place is you tend to be a bit "cheap" Very Happy

. Locate some "real" tumbler media and you won't have this problem. The stuff is not all that expensive and it lasts forever if treated right. The media I use is fine ground corncob with a bit of Nu-Finish car polish in the media. About a cap full is about all it takes for at least 4 to 6 loads of brass.

SingleShotLover · Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 11:10 am Post subject: Re: Corn cob media

Bushmaster is right. Sounds like your media is far too coarse. I use fine-ground and it pours out of case necks (even .17 caliber) like water.

PaulS · Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 6:50 pm Post subject: Re: Corn cob media

That is what my walnut media looks like but you are right my corn cob media is a lot courser than what you show in the picture Bushy. I'm not cheap - but I probably cheaped out on the corn cob stuff. That was a lot of years ago that I bought it and I couldn't even tell you where I bought it. I will stick with the walnut media from now on.

chambered221 · Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 7:14 pm Post subject: Re: Corn cob media

Deprime only die works for getting stuck media out of primer holes !!!

Bushmaster · Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 9:33 pm Post subject: Re: Corn cob media

No....An old throttle or choke cable trimmed to one inch. Can be used to clean primer pockets too.

OldSchoolRanger · Member Joined: Feb 15, 2017 Posts: 88

Bushmaster wrote:

The media I use is fine ground corncob with a bit of Nu-Finish car polish in the media. About a cap full is about all it takes for at least 4 to 6 loads of brass.

If you use the right tools, you get the job done correctly.