Tumbling empty brass cartridges is an excellent way to clean them after firing.
The RCBS Rotary Case Cleaner is put to the test to see just how clean my range brass can be for reloading.
If you are a fellow shooter and brass goblin that picks up any useful spent brass you can find at your local shooting range you know the problems associated with that. The major problem is all the dirt and tarnish they pick up from the ground. Very usable brass needs to be cleaned before any other reloading operations can happen. That is where the RCBS Rotary Case Cleaner comes into play. Here is what RCBS says about the RCBS Rotary Case Cleaner before I get into the actual hands on review:
The RCBS Rotary Case Cleaner is a highly effective tool for thoroughly cleaning brass casings. It features a quiet, gear-driven motor that rotates the drum at 60 RPM, allowing for consistent and thorough cleaning of all surfaces of the brass.
The RCBS Rotary Case Cleaner thoroughly cleans brass with constant rotating action. The tumbling action scrubs all surfaces of the brass, and the timer can be set for up to three hours of consecutive cleaning. The drum is designed with an ergonomic handle for easy loading and unloading, and the quick-locking lid keeps contents secure during the cleaning process.
Both Rotary Case Cleaner models include the Drum, however the Drum (part #87002) is also sold separately in case a replacement or spare is needed.
- Ergonomic handle with Quick-locking lid
- Quiet, gear-driven motor
- Includes five pounds of magnetic stainless steel media
- Limited Two Year Warranty
What could be a great test for the RCBS Rotary Case Cleaner and the accessories shipped out to me for review? How about a whole bunch of empty range pick up 9mm brass that is in varying forms of tarnish and dirt? That will do nicely! Here is just a small sample of what I will be cleaning.
Here is a visual look at what comes with the RCBS Rotary Case Cleaner.
I shared on Instagram a video of the RCBS Rotary Case Cleaner in use. I love the “DING!” alarm sound you get at the end of the cleaning cycle to let you know the time you have set has expired and now the brass is ready.
Five pounds of magnetic stainless steel media is included with the RCBS Rotary Case Cleaner. Also sold separately are Formula 1 Walnut Shell Dry Media and also Formula 2 Corn Cob Media.
For testing I chose the Formula 1 Walnut Shell Dry Media.
Along with the Formula 1 Walnut Shell Dry Media is a packet polishing compound. The Formula 1 Walnut Shell Dry Media can be used with or without the polishing compound.
I chose to use the contents of both the Formula 1 Walnut Shell Dry Media and the polishing compound together. They were placed in the drum and then the lid screwed down and sealed properly.
After running the RCBS Rotary Case Cleaner for a set 30 minutes it was time to see how well the brass was cleaned. The sieve like screw on lid helped to separate some of the polishing media from the brass itself.
What was now needed was a really easy way to separate all of the polishing media from the brass cases. Enter the Rotary Case/Media Separator.
The ultra handy Rotary Case/Media Separator allows the brass and polishing media to be added into the inner basket. Close that basket and the outer bucket lid. Spin the handles and the Rotary Case/Media Separator removes all of the polishing media granules from your brass. That was easy and fast!
Now the Rotary Case/Media Separator has done it’s job in the image below. Your brass is shiny and clean, ready for reloading. Save your used polishing media for your next round of brass clean up. There is no waste here!
Well the results cannot be argued with! The RCBS Rotary Case Cleaner, Rotary Case/Media Separator, and Case Cleaning Media performed incredibly well in testing.
I highly recommend these case preparation products from RCBS. Give them a try and they will change the way you forever clean your cartridge brass.