LOL! Thanks Bushy!

I saw a test a while back where loaded rounds were tumbled for up to a week.
There was no visible difference between the powder from pulled cases & out of the jug.
Nor was there any difference in velocity between tumbled & not tumbled rounds that would indicate a change in the powder's properties.

I cannot see where 15 minutes in a tumbler to remove lube is worse than 12,000 miles being bounced around in a pickup. The surface treatment I like to see on powder is graphite. It helps the powder flow more accurately thru a mechanical thower. I believe it also acts as a retardant.

All of this just proves that each individual needs to make their own decision based on all of the information they can gather. Whether pro or con, just make sure it comes form reliable sources that have the proper expertise and specialized equipment to give a definitive answer. None of us want to see anyone hurt, so safety must be number one.

Bushmaster wrote:

You DO know what an "expert" is don't you? He's a drip now...

X = spot on a map.

"spert" = drip under pressure.



I don't cuz, I'm not sure where I read it, but some manuals say to NEVER tumble cartridges.

Also- I dont need my powder fluffed up. The vibes in a tumbler are NOT the same experienced in transport. At the least it can change burnt rate and charicteristcs if the kernals are buzzed to oblivion, or so I've read. I woudn't know as I simply don't tumble cartridges as many publications say NOT to and it's not a risk I'm willing to take...so there! My completed cartridges ONLY go into a box then into the gun- that's it.

YMMV and no I'm not an expert but I did sleep at a Howard Johnsons last night.

I had to re-read that. "Sleep with Howard Johnson" Sorry...Read that wrong. "sleep at a Howard Johnson...). Whew....That was close.....Had me worried there for a moment...

Oh boy, here we go.

Have you been tumbling your meds again? Cuz yer gettin' all mixed up mister!

OK, I decided to go to THE sources about tumbling loaded cases. I emailed the powder manufacturers and asked them what they thought about it.

First response was from Hodgdon (they have always been good, and quick, about answering my questions) and they said "We do not like the concept of tumbling loaded ammo. The tumbling action will cause degradation of the powder which will increase the burn speed and increase pressure."

I'll post any other responses as I receive them.

I freakin' told ya!

Oh, I'd always been told that an "ex" was a has-been and a "spert" was drip under pressure. So an expert is a has-been drip under pressure...

SingleShotLover wrote:

just make sure it comes form reliable sources that have the proper expertise and specialized equipment to give a definitive answer.

I tend to listen to the manufactures on issues such as these !!!
I would think they have better knowledge and equipment than the so called "internet experts" have.

Or...They are covering their butts....

Ramshot/Accurate says "We do not recommend it.

The weak link is the primer, which has a brittle composition, and can be activated during cleaning.

There have been cases when rounds did go off in such devices.

No amount of shaking can break down or affect the powder granules especially in the limited space in a loaded round.

During the manufacturing process, the powder is vibrated and tumbled for long periods.

So the big unknown is the primer , that’s why tumbler manufacturers warn against tumbling loaded rounds."

Well that's one to one...So far.

Are there any manuals that say TO tumble completed cartridges?





I didn't think so!