Sonic Case Cleaner

[JEBar]

I'm not high on running dirty cases through a resizing die .... I don't know for sure that doing so can cause any harm, I just prefer not to .... by using the universal depriming die, the primer pocket can be cleaned along with the inside and outside of the case .... I've never used one but have heard good things about using a Sonic Cleaner like the Sonic Cleaner II H 2L ===> https://www.amazon.com/Hornady-043320-L ... op?ie=UTF8 .... I'm not interested in cleaning anything but shell cases .... comments from folks with experience using this type of case cleaner would be appreciated .... recommendations on other brands would be most welcome

[John E Davies]

For small numbers of cases these sonic cleaners do all right, but you can't overload them or they just choke.... it takes a powerful unit to clean more than a handful. If you want to clean many hundreds at a time, like range brass, look elsewhere, for that I much prefer a chemical cleaner. I like the Birchwood Casey Brass cleaner in a five gallon bucket for three or four minutes followed by a neutralizing wash (baking soda) and a bunch of water rinses, drain them in a collander, then air dry or in a Frankford Arsenal Brass Drier.

I also vibratory clean loaded ammo if I want a real “spit shine“. Sonic cleaning Is pretty much at the bottom of my preferred methods.

John Davies
Spokane Wa

[BruniX]

hi, i use ultrasonic cleaner, same model that is rebranded by lyman, but less expensive.
(found on internet, original model is Codyson CD4820

ultrasonic cleaner.jpg (52.72 KiB) Viewed 3264 times

very hot water with two large spoons of coarse salt, and 20 cl of white vinegar
After 16 minutes, cases are very clean.

The water is black at the end!
a good rinse with clear water and drying overnight to finish, or oven at 55 ° if you are in a hurry.

When I have time, I sometimes pass the product to clean the brass, in order to make it look like new ...

it works well, but it is more interesting if you use a universal decape tool first , like RCBS 87580

universal decape rcbs 87580.jpg (10.07 KiB) Viewed 3264 times

no needs after to cleaning primer seats...
fast, efficient , inexpensive, and low noise...

friendly,

BruniX

[leverjc]

I also use a universal deprimer then will clean them. I used to use a sonic cleaner exclusively but I decided that I liked shiny brass instead of just clean brass. I agree with John that they work a lot better if they are not overloaded. My sonic cleaner didn't always get the primer pockets clean and I had manually clean some of them up. The sonic cleaner is still used for removing lube from sized cases and cleaning Bolts and enclosed trigger groups so I do not have to completely strip them. A sonic cleaner will remove all of the oil from these parts so after cleaning I use a very thin oil to not only lubricate but also to protect the internal parts from moister and rust.

[runnin n gunnin]

JEBar _

I have used the Hornady Sonic Cleaner for about 7 years. My unit is the original Hornady Sonic Magnum, all metal which is now discontinued and replaced with the unit you are looking at. I heat the solution to 140 degrees and vibrate for 30 minutes.

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I also use Hornady's One Shot brass cleaner (comes in 1 gallon jug) that will last you a long time. I disagree also that you can only clean a handful of brass. I task my grandson to place my brass in the basket. Of course everything has to be done in an orderly military manner so he took it on himself to line each case up ! Depending on caliber (Picture is of 45 colt and .357 brass) I can clean around 200 cases per cleaning, and usually can use the solution twice before it is too dirty.

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User friendly and I like the results. As always, chevy's vs Ford's vs Dodge. Some like wet tumblers, others dry tumblers, others sonic cleaners. For me, this works the best, least mess and easiest to use.

Oh, by the way, when done I dump the basket in a 5 gallon bucket using the Frankford arsenal media seperator (7.99 at midway) and rinse with fresh water, then dry.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012721458?pid=731116

So there's my 2 cents worth, I'm a Chevy guy !

[JEBar]

For small numbers of cases these sonic cleaners do all right, but you can't overload them or they just choke.... it takes a powerful unit to clean more than a handful.

thanks for your assessment .... we now have 2 separate reloading setups ... one permanent located at one of our son's home .... it is setup to churn out range ammo or to carefully load hunting ammo .... the second is a portable unit that I can take with us when we are traveling in our camper .... its still evolving .... unlike at home, the space each component takes up is a prime consideration .... it will be serve as a fun activity for me and to replace the ammo we fire along the way .... the one advantage I see of a sonic cleaner is its bulk and not having to haul walnut media

[fortyshooter]

I have a sonic cleaner that I used a good bit but found just running the decapped brass thru the tumbler loaded with crushed walnut shells
does a better job and less time consuming. After I run a batch I swab out the inside of case and primer pocket with a Q-tip to remove any residue.

[JEBar]

it works well, but it is more interesting if you use a universal decape tool first , like RCBS 87580

no needs after to cleaning primer seats...
fast, efficient , inexpensive, and low noise...

friendly,

BruniX

I agree on depriming first so that the cleaning can include the primer pocket .... thanks for sharing your experience

[JEBar]

I also use a universal deprimer then will clean them. I used to use a sonic cleaner exclusively but I decided that I liked shiny brass instead of just clean brass.

thanks for sharing your experience .... while I do like shiny brass, my interest in for use while we are traveling is more toward clean than shiny .... I can take care of the shiny part when we get back home ....

[John E Davies]

Chemical cleaning would be most compact, IF you can dump the contents safely without upsetting neighbors in a campground. All you need is a small bucket and running water for rinses. Even highly diluted I would not want to pour this Birchwood Casey product down a sink or into dump station.....it contains mostly phosphoric acid.

2. COMPOSITION / INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
DESCRIPTION CAS NUMBER WEIGHT PERCENT EXPOSURE LIMITS
Phosphoric Acid – H3PO4 7664-38-2 <20 1 mg/m3
Hydroxyacetic Acid – C2H4O3 79-14-1 <7 3 ppmb
Dipropyleneglycol Monomethyl Ether 34590-94-8 <7 100 ppm a,d C7H16O3
Benzotriazole – C6H5N3 95-14-7 <1 N/Ec
Dodecylbenzenesulfonic Acid 27176-87-0 <24 N/Ec C18H30SO3
Water – H2O 7732-18-5 >41 N/Ec

https://www.amazon.com/Birchwood-Casey ... B000LC5RB4

John Davies
Spokane WA

[JEBar]

After I run a batch I swab out the inside of case and primer pocket with a Q-tip to remove any residue.

most interesting .... we've tumbled brass using walnut media since the 60's and this is the first time I've ever heard of swabbing out the inside of a case or primer pocket with a Q-tip

[Rifletom]

For the guys using crushed walnut shells, try a couple squirts of "Turtle Wax" spray into the media. 1 hour tops and cases come out CLEAN, but, not super shiny. Just like I like 'em.

[Travlin]

I use an ultrasonic cleaner with a little Lemi Shine added to the water.