Gear Review: Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series rotary tumbler 7L brass cleaner

By James Marion

60-year-old .303 brass that had been badly stored. (Photo: James Hamilton Marion)
Pretty is as pretty does and lovely shiny brass does splendidly for reloaders. Ugly, dirty brass, fresh off the ground has many drawbacks. Firing leaves residue and rolling around in dirt gathers grit. This is all bad for dies and guns, so you need to get it off. In the olden days, we cleaned cases with detergent and hot water (perhaps tied in a pillowcase to launder in the clothes washer while the wife was out.) It was better than nothing, but the brass came out dull and the residue in the case and primer pockets remained. Some smart person discovered vibratory cleaners and tumblers using dry media and they did a far better job than soap and water, leaving a nice sheen on the outside of the case.
Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series rotary tumbler 7L brass cleaner and stainless steel media or STM. (Photo: James Hamilton Marion)
Then next step in the quest for pretty brass was discovered, stainless steel media (STM) and it is a leap forward. STM consists of small pins which scrub brass clean while tumbling it in a solution of water and detergent.
The big difference between

Source: Guns.com