Lyman Turbo Sonic Cleaner

For years I would fastidiously clean my guns, inside and out, after every shoot, but paid scant attention to the brass cartridge cases. If I felt that the primers were becoming a little hard to seat, the primer pockets would be given a quick scrape out, but I worried very little about the outward appearance of the cases. Truth is, clean brass is more than just a cosmetic exercise, as it also offers many physical and even safety benefits.

Tumbling down

I invested in a Lyman tumbler many years ago and, although the results were not brilliant, unless a very long tumbling cycle was used, if cases were cleaned every time they were fired they were at least respectable. New to me at the time, if not revolutionary; Ultrasonic cleaners move the cleaning operation up a notch and there are sizes to suit most needs and pockets. The Lyman Turbo Sonic 2500 is a mid-range model that should satisfy most shooting applications. The machine draws its numerical name from the fact that it holds two and a half litres (2500ml) of liquid, and a mark on the tank shows the maximum fill level. It has a

Distilled

Distilled water is recommended, an appropriate amount of and there is a maximum fill wall. The heater takes 20 to 30 minutes to heat up the liquid and there are five timer settings. Depending on how badly tarnished your brass has become, the amount of cleaner and length of time will vary, and it is not unusual to require three or four passes on the maximum time setting 480 seconds (eight minutes) for really dirty cases. This is still the case and the primer pocket, as well as being much quieter in operation. It is advised to rinse the cases in clear water afterwards and they can be left to dry naturally or with the use of heat; I have an old hair dryer which does the job.

Saying that, you can buy dedicated dryers. The cleaned ones do not have a high polish and, if this is what you want, then a spell in the tumbler will give you that finish. Ultrasonic cleaners are a kind of halfway house between tumblers and the more expensive stainless steel pins type of machine and I find this one does just what I need at a price I wanted to pay. Plus, you can also clean firearms components such as cylinders of muzzle-loading revolvers and small parts. An extra bottle of solution allows the cleaning of small metal parts like dies, cylinders etc. There are videos on YouTube and the Lyman web site showing this machine in operation.