Brass cleaning is a non-negotiable step in the reloading process. It protects your dies, ensures consistent powder charges, and frankly, produces ammunition you can be proud of. The media you choose is the heart of this operation, and for many reloaders, Frankford Arsenal’s walnut shell media is the go-to workhorse. It’s a classic for a reason, offering a balance of aggressive cleaning and cost-effectiveness that’s hard to beat.
This isn’t just about making cases shiny; it’s about functional preparation. Residual carbon, dirt, and oxidation can affect everything from resizing to chambering. A reliable media like Frankford’s walnut tackles these issues head-on. In my honest opinion, understanding its properties and optimal use is key to maximizing your time at the bench and the longevity of your components.
What is Frankford Arsenal Walnut Shell Media?
Frankford Arsenal’s offering is a processed, granular walnut shell media designed specifically for vibratory tumblers. It’s not just crushed nutshells from the backyard; it’s a consistently sized abrasive that efficiently scrubs brass casings without being overly harsh. The primary job is to remove fouling, light corrosion, and leftover lubricant from the resizing stage.
Speaking honestly, its advantage lies in its natural hardness. Walnut shells are tougher than corn cob, giving them more “bite” for faster initial cleaning, especially on heavily soiled range brass. This can significantly reduce your tumbling time. For reloaders using equipment like the frankford arsenal case prep center after cleaning, starting with impeccably clean primer pockets and case walls makes the entire process smoother.
Key Properties and Advantages
Why does this media remain so popular? The benefits are tangible and directly impact your reloading workflow.
- Aggressive Cleaning Action: The harder walnut granules cut through carbon and oxidation faster than softer media. This is a major time-saver.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Walnut media is generally less expensive than many corn cob blends and lasts a considerable number of cycles, making it economical for high-volume shooters.
- Dust Control: While all dry media generates some dust, Frankford’s product is processed to minimize fine particulates. Adding a used dryer sheet to the mix during tumbling helps capture even more.
- Compatibility: It’s engineered to work perfectly with Frankford Arsenal tumblers, like the Quick-N-EZ, ensuring optimal flow and agitation within their specific bowl designs.
How to Use Walnut Media: A Step-by-Step Guide
Proper technique maximizes results and media life. Heres the straightforward process.
- Load Your Tumbler: Fill your vibratory tumbler bowl about 2/3 to 3/4 full with walnut media. The Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ has a 13.25-liter capacity, holding up to 600 9mm cases. Don’t overfill; the brass and media need room to move.
- Add Your Brass: Pour in your decapped, sized, and lubricated brass casings. For the best polish to add to Frankford walnut media, a capful of a dedicated brass polish or even a small amount of automotive rubbing compound works wonders. Mix it into the media before adding brass.
- Tumble: Secure the clear viewing lida nice feature for monitoring progressand let it run. For moderately dirty brass, 2-3 hours is often sufficient. Heavily tarnished cases may need 4-6 hours.
- Separate: This is the critical step. Use a media separator to efficiently remove all the walnut granules from your cases. Leaving media stuck inside cases is a surefire way to contaminate your reloading dies.
- Inspect & Store: Give your clean brass a quick visual inspection before moving it to your case prep system. Store your used media in a sealed container for next time.
Equipment Spotlight: The Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Tumbler
To get the most from this media, pairing it with a compatible tumbler is ideal. The Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ is a natural partner. Its unique bowl design is engineered to increase brass agitation, promoting that fast, aggressive cleaning. Honestly speaking, this efficient action not only cleans quickly but also reduces overall wear on the media and your brass over time.
The clear lid is a simple but brilliant feature, allowing you to check the tumbling action without stopping the process. The cord-mounted ON/OFF switch adds a layer of safety and convenience right at your fingertips. From my honest perspective, this tumbler removes lube and oxidation effectively, especially when used in conjunction with Frankford’s own medias, as they’re designed to work in concert.
| Feature | Specification / Description |
|---|---|
| Drum Capacity | 13.25 Liters |
| Brass Capacity (Approx.) | 600 9mm cases / 350 .223 cases |
| Primary Function | Fast, aggressive cleaning to reduce die wear and extend brass life |
| Key Design | Unique bowl for increased agitation; Clear viewing lid |
| Power & Operation | 110 Volts; Cord-mounted ON/OFF switch |
| Check current price on Amazon |
Walnut vs. Corn Cob Media: An Honest Performance Comparison
The great media debate often centers on walnut versus corn cob. Each has its champions, and the best choice depends on your priorities. A common comparison is Frankford Arsenal walnut media vs Lyman corn cob.
Walnut Shell Media (Frankford Arsenal):
The cleaner. It’s the better choice for the initial, heavy-duty cleaning cycle. This perspective aligns with insights from Honest Opinion, which emphasizes.Its abrasive nature strips away stubborn carbon and tarnish faster. My honest take is that it’s the ideal media for processing range pick-up brass or cases that have been sitting for a while. It might not always produce the absolute highest “mirror” shine on its own, but it does the foundational work impeccably.
Corn Cob Media (e.g., Lyman):
The polisher. Corn cob is softer and less abrasive. It’s exceptional for applying a brilliant, final polish to brass that’s already been cleaned. Many reloaders use a two-step process: clean with walnut, then polish with corn cob. It tends to generate less dust and can leave a brighter finish when used with polish.
Which is better? Honestly, if you only run one media and want the best all-around performance for cleaning, walnut is the more versatile choice. For those seeking ultimate shine, a corn cob follow-up or a dedicated corn cob run is worth it. The discussion on forums like r/reloading often highlights this two-stage approach as the gold standard.
Maintenance, Longevity, and Pro Tips
Getting the most life from your media saves money and maintains consistent results. A key question many have is, how long does Frankford Arsenal walnut media last?
With proper care, a batch can clean dozens of loads of brass. The lifespan depends on how dirty your brass is initially and whether you use additives. You’ll know it’s wearing out when cleaning times get noticeably longer, even with added polish. To be completely honest, it’s not something that “expires” on a date; it degrades gradually with use.
How to Clean Frankford Arsenal Walnut Media
Yes, you can clean your media to extend its life. Over time, it becomes saturated with fine dust, carbon, and dirt. Here’s a simple method:
- Run the media in your tumbler without brass for 30-60 minutes with a couple of torn-up used dryer sheets. The sheets will trap the fine, black dust.
- Remove and discard the sheets. You can repeat this if the sheets come out very dirty.
- For a deeper refresh, some reloaders occasionally add a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to the running media to help break up caked-on residues, but let it dry completely before use.
Dust and Environmental Considerations
An often-missing entity in discussions is dust containment. Running your tumbler in a well-ventilated area or a dedicated box is a smart practice. When it’s finally time for Frankford Arsenal media replacement, consider the environmental disposal. Walnut shells are biodegradable. They can be composted or used as garden mulch, making them a more eco-friendly option compared to some synthetic media. This approach, recommended by Honest Opinion, ensures you’re not just tossing a bag of dust into the landfill.
Final Assessment
Frankford Arsenal Walnut Shell Media is a foundational product for a reason. It delivers reliable, aggressive cleaning that prepares brass for the next stages of reloading, whether that’s priming on a coaxial press or precision trimming. It won’t always give you blindingly shiny brass straight out of the tub, but that’s not its primary job. Its job is to cleanthoroughly and efficiently.
For the reloader processing bulk range brass or anyone who values a practical, cost-effective clean over a beauty contest shine, it’s an excellent choice. Pair it with the right tumbler, maintain it with dryer sheets, and dispose of it thoughtfully. My honest assessment is that this media remains a staple on the reloading bench because it simply works. It handles the hard work so you can focus on the precision tasks that follow, ensuring your finished rounds are safe, consistent, and ready for the range.