5 Best Ultrasonic Cleaner for Reloading Brass Cases Reviews

As a sports professional, you love to spend money on buying shooting equipment, firearms, handguns, and rifles.

However, when spending hundreds and thousands of dollars on these firearms and bullet/brass cases, you also have to be very careful about their maintenance.

Rifle brass cartridges
Rifle brass cartridge

Ultrasonic cleaner for cleaning brass cases can serve your purpose well and is good when cleaning brass cartridge cases without any professional help.

Although thorough cleaning is made possible only with the help best ultrasonic cleaner for cleaning brass cases, many users ignore using these devices for their cleaning work.

They go for a manual cleaning task to save a few bucks and end up spending more time, as well as money than they actually need to.

Why Use Ultrasonic Cleaner for Reloading?

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Reloading, also known as handloading, is the process of loading firearm cartridges or shotgun cells. The reloading process is easy since it involves assembling individual components like shot-shell or brass, bullet/shot, and powder.

Rifle brass cases are exposed to grease, oil, power residue, salt deposits, and other contaminants which can accumulate and decrease the life of the equipment. Therefore, quick, perfect cleaning is necessary for these products.

Manual cleaning may not reach all corners and surfaces of a rifle brass case.

Even if you carefully tried cleaning your cartridges or spent a good amount of time dismantling, cleaning, oiling, and wiping different parts inside them, cleaning this way is not at all efficient and 100% complete.

Ultrasonic cleaner for brass cleaning, on the other hand, performs the cavitation (the cleaning process), which reaches every corner of the parts regardless of how intricate or small it is.

These machines use ultrasonic brass cleaning technology that is extremely efficient and effective in getting rid of carbon residues and other alien elements from the entire pile of cases in one go.

The thorough cleaning process of ultrasonic brass cleaner is effective, and the cases are cleaned fantastically inside out without any noise.

The process involves ultrasonic frequency energy waves conducting through the cleaner liquid to break down and carry away the surface debris from whatever the user is cleaning.

5 Best Ultrasonic Cleaners for Brass Reviews

As said above, using ultrasonic cleaner machines is one of the most suited methods for cleaning all your brass cartridges and cases in a go.

You need not spend lots of time and money when performing the cleaning task through this sonic cleaner for brass machine, and this is the reason why these machines are preferred by most shooters rather than tumblers.

Although there are tons of products present online (when you search for an ideal brass case cleaning ultrasonic cleaner), here we list a few of the best machines that you can check online to make your purchase easy.

You can read the detailed reviews before making your decision so that it works for you for a longer period of time.

1. Lyman Turbo Sonic Case Cleaner

Key features:

  • 2.5L Tank capacity
  • Heated tank and plastic basket
  • Timer with 1-8 minutes cleaning cycle

Lyman Turbo Sonic Case Cleaner is an ultrasonic cleaning machine that is most popular for effective and professional cleaning of guns and their parts.

Especially recommended for cleaning the bullet cases, these cleaners are built to give a stronger ultrasonic performance.

The enhanced energy is delivered through the powerful transducers, which cause powerful ultrasonic cavitations inside the tank.

This action lifts up any carbon residues and dirt from the fired cases, which are further cleaned from inside and out in less than 10 minutes.

The Lyman Turbo Sonic Case Cleaner is available in two models (115-Volt and 230-Volt). You can choose the best one as per your requirement.

While using the Lyman ultrasonic case cleaning devices, it is recommended to use the high-quality specially formulated Lyman’s Turbo Sonic Cleaning Solution. These offer highly effective cleaning of cases without any hassle.

2. RCBS Ultrasonic Case Cleaner

Key features:

  • 6L Tank capacity
  • Timer with 5-30 minutes cleaning cycle
  • Stainless steel parts basket and quick drain feature

RCBS ultrasonic case cleaner is one most suitable machines for cleaning the brass case at home without any problem.

You can get reloading faster when you use this machine for cleaning.

The basic features of this ultrasonic cleaner for a brass machine that makes it efficient includes its 3.2-quart stainless steel tank, which can hold a good quantity of brass cases at one go.

With its effective cavitation process, the tarnish, carbon residue buildup, and metal oxides are removed rapidly.

The machine has an inbuilt 60W powerful transducer and a 100W ceramic heater which makes the cleaning process easy, effective and fast.

Using the keypad and display, you can pre-select from the five temperature settings. Furthermore, you can set the timer, which ranges from 1 to 30 minutes as per your cleaning demand.

The convenient drain valve and the tube are provided with the RCBS ultrasonic case cleaning machine.

The sensor indicators are built on knowing when is the time to change the solution.

Together with degas function and much more, the machine operates at a 36kHz ultrasonic frequency which makes the machine a good option for shooters to clean the brass cases and small gun parts.

3. Hornady Lock N Load Sonic Cleaner

Key features:

  • 2 L Tank capacity
  • Digital timer with 5 -30 minutes cleaning cycles
  • 80-watt ceramic heater for enhanced cleaning action

Hornady that cleans all your firearms efficiently has taken reloading ammo supplies to the next level.

Devices such as Hornady Lock N Load Sonic Cleaner are easy to use and clean your brass cases from inside and out in just a few minutes.

It comes with a 2-liter stainless steel tank and an 80-watt ceramic heater in which you can clean up to three hundred .223 cases or one hundred fifty .308 cases without any problem.

The timer present in the Hornady Sonic Cleaner device enables you to choose the appropriate cleaning cycle time as per your cleaning needs which may range from 5 to 30 minutes.

When combined with the One Shot Sonic Clean solution, the microjet action of this 2L Hornady Sonic Cleaner removes all the carbon residue and other debris from cartridge cases, primer pockets, small gun parts, and other small metal equipment.

Without any second thought, we at ultrasonic-cleaners.org recommend buying Hornady Lock N Load Sonic Cleaner for all your brass cleaning needs.

4. Tovatech Ultrasonic Cleaner

Key features:

  • Large 9.5 L Tank capacity
  • Dry run-proof ceramic heaters
  • latest processor-controlled generator technology
  • Auto power off after 12 hours of continuous operation

Elmasonic Ultrasonic Cleaner by Tovatech is one of the best economical ultrasonic cleaners for cleaning ammo brass.

Users love to use this device due to its optimum cleaning, durability, and ease of use.

The device comes with auto power-off functionality (automatically switches off after 12 hours of continuous operation) which serves as a safety feature.

It also features dry run-proof ceramic heaters, which means the provided ceramic heaters do not burn out if in case the tank is run dry.

The Elmasonic E ultrasonic cleaner by Tovatech is a revolutionary cleaner with a sweep mode function for even cleaning objects.

Not only for brass cases but also you can clean a variety of other items in this cleaner (such as objects made up of copper, aluminum, alloy, etc.).

Also, metal equipment used in salons and parlors can be well cleaned (and sterilized) through this cleaning device.

Above all, the cleaner comes with a 2-year warranty and is available in varied tank volume sizes (from 0.7 to 7.4 gallons), which is an added advantage.

Why not shop as per your need and try this device for cleaning your brass cases now?

5. iSonic® Ultrasonic Cleaner P4820

Key features:

  • 2.6 Qt / 2.5 L Tank capacity
  • Includes plastic basket and cleaning concentrate
  • Digital timer with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 minutes cleaning cycles

iSonic® Professional Grade Ultrasonic Cleaner is another smart digital cleaning device for brass cartridges.

This best ultrasonic case cleaner comes with a heater and features a 2.5 L tank which is good for personal as well as professional use.

The device also includes a 1Qt brass cleaning solution concentrate which makes your cleaning most efficient.

You need to mix the concentrate with water in a ratio ranging from 1:20 to 1:40 (per your cleaning requirement).

The iSonic® P4820-SPB25 is a powerful industrial-grade device that also features a 25-minute timer which is better than a typical 8-minute timer.

It also includes a full-size plastic basket which is much easier to use than a typical plastic tray.

Not only for brass cleaning but also you can use it for cleaning items like optical glasses, jewelry, automotive parts, etc., so why not opt for it and get your brass cartridges shining as new at home?


Can I Clean Reloading Dies In Ultrasonic Cleaner?

Yes, sure, it can be used.

Most of the ultrasonic cleaners for reloading and brass cases come for cleaning all your gun parts (including reloading dies) efficiently without any professional help.

Hornady sonic cleaners can, therefore, be used for getting your reloading dies cleaned within no time.

However, in case your dies are not too dirty, you can wipe them off just by using a bit of solvent (like Hoppe’s or BreakFree) to remove the oil and grease.

Whatever method you use, care that you dry and lube them properly after cleaning.


How Does Ultrasonic Brass Cleaner for Reloading Work?

Though ultrasonic cleaning devices for brass bullet case cleaning are available in many sizes, their working principle is the same for most machines.

This cleaning equipment includes a tank that needs to be filled with a high-quality ultrasonic brass cleaning solution (when you fill the cleaning tank, ensure that you are following the manufacturer’s instructions).

If you are using a new ultrasonic cleaner solution for brass, then degas it for around 10 minutes so that the entrapped air is removed and the cleaning cycle is got extended.

Most of the ultrasonic gun parts cleaners now come with the heating option, and if required you can warm the solution slightly in order to improve the cleaning process and efficiency.

Then put down the parts of partially disassembled rifles (including brass cases and cartridges) in a mesh basket or perforated tray.

As soon as the cleaner machine is started, the ultrasonic transducers generate ultrasonic energy and pass through the tank bottom, which develops millions of microscopic air bubbles in the cleaning solution.

The bubbles will get in touch with the basket contents and implode with force to blast away all the dirt and contaminants from the smallest crevices, cracks, and blind holes inaccessible by manual soaking and scrubbing.

These Ultrasonic brass cleaning devices are highly powerful and thorough.

At the same time, it works very efficiently without any damage caused to the delicate parts.

How long it takes for a sonic cleaner to clean brass will more often depend on the level of dirt accumulated on your dirty brass and the quality of cleaning you desire to get!

In most cases, you may need to set your sonic cleaner’s cleaning cycle in a range of 5 – 15 minutes which can be managed by a timer.

In many other cases, the whole process may take up to 25 minutes to do the job, especially for badly soiled brass cases.

You can remove the parts once the process is complete. Do not forget to rinse the brass bullet casings and parts in water. Dry and lubricate them well to reassemble.


Which Ultrasonic Brass Cleaning Solution To Use In The Machine?

Experts in the reloading and brass cleaning industry suggest that there has to be a precise cleaning solution to be used in an ultrasonic cleaning machine to get the best-desired results.

Although you can use plain water and detergent for occasional cleaning, it might not turn out to be favorable and doesn’t give you the desired cleaning, especially for professionals.

Hence make sure that you DO NOT use a simple homemade water-based cleaning solution if you want to get your cartridges shining clean professionally.

The 3 best ultrasonic brass cleaner solutions that I use and recommend for putting in sonic machines are:

1- Hornady Sonic Cleaner Solution

Designed particularly for Hornady brass cleaning devices, you can use this solution to effectively remove all the carbon residues and debris from the cartridge cases, primer pockets, and other small gun parts.

Uniquely formulated with cartridge case cleaning formula, the Hornady one shot sonic cleaner solution can provide up to 64 washes without damaging the cerakote finish or another gun coating on your firearms.

2- iSonic CSBC001 Super Concentrate

iSonic CSBC001 Ultrasonic Brass Cleaning Solution Super Concentrate is one of the best to use in your machine to make your brass cases and cartridges shine new.

You can dilute this iSonic concentrate with tap water (in a ratio of 1: 20 to 1: 40) depending on the soiled cases and your cleaning requirement.

Within a few minutes, you will see that this solution in a machine has efficiently removed all the carbon, oxidation, and other debris materials from the brass shells and casings.

3- Frankford Arsenal Brass Cleaning Solution

Frankford Arsenal Ultrasonic Brass Cleaning Solution is another good liquid that can be used for ultrasonic cleaners and rotary tumblers.

This Frankford solution is scientifically formulated to quickly remove all the carbon build-up, tarnish, and oxidation deposited on the brass cases and gun parts.

This solution is highly durable and long-lasting – It can be used for multiple cycles, and you do not need to change it often.

Just dilute it in a 40:1 water to solution ratio and use it in your machine to get brilliant cleaning results.

Do You Have to Clean Brass Before Reloading?

While it’s not a mandatory step you should consider getting them cleaned and lubed, especially if you find them bottlenecked.

Make sure you dry them well and take all the lube off after cleaning.

Admittedly, many reloaders do not always clean their dirty brass and still have good reloads with them.

Ultrasonic Brass Cleaner Vs. Tumbler: Which Is Better?

While tumbling with proper media sometimes provides good results, we recommend using a sonic machine for cartridges and shells due to the premium results it offers without any sound.

As an alternative to using a sonic cleaning machine, many reloaders recommend using the cleaning products such as coke, ketchup, vinegar, and rubbing alcohol.

However, we do not recommend using things like these for restoring the dirty-fired brass. These may sometimes tarnish or corrode the finish instead of restoring it.

Summing up

Ultrasonic cleaning devices for reloading brass cases are available in the market in different sizes, prices, and varied features to accomplish the task well.

Models such as Frankford, Hornady, Lyman, and RCBS are top popular and can be considered when you are planning to buy one.

You just need to choose an affordable model that is developed for enthusiasts like you and can serve your purpose well.

To buy one, you can check them at online stores such as Amazon.com. As you need to invest in these machines only once, they can serve you for life long at a small initial cost.

Do not forget to buy the ultrasonic cleaner solution from the same brand as it can help you give the best results every time you use them in your cleaner machine.

If you do not want to invest in a digital cleaning machine, you can find a reputed sporting goods store that offers ultrasonic cleaning as a valuable commercial cleaning service to their customers.