Good morning - I thought I'd jump in this morning to write a review on the Berry's QD-500 tumbler I bought this to replace my RCBS tumbler that died last week. Another reason for writing this review is that because this is a fairly new model (the Berry's 400 model has been around for years, and is even sold in green branded as a Cabela's brand tumbler) and there just aren't many reviews available online, so I want it to pop up in a search for others who may be considering it.
I have to say, I really really like this tumbler and the features it has, and I'd recommend it without hesitation to anyone looking to get a vibratory tumbler.
First things first, I wanted a tumbler that has a removable bowl - to me, this just makes sense, and I'm somewhat amazed that among the other brands available - Dillon included, because I was seriously considering the CV-750 - that with many of them the bowl is permanently attached to the base. The fact that this tumbler is designed with a quick detach system is fantastic, and it works really well. It locks down tight but comes loose pretty easily.
Another thing that I like is that this one is significantly quieter than my old one, and it doesn't try to walk off my workbench top - that's an issue I always had with my RCBS.
The polycarbonate lid is also a nice touch - I can look right in and see how things are going and how cleaned and polished my brass is. The knob holding the lid is also nice - it's a big star knob rather than just a little wing nut and washer - that's why my RCBS had
Additionally, the tumbling action on it is great, so it cleans just as fast as what I'd had before.
Let's look at a couple of other things you get by choosing this tumbler:
-- 3-year warranty on the motor
-- Lifetime warranty on the other parts
-- Made in the USA
-- Less expensive than most of the other name-brand units
To sum it up, I believe I spent less, but got more - I like everything about this unit, I'll absolutely recommend it to anyone looking to purchase a case cleaner, and I won't hesitate to buy another one if the need should arise. I ordered mine from Midway, but if you order from Berry's, they offer a package that has an extra bowl - I guess so you could have different medias for different purposes, maybe corn cob in one and walnut in the other. I might get an extra bowl at some point for that reason.
If there is a downside, it's not a large tumbler - if you're into doing great big batches of brass, you'll want something bigger, but this one is perfect for my needs because the most I ever do at one time is about 300 cases, give or take - often less. These are their advertised capacities for this tumbler:
(I just found the same tumbler in green rebranded to the Cabela's brand name, for even less - $65 with free shipping. I paid just north of $85, but paid for shipping from Midway USA. Live and learn I suppose - I'm still happy with what I got.)
I have to say, I really really like this tumbler and the features it has, and I'd recommend it without hesitation to anyone looking to get a vibratory tumbler.
First things first, I wanted a tumbler that has a removable bowl - to me, this just makes sense, and I'm somewhat amazed that among the other brands available - Dillon included, because I was seriously considering the CV-750 - that with many of them the bowl is permanently attached to the base. The fact that this tumbler is designed with a quick detach system is fantastic, and it works really well. It locks down tight but comes loose pretty easily.
Another thing that I like is that this one is significantly quieter than my old one, and it doesn't try to walk off my workbench top - that's an issue I always had with my RCBS.
The polycarbonate lid is also a nice touch - I can look right in and see how things are going and how cleaned and polished my brass is. The knob holding the lid is also nice - it's a big star knob rather than just a little wing nut and washer - that's why my RCBS had
Additionally, the tumbling action on it is great, so it cleans just as fast as what I'd had before.
Let's look at a couple of other things you get by choosing this tumbler:
-- 3-year warranty on the motor
-- Lifetime warranty on the other parts
-- Made in the USA
-- Less expensive than most of the other name-brand units
To sum it up, I believe I spent less, but got more - I like everything about this unit, I'll absolutely recommend it to anyone looking to purchase a case cleaner, and I won't hesitate to buy another one if the need should arise. I ordered mine from Midway, but if you order from Berry's, they offer a package that has an extra bowl - I guess so you could have different medias for different purposes, maybe corn cob in one and walnut in the other. I might get an extra bowl at some point for that reason.
If there is a downside, it's not a large tumbler - if you're into doing great big batches of brass, you'll want something bigger, but this one is perfect for my needs because the most I ever do at one time is about 300 cases, give or take - often less. These are their advertised capacities for this tumbler:
- .380 ACP. 1,050 pcs.
- 9MM: 1,000 pcs.
- .40 S&W: 700 pcs.
- .45 ACP: 650 pcs.
- .223 Rem./5.56mm: 450 pcs.
- .30-06 Sprg.: 250 pcs.
(I just found the same tumbler in green rebranded to the Cabela's brand name, for even less - $65 with free shipping. I paid just north of $85, but paid for shipping from Midway USA. Live and learn I suppose - I'm still happy with what I got.)
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