Frankford Arsenal Stainless Steel Media Pins 5 lb
Frankford Arsenal's stainless steel media pins are positioned as a cost-conscious, all-purpose option for case and bullet cleaning, offering a reliable balance of durability and surface finish for most reloading workflows. They hold their place against premium offerings by delivering a lower price-per-pound and wide availability, making them a sensible choice for hobbyists who want good cleaning performance without the higher upfront cost of brands like RCBS or Hornady.
Bulk supply — party
Mirror finish
Bulk supply — party
Mirror finish
Review Summary
"Users say Frankford Arsenal pins offer good cleaning power and value for the price, with most reporting consistent tumble results. Some long-term users note occasional surface spotting on very soft finishes but generally accept it for the cost."
Quiet tumbling
5 lb of polished stainless pins designed to resist corrosion and contamination
Quiet tumbling
5 lb of polished stainless pins designed to resist corrosion and contamination
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
Eco-Friendly Living
Frankford Arsenal's stainless steel media pins are positioned as a cost-conscious, all-purpose option for case and bullet cleaning, offering a reliable balance of durability and surface finish for most reloading workflows. They hold their place against premium offerings by delivering a lower price-per-pound and wide availability, making them a sensible choice for hobbyists who want good cleaning performance without the higher upfront cost of brands like RCBS or Hornady.
Bulk supply — party
Mirror finish
Quiet tumbling
5 lb of polished stainless pins designed to resist corrosion and contamination
Uniform pin size and shape for consistent tumbling and reduced noise
Bulk supply — party
Mirror finish
Quiet tumbling
5 lb of polished stainless pins designed to resist corrosion and contamination
Uniform pin size and shape for consistent tumbling and reduced noise
$50-80 CAD
Lyman Turbo Sonic Steel Cleaning Media Pins
Lyman Turbo Sonic steel cleaning media pins are engineered to work efficiently in sonic and high-energy tumbling systems, giving them a technical edge for users seeking faster cycle times and deep cleaning without aggressive material loss. Compared with bulk budget pins, Lyman's formulation is tuned for compatibility with ultrasonic and turbo systems, offering slightly improved case brightening and shorter process times—at a mid-range price that undercuts some premium competitors while outperforming basic generic media.
Turbo clean — zippy
Low residue
Turbo clean — zippy
Low residue
Review Summary
"Lyman Turbo Sonic steel media is praised for fast, reliable cleaning and consistent pin size that reduces scuffing; buyers appreciate the proven performance in ultrasonic and rotary tumblers. A few users mention minor residue and higher cost compared with no-name options."
Gentle polish
Designed for use in Turbo Sonic and ultrasonic cleaners for efficient debris removal
Gentle polish
Designed for use in Turbo Sonic and ultrasonic cleaners for efficient debris removal
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Lyman Turbo Sonic steel cleaning media pins are engineered to work efficiently in sonic and high-energy tumbling systems, giving them a technical edge for users seeking faster cycle times and deep cleaning without aggressive material loss. Compared with bulk budget pins, Lyman's formulation is tuned for compatibility with ultrasonic and turbo systems, offering slightly improved case brightening and shorter process times—at a mid-range price that undercuts some premium competitors while outperforming basic generic media.
Turbo clean — zippy
Low residue
Gentle polish
Designed for use in Turbo Sonic and ultrasonic cleaners for efficient debris removal
Precision-cut steel pins that maintain shape and resist chipping
Turbo clean — zippy
Low residue
Gentle polish
Designed for use in Turbo Sonic and ultrasonic cleaners for efficient debris removal
Precision-cut steel pins that maintain shape and resist chipping
$60-90 CAD
RCBS Stainless Steel Pin Cleaning Media
RCBS stainless steel pin media is marketed as a premium, consistency-focused product targeted at high-volume reloaders and shop environments, delivering tight size tolerances and a highly polished finish that reduces marring and media embedment. While more expensive per pound than economy brands, RCBS justifies that premium with longer usable life, superior part-to-part uniformity, and predictable performance compared with lower-cost pins like Frankford Arsenal or commodity STM batches.
Consistent size — precise
Fast polish
Consistent size — precise
Fast polish
Review Summary
"RCBS stainless pins are regarded as premium, very consistent and effective at removing carbon and polish without excessive marring, and users report long-lasting durability. The main negatives are the higher price and occasional shipping/packaging complaints."
Rust resistant
High-quality stainless pins produced to consistent tolerances for uniform cleaning
Rust resistant
High-quality stainless pins produced to consistent tolerances for uniform cleaning
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
RCBS stainless steel pin media is marketed as a premium, consistency-focused product targeted at high-volume reloaders and shop environments, delivering tight size tolerances and a highly polished finish that reduces marring and media embedment. While more expensive per pound than economy brands, RCBS justifies that premium with longer usable life, superior part-to-part uniformity, and predictable performance compared with lower-cost pins like Frankford Arsenal or commodity STM batches.
Consistent size — precise
Fast polish
Rust resistant
High-quality stainless pins produced to consistent tolerances for uniform cleaning
Durable finish minimizes contamination and prolongs media life
Consistent size — precise
Fast polish
Rust resistant
High-quality stainless pins produced to consistent tolerances for uniform cleaning
Durable finish minimizes contamination and prolongs media life
$70-110 CAD
Hornady Stainless Steel Media Pins
Hornady's stainless steel media pins emphasize precision finishing and low-abrasion performance for shooters who prioritize minimal surface alteration of cases and bullets; the high polish and controlled geometry help preserve case integrity while delivering excellent brightening. They sit alongside RCBS as a top-tier choice for precision reloaders, offering comparable technical benefits but often appealing to users who prefer Hornady's product ecosystem and slightly different polish/profile characteristics.
Factory shine — pro
Smooth action
Factory shine — pro
Smooth action
Review Summary
"Hornady media pins receive consistent praise for quality and reliable cleaning with minimal finish issues; many owners find them a good balance of performance and price. A small number of reviewers experienced mixed size tolerance in large bulk purchases."
Long-lasting
Smooth, polished stainless pins reduce surface marring on cases and bullets
Long-lasting
Smooth, polished stainless pins reduce surface marring on cases and bullets
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Hornady's stainless steel media pins emphasize precision finishing and low-abrasion performance for shooters who prioritize minimal surface alteration of cases and bullets; the high polish and controlled geometry help preserve case integrity while delivering excellent brightening. They sit alongside RCBS as a top-tier choice for precision reloaders, offering comparable technical benefits but often appealing to users who prefer Hornady's product ecosystem and slightly different polish/profile characteristics.
Factory shine — pro
Smooth action
Long-lasting
Smooth, polished stainless pins reduce surface marring on cases and bullets
Consistent geometry ensures even cleaning and predictable results
Factory shine — pro
Smooth action
Long-lasting
Smooth, polished stainless pins reduce surface marring on cases and bullets
Consistent geometry ensures even cleaning and predictable results
$65-100 CAD
STM Stainless Steel Tumbling Media Pins
STM stainless steel tumbling media pins provide a value-oriented, specialty-focused alternative with flexible size and bulk packaging options, making them attractive to reloaders who need specific pin profiles or want to buy larger quantities at competitive prices. Though they may lack the name recognition of legacy manufacturers, STM competes on unit cost and availability of custom mixes, offering a pragmatic option for those who prioritize price and choice over brand-premium finishes.
High-gloss — wow
Low dust
High-gloss — wow
Low dust
Review Summary
"STM pins are viewed as a budget-friendly option that cleans adequately for many users, though experienced tumblers report more variability in pin size and some premature wear. Overall satisfaction is lower than premium brands but acceptable for the price-conscious buyer."
Reusable forever
Economical 5 lb supply of stainless media pins for extended tumbling batches
Reusable forever
Economical 5 lb supply of stainless media pins for extended tumbling batches
Eco-Friendly Living
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
STM stainless steel tumbling media pins provide a value-oriented, specialty-focused alternative with flexible size and bulk packaging options, making them attractive to reloaders who need specific pin profiles or want to buy larger quantities at competitive prices. Though they may lack the name recognition of legacy manufacturers, STM competes on unit cost and availability of custom mixes, offering a pragmatic option for those who prioritize price and choice over brand-premium finishes.
High-gloss — wow
Low dust
Reusable forever
Economical 5 lb supply of stainless media pins for extended tumbling batches
Uniform hardness and finish for repeatable cleaning performance
High-gloss — wow
Low dust
Reusable forever
Economical 5 lb supply of stainless media pins for extended tumbling batches
Uniform hardness and finish for repeatable cleaning performance
$55-85 CAD