TFB Armorer's Bench: RCBS Ultrasonic Case Cleaner 2 – A Closer Look

Welcome everyone to the TFB Armorer's Bench! It's been a minute since my last article. I've been away from the bench, so to speak, with various projects in the works – expensive, in-depth adventures that will come in due time. Now that the Minnesota winter is over and the bench has thawed, it's time to get back into it. Before diving in, I want to give a big shout-out to RCBS for sending along a good chunk of reloading equipment to sprinkle into our bench escapades. In this article, I'll be taking a closer look at the RCBS Ultrasonic Case Cleaner 2, a substantial piece of equipment that promises to revolutionize the brass cleaning process. Let's dive right in!

RCBS @ TFB:

• RCBS Releases the Remastered RCBS Reloading App
• [SHOT 2025] RCBS Launches New Matchmaster Powder Funnel System
• Fixing My Stupid Mistakes With The RCBS Stuck Case Remover
• RCBS Announces New 7mm PRC, .360 Buckhammer, & .338 Weatherby RPM Die Sets
• New RCBS MatchMaster Powder Dispenser – fast and accurate down to 0.04 Grain

TFB Armorer's Bench: RCBS Ultrasonic Case Cleaner 2 – A Closer Look

Here, we at TFB hope to inform, entertain, and even inspire any would-be gunsmith or armorer out there. Ideally, with the information I provide and with the help of our sponsors, you can have some useful knowledge pertaining to the conservation and improvement of firearms technology while at the same time sharing experiences and teaching each other new tips and tricks along the way in the comments. Digging deep into what it is to be an armorer or gunsmith has significance but what is important is what those people do to show they’ve earned that title. I am happy to share my experiences and knowledge and hope it is informative!

Make your personal safety a priority:

1. Practice proper gun safety. Always make sure before the firearm hits your bench that it is unloaded and safe to be handled.
2. Wear the proper safety equipment. The main one would be safety glasses (decent ones) since parts are often under spring tension and you may work with high RPM tools. Other honorable mentions would be latex gloves or a respirator when working with potentially harmful solvents and oils. Also hearing protection when working with loud machinery or test-firing firearms.
3. Modifications, alterations, and customizations will void your firearm’s warranty 9.5 times out of 10. Please take that into consideration before attempting any at-home gunsmithing.
4. If you are unsure about proper safety practices, disassembly procedures, or warranty standards, stop, put down the tools, and consult a competent gunsmith.

Brief Overview: RCBS Ultrasonic Case Cleaner 2

The RCBS Ultrasonic Case Cleaner 2 is a substantial upgrade from its predecessor, featuring a boxier, more official-looking design that immediately signals this is serious reloading equipment. At $399.99, this unit represents a significant investment for the reloader, but one that promises to deliver industrial-grade performance for those who take their brass preparation seriously.

What makes ultrasonic cleaning different from traditional tumbling methods is the way it works. Rather than physically tumbling cases with media, the Ultrasonic Case Cleaner 2 creates millions of tiny air bubbles through high-frequency vibration. These bubbles burst inside the liquid against the submerged brass, effectively "shaking" off debris, carbon fouling, and lubricants from both the exterior and interior surfaces of your cartridge cases. This method promises to deliver exceptionally clean cases, including hard-to-reach areas like primer pockets (assuming you've deprimed your brass first).

Looking at this cleaner has me wondering about the efficiency benefits over traditional dry tumbling methods. While the upfront cost is certainly higher, the potential for reusable media (water + cleaning solution) versus constantly replacing dry media is an interesting value proposition for high-volume reloaders. I'm particularly curious about how well the degassing function works, as this is a feature not commonly found on less expensive ultrasonic cleaners.

Specifications and Highlights: RCBS Ultrasonic Case Cleaner 2

The RCBS Ultrasonic Case Cleaner 2 comes packaged with a sturdy lid, basket frame, primary basket, a smaller stainless steel tub for specialized cleaning, power cords (for multiple regions), and a drain hose. The current MSRP sits at $399.99, which is certainly an investment, but potentially worthwhile for serious reloaders.

Key specifications include:

• Tank size: 12.7" x 8.1" x 3.9" (32.3 x 20.5 x 9.9 cm)
• Tank capacity: 1.6 gallons (6.0L)
• 3-color LED display with intuitive control panel
• 1 to 30-minute full-range timer
• 5 pre-set temperature settings from 40°C/104°F to 60°C/140°F
• Solution usage timer with memory function
• 2 industrial-grade ultrasonic transducers operating at 35,000 Hz
• 2 ceramic heaters with overheat protection
• Moisture-proofed PCB with cooling fan
• Built-in drainage valve for easy emptying
• Power: 290W (AC 100~120V 60 Hz)
• Net weight: 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg)
• Comes with a limited one-year warranty

The RCBS Ultrasonic Case Cleaner 2 features a special degassing function, which addresses a common issue with ultrasonic cleaning solutions. When cleaners are added to water, they form droplets and bubbles that can act as insulators, reducing the cleaning effectiveness. The degassing function runs for two minutes to help dissipate these bubbles, improving overall cleaning efficiency.

One of the most notable improvements in the Case Cleaner 2 is the 6.3-quart capacity, which is nearly 100% larger than the previous model. This increased capacity allows for cleaning significantly more cases in a single cycle - up to 5 pounds of pistol brass, just under 5 pounds of rifle brass, or 4 pounds of magnum rifle brass. For reference, one pound equals approximately 75 cases of .223 Rem, 80 cases of .45 ACP, 110 cases of 9mm, or 35 cases of .30-06 Springfield.

The unit's versatility extends beyond just cleaning brass. According to RCBS, this cleaner can also be used for:

• Gun parts (using their specialized Weapons Cleaning Solution)
• Jewelry (using water only)
• Eyeglass frames (using water only)
• Tools (with specialized cleaning solutions)

While the unit itself is impressive, RCBS clearly intends for it to be used with their companion products. Two specialized cleaning solutions are recommended:

1) RCBS Ultrasonic/Rotary Case Cleaning Solution:

Specifically designed to remove tarnish, carbon buildup, and metal oxides from cartridge cases. It's non-corrosive, non-combustible, and includes anti-tarnish additives. One quart makes 10 gallons of cleaning mix.

Closing Thoughts: RCBS Ultrasonic Case Cleaner 2

My first impression of the RCBS Ultrasonic Case Cleaner 2 is that it's a versatile piece of equipment for dedicated reloaders. The boxy, industrial design clearly communicates that this isn't a repurposed jewelry cleaner but purpose-built equipment for the reloading bench. The inclusion of features like the degassing function, multiple temperature settings, and solution timer shows that RCBS has put thought into addressing the specific needs of reloaders.

Has anyone out there been using the  RCBS Ultrasonic Case Cleaner 2 already? I'd be interested to hear your experiences and any tips you might have for getting the most out of this substantial piece of equipment.

As always, thank you for reading TFB! Be safe out there, have fun while shooting, and we will see you next time for the  TFB Armorer’s Bench! Also, let us know what you think in the comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.