Annealing question

[Wind Gypsy]

I have the original version of the annealeeze, probably need to see if there are some good upgrades for it as it is pretty cumbersome adjusting the torch direction for different cartridges.. Beats the heck out of hand held torch though!

 

[littlebighorn]

I have the later model (maybe gen 2) with the movable torch bottle. I don't struggle much with aiming the flame, so I'm guessing that's an improvement.

 

[Caseknife]

Think the big change was going to a digital read-out, which is the one I have. Have only had issues with the short 300 BLK cases heating up the wheel so I modified the wheels to solve the issue.

 

[17remhunter]

I’ve done many many tests over the years on multiple calibers and literally thousands of rounds down range.

Results I came to have no scientific basis. My results were based on bullet holes in paper at various distances and longevity of brass.

1: All brass is not the same. Even different lot numbers of same manufacturer of brass can vary.
2: Brass varies in wall thickness which varies its powder capacity and pressure capability and limits.
3: Brass varies in hardness and malleability - THIS is the most important variable.
4: The most effect that annealing has is it definitely will prolong brass life plus it provides more uniform neck tension on the bullet which shows up on bullet hole accuracy on paper. It will practically eliminate memory spring back on brass that has been reloaded multiple times.

If you don’t reload brass multiple times, shoot and test at distance, or push the pressure limit on a cartridge then I could justify not annealing.

Saying that all new brass has been annealed is like saying all new vehicles never have a problem. Years ago I had a couple of ammo manufacturers as clients and at that time there was a criteria for annealing brass based on the lot of brass being run at that time. Not all new brass is annealed.

I would always anneal brass if I was reforming to a different caliber than the original brass was intended.

Bottom line is annealing has merit. Question is does everyone need it for how they use the ammo. There is no yes or no answer - to each his own. It’s like asking multiple people how often do you need to clean a rifle.

I found your reply to the question on annealing very factual. My question to you. I shoot a 17 Remington brass can be hard to find I want it to last as long as the primer pockets hold up. How often should I anneal my necks

 

[cowboy]

I found your reply to the question on annealing very factual. My question to you. I shoot a 17 Remington brass can be hard to find I want it to last as long as the primer pockets hold up. How often should I anneal my necks

I believe the answer to that is no one knows the ‘perfect’ number. Standard internet answer is every 3-4 reloads. We can guess but that is a swag.
It depends on the chamber and throat of your rifle in comparison
with your reloaded ammunition along with quality of brass

I load for multiple calibers, rifles, and bullets and I just make it part of my reloading process to anneal and trim every time I reload a batch of ammo. Yes - I’m anal but I let holes in paper evaluate my procedures.

 

[17remhunter]

I believe the answer to that is no one knows the ‘perfect’ number. Standard internet answer is every 3-4 reloads. We can guess but that is a swag.
It depends on the chamber and throat of your rifle in comparison
with your reloaded ammunition along with quality of brass

I load for multiple calibers, rifles, and bullets and I just make it part of my reloading process to anneal and trim every time I reload a batch of ammo. Yes - I’m anal but I let holes in paper evaluate my procedures.

Thats a good point, holes in the paper

 

[El Jason]

I just make it part of my reloading process to anneal and trim every time I reload a batch of ammo.

I’ve started doing the same as well.

 

[psinclair]

I'm a believer...

I anneal after each firing. I've done extensive testing and the results were better overall accuracy and lower SD's, through more consistent neck tension.

I use an AMP Aztec annealer.

 

[El Jason]

I'm a believer...

I anneal after each firing. I've done extensive testing and the results were better overall accuracy and lower SD's, through more consistent neck tension.

I use an AMP Aztec annealer.

Have you tested at all if a specific time gives you best results, or do results vary with annealing time/temp?

 

[psinclair]

The most consistent results I found as far as SD and ES were concerned were annealing every time.

It's a pretty simple process with the AMP, and it analyses the brass for hardness that can vary from lot to lot, and different brands, providing a code before you run them
through....it's a spendy investment, but I can justify it for the amount of shooting I do.

 

[Burn Pile]

I have been annealing every time after cleaning the case. It makes my resizing/ shoulder bump more consistent. And I don't have to add more labels if I do it to every rifle case every time. Sometimes for forming wildcats I'll anneal before and then again after sizing (after another cleaning so I'm not smoking the case lube).

I followed the north east texas tactical diy annealer video build. A couple hundred dollars and a little plug and shove on some wires to add a timer/power controller to an amazon induction bolt heater. No gas or open flame to deal with. But I do have to hold the thing and go case to case myself. Some people have made it the heating element for automated setups. Takes more goofing around to get it all set up and working and probably a 3d printer.

 

[Redmt]

I got an Ugly Annealer. I'm 3 days in and so far the results have been good. Their instructions for set-up are REALLY bad but still not hard to figure out.
It's a propane flame machine and so far my only thing I don't care for is the brass discoloration. Do you just put up with it or reclean it? I ran a batch through my old vibratory walnut shell cleaner to polish them up a bit and remembered why I quit using it. The residual dust sucks.