Annealing question

Another tip for the Annealeez, if you haven’t figured it out already, is to use scrap brass and Tempilaq to get the flame and timer set right before going into production

Here is an excellent read on the science of when and why to anneal. Before or after resizing and trimming, etc.
http://www.6mmbr.com/annealing.html

X4 for Annealeez. I've since done a couple mods on my machine, but can't say enough good about it.

An Annealeez machine is on my list of things that I want but don't really need.

tcoz said:

Would you mind elaborating on your mods?

Click to expand...

This isn't my video, but I did the same mod he did to the torch head holder, and same use of the drywall mud pan for a catch tray.


I've got the parts and haven't done it yet, but am adding a counter to it so I can keep track of how many pieces I process in a 'brass prep' session.
Similar to this flavor of annealing machine:


I also built the feed ramp with some sheet metal so I don't have to change wheel sizes when changing from short to longer brass (223 to 30-06 for example). It's just a piece of sheet metal that I C-clamp in place but it makes changing calibers a lot smoother and doesn't hang up on feeding a new cartridge in every single time. (versus swapping wheels every time). It also increases my hopper of waiting brass so I can stack more in there and not have to babysit it every piece.

I may be in the minority but I've never been able to soften case necks more than once using a propane torch, therefore I don't do it until it's absolutely necessary. IMHO any major modifications such as wildcatting/repurposing should be done immediately after softening.

thomas15 said:

things that I want but don't really need

Click to expand...

Well, that pretty much defines the reloading hobby for me and it's too late to go back now.

tcoz said:

I've posed this same question on an M14 specific forum and it's been recommended not to bother annealing the LC brass for my M1A at all because of the inherently short case life (5 or fewer loadings) and I'm not looking for an additional 0.1 to 0.2 MOA.
Do the M14/M1A guys here agree or not?

Click to expand...

Conventional wisdom is to toss M14 brass after say 5 firings. There are guys out there that have gotten more out of them. The first batch (2000 or so) I had got hucked after 5 firings. This batch I've annealed after four and plan to keep using them on a shoot and inspect basis.

Ten years ago, I would have said don't bother. But if you're looking for something to do over the winter, and don't mind doing it, go on ahead.

@tcoz and @30Cal

I’ve gotten LC brass through 10+ reloads in my M1A with no issues and that was before I started annealing

I lucked into a share in an AMP induction annealer, sold the Bench-Source flamethrower. We'll see how it goes I guess. The final arbiter will be the holes in the paper.

tcoz said:

Thanks MDof2. Just to let prospective Annealeez purchasers know, the unit is now supplied with that same torch head holder shown in the video. Also, if anybody has an older unit with the old holder, I believe the new holder can be purchased for $10.

Click to expand...

Correct and good catch. I should have noted that in my earlier reply. The new torch holder (an aluminum turn buckle) is what he puts on them now.

tcoz said:

Is there anything to be gained by annealing fully processed brass (LC) that's waiting to be primed or is the benefit really only gained by annealing before sizing and further processing?

Click to expand...

Maybe.
Recently I haven’t been getting the case life that I have in the past with my 223’s. I think it just may be this batch (1000) of brass. It may turn out to be something else entirely, but for now I am looking at annealing a few (100) batches to see if I can get my case life back. I was getting at least 8 to 10 loadings from previous batches of new Winchester 223 before I started to see a neck split. Now I am seeing split necks after 2 loadings. Same rifles. Same loads. So now I am annealing brand new brass.

My point is, if you try it out and it helps, there is definitely something to be gained. If you don’t, you will never know.

.
.
Pretty deep, huh ?

My Annealeez arrived yesterday, and I ran my first cases through it today. 150 fire formed .243 AI cases that can now be full-length sized and reloaded using my Ackley dies. Another 50 once-fired .243 cases that can now be reloaded for fire-forming. The Annealeez worked slicker than snot, so by end of the day tomorrow I should have my first loaded .243 AI rounds.