Annealing
- Thread starter kestak
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MtnCreek
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That would depend on what you're thinking as you anneal.
In 'theory', you'll get more consistent neck tension from annealing prior to sizing because the un-annealed (if there is such a thing) will likely spring back with more variance than annealed necks.
Fair enough.
But being a hatemonger of the worse specie, let me add more details:
The calibers are 308,30-06 and 270. Those cases were annealed certainly before that last shooting. Because I annealed each time before resizing with a ballistic edge annealing machine, I know I did it with a good consistency and just right (I asked so many questions, did tons of destructible tests, etc, I am a nerd with a gun, the most dangerous thing on eatth just after vampires).
Anyway, I know the metal is still pretty soft still. But I got it: clean, anneal, resize, clean, load and Shoot.
Thank you
But being a hatemonger of the worse specie, let me add more details:
The calibers are 308,30-06 and 270. Those cases were annealed certainly before that last shooting. Because I annealed each time before resizing with a ballistic edge annealing machine, I know I did it with a good consistency and just right (I asked so many questions, did tons of destructible tests, etc, I am a nerd with a gun, the most dangerous thing on eatth just after vampires).
Anyway, I know the metal is still pretty soft still. But I got it: clean, anneal, resize, clean, load and Shoot.
Thank you
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I'm sorry but I have never heard of anyone annealing cases before each and every resizing. That can't be good for the cases, can it? I mean, once annealed the brass is soft enough for at least 5 or 6 reloads before it becomes work hardened and needs to be annealed again. I really have never heard of anyone doing this before... OCD comes to mind! LOL
Gillie Dog
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“It depends” on the goal.
To prevent split cases from firing a hard(ened) case after resizing annealing will work fine and cause no problems with the brass.
To prevent spring back in a neck sizing die when looking for consistent ID then before sizing will be needed. Take me for instance. I was getting 0.0015” to 0.002 differences in neck ID on once fired 22-250 brass until I started annealing every firing before resizing and all that inconsistency went away.
However on 270 brass I found it took several firings to harden to the point spring back was an issue. The chamber and the brass differences all come into play here.
No, resizing before annealing does not “defeat the purpose” depending what the purpose is. If like you, annealing each firing and if your goal is case longevity then you will be achieving that. However if neck ID consistency and associated neck tension consistency are the additional goal annealing before resizing is needed, you will achieve both goals at the same time by annealing before resizing.
GD
To prevent split cases from firing a hard(ened) case after resizing annealing will work fine and cause no problems with the brass.
To prevent spring back in a neck sizing die when looking for consistent ID then before sizing will be needed. Take me for instance. I was getting 0.0015” to 0.002 differences in neck ID on once fired 22-250 brass until I started annealing every firing before resizing and all that inconsistency went away.
However on 270 brass I found it took several firings to harden to the point spring back was an issue. The chamber and the brass differences all come into play here.
No, resizing before annealing does not “defeat the purpose” depending what the purpose is. If like you, annealing each firing and if your goal is case longevity then you will be achieving that. However if neck ID consistency and associated neck tension consistency are the additional goal annealing before resizing is needed, you will achieve both goals at the same time by annealing before resizing.
GD
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It depends on what you're shooting. If you have a surgical instrument that fires hand made bullets propelled by powder charges hand weighed on a $2000 laboratory scale, anneal before. If you are shooting a good rifle, anneal after. If you are shooting a typical production rifle, don't anneal.
I anneal every three firings to prolong case life. I have not found an accuracy advantage at short ranges. It might make a difference at long range, though.
I anneal every three firings to prolong case life. I have not found an accuracy advantage at short ranges. It might make a difference at long range, though.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
If you anneal after sizing won't the expansion and contraction of the brass because of heating and cooling possible leave the cases with different inside diameters or slightly different tension?
gamestalker
member
I don't know about the whole annealing thing to be honest. Back when I first got into loading, I annealed for about a year or so at the suggestion of a bench rest shooter I knew who was helping me get a good handle on reloading in general. And at the time, I was loading for a 30-06 and .270 win. and didn't really see any difference. My brass still held up for about the same number of loads. And accuracy and consistency of, didn't seem to show any difference from what I could tell.
I just size, trim, and load and still manage to get around a dozen or so uses before it begins to fail anyway. But now you got me thinking I should try putting a tension gauge on them to compare neck tension. A buddy of mine made one and has been bugging me to check it out, and to also try and sell me on going back to annealing. Keep your eyes open for those results, as I'll be doing this as soon as I get finished moving and back to my normal reloading routine.
GS
I just size, trim, and load and still manage to get around a dozen or so uses before it begins to fail anyway. But now you got me thinking I should try putting a tension gauge on them to compare neck tension. A buddy of mine made one and has been bugging me to check it out, and to also try and sell me on going back to annealing. Keep your eyes open for those results, as I'll be doing this as soon as I get finished moving and back to my normal reloading routine.
GS
FROGO207
Member
I anneal after every 3-5 reloadings depending on the particular caliber/firearm I am working with on bottle necked brass only. I do this for extending case life and usually retire my brass for loose primer pockets or the occasional case wall thinning prior to separation . Not many split case necks anymore and I will encourage any reloader to try it along with partial resizing to extend their bottle necked brass life.
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