Made the jump to annealing.

[N555]

My dumb induction annealer runs a little under 1,000w with the old inefficient coil and 900w with the new bigger faster, more efficient coil.

 

[westernrover]

I suppose the brass is work-hardened some amount when the case is initially formed. But it is formed by punching a disc out of a band and the disc is then formed into a cup. Before the cup can be formed by a die into a longer hollow cylinder with thinner walls, it has to be annealed between forming on each successive die. Then heading is performed by a bunter that smashes the closed end and forms the head, primer pocket, and rim. Heading work-hardens that end which is not subsequently annealed like the neck. Presumably, over-annealing could soften the head and it would be impractical to work-harden it again without totally reforming the case from the beginning. I know annealers get nervous about softening the head. I have. Has anyone ever actually experienced a failure due to a softened head?

Erik Cortina made a video where he deliberately over-annealed some brass. He demonstrated that it still sized very consistently. He was reluctant to shoot the brass that he believed had been softened too much in the head. Has anyone done this for science?

 

[N555]

The head would have to be discolored to get it anywhere near annealing temperature.
About the only thing vermonator and I agree on is, generally, practically speaking no annealing occurs below 500f.
(I say annealing can take place at 500f but it takes at least weeks to occur and is therefor useless for any practical application)

 

[FROGO207]

Don't you get a lead coating on the case? How would you them clean them?
I tried annealing 30,06 and ,270 cases and never got consistent results with a propane torch. I figured the cases are common enough to just load them 4-5x and then scrap 'em. Even during Covid there were plenty to be had.

I dip the necks into used motor oil before annealing them. I also use a leather glove with the ends of the fingers cut off to save my hand from most of the heat. FWIW I have eliminated neck cracking on my rifle brass using this method so to me it is a worthwile procedure. Proof trumps book answers in my mind but OK I must imagine my results LOL.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Thanks to all who participated. Im amazed my thread made 5 pages.

 

[Walkalong]

What a great way to finish for this time around.