After Annealing Neck Needs Turning

[Nick Caprinolo]

Recently, for the first time, I annealed some 6PPC brass. After resizing and reloading, about 15 out of 100 rounds it would not chamber. I checked the dimensions of the brass and found that the wall thickness had increased by .002. Brass measured .258 before seating a bullet and .262 with bullet seated. Brass had previously been fired 10 to fifteen times with no problem.

I googled results of heating brass but could find no definitive answer. Brass was not overdone.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

Been read 73 times and not one comment.

 

[Big_Daddy]

I have never experienced that when annealing.
Honestly, I have never thought to check the case dimensions afterwards.

Maybe it is a "tight" chamber and a small difference caused this.

I will follow this one with great interest.

Sorry I can't offer any real information on your situation.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

Neck size only. This is a 6 PPC and the chamber is .262 It is designed to have very close tolerances.

 

[joshb]

Hey Nick: I haven’t heard of a change like that from annealing. Also, have you ever full length sized them? I like to have 2-3 thou clearance on mine, so I like .260-259 loaded round.
Tell you what: If you want to, put your brass in a 2 day priority box and send them to me. I’ll turn them down and get them back to you pronto. Just get them here quick.
Josh

 

[dkhunt14]

Neck size only. This is a 6 PPC and the chamber is .262 It is designed to have very close tolerances.

Even tight necked guns need clearance. I never load without .003 clearance. Tests have proven a little more clearance didn't hurt accuracy. I prefer to stay on the safe side. I have annealed brass every firing for 1000 yard BR and never saw annealing make brass thicker. That is with 20 firing and annealing cycles. Matt

 

[MikeMcCasland]

For what it's worth, Litz's testing in Modern Advancements Vol 2 showed no change in neck diameter annealed vs. unannealed. Annealed brass did grow in length significantly more though.

 

[Willie]

I haven’t heard of a change like that from annealing.

I use turned necks and anneal every firing, never witnessed that either. It's something else.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Its the neck sizing. You cant get away with only neck sizing a ppc. Cant believe you got 15 shots out of them before this happened

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

Its the neck sizing. You cant get away with only neck sizing a ppc. Cant believe you got 15 shots out of them before this happened

Talked to Boyd Allen the other day and he advised me to send 3 fired cases to Harrells and he would make me a custom full length die to fit my chamber.

The things is that the wall thickness actually increased by .002. These were cases that I had already fired in my rifle. Through the entire 15 loading's all fit perfectly.

What ever happened I need to make sure it doesn't re-accrue so full sizing from now on.

 

[243winxb]

When turning, did you extend the cut slightly below the neck-shoulder junction? Brass flowing forward?

https://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/neck-turning-tool-cutting-tips/

 

[joshb]

Hey Nick! Have you changed the bullets you were using?
What were the necks turned to, originally?
Josh

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

I am going to the range Sunday. When I come home I will have some fired brass and will use that to have a custom full size die made.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

Hey Nick: I haven’t heard of a change like that from annealing. Also, have you ever full length sized them? I like to have 2-3 thou clearance on mine, so I like .260-259 loaded round.
Tell you what: If you want to, put your brass in a 2 day priority box and send them to me. I’ll turn them down and get them back to you pronto. Just get them here quick.
Josh

Josh

I really appreciate the offer, but since I am going to order a full size die I will try that first. I am also going to order case turning tool. I have wanted on for a while and now is the time to get it done.

I hope you and your wife have a great vacation.

Any one have a suggestion on a good neck turning tool?

Nick

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

Hey Nick! Have you changed the bullets you were using?
What were the necks turned to, originally?
Josh

Josh

Necks were turned to .258 and when a bullet is inserted, they are should be .260. Bullets are seated so that when chambered, they are pushed back.

Remember, this is all new to me. In the past, I have not owned a firearm that required so much attention to such tight tolerances. That being said, I bet if I apply the same close tolerance to the rest of my rifles accuracy will improve dramatically.

Over the next few months, I will be ordering a few custom dies and selling a few too. This hobby gets expensive because it is a passion for excellence which only come with the expenditure of a great deal of dollars.

By the way, I am using the same bullets as I always have in this rifle, all from the same lot, so that's not the problem.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

Its the neck sizing. You cant get away with only neck sizing a ppc. Cant believe you got 15 shots out of them before this happened

Dusty

Are you telling me that if I full size I will improve my groups? If they get any better I won't be able to stand myself. While not on par with the big guys, I am very satisfied with them at this point.

 

[joshb]

Hey Nick! I bought the PMA tool and love it. Also, get an automotive feeler gauge. It makes it easier to set the cutter for the right thickness!

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

I was thinking more on the lines of a tool that works like a lathe. Seems to me that using this tool would be difficult to maintain an exact cut.

 

[dkhunt14]

I was thinking more on the lines of a tool that works like a lathe. Seems to me that using this tool would be difficult to maintain an exact cut.

These type turning tools work just like a lathe. The cutter cuts by allowing the case to follow the mandrel. The fit between the mandrel sized case needs to be good to allow the cutter mandrel to follow. I like when my cutter unit floats, like in hand held. I would get the case driver and use a drill. Buy the expander mandrel from the same outfit as the cutter. K&M, PMA OR 21ST CENTURY are All good. You can hold .0001 if your careful and it won't get any better with a good lathe. Matt

 

[Dusty Stevens]

You can hold .0001 with the tool but couldnt come close to that on a lathe.
And its not that fl sizing will help your groups but it will let your rifle operate and be alot smoother and faster which does improve groups