First-Time Annealing v.IsThisNormal?

[TSFineGuns]

My AGS Annealer was delivered on Monday. I tinkered with it a bit and then annealed all of my .250 Savage AI and .280 AI fired brass after I was comfortable with setting the unit up.

Historically, my .280ai brass has required considerably more effort to FL Resize than the .250 Savage AI. I also have more challenges getting consistent shoulder bump with the .280ai brass.

After annealing I went after the .280ai Peterson brass and FL Resized. Upon inspecting them after resizing, I’m noticing what looks like damascus markings on the necks. These are three times fired, and this is the first time this has happened.

Is this normal behavior for annealed brass?

I’m starting to think there may be an issue with my Redding .280ai FL Die.

 

[Ccrider]

Was that neck turned?

 

[TSFineGuns]

Negative

Fired, Primers removed using Lee Decaper, Annealed, FL Resized, and tumbled to remove sizing wax

 

[LHSmith]

Is it a bushing die? I would get those ridges on the neck with Redding TiN bushings when they got a build-up of brass.

 

[TSFineGuns]

Is it a bushing die? I would get those ridges on the neck with Redding TiN bushings when they got a build-up of brass.

The set is the Redding Premium Series Deluxe 3 Die Set. Not a bushing die.

 

[Chris Edmondson]

Wonder if you can run a borescope inside the die? The markings sure don't look right.

 

[Silo1616]

Bushing die or not, looks like galling of the neck in the die. Could also be an illusion, can you feel it with a finger nail? Neck chamfer looks excessive to me (not that it would cause the issue).

 

[TSFineGuns]

Unfortunately I don’t have a borescope to check.

These dies have been used several times before and I’ve never seen this behavior or result.

The only change to my process was the annealing before FL Resizing.

I’ve loaded up ten (10) of them for the upcoming Wisconsin Gun Deer Season.

I’m hoping I haven’t ruined 45 pieces of Peterson Brass!!

 

[swd]

It looks like the neck portion of the die shaved off some neck. Might be annealed too soft or the die might have a sharp edge at the neck shoulder junction.

 

[Clancy]

Are you using imperial? I sure would.

Looks like a dirty die. I clean mine out with fine steel wool on a nylon brush.

Keep those dies scrubbed clean fellas.

 

[TSFineGuns]

It looks like the neck portion of the die shaved off some neck. Might be annealed too soft or the die might have a sharp edge at the neck shoulder junction.

Interesting that you say that! The last FL Resize I did of them in was getting very inconsistent shoulder bump. I pulled the die out and there were a lot of shavings!

Wondering if the die needs to be sent back to Redding?

 

[TSFineGuns]

Are you using imperial? I sure would.

Looks like a dirty die. I clean mine out with fine steel wool on a nylon brush.

Keep those dies scrubbed clean fellas.

Yes. Imperial resizing wax on base/body of brass and I apply Imperial neck sizing lube in the application media.

I sprayed RemOil in the die and scrubbed it out with a rolled up cotton cloth.

Maybe they are dirty? I try to clean them the way I stayed above after ever session.

 

[joshb]

I agree with the others that mentioned it. Sharp edge in the die is shaving brass.

 

[TSFineGuns]

I agree with the others that mentioned it. Sharp edge in the die is shaving brass.
View attachment 1603780

So a call to Redding and send them in?

 

[joshb]

So a call to Redding and send them in?

Let me think on it. If a common “implement” could be wrapped with 800 grit paper, a few turns could dull the edge.

 

[Bill Norris]

That definitely looks like a die issue.

 

[TSFineGuns]

Let me think on it. If a common “implement” could be wrapped with 800 grit paper, a few turns could dull the edge.

A bit disappointed I didn’t think to myself: ‘Something is not right!’ And stopped myself after a few vs running through 40ish cases.

I wasn’t rushing, I just wanted to get through them. No excuse, but a lesson learned.

 

[TSFineGuns]

That definitely looks like a die issue.

Yeah. And I knew that too. The .280ai effort to resize versus all my other calibers is significant. That and the inconsistent shoulder bump.

Head in the sand hoping it would just go away. Didn’t work.

 

[joshb]

A bit disappointed I didn’t think to myself: ‘Something is not right!’ And stopped myself after a few vs running through 40ish cases.

I wasn’t rushing, I just wanted to get through them. No excuse, but a lesson learned.

Oh, I don’t think you hurt much. Clean it up with some steel wool.

 

[Bill Norris]

A bit disappointed I didn’t think to myself: ‘Something is not right!’ And stopped myself after a few vs running through 40ish cases.

I wasn’t rushing, I just wanted to get through them. No excuse, but a lesson learned.

You may be able to turn them in some # 0000 steel wool and buff it out.