I clean first, then anneal. Ya never know what may have found its way into a case. Yes, annealing does relieve work hardening, so I want to do it before I re-size so all the brass is the same. If trimming is required I do it next.
I hope this helps,
Lloyd
I'd clean em, then anneal, then size. Works for me. Annealing will bake the carbon in / outside of necks. Not an expert.
I like seeing where the annealing temp change "ends" on the case wall as well.
OK!I don’t think carbon dissolves in copper alloys. So I don’t quite follow how it could “bake” in. Carbon in a flame turns to ash.