annealing after first fireform-ackley

[Benjerman08]

Does anyone think theres anything to be gained from annealing after the first fireform (cow method) or will it make any difference until an actual bullet is fired? lapua brass

 

[gotcha]

I've got three AI's and find that "load'em & shoot'em" has worked best. I anneal after 1st F/F to keep neck tension uniform. Normally I work up powder charges 1st then vary seating depth for best accuracy. There are other methods but this abbreviated method has proven to work well for me. I can usually find an accurate load within about 50 rounds. If you're working w/ a true Ackley case (designed by P.O.) The parent case will have a slight crush fit at the neck/shoulder junction of the AI chamber. So, there's no need to worry about seating the bullet into the lands for proper F/Fing. None of my AI's use Lapua brass so I'm not qualified to comment on this. The "cow" method is just a needless PITA. Just my .02..... Have fun

 

[firearmdoc1]

I apologize for my ignorance, but what is a "cow method"?

 

[TC260]

cow-cream of wheat. There's an article here on the site somewhere about it. In a nutshell, use a small charge if pistol powder and fill the rest of the case with c.o.w. and capped off with a little roll of tissue paper, bullet lube, wax, or something else to hold it all in.

Kind of a messy process but a good technique to know because sometimes it comes in handy.

 

[bheadboy]

i used the cow method on my 219 mashburn zipper and it was very effective with the old brass, however on my AI's 280, 260, 7-08 all have been load and shoot.

Bob

 

[Ackman]

Does anyone think theres anything to be gained from annealing after the first fireform (cow method) or will it make any difference until an actual bullet is fired? lapua brass

No need for annealing. And cow....don't waste your time. Just work up a good load as you would with any other cartridge, and go shoot. It'll be as accurate as with formed brass and much faster than the parent cartridge.

 

[p-man]

I emphatically disagree - I have gotten much better case life with the COW method using virgin brass than fireforming a fully loaded round - now that's just my two cents so can take it or leave it - I see the difference down towards the web/base area of the brass

 

[Benjerman08]

Thanks for all the great replies, but I think you guys are missing the point. The cow is done already...history. I was just wondering if there might be anything to be gained from annealing after cow. I anneal every firing otherwise mostly because I have the annealer.

 

[LRPV]

I annealed my 22-250AI brass after the first time fired (I fireformed them with an actual load that shot around .25" @ 100yd). I figured it couldn't hurt and like you, I had the annealer. I also used a hydro die to make some dasher brass and I annealed them before I loaded them the first time. I have no idea if they are gonna work good or not, but they shoot and I can basically get a crush fit like with an Ackley when I fireform them to finish.

 

[Ackman]

Thanks for all the great replies, but I think you guys are missing the point. The cow is done already...history. I was just wondering if there might be anything to be gained from annealing after cow. I anneal every firing otherwise mostly because I have the annealer.

Ok. New brass is annealed. Domestic brass is polished and you don't see the colors. You don't need to anneal again after fireforming. And you sure don't need to anneal every firing.