Annealing after forming improved brass?

[alphapygmy]

Would you anneal brass that has just been formed to an improved chambering or wait until it needs it like a peice of regular brass? I just formed 25 peices each of Lapua 260 and Palma 308 to 260AI. How much work hardening takes place in the forming process? Thanks

 

[22DASHER]

Yes, In my opinion you need to anneal it.

 

[Chappy]

It won't hurt anything.

 

[alphapygmy]

The only reason I ask is sometimes it seems like the first firing after annealing isn't as accurate as subsequent firings. Anyway, I'll anneal it. Thanks

 

[shoot4fun]

The only reason I ask is sometimes it seems like the first firing after annealing isn't as accurate as subsequent firings. Anyway, I'll anneal it. Thanks

May I guess that you are cleaning the brass in SS media before annealing?
If so, the necks get squeaky clean and may be causing the accuracy problem you're seeing. Getting vertical by chance?
Dip the neck in Imperial Dry Media before you size it and that should smooth everything out and get you're accuracy on track.

 

[alphapygmy]

I don't use the SS media for exactly that reason. I clean the carbon off the outside of the necks with a krazy kloth, clean the primer pocket and tumble in 50/50 corn/walnut for 10 minutes to make sure all the big debris is off then I resize. I do whatever I can to leave the carbon inside the necks. I actually have some of the Imperial Dry media on the way, should be here Friday. I'm starting to see a relationship between bullet seating force consistency and smaller groups at every distance.