Annealing results normal?

[Joew]

Hey there, I'm an annealing newbie and was curious if this brown discoloration/splotchiness around the necks of this Lapua 6 BR brass is normal. Using a new Annealing Made Perfect machine in Aztec mode. I should note, I did do this out of order; annealing after I full-length sized with a Redding bushing die vs annealing before resizing. My thinking was that annealing would still be beneficial in terms of seating consistency. Just want to make sure the machine--literally the first running out of the box--isn't over-annealing and creating a potentially dangerous situation. Thoughts? Thanks so much in advance!

 

[Ccrider]

Don’t get hung up on colors. Did you run Aztec properly. If so, you are good.

 

[PopCharlie]

I have an AMP annealer also. The instructions say not to worry about color. Depending on your brass, you may not see any color change. In general, my brass does change color. As it cools, it gets the brown patina like yours. If there was any oil or sizing lube residue on the brass, it will discolor also.
PopCharlie

 

[PopCharlie]

Also, you may want to run the brass back through the sizer after annealing. The heating/cooling may change the neck tension.
I clean, decap, then anneal.
PopCharlie

 

[Joew]

Thanks so much everyone!

 

[1K6BRA]

Did you clean the powder fouling off your case necks before annealing? That will make some discoloration if you didn’t. I use a green Scotch-Brite pad and my cordless drill to spin the cases to clean the necks first before annealing.

 

[Hoser]

Looks like burnt case lube.

 

[madmixerman]

Looks like burnt case lube.

I agree with Hoser.

 

[Webster]

Don’t get hung up on colors. Did you run Aztec properly. If so, you are good.

Most likely the color is from small amounts of case lube that wasn't wiped off. Hard to get a paper towell into the neck/shoulder junction? Doesn't look soot related to me. I steel wool the soot off of my case necks to keep the lube pad clean.

 

[bozo699]

Joe
I agree with others I believe it’s lube and maybe some burnt powder residue when you were annealing I bet in the flame it appeared to be burning the brass not just heating, I know because I’ve done it too and it looked the same as yours. As 1k6bra said I now spin mine and use 0000 steel wool before annealing but scotch bright works great too.
Wayne

 

[Shooter13]

I agree with Hoser.

Me too!

 

[Joew]

Ah, interesting. I used Hornady OneShot. Was under the impression I didn’t need to wipe that off, but perhaps that’s if I’m annealing before I resize (which I’ll be doing from now on). Any harm leaving it as is for now?

 

[Straightshooter1]

Why not always make annealing the first order of business after firing?

Then clean the brass to remove the oxidized residue left from annealing. Brass is then clean for any proceeding processing.

 

[madmixerman]

Ah, interesting. I used Hornady OneShot. Was under the impression I didn’t need to wipe that off, but perhaps that’s if I’m annealing before I resize (which I’ll be doing from now on). Any harm leaving it as is for now?

No,you should be fine. I also use one shot and always wipe it off after sizing. I do anneal before sizing.

 

[dogdude]

On a clean case..Lapua brass shows little ''color''...Norma brass (WSM) shows ''Color'' !

 

[JMayo]

I've got some that have spots colored like that. Don't know what it is but it seems not to be a problem.
The green scouring pad cleans em up.

I use one shot. Spray right before sizing. I wipe them with a paper towel after sizing decaping just because I don't like handling them with it on. Yucky !