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AZTEC Codes for 6.5CM Lapua Small Primer

Spartan-117

aka John-117
Out of approximately 100 pieces of fired Lapua small primer brass in 6.5CM, I randomly selected 7 sacrificial cases that generated the following AZTEC codes: 0158, 0161, 0205, 0219, 0159, 0157, and 0239. I went with 0161. Would any of these AZTEC codes generated from my AMP Mark II Annealer be OK? I think the higher values correlate to those cases that are thicker. I considered averaging but decided to take the median, especially since 0157, 0158, and 0159 are so close in value. Thoughts? Comments? Any other 6.5 CM Lapua brass AMP Mark II Annealer folks out there?
 
Were the cases all from the same lot? That amount of variation in code values seems excessive.
 
I am somewhere in the 150s..... thinking 159 but cannot confirm 159 as I am at work. Do not have my notes handy. Sorry, that is a lot of variation.
 
Seems like that'd be more of a question for the vendor. Anyone here is likely to be just guessing.

Out of approximately 100 pieces of fired Lapua small primer brass in 6.5CM, I randomly selected 7 sacrificial cases that generated the following AZTEC codes: 0158, 0161, 0205, 0219, 0159, 0157, and 0239. I went with 0161. Would any of these AZTEC codes generated from my AMP Mark II Annealer be OK? I think the higher values correlate to those cases that are thicker. I considered averaging but decided to take the median, especially since 0157, 0158, and 0159 are so close in value. Thoughts? Comments? Any other 6.5 CM Lapua brass AMP Mark II Annealer folks out there?
I went to AMP website and found:
"AZTEC is extremely accurate. It will show even minor case to case variations in the neck and shoulder. With top quality cases like say Lapua, you should get code numbers +/- 1. You will get a wider spread if you have mixed lots or use lesser quality brass. It is also important that the case mouths are round. Out-of-round case mouths will generate erratic codes. Cases should be sacrificed when fire formed straight out of the rifle."
I will start over. I'll see what I get when I pay closer attention.
 
0158, 0161, 0205, 0219, 0159, 0157, and 0239
That is a lot of spread in the results, indicating you don't want to lump these together.

Even the ones that go from 205 to 219 to 239 are too far apart to use one code for all. Something is amiss with the batch or your numbers, or both.
 
I did something wrong to get 0205, 0219, and 0239. The good news is the 0161 that I decided to use should be fine according to the manufacturer. I sent an email when I got the "contact the manufacturer" reply to my original post. I was told that 0161 was ok but codes 0205, 0219 and 0239 are radically wrong.
 
I checked a Lapua 6.5 PRC fresh out of the box on my AMP machine and got 0185. I called the place where I bought it and the AMP expert there said since I was using the brass as a 7-6.5PRCW to recheck a piece as it was prepped, necked to 7, sized, chamfered, deburred etc. I did so and the number was 0.158 I believe. I thought that was a huge disparity for a little stretching. Interesting to see someone else had a big difference
 
The different AZTEC code results between original 6.5 PRC versus wildcat 7-6.5PRCW make sense, the ones the OP showed did not.

Here is a snip from the annealer manual that explains the connection between the code values and hardness changes. The short version is that each step in the code changes the hardness value about 2.5 HV.

Now imagine a difference between 205 and 239 like the OP described.

1707884599352.png
 
That is a lot of spread in the results, indicating you don't want to lump these together.

Even the ones that go from 205 to 219 to 239 are too far apart to use one code for all. Something is amiss with the batch or your numbers, or both.
I agree. I don't get that kind of variation with mil brass. I recently processed a 1,000-count batch of Lake City into three weight groups and burned several cases from each weight group. I think the extreme spread between the three weight groups was half of the variation he is getting. And I have to believe Lapua brass turns in better consistency than Lake City - though I haven't burned a bunch of the Lapua to find out. It does seem like something is amiss. Of course - there could be something wrong with my machine.
 
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I checked a Lapua 6.5 PRC fresh out of the box on my AMP machine and got 0185. I called the place where I bought it and the AMP expert there said since I was using the brass as a 7-6.5PRCW to recheck a piece as it was prepped, necked to 7, sized, chamfered, deburred etc. I did so and the number was 0.158 I believe. I thought that was a huge disparity for a little stretching. Interesting to see someone else had a big difference
I went back over my notes and found that I was taking brass the that was not fire-formed, some that was, some from Lapua factory ammo, all was cleaned with corn cob/ walnut media and then ultrasonically with DI water. I am curious about the results I will get if I just brush out the neck ID and nothing else then sacrifice it for a code. I bet it will be 0159 +/- 2.
 
The different AZTEC code results between original 6.5 PRC versus wildcat 7-6.5PRCW make sense, the ones the OP showed did not.

Here is a snip from the annealer manual that explains the connection between the code values and hardness changes. The short version is that each step in the code changes the hardness value about 2.5 HV.

Now imagine a difference between 205 and 239 like the OP described.

View attachment 1523804
I agree they will be different. The AMP guy explained the change in diameter will account for the difference in the two settings. I think that setting was a little bit high for the regular 6.5 PRC. Others have said their number was lower, 0159 For example From Doc Jones. I will have to sacrifice more pieces if I decide to use 6.5 PRC as is.
 
I went back over my notes and found that I was taking brass the that was not fire-formed, some that was, some from Lapua factory ammo, all was cleaned with corn cob/ walnut media and then ultrasonically with DI water. I am curious about the results I will get if I just brush out the neck ID and nothing else then sacrifice it for a code. I bet it will be 0159 +/- 2.
So what did you get
 

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