Case Holder When Annealing

[Snuggie]

Greetings all! I anneal using a propane torch and a cordless drill. I had no problem finding a socket for my .233 brass but cannot find anything to fit the .308 cases that doesn't wobble like crazy. Can anyone offer some input? Thanks much, Snuggie! 8)

 

[CatShooter]

Greetings all! I anneal using a propane torch and a cordless drill. I had no problem finding a socket for my .233 brass but cannot find anything to fit the .308 cases that doesn't wobble like crazy. Can anyone offer some input? Thanks much, Snuggie! 8)

Use a 1/2" deep socket - they are longer than the regular sockets. Work fine.

 

[Snuggie]

CatShooter, thank you sir!! Hope you find them kitty's! ;D

 

[Baddog0302]

Are you using "Tempilaq" or S.W.A.G.

 

[Snuggie]

Not using anything Baddog. Rotate them in the flame at base of the neck for 8 seconds.

 

[CatShooter]

Not using anything Baddog. Rotate them in the flame at base of the neck for 8 seconds.

That'll do it!!

 

[Snuggie]

Wow CatShooter! Those sure are purr dee! Thanks much, Snuggie. 8)

 

[Brians356]

Lee locking case holders (there are different sizes.) The case holder and locking stud are separate, so (for 223 for example) you need to purchase two inexpensive items (two parts of their case trimmer - which actually works quite well as a trimmer):

http://leeprecision.com/cutter-lock-stud.html
http://leeprecision.com/gage-holder-223-rem.html

 

[jr600yd]

For 308 a 9-10mm socket works great!

 

[jsthntn247]

Man up and just hold them in your hand ;D

 

[Snuggie]

I tried that but I can't turn them fast enough!!! . BTW, took an empty Lapua 308 case to auto zone. Deep 11mm socket works perfectly. No wobble! Thanks for all the info folks!!

 

[thefitter]

Man up and just hold them in your hand ;D

That's what I do. Makes timing it very intuitive.

 

[r bose]

Did my first batch of 223 brass using a torch and a deep socket, 7/16". Was in the garage with the lights turned off (just a bit of outside light thru a window). Waited till I could see that faint maroon glow just inside the neck. (6 sec maybe) Dumped them out to cool on a cookie sheet. About 175 brass done in less than an hour.

Loaded them (sizing and seating was sooo smooth) and shot them.

Didn't blow myself up and had no problems what so ever.

Mystery solved!!!

 

[Brians356]

Did my first batch of 223 brass using a torch and a deep socket, 7/16". Was in the garage with the lights turned off (just a bit of outside light thru a window). Waited till I could see that faint maroon glow just inside the neck. (6 sec maybe)

What torch did you use? Propane or butane?

 

[r bose]

Did my first batch of 223 brass using a torch and a deep socket, 7/16". Was in the garage with the lights turned off (just a bit of outside light thru a window). Waited till I could see that faint maroon glow just inside the neck. (6 sec maybe)

What torch did you use? Propane or butane?

Propane off of my camping lantern. Short fat style....stands by itself. Bought the screw on torch head at home depot. 12 bucks I think.

 

[liseo]

I question for you gurus.

I just annealed some LC 308 brass.

To my surprise, the bullet seating is a lot hard.

Maybe I've over annealed or the neck wall are too dry after the process?

 

[Joe R]

liseo said:

I question for you gurus.

I just annealed some LC 308 brass.

To my surprise, the bullet seating is a lot hard.

Maybe I've over annealed or the neck wall are too dry after the process?

Well, I don't consider myself a guru, just a student like you.

When you anneal the brass the heat raises the "grain" and makes the brass, as Catshooter says, " grabby". There are many different ways to solve that problem, IMO one effective way is to just wind some 0000 steel wool around a brush and do a quick in and out with a power drill. Others use graphite/dry lube, but that is pretty messy IMO. I just anneal first and then clean and polish the brass with stainless steel pins for 30 minutes. I'm sure others have found different solutions. YMMV.

Kindest regards,

Joe

 

[Thisguy65]

I read somewhere, can't find the link, that by adding more media it will lessen the amount the necks are peed. Thinking behind it was there is more "cushion" between the brass now and not as much brass on brass contact. Kinda backwards thinking since ss is harder harder than brass.

 

[jsthntn247]

Run a brush in there wrapped in steel wool and polish it then dip the necks in powdered graphite before resizing. Also you might need to adjust your bushing size, annealed necks wont spring back as much and there for will give you more tension.

 

[gilream]

Greetings all! I anneal using a propane torch and a cordless drill. I had no problem finding a socket for my .233 brass but cannot find anything to fit the .308 cases that doesn't wobble like crazy. Can anyone offer some input? Thanks much, Snuggie! 8)

I struggled with this same problem, using sockets of all sizes none of which worked well until I discovered a couple of very inexpensive Lee products that make the job a breeze with any rimless brass case. First item is a 3 Jaw Chuck, the second is a Case Spinner Stud.

http://leeprecision.com/case-spinner-stud.html
http://leeprecision.com/3-jaw-chuck.html


The case spins with ZERO wobble and after annealing will fall out with ease. These two small tools allow me to use my small bottle torch and cordless drill to do an effective annealing job very quickly. I hope this helps. Mike