Clean cases compared uncleaned

[dkhunt14]

I tested this and annealing made all the difference at 1000 yards. Groups were smaller and scores soared. Did this with two 300 WSM's and fired five 10 shot targets with each gun with and without annealing. The results were almost identical and annealing won with both guns. Matt

 

[memilanuk]

The results were almost identical and annealing won with both guns.

Not quite sure how to reconcile the first and last halves of that sentence...? Were the results 'almost identical' or was annealing clearly better?

 

[dkhunt14]

Not quite sure how to reconcile the first and last halves of that sentence...? Were the results 'almost identical' or was annealing clearly better?

Annealing was clearly better. The groups were slightly better but the scoring was way better. These targets were all shot in matches and with two guns. It was 5 matches with and 5 matches without with each gun.The 10 smallest groups were with annealing. I never shot a hundred score in 8 years and shot three that year. The next year i came came back and won the score aggs and set world records doing it. These were the same two guns I shot the two previous years and all the same components. I now have 17 hundred scores and about 4 world records since annealing. If you compare the targets, it was obvious. Matt

 

[memilanuk]

The groups were slightly better but the scoring was way better.

So the group sizes were similar, but the group density (for lack of a better term) was higher?

 

[dkhunt14]

So the group sizes were similar, but the group density (for lack of a better term) was higher?

The groups were about an inch better average on the 5 targets of each gun. The scoring part was because, after your last sighter, you didn't seem to miss up and down. You just needed to hit the left right. This is BR, where you run them alot faster then F-class. Our 10 ring is 7 inches and one or two clicks off takes you out of it. Matt

 

[memilanuk]

Cool, good to know.

In relation to something mentioned in earlier posts... did you find you needed to change anything else about your case prep regimen (brushing necks, etc.) once you started annealing every firing?

 

[urbanrifleman]

Dirty bass shoots better for me. Much more consistent and hassle free reloading too.

 

[Falfan2017]

I tested this and annealing made all the difference at 1000 yards. Groups were smaller and scores soared. Did this with two 300 WSM's and fired five 10 shot targets with each gun with and without annealing. The results were almost identical and annealing won with both guns. Matt

Annealing seems to make a big difference in my 6br as well. I had bought a box of 100 lapua cases. Separated them into boxes of 50. Loaded each with the exact same load. Annealed one box after each firing and did nothing to the other. No cleaning other than wiping down the outside of the case after sizing lube. At first of course there was no difference. However after about 5 firings on each I did an f class match where I shot some targets with annealed and some without. Every annealed target was better. Better score better vertical better groups. Then shot a benchrest match the next day. Same thing happened. 2 targets were shot annealed two unannealed. Annealed shot about an inch and a half tighter on each target at 600 yards. That's good enough for me.

 

[mikeeg02]

Annealing seems to make a big difference in my 6br as well. I had bought a box of 100 lapua cases. Separated them into boxes of 50. Loaded each with the exact same load. Annealed one box after each firing and did nothing to the other. No cleaning other than wiping down the outside of the case after sizing lube. At first of course there was no difference. However after about 5 firings on each I did an f class match where I shot some targets with annealed and some without. Every annealed target was better. Better score better vertical better groups. Then shot a benchrest match the next day. Same thing happened. 2 targets were shot annealed two unannealed. Annealed shot about an inch and a half tighter on each target at 600 yards. That's good enough for me.

In the cases that you did not anneal, did you adjust your die for proper shoulder bump after each firing?

Cases that are not annealed generally need to have the die adjusted from initial setup for consistent shoulder bump. This is most noticeable in the range of 1-3 firings since annealed (depending on case lots and annealing proceedures). After that they seem to stay more consistent. Not adjusting your die can and will give erratic results. Definitely been there.

Some of the best shooters I know anneal every time. Some of the best shooters I know NEVER once have annealed. I think ultimately it comes down to proper/consistent die setup/shoulder bump, and load development done with cases that are in their "consistent" state. Whether annealed or not. A load found on virgin (though prepped) brass may need adjusted to a case thats been 3x+ fired and never annealed. A load found on a case thats been 3x+ fired that hasnt been annealed may not work in a virgin (though prepped) brass. Its all about finding and maintaining your consistency.

Just another couple cents to think about.

 

[Laurie]

Just another couple cents to think about.

It is indeed - thank you for that insight.

 

[Falfan2017]

In the cases that you did not anneal, did you adjust your die for proper shoulder bump after each firing?

Cases that are not annealed generally need to have the die adjusted from initial setup for consistent shoulder bump. This is most noticeable in the range of 1-3 firings since annealed (depending on case lots and annealing proceedures). After that they seem to stay more consistent. Not adjusting your die can and will give erratic results. Definitely been there.

Some of the best shooters I know anneal every time. Some of the best shooters I know NEVER once have annealed. I think ultimately it comes down to proper/consistent die setup/shoulder bump, and load development done with cases that are in their "consistent" state. Whether annealed or not. A load found on virgin (though prepped) brass may need adjusted to a case thats been 3x+ fired and never annealed. A load found on a case thats been 3x+ fired that hasnt been annealed may not work in a virgin (though prepped) brass. Its all about finding and maintaining your consistency.

Just another couple cents to think about.

I measure them all to make sure they bump the same. In this case 3 thousands

 

[dkhunt14]

In the cases that you did not anneal, did you adjust your die for proper shoulder bump after each firing?

Cases that are not annealed generally need to have the die adjusted from initial setup for consistent shoulder bump. This is most noticeable in the range of 1-3 firings since annealed (depending on case lots and annealing proceedures). After that they seem to stay more consistent. Not adjusting your die can and will give erratic results. Definitely been there.

Some of the best shooters I know anneal every time. Some of the best shooters I know NEVER once have annealed. I think ultimately it comes down to proper/consistent die setup/shoulder bump, and load development done with cases that are in their "consistent" state. Whether annealed or not. A load found on virgin (though prepped) brass may need adjusted to a case thats been 3x+ fired and never annealed. A load found on a case thats been 3x+ fired that hasnt been annealed may not work in a virgin (though prepped) brass. Its all about finding and maintaining your consistency.

Just another couple cents to think about.

I know shooters who throw away their brass after 1 or 2 firings. I also know shooters who anneal every time and shoot them 50 times. I think it all depends on cartridge, the game you are shooting and how bad you want to win. Annealing at long range 1000 yard BR, makes a big difference. Not only in sizing, but also bullet release and sealing the chamber. New brass always shoots good. Matt

 

[Steve Ladino]

I developed a load that is working with not cleaning the inside the case, my question is is when preparing brass exactly the same but I tumbled some in a media cleaner to try, the same load shot like crap. Can anyone explain why? Thanks in advance.

Agree with all the no clean and inside lube advice here......

 

[KenOath]

I find that tumbling with media like corn cob still leaves what looks like to me a good amount of carbon inside the neck, the inside certainly doesn’t clean up like the outside.. Seating pressures with hydro press are very consistent with BR and derivatives and .284. I’ve never annealed enough to make any worthwhile comparisons but do keep all my brass on same firing rotation and adjust Die to suit as needed..I also relegate brass to hunting after 10 firings.