Gas Range for Annealing

[DeltaBravo]

Can I anneal my Lapua 6BR brass in my gas range flames? If yes, then what Tempilaq should I use and where does it go - shoulder; neck; case head - or will temperature depend on location?

I've never annealed brass before; just replaced it after 6 or 7 firings. But, that's way too expensive on the Lapua!! I shoot VFS so am not as concerned with accuracy as group shooters, but still want the max I can get.

I'm shooting a Shilen 8-twist, 4-groove barrel with the .270 neck. I FL resize every time and use a .266 bushing with loaded rounds right at .268, using Berger 80 grain Varmint Match FB bullets.

Dennis

 

[firearmdoc1]

I don't think a gas range would be very suitable for what you're trying to do. You would be much better off with a propane torch.

 

[firearmdoc1]

I use 650 degree Tempilaq and spin my case at slow speed in a cordless drill. You can use a suitable size socket to hold your case. Put the Tempilaq on the case just below the shoulder, and when it melts tip the case into a container of water.If you look at the dis-coloration on a new case, that is from annealing and will give you a good idea of where it should be annealed to.
Now I know other people will tell you not to quench your cases,but that's just how I do it.
Get some other replies and pick your poison.
Good luck with your annealing.

 

[TheSnake]

I don't think you could get the case necks up to tempature quick enough using the gas range without the entire case getting that hot also. You could try but you need to put the tempilaq all the way down the case so you can see for yourself. If the color changes past half way down the case, no bueno.

 

[DennisH]

You need to complete the annealing process in 4 to 6 seconds.

By the time a gas range properly heats up the shoulder/neck area, the heat will have transferred to the base of the brass. This is a very dangerous situation. Also, you would have trouble positioning the brass correctly using a Gas Range.

firearmdoc1 probably has the best solution for you. It's easy, just don't overheat your brass. I put the Templac inside the neck, and as soon as it melts, the brass is removed from the flame. The flame usually changes color at the point the Templac melts. Make sure the light are off and the blinds are close when you anneal this way.

IMO it's the fastest way to anneal. Your brass must be clean. And you anneal before sizing.

 

[Nomad47]

My first question is..... Why would you want to when you can buy a "kit" - torch head and bottle - at Walmart or Home Depot or any number of other stores for less than a Jackson?

 

[DeltaBravo]

Thanks for all the good replies! I was hoping to be able to use my gas range, but I see now that it likely won't work and will probably ruin the case. So, I guess if I do anneal these cases, I'll get the propane torch and some 650 Temilaq.

Dennis

 

[bow shot]

I believe you can (ie., yes that is what I do). I use the tempilaq stick (which is a bummer, do yourself a big favor and use the paint). It will take some experimenting but you will find that you can establish a position and duration in the flame that will give you the annealing temperature in the confined neck/shoulder area without hitting the annealing temperature elsewhere. Just experiment repeatedly with a single brass case and establish a position/dwell.

Works well for me. For Laupua 6.5-284, Norma .204 or Remington 6.5x55, 20 seconds in the flame will get the neck/shoulder to just hit annealing temp, without affecting extending to a dangerous area of the brass. Just be serious about paying attention to the behaviour of the tempilaq, and you'll be fine.

Also, I found that if my brass is NOT super bright/shiny, the oxide (dullness) does indeed turn to shiny-tin color at the moment annealing temperature is reached, the color change occurrs right at the time the tempilaq does its thing. I don't know that that "works" for all brands/thicknesses/alloys of rifle brass. I always watch for the color change, but I RELY on the clock.

 

[DeltaBravo]

Thanks, Bow Shot. I'll give it a try on some old 243 Win brass.

 

[TheSnake]

As several have said and with the price of a torch kit at like 13 bucks anywhere, I just don't see it being worth the risk. Be sure you use two different temperatures of templaq. High temp on the neck and 400 down the body. You don't want the 400 turning color below half way down the body. If you only use high temp all the way down or only on the neck, you are not doing a good test as the base could get above 400 and you won't even know it. Compromising the integrity of the case is not something to play around with to save a few bucks.