Is the AMP Annealer an essential piece of equipment for all reloaders regardless of skill level?

[Ccrider]

I have shot brass so may times that they hardened and the neck would not size down using the same bushing so I had to drop down a bushing size. I have had this happen consistently with different cartridges. Some pieces of brass from the same lot get to this point before others.
When I start seeing this, then I have to choose whether to change bushing sizes or chunck the brass. I like to shoot new brass so admittedly, chuncking the brass is my first choice, especially since primer pockets start getting lose at this point if I am shooting hotter loads.
Consistent annealing alleviates this problem. And, at least in my mind, keeps all of the brass in the same state.
Do you need an Amp to consistently anneal? I say no. How much consistency is required? I say that varies depending on your level of paranoia. ,,,, or .

 

[Jdne5b]

I have shot brass so may times that they hardened and the neck would not size down using the same bushing so I had to drop down a bushing size. I have had this happen consistently with different cartridges. Some pieces of brass from the same lot get to this point before others.
When I start seeing this, then I have to choose whether to change bushing sizes or chunck the brass. I like to shoot new brass so admittedly, chuncking the brass is my first choice, especially since primer pockets start getting lose at this point if I am shooting hotter loads.
Consistent annealing alleviates this problem. And, at least in my mind, keeps all of the brass in the same state.
Do you need an Amp to consistently anneal? I say no. How much consistency is required? I say that varies depending on your level of paranoia. ,,,, or .

I've seen the same. So I anneal.

 

[normmatzen]

I am very positive on induction annealing of competition cases!
I bought a small little annealer from a new company in San Diego called an ANNIE.
They brought a new design into production along with the expected warts like any new product.
I stuck with them and they took very good care of me and replaced 2 machines before they got it right

Then I started experimenting with different coils and ended up with the water cooled coil which I still use.
I made a plastic sheet that ANNIE sits on with locating holes to align the glass rod that the case drops on to centered in the coil with a length for each case I anneal.

I got my ANNIE running reliably before the AMP was fully on the market. The AMP is certainly the best annealer on the market, but the ANNIE is less than half the price of an AMP and once you calibrate each caliber and brand of brass, the anneal is every bit as good as the AMP! A bottle of 750 deg Tempilak
and you are good. I can anneal 100 cases in 20 min to a half hour.

So, Yes, the AMP is a great annealer, but at over $1000 plus add-ons, is more than double the cost of my ANNIE!

 

[Fishjager]

AMP seems to be the Rolls Royce of annealers. That being said there must be a reason for it. I guess if you put 3K into building a rifle, and another 2K into the scope, and hundreds into the scope rings and bases. An annealer is the last thing you need. You put all that money into a shooting machine and then argue over how much a piece of reloading equipment costs? It sounds to me the AMP is just another tool to help you shoot more accurately. But then again I'm different. If I buy an annealer I guess I will lean towards the AMP because I don't like working around open flames. It's just me. Also from the videos I've seen they look pretty easy to use with great results. Just another rabbit hole to go down in the shooting sport.

I have recently come back into reloading metallic cases. I must admit that I was blown away at the price of bullets alone. $169.00 for Sierra 77 grain BTHP's. $300.00 for a keg of powder, and around $100.00 for a thousand primers! OUCH. So my thought is if you can spend that much on components you better attempt to make your ammunition as accurate as possible. Or buy a really good rimfire rifle.

 

[searcher]

Depends....My thoughts are that if you shoot semi-auto ammo, especially in high volume, and neck up or down - annealing makes a lot of sense. Getting much more consistent shoulder bumps on everything loaded is nice too. I got the AMP about six months ago and I like it a lot. It is not a necessity, though if I were shooting long range matches, I'd be inclined to say it might be if you want to keep up with the little "edges" your competitors might have. And it is a little edge, in my opinion. You don't need the AMP to anneal for those brass-hardening semi-autos, nor prior to necking up a caliber. But if you like consistency, no flame and repeatable results with your brass - this would be considered a necessity. If I didn't shoot a lot, use semi autos, neck up brass, etc. - there is no way I'd have gotten one. There would have been no need.

 

[marchx]

It's very difficult to quantify contribution of particular elements of reloading process to overall effect. People do anneal because that's what top shooters do. That's the main reason, not that it makes a difference on paper.

 

[Richard Jones]

It's very difficult to quantify contribution of particular elements of reloading process to overall effect. People do anneal because that's what top shooters do. That's the main reason, not that it makes a difference on paper.

How do you quantify that? I can assure you that "....what top shooters do." had nothing to do with why I bought an AMP unit nor why I anneal. Your declaration is not valid, at least for me.

I've not tested it, now will I ever, but I believe that more consistent rounds certainly can't hurt. How can they not? Does it actually make things worse? Makes no difference at all? I don't know, but more consistent rounds sounds like a good thing, at least to me. Has there been testing done?

 

[marchx]

How do you quantify that? I can assure you that "....what top shooters do." had nothing to do with why I bought an AMP unit nor why I anneal. Your declaration is not valid, at least for me.

I've not tested it, now will I ever, but I believe that more consistent rounds certainly can't hurt. How can they not? Does it actually make things worse? Makes no difference at all? I don't know, but more consistent rounds sounds like a good thing, at least to me. Has there been testing done?

I am not sure you understood my post correctly. Sorry about that.

 

[Eudean]

I've read many comments regarding the AMP annealer but am still undecided regarding my purchase. for those purists out there, do you consider annealing an essential function of reloading regardless of skill level?

Increase in brass life. Creating wildcat cartridges. Shooting low pressure loads.

It's not an essential piece of equipment needed to reload everything, but very helpful depending on what type of reloading and shooting one does.

 

[Big Mc]

I've read many comments regarding the AMP annealer but am still undecided regarding my purchase. for those purists out there, do you consider annealing an essential function of reloading regardless of skill level?

Is not part of your TO and E Tommy Mc

 

[stavey]

Lots of variables in reloading. If you want to eliminate one with confidence. Buy an AMP annealer

 

[Ga-Bulldog]

I bought one of the first AMP’s that were sold in the USA, just sold it and bought the latest version. I anneal every firing. With brass as expensive and sometimes difficult to find I feel it is essential to take the best care I can of my brass, annealing can’t hurt. Yes, you can do this for less $$$ with other annealing tools, none are faster or more consistent than the AMP. Just my take. Thanks

 

[Bronsin]

The AMP isn't essential for someone just starting out that is still learning everything from the bottom up. It's father down the road for more advanced reloaders.

 

[DiRTY DOG]

I'd like to see a test performed ShooterJohn style, with the same gun and same ammo, the ONLY difference being one has AMP annealed brass and the other major brand mechanized flame annealed brass. The AMP is supposedly superior on a molecular level, but does it actually matter on paper compared to a properly used Ugly Annealer or Benchsource etc? And how much better, a teeny tiny bit better, or measurably better?

 

[JMayo]

I did fine with a benchsourse.
i got an amp because of the hype.
I do like the amp. But it's just a toy to play with
If you want it. That simple... If you want it.....

i don't like that if it stops working i have to send it out of country .... Prolly cost 300+ to fix.

 

[DiffEQ]

Amp? Not at all.
You can do it by hand and do just as well.