to anneal or not

[cocopuff]

who anneals their cases? Refering to 6.5 creedmoor.
How many times can a case be reloaded befor you
know it need to be annealed? I suppose it depends
on if your using hot loads,etc..I have heard some say
they never anneal,and some anneal after every fireing.
So tell me if you do or not..Thanks

 

[Michael C]

I anneal my 308, and 260 brass each firing. I feel like bullet seating is more uniform, and I don't loose any to cracked necks. I don't know if it's helping, or not... but, I do it anyway. I use a Giraud.

 

[joshb]

When I'm "working real finicky" on a rifle, I anneal every firing. On my "not so special" loadings, every third firing. I have some .308s that don't seem to care so much.

 

[DHD]

Since I have an annealer (Benchsource) and don't mind using it, I tend to anneal every firing. As to when it really needs to be annealed due to brass hardening, my non-scientific experience is below.

When I still shot a 308, I used Hornady Match brass and saw a small split starting around 5 firings on a few. Now that chamber had a generous neck diameter and Hornady brass is thin so that was obviously a contributing factor. I keep my brass in 100 round lots so I have a good idea of what is going on with that brass. As I have a large amount of that brass, I chucked the rest of that 100 and started fresh and annealed every firing. No more split necks with that type of brass from that barrel.

As I got into 6.5's (6.5 Creedmoor and Hornady brass) and 6's I just annealed every firing. No split necks. I have no idea if annealed brass aids in the accuracy/consistency of those rifles as they all shoot very well and I see no need in wasting barrel life in doing an annealing experiment.

I may not have really answered your question, just relating my experiences.

 

[rduckwor]

Match ammo/work-up ammo - every loading. Fart around ammo - not so much.

RMD

 

[CaptainMal]

Think it depends on how much time and effort you want to put into your ammo and what you really want out of it

I anneal every time with all the target rifles. If I have the interest and time, I anneal every time on even mundane things like 30-30. Why not? I'm retired, have the time and it is good to do.

 

[usmc45]

I anneal my 6.5 Creedmoor brass every two firings then size and trim to length. On my 5th loading and things seem good so far.

 

[jonbearman]

I anneal after 2 firings and it works well for me with my current brass. It is well worth it and will continue till I cant shoot anymore.

 

[rcol317]

I anneal every other firing and have found without question it extends the life of the brass. I have some 6.5X284 Lapua brass on 12-14 reloads and 6XC's 13+ and still going. No split necks but a few primer pockets loose. For accuracy and life of brass I anneal. On my 284 Win F class I anneal every time I load. Adds to the work but adds to the life of the brass.

 

[6fatrat]

I anneal every time.