Torch annealing small calibers?

[justinp61]

I'm dabbling with annealing , 260 Remington and 22-250. I don't normally shot a centerfire a lot but the load development for my newly rebarreled 22-250 and soon to be rebarreled 260 I've given it a try. For no more than I'll do I'll use a torch and drill, maybe later I may put together an electric one.

With the 260 I aim the flame at the junction of the neck and shoulder. If I do that on the 22-250 it overheats the neck. For now the torch is set up square with the centerline of the case. Maybe it needs to be angled at the shoulder or at the base of the shoulder?

 

[JEFFPPC]

Proper flame placement is at the neck shoulder junction regulated by the exposure time. Yes it is angled into the junction. I trust this is a propane torch with a pencil point flame.

 

[JimSC]

I have used the torch and drill method with as small as .20 cal. The cases just stay in the flame for a shorter period. Like the above poster asked, this is using a standard propane torch. Here is a video demonstrating

 

[NorCalMikie]

I use Mapp gas. Hotter and less time in the flame. YMMV.

 

[AccelR8]

I do just as you described justnp61. I anneal lots of 223 brass. On thing I have added is a metronome app on my phone. I let the metronome tick away and count the ticks to determine the time in the flame. I can achieves greater consistency this way. For my setup, a cadence of 57 and into the flame on the first tick and out on the fifth. I put the cases in the flame so the tip of the inner cone is on the neck/shoulder junction.

One day I will have an annealing machine but for now it's not a high priority.

 

[jepp2]

With the 260 I aim the flame at the junction of the neck and shoulder. If I do that on the 22-250 it overheats the neck.

With the same dwell time in the flame? The 22-250 case is going to anneal much more quickly than the 260 case will, given the same flame adjustment and impingement point.

 

[JEFFPPC]

With the same dwell time in the flame? The 22-250 case is going to anneal much more quickly than the 260 case will, given the same flame adjustment and impingement point.

Well, that is why you adjust the time. Something most intelligent 10 yr olds could figure out.

 

[justinp61]

With the same dwell time in the flame? The 22-250 case is going to anneal much more quickly than the 260 case will, given the same flame adjustment and impingement point.

No, not the same dwell time.

 

[jepp2]

I tend to focus the inner blue flame point on the slope of the shoulder. This way, it is the redirected flame that runs up the case neck. When I finish, the heat blush is about the same distance down the case body as the new factory brass/loads I have. I've tried both stress relieving (750 degrees Tempilaq inside the case neck) and annealing (1050ish where the neck starts to turn red in a darkened room). Really don't see the results as being much different.

 

[Geezedtee]

I've not annealed before and have just watched that video. I noticed that (apart from the deliberate overheated cartridge) the colour of the heated necks varied from cartridge to cartridge. That begs the question of are these cases annealed consistently?
Another question. Is inconsistent annealing better than no annealing at all?

 

[chop house]

Another question. Is inconsistent annealing better than no annealing at all?

good one.... should get lots of responses...

 

[CharlieNC]

I've not annealed before and have just watched that video. I noticed that (apart from the deliberate overheated cartridge) the colour of the heated necks varied from cartridge to cartridge. That begs the question of are these cases annealed consistently?
Another question. Is inconsistent annealing better than no annealing at all?

I'm going to say yes, because I will not consider that I achieve ultimate consistency in annealing but it did correct a problem with extremely variable neck tension and seating depth which I experienced before I started annealing.

 

[justinp61]

I did some more testing yesterday and had better results. A couple adjustments were made, first, I think I the case was to far away from the hot blue cone of the flame and I aimed the flame at the center of the shoulder at a 90° angle to the shoulder. The few cases I did looked good.

I'm also building a fixture box for the torch to sit in and the drill will have a positive stop so it returns to the same place every time after dumping an annealed case. Nothing fancy, just country boy engineering.

Thanks guys.

 

[Geezedtee]

good one.... should get lots of responses...

Looks like nothing rose to the bait. I'm still interested in some answers as the fundamental basic of reloading accurate ammunition is consistency. So if your neck tension is variable then your annealing is variable surely that's just building in more inconsistency, no?