Been reloading for over 40 years for 25+ calibers and never annealed a single case in my life.
Seems to be the current thing to do.
Compel me why I should start...
Seems to be the current thing to do.
Compel me why I should start...
Who doesnt anneal?
- Thread starter 1942farmall
- Start date
Adam in WI
Practically lives here
If you're satisfied with your results, don't.
I've been reloading just as long as you and I never annealed anything.
If you have nothing better to do with your time, or love piddling around then go ahead. I have never been convinced of any great advantage to it, unless you shoot a super rare cartridge and need to get a couple of extra firings out of a case and can justify the time and initial cost. Never been convinced that it is necessary for me. Been shooting & reloading for about 50 years.
Feels like I might be walking into a trap here, but I’ll bite….
In my experience, albeit not 50 years of it, shoulder bumps and neck tension is more consistent. I can’t prove brass lasts longer, it’s what they say and it makes sense if you think about it, getting hardened and brittle.
I think the logic of “this is the way I’ve always done it”, while an individual right, is a sure fire way of never evolving or progressing.
Like every single topic that’s ever been mentioned here or anywhere else, I think it’s up to the individual to test for themselves, always. It’s not difficult to find someone who’s got one, go mess with it and make your own decision.
In my experience, albeit not 50 years of it, shoulder bumps and neck tension is more consistent. I can’t prove brass lasts longer, it’s what they say and it makes sense if you think about it, getting hardened and brittle.
I think the logic of “this is the way I’ve always done it”, while an individual right, is a sure fire way of never evolving or progressing.
Like every single topic that’s ever been mentioned here or anywhere else, I think it’s up to the individual to test for themselves, always. It’s not difficult to find someone who’s got one, go mess with it and make your own decision.
You can try annealing by doing one or more the DIY method(s) for not much $$. YT has several methods/how to's using a drill and socket, or the spinner, all of which can be cobbled together with scrap stuff you probably have around the house. You may change your mind, and verify your experience.
I do believe that it can extend brass life, so to me, it's about if I'm satisfied that I got my money's worth from the brass without annealing. As mentioned, you don't have to use a $1600 annealer to get the job done but it's a perilous job to get it just right without a means of heating the brass just hot and long enough without over annealing it. So, if you pay a buck apiece for brass and you get 20 firings from it, that's a nickel a pop. It takes a lot of nickels to pay for a $1600 annealer. In my case, I typically lose primer pockets or get clickers well before I see neck tension or shoulder bump issues. Annealing does nothing for that and if I get 20 firings from my brass, I do feel like I got my money's worth..and then some.. and toss the old brass.
Obviously there are a lot of people who feel like it benefits accuracy for them but that has not been my experience in short range BR. Ultimately it's like most things in this sport and should be tested and form your own conclusions.
I pretty much use Lapua brass exclusively and that's certainly a factor. IME, it's the cheapest and best brass out there, but has a very poor germination rate. Lol! So, if I don't lose it or otherwise damage it, it's well worth the cost and you'll never pay for an annealer based on the numbers I've used here. Of course that changes if I'm firing $5/piece 338 Lapua or similar.
These are different times too, and availability is a reason to anneal if nothing else.
If I were you, I'd see if I could find someone that will anneal it for you and do some testing, annealed vs not. Either way, do your own testing and form your own conclusions. For me, it's not worth the time, money or trouble, but YMMV.
Obviously there are a lot of people who feel like it benefits accuracy for them but that has not been my experience in short range BR. Ultimately it's like most things in this sport and should be tested and form your own conclusions.
I pretty much use Lapua brass exclusively and that's certainly a factor. IME, it's the cheapest and best brass out there, but has a very poor germination rate. Lol! So, if I don't lose it or otherwise damage it, it's well worth the cost and you'll never pay for an annealer based on the numbers I've used here. Of course that changes if I'm firing $5/piece 338 Lapua or similar.
These are different times too, and availability is a reason to anneal if nothing else.
If I were you, I'd see if I could find someone that will anneal it for you and do some testing, annealed vs not. Either way, do your own testing and form your own conclusions. For me, it's not worth the time, money or trouble, but YMMV.
@1942farmall if I may extend your question:
Does annealing as performed by AMP bring back a 3x fired brass to its virgin state in terms of recrystallisation of brass and hardness degree on rockwell scale?
@Lou Murdica pls kindly give your feedback.
Does annealing as performed by AMP bring back a 3x fired brass to its virgin state in terms of recrystallisation of brass and hardness degree on rockwell scale?
@Lou Murdica pls kindly give your feedback.
I bit and bought an AMP, I went through everything I have brass wise, I believe it will make a difference especially in anything that is used in competition. Chasing our tails to make everything perfect when hand loading its just another facet to me. I will know more in the next coming couple of months as I just completed my bunch of BRA brass for this upcoming season.Feels like I might be walking into a trap here, but I’ll bite….
In my experience, albeit not 50 years of it, shoulder bumps and neck tension is more consistent. I can’t prove brass lasts longer, it’s what they say and it makes sense if you think about it, getting hardened and brittle.
I think the logic of “this is the way I’ve always done it”, while an individual right, is a sure fire way of never evolving or progressing.
Like every single topic that’s ever been mentioned here or anywhere else, I think it’s up to the individual to test for themselves, always. It’s not difficult to find someone who’s got one, go mess with it and make your own decision.
DLT
Silver $$ Contributor
I have been annealing for a few years. I have noticed that I get less split necks and more consistent neck tension( not from actually measuring it but I can feel it from seating force ). Have not noticed any increase in accuracy. I figure it doesn’t hurt anything to anneal only help. That’s why I do it. A torch flame with a drill is all I use. Most of the time I anneal after every firing to try and keep it consistent, if I get in a mood I might go every other firing
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I don't feel any one needs to anneal if precision is not one's goal, or if it is, annealing isn't really necessary if one has custom chambers and/or dies that minimized the work hardening that the sizing process induces.
I anneal after every firing as I've found it gives me much more consistent bullet seating and very consistent shoulder bumping . . . and of course, brass life is extended.
If you haven't seen these graphs that's been posted in this forum before, here they are again so you might see how some real data looks:
I don't, I haven't for 50+ years of reloading and I shoot over a thousand of rounds of center fire rifle a year in precision shooting trying to hit a small target, not the "Rambo" make noise style shooting.
However, I will do not criticize the procedure or assert that it does not have any value.
I get about 15 reloads out of a batch of cases and I'm able to maintain my rather modest accuracy standards of 1/2 to 5/8" moa for varmint and predator hunting. In addition, the very last thing I want is to add more steps to the reloading process. I'm trying to move the other way without compromising performance. I like simple.
For example, as of a few days ago as my 19-year-old tumbler just died, I'm going to stop tumbling cases and just clean them the way I did many years ago which was adequate, if not pretty. They shoot the same whether they are shiny or just cleaned of debris.
Beware of being seduced into more and more equipment and procedures promulgated on the net. If they can be proven to significantly improve performance, then consider them with respect to the discipline you shoot and accuracy standard you need. That's my take on the issue.
However, I will do not criticize the procedure or assert that it does not have any value.
I get about 15 reloads out of a batch of cases and I'm able to maintain my rather modest accuracy standards of 1/2 to 5/8" moa for varmint and predator hunting. In addition, the very last thing I want is to add more steps to the reloading process. I'm trying to move the other way without compromising performance. I like simple.
For example, as of a few days ago as my 19-year-old tumbler just died, I'm going to stop tumbling cases and just clean them the way I did many years ago which was adequate, if not pretty. They shoot the same whether they are shiny or just cleaned of debris.
Beware of being seduced into more and more equipment and procedures promulgated on the net.
If they can be proven to significantly improve performance, then consider them with respect to the discipline you shoot and accuracy standard you need. That's my take on the issue.
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
I'm a horrible slacker. Not only do I not anneal, I also have never owned a case cleaner.
My cases last very well, and I usually have a sizable quantity of them for my main rifles. Neck splits aren't common for me, and lots of my brass could be considered ancient.
I am aware of getting best accuracy with new brass, and those which are in their first few cycles, but I'm pretty careless about letting them become integrated among the greater mass, and they are soon just another brass with unknown firings.
Heck, I don't even do much case trimming since I started measuring my REAL chamber lengths, and letting the brass grow to fit (within safe tolerances).
I've got other lazy techniques also, but I'm gonna save them for my upcoming book, "Uninspired Tricks for Reloading Average and Adequate Ammunition", by jdscholer.
I believe my book will save many thousands of hours of time which could then the spent loving the Lord, your wife, and your dog. (in that order) jd
My cases last very well, and I usually have a sizable quantity of them for my main rifles. Neck splits aren't common for me, and lots of my brass could be considered ancient.
I am aware of getting best accuracy with new brass, and those which are in their first few cycles, but I'm pretty careless about letting them become integrated among the greater mass, and they are soon just another brass with unknown firings.
Heck, I don't even do much case trimming since I started measuring my REAL chamber lengths, and letting the brass grow to fit (within safe tolerances).
I've got other lazy techniques also, but I'm gonna save them for my upcoming book, "Uninspired Tricks for Reloading Average and Adequate Ammunition", by jdscholer.
I believe my book will save many thousands of hours of time which could then the spent loving the Lord, your wife, and your dog. (in that order) jd
Are you perhaps my twin brother?I'm a horrible slacker. Not only do I not anneal, I also have never owned a case cleaner.
My cases last very well, and I usually have a sizable quantity of them for my main rifles. Neck splits aren't common for me, and lots of my brass could be considered ancient.
I am aware of getting best accuracy with new brass, and those which are in their first few cycles, but I'm pretty careless about letting them become integrated among the greater mass, and they are soon just another brass with unknown firings.
Heck, I don't even do much case trimming since I started measuring my REAL chamber lengths, and letting the brass grow to fit (within safe tolerances).
I've got other lazy techniques also, but I'm gonna save them for my upcoming book, "Uninspired Tricks for Reloading Average and Adequate Ammunition", by jdscholer.
I believe my book will save many thousands of hours of time which could then the spent loving the Lord, your wife, and your dog. (in that order) jd
Liven The Dream
Gold $$ Contributor
Brass Life , neck tension, time in the Man Cave.
The People that make the machines need our Money.
PS Makes our Brass look cool
The People that make the machines need our Money.
PS Makes our Brass look cool
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Bill Norris
Back in the Day
Been handloading since mid 90's and never annealed at all. Don't compete except with myself but I guess I shoot as much as the next everyday Joe (Log says I shot over 5000 rds. last year) Have not been disappointed with my technique yet so I think I'll stay with what works for me.
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