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How do you anneal brass for case forming?

dheffleydheffley Member Posts: 25,000 ✭
edited October 2001 in Ask the Experts
I've heard two methods.(1) Heat the end of the case about half way down then let air cool.(2) Same as above except quinch the case in cool water.Which is right?
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Comments

  • cpermdcpermd Member Posts: 5,273 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Set the cases in a flat pan with water up to just below where the shoulder starts.Do this in a fairly dark room.Fan a torch flame on the neck just until a dull red glow starts.It will just change colors.This is why you need to be in a semi dark room.When the color changes,tip the case over into the water.
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    Putting it in water is easiest, but you can also hold it in the air with a pair of tongs, then quench it. I stopped doing it this way when I dropped a hot round on my pants and burn a nice hole. If inclined, you can also dip the neck in molten lead. Make sure none sticks though.
    Wenn alles richtig ist, dann stimmt 'was nicht. -Nena (When everything is going right, something is bound to be wrong.)
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  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Heartily recommend the water & pan method! For a heat source, a hot air paint stripper avoids the problem of an open flame & in my experience gives a more even anneal. Possibly a heavy duty hair dryer could be used, but I've never tried it.
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  • Dancing BearDancing Bear Member Posts: 45 ✭
    edited November -1
    Back when almost all benchrest rounds were wildcats and we had to make a bunch of cases; we would get an old record player turntable, set a pan of water on it and run it at 33 1/3, set your brass in the center, while it turns you can heat the case evenly all the way around and when you tip it over into the water, centrifical force carries it to the outside edge of the pan and keeps them out of your way. Still do them this way.DB
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  • dheffleydheffley Member Posts: 25,000 ✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks men. I'm going to try some later today.
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