A question about annealing......

guntech59

I read through all the annealing threads I could find, but did not see the answer.

Should I anneal before or after sizing?

What do the experienced annealers do?

charliemeyer007

Before works for me.

navc130

Before sizing. To prevent split necks from whatever you are doing.

guntech59

Ok.

Do you foresee me having any problems if I annealed after sizing? Assuming, of course, that they chamber fine.

11b6r

Purpose of annealing is to remove work hardening in the brass. Makes it less brittle. Annealing AFTER sizing serves no real purpose.

RobOz

I use this guys setup.

http://ammosmith.com/general-reloading/annealing-brass-in-hd.php

guntech59

quote:Originally posted by 11b6r
Purpose of annealing is to remove work hardening in the brass. Makes it less brittle. Annealing AFTER sizing serves no real purpose.


I get that....I am try to stretch out the life of the brass.

It has been fired four times already.

I really had not planned to do it. I was bored and thought I'd try it with my most fired brass.

It should make the brass softer for the next several firing/sizings, no?

I know some BR guys anneal after every firing....I am not a BR guy....I'm just trying to make the brass last longer.

bpost

I anneal every four to five firings. I anneal after sizing but don't see what harm it does to do it either way.

guntech59

quote:Originally posted by bpost
I anneal every four to five firings. I anneal after sizing but don't see what harm it does to do it either way.


That's what I was thinking, Bruce. I was just wondering what you guys ,with more experience than me, think.

JustC

an annealing machine I made from a bathroom exhaust fan motor and a rheostat. The "collets" were machined from aluminum bar stock as a machine shop for the casehead dia of the .223/.308/magnum cases

guntech59

JustC.....I saw that on another "annealing" thread. Very nice, but I am not that high tech, yet.

I am using a stationary torch with the case in a socket chucked into a drill. It is slow, but as a beginner, I think that may be best.

I do like your set up though.

JustC

quote:Originally posted by guntech59
JustC.....I saw that on another "annealing" thread. Very nice, but I am not that high tech, yet.

I am using a stationary torch with the case in a socket chucked into a drill. It is slow, but as a beginner, I think that may be best.

I do like your set up though.


it isn't really complicated,..it is a dimmer switch and fart fan motor from home depot. The rest is scrap wood and a can of spray paint that was laying around. It beats paying for the Ken Light machine[;)]