Thread: Quick annealing experiment

.223 ADI brass, same lot. FL sized down and expanded up again with a 6mm expander mandrel til neck split. Top case no annealing, 7x. Middle and bottom case, annealed each time (different durations), 12x and 14x respectively.

@johnd seems to work

Nice great results. Good to know it works. What is your annealing technique?

Fine if the primer pockets will stand X reloads. I'm gonna take a lot more convincing its essential unless you have a requirement for very low ES ammo . . .

Originally Posted by Tentman

Fine if the primer pockets will stand X reloads. I'm gonna take a lot more convincing its essential unless you have a requirement for very low ES ammo . . .

Follow the science.
Read Alex Findlay book and or watch his videos.
Even if you do not do it for low ES if you are paying more than $3 a case that iz a good reason
If your primers seem starting to not hold well after a couple of reloads I would perhaps start looking at some thing else ??????

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Originally Posted by Tentman

Fine if the primer pockets will stand X reloads. I'm gonna take a lot more convincing its essential unless you have a requirement for very low ES ammo . . .

Yes. Very relevant. I've got 30.06 cases only loaded, mmmmm, I guess 6-7 times and I'm starting to toss them because of loose pockets. A few split necks too, but probably never been annealed till recently.

Lose them hunting too.

Originally Posted by Tentman

Fine if the primer pockets will stand X reloads. I'm gonna take a lot more convincing its essential unless you have a requirement for very low ES ammo . . .

I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything. Just never actually seen anyone provide any first-hand information on case life extension. Did a dodgy quick faff in the shed to see what it looks like. Looks like it extends case life, at least as far as neck splits. Good, that's what I bought it for.


If you want a low "ES" just fire less shots. Guaranteed to lower it. Useless metric though.


Whether or not annealing will help improve velocity consistency is very unclear. There is little-to-no objective evidence available. I'll probably do some kind of limited test. But I'll be annealing some brass for case life regardless, because $3.30 apiece for Alpha is painful

I meant velocity ES but I do see the point if you're running high end sorta stuff. Be interesting to know what the economics of it really are if you are running an commercially built induction machine.

Originally Posted by gimp

I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything. Just never actually seen anyone provide any first-hand information on case life extension. Did a dodgy quick faff in the shed to see what it looks like. Looks like it extends case life, at least as far as neck splits. Good, that's what I bought it for.


If you want a low "ES" just fire less shots. Guaranteed to lower it. Useless metric though.


Whether or not annealing will help improve velocity consistency is very unclear. There is little-to-no objective evidence available. I'll probably do some kind of limited test. But I'll be annealing some brass for case life regardless, because $3.30 apiece for Alpha is painful

Yes there is as far as case neck splits.

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Originally Posted by gimp

.223 ADI brass, same lot. FL sized down and expanded up again with a 6mm expander mandrel til neck split. Top case no annealing, 7x. Middle and bottom case, annealed each time (different durations), 12x and 14x respectively.

@johnd seems to work

Attachment 282541

small sample size bro....do it with 50 cases and report back


very much joking, just couldn't resist...

I've been annealing for a long time now (hot salt method, granted not as good as AMP) and definitely find it helps with case life.
i also notice the consistency of seating pressure when loading rounds seems to be a lot more uniform, it is time consuming but especially with magnum cases that are pricey I'm more than happy to invest the time to extend their life.

For you gas annealing tin foil hat wearers.
The truth!

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Originally Posted by Tentman

I meant velocity ES but I do see the point if you're running high end sorta stuff. Be interesting to know what the economics of it really are if you are running an commercially built induction machine.

So do I. It's a junk metric and if you want a low ES, just collect less data....



the machine cost less than 300 new cases, so if I double the life of my 400x alpha GT brass, it's paid for itself.

Originally Posted by andyanimal31

For you gas annealing tin foil hat wearers.
The truth!

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I own an induction annealer.



What incentives do you think a person selling a $3000 annealing machine might have to present a less-than-objective viewpoint?

Originally Posted by dannyb

small sample size bro....do it with 50 cases and report back


very much joking, just couldn't resist...

I've been annealing for a long time now (hot salt method, granted not as good as AMP) and definitely find it helps with case life.
i also notice the consistency of seating pressure when loading rounds seems to be a lot more uniform, it is time consuming but especially with magnum cases that are pricey I'm more than happy to invest the time to extend their life.

Yeah it's hectically time consuming. You're right though, what's the expected variation in case life without annealing? maybe the range is like 3-20 sizings and all my results just are noise in that range.

Originally Posted by gimp

I own an induction annealer.



What incentives do you think a person selling a $3000 annealing machine might have to present a less-than-objective viewpoint?

You should know better then

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Originally Posted by Juicy

Nice great results. Good to know it works. What is your annealing technique?

I agree. Great test and obviously improves case life.

Helps with consistant sizing too.