Annealing And Neck sizing

Sniffer

Sniffer

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Super GunNutz
Rating - 100%
44   0   0
Location
Okanagan
I have read multiple articles regarding how brass becomes "harder" with each firing and from what I am seeing some of mine has reached that point. I use a LEE neck size die and in the beginning after I resized a neck I could feel the mandrel "drag" its way out (cos the brass was sized tightly around it) but I dont get that any more and measuring the necks shows a big variance.

So I'm thinking of annealing - just to confirm I need to anneal then size the neck as the annealed brass will resize back to what I want as opposed to springing back which is what I am experiencing now? Correct?
 
Last edited:
Loads of ways to do it, but the main factor is size the case after you anneal it

I anneal after every 3 firings if full power load, and 10 if im shooting cast
 
Last edited:
I have found that after annealing and commencing neck sizing that I end up with scratches on my neck sized brass. I got rid of this annoying problem by tumbling the brass after the annealing step. No more scratches when neck sizing.
 
I have had a batch of Lapua 308 cases become unreloadable, with neck problems. It was fired about 6 times.

I once fired some Winchester commercial brass about 15 times, until the pockets gave out.

Annealing seems to have put my Lapua back into use.
 
Ganderite said:
I have had a batch of Lapua 308 cases become unreloadable, with neck problems. It was fired about 6 times.

I once fired some Winchester commercial brass about 15 times, until the pockets gave out.

Annealing seems to have put my Lapua back into use.
Click to expand...

Thats probably where some of my Hornady is at (fired 6 times)

I'm hoping annealing will restore it to its former glory and make things consistent again.

I've read different theories on how often to anneal with some saying after being fired x amount while with others its after every firing.

Whats everyones thoughts?
 
6MT said:
I have 14 cases of Lapua brass that are in a lot that have been fired 19 times. That batch is getting smaller every range trip. I only use them for barrel fouling and plinking.
My point is that I anneal after every firing. Really extends brass life. But more importantly, it gives very consistent neck tension. Interestingly enough, the failures are from case cracks above the base and not primer pocket looseness.

Gotta love Lapua cases.BTW, this brass lot was originally 50 cases.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm leaning towards annealing after every firing and the consistent neck tension is what I'm hurting for right now - its all over the place.

I have a brand new box of Lapua brass which I will be making use of when the weather gets a little better.

The Hornady brass is more for my plinking loads out to ~450 and has served me well but it now needs a little TLC.
 
Lubing inside the neck before resizing can help reduce the 'drag' by the mandrel also. Annealing make a big difference.
 
I anneal after every firing. Hornady brass on 9th loading, only lost a few to loose primer pockets. I cut the cases in half to look for thinning of the brass, they are still good.
 
I anneal with an AMP every firing. Since I SS tumble prior to annealing, I have to lube the heck out of my necks prior to sizing. The combo of no carbon in the neck along with the dead soft brass leads to severe galling if you don't lube properly. This requires a post sizing cleaning to make things squeaky clean. I'm OCD, I like sparkly brass.
 
PGW Steve said:
I anneal with an AMP every firing. Since I SS tumble prior to annealing, I have to lube the heck out of my necks prior to sizing. The combo of no carbon in the neck along with the dead soft brass leads to severe galling if you don't lube properly. This requires a post sizing cleaning to make things squeaky clean. I'm OCD, I like sparkly brass.
Click to expand...

What kind of die? Full Lenght?

I'll be using the LEE neck sizing die so so not sure it could gall up as it kinda squishes the next back to spec as opposed to using an expender ball?

I'd like to deprime > tumble > anneal > neck size (& body size intermittently - as required when the bolt gets too tight)
 
6MT said:
Huh? Yeah, what are you using to size?

Steve, I thought you were a Whidden bushing die kind of guy. (I sure bought enough Whidden stuff from you guys.) :slap:
Click to expand...

Strange, I don't think we've sold a single Whidden anything. I use Redding bushing dies, and try and pick a bushing that just allows the expander ball to drag lightly for a uniform ID and I still get brass build up on the ball. I even use carbide expanders and it happens.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom