Annealing how often/ diy setups

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Zahace

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Hey guys. I’m starting to anneal my brass and was wondering how often I should do it? Also would love to see some diy annealing set ups and components list if available.
 
Everybody is different, but I anneal every firing. Made a 2x4 wood dual torch setup, I use a cordless drill, deep socket, and a distance stop to the flame. For time I use a metronome app on my phone. Works well.
 
Zahace said:
Hey guys. I’m starting to anneal my brass and was wondering how often I should do it? Also would love to see some diy annealing set ups and components list if available.
Click to expand...

In about 50 years of annealing cases I've found that after 5 th firing I anneal. If the cases is formed from another case I will anneal after the FL size before fire forming then every fifth time. Just use a propane torch and a metal tray with about 3/4 of an inch of water and an old screwdriver to tip the cases over in the water
 
Iv been looking at buying a cheap induction coil of amazon. But from reading the coils have problem with being cycled power on and off, so my idea of putting it on a timer maybe out. But agree anneal ever time, and for the time being i use propane.
 
Before I got my AMP annealing machine I was using annealeez, which I found to work very well for a propane torch machine.
It's not DIY but at least ready out of the box.
I also tried ballistic recreations kit, and was not comfortable using molten salts inside my home, and I do not have a garage.
So I set it in my plumbing shop 2.5km from home, but got tired of getting out of home to anneal, so I quit that method.

OP, I was going to do a DIY at some point and time was lacking as a rush started at work, I still have motor, power supply and motor speed limiter with dial and display here,
If you want PM me and I could send you a pic.
 
MartyK2500 said:
Before I got my AMP annealing machine I was using annealeez, which I found to work very well for a propane torch machine.
It's not DIY but at least ready out of the box.
I also tried ballistic recreations kit, and was not comfortable using molten salts inside my home, and I do not have a garage.
So I set it in my plumbing shop 2.5km from home, but got tired of getting out of home to anneal, so I quit that method.

OP, I was going to do a DIY at some point and time was lacking as a rush started at work, I still have motor, power supply and motor speed limiter with dial and display here,
If you want PM me and I could send you a pic.
Click to expand...

Thanks. If I don’t go the ballistic recreations salt bath annealing way I’ll definitely get in touch.
 
ultimate_monkey said:
Every firing.

If you want cheap no hassel consistant . Look at the ballistic recreations salt annealing setup.
Click to expand...

X3 on the salt bath annealing from Ballistic Recreations. I got the chance to exchange several emails with the guy before I ordered (since I was wanting to anneal a fairly large range of calibers) and he was great to deal with, got the "kit" promptly, it's well thought out and easy to use. I do tumble clean my brass before annealing, it keeps the salt cleaner for longer (no fired powder contamination turning it black either solid or liquid).

I'd buy another in a heartbeat if need be.

O.N.G.
 
I flame anneal every fourth firing, using a home made attachment to hold and shield the brass in a cordless drill.
Mine is similar to the ones Hornady used to sell.
 
BAAC said:
Just checked that out. Amazing. That's a great idea. I hate the torch method.

Thanks for that.
Click to expand...

Tagged for interest.

My cases need annealing, but my experience with a propane torch is largely negative.

Pistol cartridge black powder shooting has some 'low power, slight obturation woes' in regards to chamber cleanliness.

This might fix that up. This 'Canadian' method looks safe and reliable.



Thanks.
 
rokoro said:
In about 50 years of annealing cases I've found that after 5 th firing I anneal. If the cases is formed from another case I will anneal after the FL size before fire forming then every fifth time. Just use a propane torch and a metal tray with about 3/4 of an inch of water and an old screwdriver to tip the cases over in the water
Click to expand...

I don't believe there is any benefit doing more than this, but if a guy enjoys doing it, why not? I guess.
 
I anneal if I am going to neck up or neck down brass, and then only if I experience split necks... as for method; I sit a propane torch on the bench with a water bucket set up below, put on a cotton glove (your finger tips will get hot), twirl the brass with the flame on the shoulder and neck and drop into the bucket when you feel the heat on your fingers... rudimentary, but effective, and "cheap & easy."
 
I think annealing frequency depends on several factors ... more frequently if you are loading hot and if cartridges are fired in a “loose” neck chamber that involves a lot of stretch on firing and compression during resizing which contributes to accelerated work hardening. I suspect that most reloaders that anneal, do so more frequently than necessary. I also suspect that if annealing is performed without the use of a temperature indicator (such as tempilak) ... then less than optimum results are obtained. Loading towards the hot end and shooting tight necked chambers, I anneal somewhere between 6 - 10 reloads. I have a set of 30BR brass fired 30+ times that still groups consistent mid threes.
 
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