When do I need to anneal?

[Suther]

I think it's rifle specific. Case head separation is the normal failure mode for my Savage 99 .250-3000, I have had it happen dozens of times in that gun. I will point out that though that never once has it tied up the gun. The two pieces of brass are always connected by a remaining ligament of material, and both pull out cleanly. I only notice the issue when I go to pick them up. I've only used Winchester brass in it.

Take away the Savage, and I've had maybe 2 case head separations in anything else. Everything fails by split necks.

I hear lots of people say they lose most of their brass to loose primer pockets, but I have never experienced that, personally.

Then you're not loading it hot enough. lol I typically load for accuracy, but I might try to load for speed AND accuracy with my next hunting loads, see if I can't get 2900fps with a 150, or close to 3200 with 130s....

For hunting I'd strongly agree with Cosmic, use NEW brass. After all, how many rounds do you go through each season hunting big game??
If you're reloading for high volume practice or competition, some accuracy guys do it EVERY TIME.

My problem wasn't so much whether I had the brass, but rather the simple fact that I was already using some brass, and that particular brass was producing good groups. I hadn't even considered the fact that I'd be better off using 1F brass for my hunting loads for the reasons mentioned above.

I've decided to change to a different bullet (I was going to go with the 150gr Woodleigh but if I can't find them I might go with a 130gr Swift Scirocco II) so I'll have to do load development again, but once I find a good load I'll load up like 30 or 40 with 1F brass and then this rifle will be set for at least a few years.

 

[Dad003]

never annealed my lapua brass for .243 win, last time i shoot them they were at the 7 firing , no problem on the neck , they only were full sized one time and neck sized all the other time , quality brass probably make a huge difference in the need to anneal or not

 

[Lead hammer]

I just started annealing. I’m going to do it every time. It certainly does not take very long. I just have a torch screwed to a 2x4, and it sits on the workbench. It can’t fall over and you can rotate it up or down and slide it around to position it however you like. For timing, I have a metronome app on my phone, it’s set to click every second. Just insert it into the flame on a click and count. My 6.5 Creedmoor Hornady takes 5 seconds.

 

[Mudduck]

I have wanted to anneal for a long time but could not justify the $$ of some of the machines. However after seeing the Salt Annealer developed by a member of CGN I decided to order it.. Gary from www.ballisticrecreations.ca. You also need to purchase a Lee precision melter which at Higgisons is $61 so for the total package with shipping and tax I will be under $200 and have a consistent temp with two pieces of brass every 5 seconds. Other CGNers really like it so Im waiting for it to arrive .. will keep you posted once I use it

 

[unstableryan]

Annealing is a relatively recent fad, prompted by benchrest shooters that are trying to wring out every last bit of accuracy they can. For your purposes, the benefit may be intangeable. Moreover, if you don't know what you are doing, you can do more damage than good.
I would think that loose primer pockets, and possibly case separations would be more concerning. Finally, I would suggest using relatively fresh brass for hunting rounds. A case failure during a hunting trip can be a major drag..... Ask me how I know.

I admit this is good advice, however I always take 2 or 3 rifles with me in case I screwed up anything with one of them. I forgot my tikka bolt one time and hunted close whitetail stands with my 45/70 that year and was still successful. I know taking out the bolt and leaving it at home is stupid.. but #### happens.

 

[time4t]

..........

 

[Lead hammer]

You get increased case life---if your primer pockets survive.
You get consistent neck tension.

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[Suther]

I have wanted to anneal for a long time but could not justify the $$ of some of the machines. However after seeing the Salt Annealer developed by a member of CGN I decided to order it.. Gary from www.ballisticrecreations.ca. You also need to purchase a Lee precision melter which at Higgisons is $61 so for the total package with shipping and tax I will be under $200 and have a consistent temp with two pieces of brass every 5 seconds. Other CGNers really like it so I waiting for it to arrive

I saw that method actually. I recommended it to my brother whos just getting started with loading 223 for a semi-custom bolt gun he bought off the EE. Hopefully he'll buy it so I don't have to lol.

In the mean time I have plenty of other brass to use once this stuff is done for. After I reload these cases one more time to see what the two loads I liked chronograph at, I have a whole new batch of cases ready to start working with some 130gr pills, and theres more on the shelf after that...