When to anneal?

[WarPig1976]

Say it's time to anneal some brass, is it best to size then anneal or anneal then size? Said brass is splitting on the next firing so it's at its end without being annealed.

Information

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[mr.e moose]

Anneal then size.

[WarPig1976]

Thanks moose...

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Speaking of the importance of"sequence":

It's like the errant Viking sitting in a corner, writing out lines:

"Pillage THEN burn

Pillage THEN burn"..........

[WarPig1976]

Speaking of the importance of"sequence":

It's like the errant Viking sitting in a corner, writing out lines:

"Pillage THEN burn

Pillage THEN burn"..........

[The Monk]

Hello all.

I also anneal after two to three shoots, and have found that these last longer than cases that are left to shoot for longer.

I, of course only anneal the neck and make sure the heat does not go down pass the shoulder, as soon as the right colour is at the neck, i drop the case bottom first in water. To ensure that the same amount of annealing gets to the neck, i rotate the cases in a battery drill in front of the flame by means of an hole saw.. about 3/4'' takes most cases and shields the rest of the case from heat. With the teeth removed from an old hole saw, this makes the perfect tool.
As has been said on this Forum! Drying is gentle!!!

For me the Sun in Summer is fine. In winter, gentle heat from a home Rad is enough.

Never Rush Chaps.

Please Amend where needed.

[WarPig1976]

Hole saw,,good idea! I use sockets.

[ActionYobbo]

I anneal my brass (308 and 303) by holding with my fingers and heat the shoulder until the heat spreads down the case body and the neck becomes dull red then dump it in a bucket of water. I use the pencil flame to do the heating so its very quick. I do several hundred at a time this way. For the 303 British I am getting over 10 reloads with ease unless the BREN eats the brass.

[browningautorifle]

I use the pencil flame to do the heating so its very quick.

Do you have the flame at a right angle and turn the cartridge in your fingers?

[Parashooter]

Direct torch at shoulder and the neck takes care of itself without overheating.

No need for water cooling, by the way. Just air cool in a metal pan for 20 minutes and they're ready to reload.