Annealing process - Page 2

amamnn · August 3, 2006, 10:37 PM

I have not taken any surveys, but I can tell you that people who SUCCESSFULLY anneal their brass do NOT stand it in water. Most people I know who anneal their brass in small quantities do it held in the fingers. Not only will this allow you to turn the brass more easily and accurately than if held with pliers, it will not let you overheat the cases. Still, the metal of the neck can overheat if not cooled quickly. Drop the cases in a bucket of water after annealing is accomplished in order to stop the process.

You may have had occasion to notice your car engine gets hotter after you've shut it off for a few minutes. This is because the water and coolant has stopped circulating. Standing cases in water just makes a big heat sink and you will never achieve your purpose.

I know one shooter who uses the outrageously expensive machine mentioned above, but he reloads semi-premium for a side business.

amamnn · August 3, 2006, 10:38 PM

Also you cannot evenly heat all sides of case necks with a torch when they are standing in a group.

Harry Bonar · August 4, 2006, 06:37 PM

Dear Sir:
It's simple. Hold the case in your fingers at the head - heat with propane torch at neck area till the head gets too hot and drop it in water!. (From the A-Square shooters manual) (neck area will be red).
Harry B.

mete · August 4, 2006, 10:38 PM

"The Norma Gunbug's Guide" 1967 "When neck annealing cases,stand them in a pan of water,to about 3/4 of their height.....The primers should be removed,permitting the water to enter the case.With a propane torch, heat the case necks to cherry red,at which temperature the brass has resumed it's maximum softness.As soon as the correct temperature is reached ,tip the case into the water to cool quickly." Norma does know a few things about brass cases.

amamnn · August 4, 2006, 10:44 PM

That they do, but not about annealing it.

August 3, 2006, 10:37 PM	#26
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	I have not taken any surveys, but I can tell you that people who SUCCESSFULLY anneal their brass do NOT stand it in water. Most people I know who anneal their brass in small quantities do it held in the fingers. Not only will this allow you to turn the brass more easily and accurately than if held with pliers, it will not let you overheat the cases. Still, the metal of the neck can overheat if not cooled quickly. Drop the cases in a bucket of water after annealing is accomplished in order to stop the process. You may have had occasion to notice your car engine gets hotter after you've shut it off for a few minutes. This is because the water and coolant has stopped circulating. Standing cases in water just makes a big heat sink and you will never achieve your purpose. I know one shooter who uses the outrageously expensive machine mentioned above, but he reloads semi-premium for a side business. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

August 3, 2006, 10:38 PM	#27
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	Also you cannot evenly heat all sides of case necks with a torch when they are standing in a group. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

August 4, 2006, 06:37 PM	#28
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	annealing cases Dear Sir: It's simple. Hold the case in your fingers at the head - heat with propane torch at neck area till the head gets too hot and drop it in water!. (From the A-Square shooters manual) (neck area will be red). Harry B.

August 4, 2006, 10:44 PM	#30
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	That they do, but not about annealing it. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

August 4, 2006, 10:38 PM	#29
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	"The Norma Gunbug's Guide" 1967 "When neck annealing cases,stand them in a pan of water,to about 3/4 of their height.....The primers should be removed,permitting the water to enter the case.With a propane torch, heat the case necks to cherry red,at which temperature the brass has resumed it's maximum softness.As soon as the correct temperature is reached ,tip the case into the water to cool quickly." Norma does know a few things about brass cases.