Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Annealing question

I'm getting ready to anneal a batch of cases. They have been sized, cleaned, primer pockets squared, weighed, sorted and necks turned. What, if anything, will I need to do after annealing. Will any of these steps need to be repeated. How many firings will I get out of the average case before I need to anneal them again?

i always anneal before sizing for no reason other than that's what i do.

i always tumble after annealing because i use water to quench and it makes me feel better that the cases are dry. also, after annealing, there are sometimes mineral marks on my cases from the water and the cases can be pretty rough. tumbling takes care of that.

you can expect an additional 4-6 firings after annealing before you have to do it again.

i anneal my daughter's 300 wsm cases after every 3rd firing, and most of her cases are on their 11th loading now.

I anneal after the 4th firing (5th sizing). I drop the cases in a bucket of cold water to quench.

Afterwards, I put the cases on a cookie sheet in the oven set at 175* for an hour to dry them out. Personally I don't tumble, so after the above, use Extra Fine Steel Wool to clean the necks.

To some, annealing seems like a lot to do over nothing but it's an important safety step IMO, and certainly will give a bit more life to cases.

Some feel annealing changes the size. I measured necks on a bunch before and after annealing and found no difference in the size, so I'm not sure it matters if you size before or after.

I anneal before sizing as well. I believe the brass case responds much better to the die due the consistecy after annealing. Shoulders are easier to bump, the case just plain works easier.

+1

Size afterward too. Mostly because I might mishandle a cartridge and take the neck out of round.

I agree with Tim> Annealing restores the springyness(not sure is correct word to use) to your brass, therefore with this in mind, it would seem logical>

Ductility.

Thanks Mathman -that's the word.