Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles How do you anneal your brass?

My reloading gear set is lacking the ability to anneal my brass. What do you guys use and or technique to anneal your brass? I’m not against spending for one of the automated machines but I am open to any creative ideas you guys have consistent success with.

Just like most people - very imprecisely, although I recognize and admit to the fact.

The El-cheap-o way. Candle, match, wet rag. As described in Gack.

A nice Saturday morning, big mug of wake up, and pile of brass.

'Aint it grand!

Gave up the candle method for DNA burner due to the soot. Still break out the torch and some drill adapter thingy when I feel like it.

Drill/socket/torch/5 Mississippi = annealed for me

I bought an ugly annealer of Amazon for about 200 clams. Works as advertised.

Candle and hot fingers

BC1000, about 500rds per hr. using a 5lb propane tank:

I've been using a Woodchuck Den anneal tip on a Bernz-o-matic since '02. It's a piece of copper tubing that makes a loop at the end with perforations on the inside to create circumferential points of flame, so no need to rotate the cases. I just insert the necks of each case from below the loop right up to the shoulder, then drop them onto a damp rag when they're done (usually about 7-8 seconds). I use Tempilaq on the first couple of cases to get the timing right. Works for me. YMMV.

Set up small propane hand torch beside sink in bathroom.

Put small hand towel in sink and soak it with water.

Prepare all cases to be annealed in container handy to torch.

Ignite torch, take up case in thumb and two fingers.

Close bathroom door and turn off light.

Play cartridge SHOULDER of each case in flame with neck facing away from flame.

IMMEDIATELY drop case onto wet towel the moment the neck begins to barely glow. You do not want the necks to glow, as they will be too soft.

I just clean off the brass with dry paper towel or clean old rag.



Ted

Ugly Annealer .. I will put some pictures up of mine and how it's set up as soon as I get somewhere with enough phone signal to do so..

This is a very good demo, and I recommend you listen to all the words too.


Regards,
Rex

Find a socket that the brass fits then light the propane torch,spin the brass in flame while watching color.

Then drop brass into a coffee can and continue.

It's easy once you get your rhythm.

I only do this for converted brass or if their is a problem with tension.

I use a simple propane torch with the pencil flame. I use my fingers for my temperature guide. I stick the brass in the flame and watch the color change while slowly twisting the brass. When I start to feel the heat on my fingers, I drop it in a metal coffee can and move to the next piece of brass. No drill and no waiting for the glow.

kwg

I've been using the candle method for quite a while now, but I think it's time to move up to the denatured alcohol lamp.

I've got an annealeez machine. It works really good on long action cartridges but the drive wheels start to melt on short action rounds. The torch has to be too close

I anneal my target rifle brass after every firing for consistency. Use an Amp annealer. It uses computer controlled induction process. I think any other way is such an in-exact sciance

1. Given a used propane tank, that many places won't fill because it is old school... know where to get around that.

2. Given a "A tree" that has multiple hook ups for attaching multiple propane items to one tank.

3. Got an old pair or two of needle nose pliers... rather heat them up than my fingers...

4. Plumbers torch... $6.00 at Grovers.. only money I really spent on the set up besides the propane I filled in the tank.. that original filled lasted me 10 to 12 years...just threw another $10 worth of propane in it a couple months ago..

5. hold case upside down in flame, count to 6 for 223 cases and to 7 or 8 for 243 cases and up..

6. most brass nowadays, anneal each reload. old method was every 4th reload.

7. decorative small bucket from Walmart to drop the brass in, I usually anneal ten to 20 pieces at a time.
Let them air cool in the bucket.. that cost me a dollar....

West Virginia hillbilly logic taught me all the above... it works and even Schtick can afford it...

Don't need a $100 to $200 solution to a 10 cent problem.

Exactly. Easy greasy lemon squeezy.

My fingers don't work so good, so I use a socket in a drill and count the seconds, using mississippi's. miles