bob, is this the link you were referring to?

http://www.cda.org.uk/megab2/costeff/pub117/sec62.htm

FWIW, Dutch.

Dutch, thanks, I think it is but in going through about 100 pages this time I couldn't find the page on annealing 70/30 brass, and there must be about 1000 pages more to go.

Bob, it's the diagram where you find the temperatures for annealing and stress relieving of 70/30 cartridge brass. In addition, you'll find at "Q&A" the annealing temperature expressis verbis.

You may want to visit the new site

http://wildcatshooting.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=68

as well: 600�F stress relief in a lead pot should be enough - and no more danger to the cases.

Thanks to both of you. However, the diagram and graph shown lists the temperatures as Celsius, not Fahrenheit.

Somewhere in the dark recesses of my mind there was another website on this subject which was referred to by a metallurgist in an in depth-discussion back at the old Shooters.com. That site was far more applicable to our needs and had more accurate temperatures listed in Fahrenheit for cartridge brass. The minimum temperature listed in that site where the restructuring of the grain started, was 572� F. Cooler than that and nothing happens. Annealing, and the progressive softening of the brass, continues up to 1400 F. at which point the brass is totally annealed, starts oxidizing and burning, and it's totally useless. Between those two temperatures there is a progressive softening.

In the NRA publications of "Handloading", the author William Dresser, states the ideal temperature is 670� F. and recommends using a 700� Tempilstic, the heat sensitive crayon. I understand much of the data in the article came from a Col. Naramore who did much research on the subject and in our circles is considered somewhat of an authority. I believe he was connected with Frankford Arsenal.

It is my understanding that the ideal temperature is 670�F. as the best mix of restructuring the brass and still maintaining a degree of hardness to properly hold a bullet.

Looks like a neat shooting website to which you referred. I've bookmarked it.