The Accurate Reloading Forums
Annealing casings

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28 March 2003, 10:27
duckman23
Annealing casings
I bought some 22-250 brass that must have came out of a worn out rifle. The brass was 2 to 3 thousands over sized. After sticking two casings in the die, I annealed the rest of the brass. This allowed the brass to resize much easier and no futher problems have been incurred is sizing. But before I finish, reloading and shooting, I thought I would through out the question to the forum and make sure I am not doing something I should not.
Anybody know why I will run into any problems.
28 March 2003, 10:30
Ken Cline
I have only heard of annealing the cartridge from the shoulder up, so I don't know how it would work to anneal the whole thing. Your brass might lengthen faster and may not last as long.
28 March 2003, 10:39
Paul Brasky
Annealing is usually done to soften work-hardened brass, particularly the neck and shoulder (if present). Ergo, annealing the entire cartridge will soften the base, which is extremely dangerous given the pressure it is exposed to. If you must anneal, confine the heat only to the forward part of the [empty] case.
28 March 2003, 10:49
CMcDermott
If you annealed the case heads you ruined your cases. The case heads have to be harder (stronger) to hold the pressure during firing without distorting/expanding that causes the cases to stick in the chamber and the primer to fall out of the primer pocket. If you let the case heads get hot during your annealing process I'd pull the bullets and get new cases. When you anneal a case you should keep the heat concentrated on the neck and not let the body of the case get very hot. That's why most annealing methods have you either hold the case in your bare fingers so you'll drop it if it starts to heat up or has the case heads immersed in water to keep them from getting too hot.
28 March 2003, 10:57
duckman23
I did not anneal the base or head of the cases. at the very worst the heat got down to about the half way mark. Thank you for your input and there will be a few cases that will throw a way that maybe got a little to hot.
Thanks again
28 March 2003, 13:01
RSY
I don't usually anneal my casings...it makes for some funny tasting sausage.

RSY
[Big Grin]