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Worth annealing or keep shooting?

JGorski

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 25, 2011
2,992
14
62
Central Wis.
I have 200 pcs of Win 6mmRem brass and 1 pc has a split neck, was wondering if it would save the rest by annealing the other 199, thoughts? And does .010" neck expansion have anything to do with neck splitting after 3 firings? Loads werent that hot.
 
Re: Worth annealing or keep shooting?

I think annealing will make the cases last longer but .010 neck expansion is quite a bit .If you can find some Norma or lapua or even Federal cases to measure the neck thickness ,they might be thicker and cause less expansion.Arnie
 
Re: Worth annealing or keep shooting?

Anneal and shoot. Expect to replace some over time. With brass the cost it is now...use what you have.
 
Re: Worth annealing or keep shooting?

6mm Rem brass doesn't grow on trees. Annealing is worth a shot to extend the life of the brass you got.
 
Re: Worth annealing or keep shooting?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JGorski</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I And does .010" neck expansion have anything to do with neck splitting after 3 firings? Loads werent that hot. </div></div>

I have a lot (50 pieces) of WIN brass that has 33 reload cycles on it.
The cases have never been annealed.
The obturated neck diameter is 0.3445
The sized neck diameter is 0.332 for a difference of 0.0125
I have lots 2 cases to body cracks, 2 cases to ICHS
I have lost no primer pockets

I shoot 47.8 gr Varget with 155 scenars in a factory Remmy.

So, based on the above data, either I have been really lucky with longevity, or my reloading process is more benign than yours. My steps:

Deprime in RCBS universal decapper.
NO size to 0.338
Trim neck, chamfer, deburr, primer pocket
NO size to 0.332
toss in tumbler overnight
prime with RCBS universal hand primer
Throw and trickle powder
seat bullet to 3.000
reseat bullet to 2.947
 
Re: Worth annealing or keep shooting?

I like to anneal my brass after 2-3 firings. It isnt going to hurt the case life and if it extends it that is a big positive.
 
Re: Worth annealing or keep shooting?

Lesson learned?

The trick is to anneal before they start cracking and splitting......