I built a machine to anneal for about $100. It works great as long as you understand how to time it. It’s not that hard.This is a question I'm currently pondering and have 300-500 trigger pulls to determine what to do. I recently screwed up a couple lots of good (and expensive) brass by mis-annealing. The problem I introduced is one of inconsistency, which messes with precision.
The pro argument requires the investment in the time and/or equipment to do this. Manual takes considerable time and because we are human will introduce some degree of human error. The next step costs around $300 for the most basic of machine, which from my reading, still requires quite a bit of tuning for each batch. As one spends more on tools, the process will be easier and the results better.
The con argument presents (specifically for Lapua Brass) is one where shoot them 10+ times, until neck failure then buy new brass all of time time/tool investment and potential errors that can be introduced are eliminated.
If one runs the math, then brass cost per firing; at 10x is $0.12, at 15x is $0.08, and at 20x is $0.06. So, with regular annealing and doubling brass life from 10x to 20x, that would yield a $60 (yes only sixty) across 1000 rounds shot.
This is what's causing me to lean towards not annealing... that said, change my mind.
;-)
The money isn’t why you anneal. Your SD’s and ES WILL be lower with annealed brass.
We spend all this time trying to perfect our reloads to be the most accurate possible. Why skip out on possibly the largest factor with creating small SD numbers?
I also don’t know about over annealing unless you just began to melt brass. If you think you annealed too much shoot them until they harden back up.
According to my 'homework', the $100.00 molten salt bath kit I bought with digital temp monitoring, the added $9.00 digital metronome and $60.00 lead melting pot, will allow me to more quickly and accurately anneal my brass than any other system out there. I believe with minimal re-sizing and less than maximum loads, I can coax 40+ firings from my .243 brass. When I have my modified system fully up and running, I'll post some still pics with more details.
According to my 'homework', the $100.00 molten salt bath kit I bought with digital temp monitoring, the added $9.00 digital metronome and $60.00 lead melting pot, will allow me to more quickly and accurately anneal my brass than any other system out there. I believe with minimal re-sizing and less than maximum loads, I can coax 40+ firings from my .243 brass. When I have my modified system fully up and running, I'll post some still pics with more details.
I’m interested in seeing this setup
It is difficult to over annealing when the range is 800 to 1400 degrees.
The correct answer is. It depends. It depends on how your rifle is shooting the most. Then it depends on brass cost. Is it economical to anneal or is brass readily available and reasonably priced. Having covered performance and economics we next look at the production factor. How effective is your annealing process? Results? Time spent? Overheads to get setup? Moving to Alternative solutions...can you source brass elsewhere cheaper? Or look at your reloading process. How hard are you working your brass? What is your load doing to your brass? Can you find a solution to your marksmanship needs that will stress brass less. Powder, bullet selection, primers, many things enter into why you should or shouldn't anneal. Is half moa good enough? Or is quarter moa needed to win competitions? You weigh over everything and decide.
Sure it’s only $60, but what about the cost in components and time for the first firing of the new brass? I’d like to limit that as much as possibleIf one runs the math, then brass cost per firing; at 10x is $0.12, at 15x is $0.08, and at 20x is $0.06. So, with regular annealing and doubling brass life from 10x to 20x, that would yield a $60 (yes only sixty) across 1000 rounds shot.
This is what's causing me to lean towards not annealing... that said, change my mind.
Sure it’s only $60, but what about the cost in components and time for the first firing of the new brass? I’d like to limit that as much as possible
Sure it’s only $60, but what about the cost in components and time for the first firing of the new brass? I’d like to limit that as much as possible
To me it’s about consistency and accuracy...]
I'm with you on this one! I want to be able to control as many variables as I can so all I really have to keep an eye on, is the old fart at the trigger, me.