What is your annealing set-up

[varmintH8R]

I need a quality annealing set-up. I want to know what the hard-core amongst us are using. You know who you are - shooting cartridges I've never heard of that take 8 steps to make brass for . Broz.

I want to know how you stretch your cases for as many loadings as possible before you have to re-tool your brass factory to make some more. Any tips on annealing equipment and tricks on using it consistently are much appreciated...

Thanks

 

[SidecarFlip]

Same as Jeff except I use the torches versus the 25 pound cylinder and splitters.

 

[barnesuser28]

Benchsource is the way to go IMO. I run two torches.

 

[Greyfox]

Benchsource is the way to go IMO. I run two torches.

+1, if you do enough volume. Fast and very consistent. I used to use a cake pan with enough water to cover half the case, and a propane torch. Heating time is determined with Templac usong both approaches.

 

[SidecarFlip]

My wife won't allow me to use any of her cake pans.......

 

[Greyfox]

My wife won't allow me to use any of her cake pans.......

Yeah, Mine got ****ed off even more when I used her dishwasher to clean my 45-70 black powder brass......

 

[Beluebow]

+1, if you do enough volume. Fast and very consistent. I used to use a cake pan with enough water to cover half the case, and a propane torch. Heating time is determined with Templac usong both approaches.

Greyfox does your brass seem to be more consistent with the Benchsource vs the cake pan method.Is it even noticeable or just a time thing?

I've been using the Hornady anneal case holders and drill,, and been wondering if I need to move on to bigger and better.

 

[Greyfox]

Greyfox does your brass seem to be more consistent with the Benchsource vs the cake pan method.Is it even noticeable or just a time thing?

I've been using the Hornady anneal case holders and drill,, and been wondering if I need to move on to bigger and better.

If your method is consistent and the brass is evenly heated to the proper temperature the manual or more basic approaches will give the same quality. The Bench Source, being automated, can do a large number of cases in a fraction of the time. Yes, I think time savings and convenience are the major benefits of making the $500 investment. Consistency, using more manual approaches is dependent on the skill of the idividual, and, is still required to some extent with the BenchSource when setting operating parameters. IMHO.

 

[SidecarFlip]

As Greyfox states, it's the skill and attention to the process that makes the difference. Templaq is the key in both (all) processes. You can get other temperature indicating compounds (other than Templaq) at your local welding supply store BTW.

There are at least 3 other semi production annealers on the market besides the BenchSource.

Though I've never investigated how OEM's anneal the necks, I strongly suspect it's induction annealing.

 

[Beluebow]

If your method is consistent and the brass is evenly heated to the proper temperature the manual or more basic approaches will give the same quality. The Bench Source, being automated, can do a large number of cases in a fraction of the time. Yes, I think time savings and convenience are the major benefits of making the $500 investment. Consistency, using more manual approaches is dependent on the skill of the idividual, and, is still required to some extent with the BenchSource when setting operating parameters. IMHO.

Thank you good info!!! Not sure I can justify the money right now.But I think I can talk a couple of my buddies into a "group buy".

 

[Beluebow]

As Greyfox states, it's the skill and attention to the process that makes the difference. Templaq is the key in both (all) processes. You can get other temperature indicating compounds (other than Templaq) at your local welding supply store BTW.

There are at least 3 other semi production annealers on the market besides the BenchSource.

Though I've never investigated how OEM's anneal the necks, I strongly suspect it's induction annealing.

Yes!! I used Templaq the first time on a few cases to get a "rough idea" where I needed to be and kinda went with it from there.Had some brass with alot of firings on it and tried it on that.That particular rifle was fairly consistent in the high 2's to mid 4's.Annealed,fl resized, loaded and shot a group in the 1's my best ever with that rifle.I blamed it on the annealing and have been a believer since.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Like I said, Templaq is just one of many brands and manufacturers. I tend to use temperature indicating crayons I get from AirGas, my local welding supplier. I use them for heat treatment of steel in the shop. We harden and anneal quite a bit of drill rod.

No matter what method you use, just be cognizant of the fact that the base and lower third of the brass can't get much past 500 degrees, even for an instant and brass has a high coefficient of heat transfer.

 

[varmintH8R]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I checked out the Bench Source and it looks top notch. I see one in my immediate future.