Recent Experience with Peterson Brass- Neck Breakage and Brittleness

[Mike Matteson]

As opposed to some of you I do not anneal. I normally get between 3 and 5 loads per case which is apparently what others are getting when annealing. I find that Lake City military brass, 308 and 30-06 last the longest and since I shoot common ammo the loss of brass is not a life threatening issue like with other oddball cases out there. Not annealing simply saves me one step in the reloading process without, it seems, any loss. I should also note that I seldom load anywhere near max pressure finding the lesser loads more accurate at the distances I shoot.

I differ with you. I use to lose brass in 3 firing without annealing. The old way of in the pie pan and using a torch. It stop my neck splitting. I only lost brass from primer pocket getting to big. The other is you get a more consistance releast.
I feel that using your dies and sizing then, then using the expander ball to open up the necks work the brass a lot. In other words you are working your brass to much.

 

[Mikecr]

It always comes back to excess sizing, due to poor cartridge design and excess chamber clearances.
Some folks believe it's an easier path to just live with it and constantly replace brass, but no,, it isn't.
I would never make the choices leading to failure of my brass.

 

[victor3ranger]

I differ with you. I use to lose brass in 3 firing without annealing. The old way of in the pie pan and using a torch. It stop my neck splitting. I only lost brass from primer pocket getting to big. The other is you get a more consistance releast.
I feel that using your dies and sizing then, then using the expander ball to open up the necks work the brass a lot. In other words you are working your brass to much.

Mine have always been around 3-4 loadings when I was starting to see split necks.
I hope now that I am annealing that will help

 

[Mike Matteson]

You need to get to proper temp and area that is supose to be anneal. AMP is know as the best and pricey too. I have a Bench-Source w / and attachment to use both torches off a 25lbs tank and hose to each torch. That way I don't run out propane very quickly. That attachment can be purchase at Amazon. Tempilaq paint or marking pen to besure that you are reaching the correct temp. Amazon again. There is a salt system the works too. Some complain that it doesn't get the brass hot enough.

 

[victor3ranger]

I don't know what the brand of annealer I am using but it has 2 torch heads

 

[Mike Matteson]

I don't know what the brand of annealer I am using but it has 2 torch heads

Sound like a bench scource.

 

[victor3ranger]

Does that one have a round plate with holes in it?

 

[Mike Matteson]

Does that one have a round plate with holes in it?

Yes. Look it up in Brownell or Midway. Amazon has them too. it has a round place and a timer to set the temp. Turns and drops them out as it turns.

 

[victor3ranger]

Yep that's it

 

[victor3ranger]

Mike, what double ended hose do you use to hook up to the big tank?

 

[QuietTexan]

It always comes back to excess sizing, due to poor cartridge design and excess chamber clearances.

Yup. There's no annealer around that will solve going from .345 to .327 to .337 during the sizing and seating steps. The solution for those splits is reduce the sizing step down and resultant seating step up.

 

[Mike Matteson]

Mike, what double ended hose do you use to hook up to the big tank?

Amazon: Propane regulator and dual hoses. On page 5 of there items. $33.99 Splitter Adapter Hose 1 lb to 20 lb Converter with shut off value.
There like 20 plus pages. I loacted it on page 5.

 

[victor3ranger]

Amazon: Propane regulator and dual hoses. On page 5 of there items. $33.99 Splitter Adapter Hose 1 lb to 20 lb Converter with shut off value.
There like 20 plus pages. I loacted it on page 5.

thank you
I found it

 

[Teri Anne]

I differ with you. I use to lose brass in 3 firing without annealing. The old way of in the pie pan and using a torch. It stop my neck splitting. I only lost brass from primer pocket getting to big. The other is you get a more consistance releast.
I feel that using your dies and sizing then, then using the expander ball to open up the necks work the brass a lot. In other words you are working your brass to much.

We all have our opinions as well as what seems to work for us. As mentioned previously I do not load to maximum pressures. I don't have issues with primer pockets. So I guess it boils down to do whatever works best for you.