Case annealing

[robocop10mm]

I took the plunge this week and tried my hand at annealing some brass. I needed 8 X 57 and did not want to use my precious .30-06. I had an ample supply of .270 so I thought I'd give it a try.

I got a pie pan (several left over from Thanksgiving pies) and put about 1/2" of water in it. I stood two cases up in the water side by side (touching) and lit up the torch (Bernzomatic). I found that about 20 seconds on one side of the pair and 20 seconds on the other. This allowed all of the case neck to be heated evenly. Tipped them over in the water and stood the next pair up.

To neck up the .270's to 8mm I did it incrementally, .284 (7mm expander) , .308 , .323 (8 x 57 full length sizer). No split necks.

I used a dremel cut off wheel to trim off about 5mm and finish trimmed on the Forster trimmer. VIOLA! Nice 8mm brass for free (the .270's were range pick ups).

To insure I do not mistake these mismarked 8 X 57's for .270's, I used a red magic marker to color the base and made red ring around the case body. Now I know that any case marked in this fashion is no longer the cartridge maked on the head stamp.

Now assorted range pick up brass in odd (for me) calibers is useful.

.25-06, .270, .280 = .30-06 or 8mm
6mm or .257 Roberts = 7 X 57 or 8 X 57
.243 = .308 (I'm, not sure this will work, may be too much)

[pigpen]

I have been doing the same with 06 brass so I can have some 8mm to load up with cast bullets. Can't belive I waited so long to start doing it.

[wonderwolf]

I started annealing some 45-70's that began life as 45-70's but were squished down to 40-60 than when I got the box of 100 pcs for $0.75 for the lot I blew them back out and started getting split cases so I annealed all the remaining ones and have not blown one since. Though they are due for another round of heat treating in about 2 more loadings.

I used a large torch and a old lazy Susan with a old pan. 10 seconds while being spun did the trick

[robocop10mm]

I like the lazy susan idea. I had not even considered that. I think I can borrow one from the spice cabinet when I'm home alone

[Player]

that sounds so tempting... i've got bags of .243 shells laying around
but... how safe is it shooting these like this?
sorry i'm fresh into reloading, not sure what's going on here.

[wonderwolf]

I save all my bad brass and I practiced on some 30/06 that had bad necks. It took about 12 pcs or so to get the hang of it. I didn't have the lights turned down or off but if your good in the dark (thats what she said) then go for it as its easier to tell when the brass is up to heat. This is the website I used to learn me (http://www.6mmbr.com/annealing.html) :icon_biggrin:

[robocop10mm]

To neck up from a small neck like the .243 up to .308 will require some intermediate steps. I would go .257, .277, .284, .308. You may be a bit short once you go that big so your crimp die may have to be adjusted. the mouth does not matter in the headspace like on a pistol case the shoulder matters.

If you champher the mouth before making the first step up it helps ease the transistion. The Lyman dies have an expander that is well suited to this as they have a long taper on the expander. The RCBS expander is a rounded bump and as such a little harder on the brass.

With the prices of brass these days I think it is worth it even if you only get a couple of reloads out of the brass. You might use that brass when you are shooting in tall grass or some other situation where you are likley to lose them.

[wonderwolf]

Heck I always look at it the same way I do new girls.....A learning experience not to be missed :icon_biggrin:

[pigpen]

I just loaded these up today. They were Win. 30-06 but not anymore.