Annealing question

[03fatboy]

I need to start annealing my brass that I use for 600 yard shooting,
My question is do I have to full length size after annealing,
or can I continue to just neck size them?

 

[ironworkerwill]

It is assumed that there is no dimensional change after annealing. There probably is but not enough to measure. Sizing will slowly but surely undo the annealing... I size first then anneal...ect.

 

[Walkalong]

Anneal the fired brass, then size, trim, and prep.

 

[ironworkerwill]

@ Walkalong- Jim Harris:"The last question is, “Do I anneal before resizing, or after”? Theoretically annealing does not change the diameter of the case neck. In practice, it may or may not, depending on how much the metal is stressed. Therefore, you should always anneal before resizing." (Jim Harris has won several NRA National and IHMSA International championships in metallic handgun silhouette competition.) Source:http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/annealing/

Anneal the fired brass, then size, trim, and prep.

Yes, this!

My question is do I have to full length size after annealing,
or can I continue to just neck size them?

It does not matter unless they need to be FL sized...chambers too tightly ect.

 

[clearcut]

The ideal is to soften the brass before you re-size the case.
CC

 

[03fatboy]

Can I continue to neck size my fire formed brass after annealing,
or do I need to full length size them and start over after annealing them
thanks for your replies so far.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

1. Anneal
2. Full Length Resize
3. Load & Fire
4. Neck size
How many firings do you get before you need to anneal again? I'm not qualified to answer.

 

[Sunray]

You'll need to FL resize 'em sooner or later anyway.
"...before you need to anneal again..." Until another neck cracks. There is no formula.

 

[blue32]

I have always neck sized after annealing.

 

[03fatboy]

Thanks for your answers,

I'm going to FL size after annealing and start over with the cases.

 

[flat six]

Why don't you try chambering some cases you have annealed, to see whether they need FL sizing?

You may have to trim, but I doubt that the annealing process will require you to size the case back to SAAMI specs in order to chamber in your rifle.

 

[MEHavey]

FL resize after annealing to uniform the shoulders and the necks. If you don't, all the
preceding "springback" non-uniformity associated w/ work-hardened brass will remain

 

[flat six]

ME, I don't follow that logic.

The conservative approach is to FL resize, and most seem to agree with this approach. But that requires you to work brass that is hard and results in losing the advantage of fire-formed brass.

I wouldn't, if the cases chambered.

Edit: I assume, since you began the thread saying you were using neck-sized brass, that you are shooting in a bolt action rifle. If not, then I would definitely FL size.

 

[MEHavey]

I repeat:

- Anneal, then resize. If you don't, all reasons you wanted to anneal in the first place are wasted. To wit: both your neck tensions and shoulder positions will vary considerably because of springback..

 

[Walkalong]

Follow MEHavey's advise, for the reasons he stated.