Automated High Volume Annealer

[EricBu]

I'm looking at the AMP and AMP Mate combo. The AMP system works with Dillon case feeders, so I've got spares of those already. Anybody using the AMP? Any other annealing systems out there that are automated and can handle high volumes? I prefer an electric system like the AMP, but am open to gas. I've already got an annealeze, it just doesn't hold up to the volume I need.

https://www.ampannealing.com/

 

[dredd]

I have been using the AMP for a few years.
I am glad I took the plunge.
I think it is a great piece of equipment.

I don't have the auto feed, so I can't speak to that.

 

[Soonerpesek]

it just doesn't hold up to the volume I need.

This statement won't help you in this matter..............................
......................................................................but some pics of your operation would be awesome for a small batch loader like me.......!!

 

[EricBu]

This statement won't help you in this matter..............................
......................................................................but some pics of your operation would be awesome for a small batch loader like me.......!!

What do you mean? To clarify, with a short case, like 300 BLK, you can't do more than a hundred before the annealeze get's so hot the wheels start melting. There were a few folks who upgraded to billet wheels, but those seem to come with their own issues. The annealeze is fine for big cases, but the top load funnel design isn't conducive to using a case feeder, so you still have to stand there and feed it. Even with big cases (like 338 LM), there will eventually be enough heat transfer to force you to shut it off and cool down. Plus, I really don't want flame in the loading room.

 

[Kaldor]

I know a few guys that run them are are really happy with it. Its a big spend for sure, but long term its probably worth it.

Ill slink back to my corner with my old Annealeez now
I did find using the shortest wheel possible does help with the melting issue and Ive done plenty of runs in excess of a 1000 pieces.

 

[Soonerpesek]

What do you mean?

I was speaking of your entire operation.....sounds like you load ALOT of volume........
You don't have to post pics if you don't want.......I am impressed with the volumes you speak of......
Not trying to pry into your operation by any means.....

 

[EricBu]

I was speaking of your entire operation.....sounds like you load ALOT of volume........
You don't have to post pics if you don't want.......I am impressed with the volumes you speak of......
Not trying to pry into your operation by any means.....

Oh no, no worries, I just didn't understand what you meant. It's clear now;-) Yeah, the loading volume is fair to midlin'. I'll probably need to anneal somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 to 10K pieces of brass a month, not 100% sure on where I'll go after that. I keep meaning to take some fresh pics....

 

[Mark_Mark]

Some People reload,

BUT @EricBu RELOADS!!! X1,000 XP points

 

[Driftertank]

"Oh, it's just a midsize reloading operation...I just go through what most people shoot or load in their lifetime, every month..."

Lol

 

[jmorris]

This is one I built. It uses not only Dillon’s case collator but also their case feed conversion parts.



The machine is more versatile without the case feed though, can go from 17 Hornet to 50 BMG with only adjustments, no part change required.



It’s good for pretty high volume, I made a manifold for the torches so they run off a 20# tank vs the disposable 1lb tanks.

 

[EricBu]

This is one I built. It uses not only Dillon’s case collator but also their case feed conversion parts.



The machine is more versatile without the case feed though, can go from 17 Hornet to 50 BMG with only adjustments, no part change required.

View attachment 1109895

It’s good for pretty high volume, I made a manifold for the torches so they run off a 20# tank vs the disposable 1lb tanks.

Very nice!

 

[Varminterror]

I use a Dillon Collator to an AmpMate and AMP. Ridiculously happy with the set up, and wouldn’t ever go back. I’m buying a second to reduce my need to changeover between my match ammo and my other uses.

The hopper style torch annealers like the Giraud and Annealeez work well, but take longer to load and can’t hold as many as a Dillon Collator. I made a homemade Annie with a pass through coil to mount to a Giraud annealer as a feeder for a while, but loading the hopper still sucked.

If you melted wheels on the Annealeez, you should have bought aluminum wheels. I know a couple guys making them, if anyone is interested.

 

[EricBu]

I use a Dillon Collator to an AmpMate and AMP. Ridiculously happy with the set up, and wouldn’t ever go back. I’m buying a second to reduce my need to changeover between my match ammo and my other uses.

The hopper style torch annealers like the Giraud and Annealeez work well, but take longer to load and can’t hold as many as a Dillon Collator. I made a homemade Annie with a pass through coil to mount to a Giraud annealer as a feeder for a while, but loading the hopper still sucked.

If you melted wheels on the Annealeez, you should have bought aluminum wheels. I know a couple guys making them, if anyone is interested.

Good post, exactly what I'm looking to hear. Same feedback I'm getting elsewhere too.......the Amp/Amp Mate seems to be the way to go for automated annealing.

 

[Varminterror]

Good post, exactly what I'm looking to hear. Same feedback I'm getting elsewhere too.......the Amp/Amp Mate seems to be the way to go for automated annealing.

I use the Dillon feeder and AmpMate to trim brass on a Giraud power trimmer to automate that process as well. I still have to babysit the robots, but it seems any time I’m watching, they mind their manners and crank.

 

[EricBu]

I use the Dillon feeder and AmpMate to trim brass on a Giraud power trimmer to automate that process as well. I still have to babysit the robots, but it seems any time I’m watching, they mind their manners and crank.

That's pure genius right there. I've already invested heavily in trim dies and such for using the dillon trimmer on a press, or I'd probably look at that as well.

 

[markr6754]

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ert-a-new-2-in-1-annealer-prep-center.898646/
Purchased this in January...immediately melted the upper wheel. Manufacturer replaced wheel, then developed a new aluminum wheel, as well as redesigning the torch holder. This machine is the cat's meow for lower cost, high volume annealing, with the added benefit of a case prep center. Aside from a case trimmer, this has everything a reloader like me needs for rifle cases. As you, I started with .300 AAC Blackout, which is why I melted the upper wheel (actually set it on fire). However, prior to receiving the replacement, and then the aluminum wheels the designer made a video to show me how to PROPERLY set the torch and flame for short cases. I never had another issue.

 

[lightman]

I have a Giraud machine. I can load it and do another task while it works. I do stay in the room while its running but I often trim cases or do other non powder related task.

 

[Shrinkmd]

I am also interested in the AMP Mark II machine. I am shooting some mixed brass, as well as some batches with the same headstamp. I’m curious if the AZTEC program would be useful, or if there’s a setting which would be good enough for a mixed batch. I plan on getting some starline and being more uniform in the future, but for now I want to extend life and accuracy of my batches of LC, Win NT, and PPU 07 brass. I’m also wondering about how that machine would handle a truly mixed batch.

 

[chevrofreak]

https://youtube.com/shorts/FbfpcCuAYA8?feature=share


That is my setup. I just let it run while I do other things. It has an error ejecting a case from time to time, but it doesn't harm anything when it happens. I have run AZTEC on many different head stamps of 5.56 and .223 cases and nearly every one of them had the same code, so I anneal everything in one big batch. I like this so much that I donated my Annealeez to Johnny's Reloading Bench.

 

[EricBu]

https://youtube.com/shorts/FbfpcCuAYA8?feature=share


That is my setup. I just let it run while I do other things. It has an error ejecting a case from time to time, but it doesn't harm anything when it happens. I have run AZTEC on many different head stamps of 5.56 and .223 cases and nearly every one of them had the same code, so I anneal everything in one big batch. I like this so much that I donated my Annealeez to Johnny's Reloading Bench.

Very nice!

 

[Shrinkmd]

https://youtube.com/shorts/FbfpcCuAYA8?feature=share


That is my setup. I just let it run while I do other things. It has an error ejecting a case from time to time, but it doesn't harm anything when it happens. I have run AZTEC on many different head stamps of 5.56 and .223 cases and nearly every one of them had the same code, so I anneal everything in one big batch. I like this so much that I donated my Annealeez to Johnny's Reloading Bench.

I would love to be able to do that! What have you noticed as far as case life and accuracy? I was shooting some 6x or 7x brass the other day and I was concerned I forgot how to shoot. Then I lit off some 1x of the exact same load, and all was well again!

I also heard back in email from Alex at AMP, and of course he said there is no "generic range brass" setting for their machine. So of course, this begs the question of how on earth do people ever anneal anything safely using a flame or the various rotary machines, without either wasting their time, making it worse, or totally ruining their brass???

 

[chevrofreak]

I would love to be able to do that! What have you noticed as far as case life and accuracy? I was shooting some 6x or 7x brass the other day and I was concerned I forgot how to shoot. Then I lit off some 1x of the exact same load, and all was well again!

I definitely have less split necks. As for accuracy, I did an experiment where I fired a 10 shot group of brand new virgin Nammo Tactical brass that was a bit over 1 MOA.




I then fired a group of 16 different headstamps with a mixed number of reloads, which had been annealed before every sizing, and using the same load as the brand new brass. The group was maybe 20% bigger overall.



How much did the annealing affect this? Who knows.

 

[Shrinkmd]

I am getting ready to take the plunge, I am debating just getting the machine to practice on a smaller batch of 100 cases, or if I should just go whole hog and get the amp mate and stand, from the beginning. From everything I have read, and my own experiences with flyers, split necks, and the benefit of shooting better bullets, I think I'm at the stage in my shooting that I can benefit from more consistent, higher quality ammo. That day at the range was an eye opener, I thought I "forgot" how to shoot, and then once I changed ammo, it was like putting your glasses on and being able to see again.

I am also beginning to understand that old saw that "only accurate rifles are interesting"

Crazy sport we signed up for!

 

[JSneezy]

What do you mean? To clarify, with a short case, like 300 BLK, you can't do more than a hundred before the annealeze get's so hot the wheels start melting. There were a few folks who upgraded to billet wheels, but those seem to come with their own issues. The annealeze is fine for big cases, but the top load funnel design isn't conducive to using a case feeder, so you still have to stand there and feed it. Even with big cases (like 338 LM), there will eventually be enough heat transfer to force you to shut it off and cool down. Plus, I really don't want flame in the loading room.

The issue of melting wheels on most of the annealers on the market is the reason I went with the Ugly Annealer. I've had no issues with it that weren't from my own doing, but I've also only run about 1500 pieces of brass on it so far, between 300blk, .223/5.56, and 7.62x54R.

 

[EricBu]

The issue of melting wheels on most of the annealers on the market is the reason I went with the Ugly Annealer. I've had no issues with it that weren't from my own doing, but I've also only run about 1500 pieces of brass on it so far, between 300blk, .223/5.56, and 7.62x54R.

First I've seen of that one, looks interesting. I'm pretty fixed on using induction heating and no gas if possible though. But I will research this one more.