Thread: Annealing questions

Originally Posted by ebf

Hamish, extended brass life is a side-benefit for me. The primary reason I do it is to get consistent neck tension. But I shoot a LOT and get thru my brass reasonably quickly. After about 4-5 firings I can start to feel a difference in the force required to seat projectiles. It's a bit hard to explain, but I do seating by feel - my brass is extremely carefully turned and prepped. K&N make a great little arbor press with a force gauge on it - very high on my wish list. That would be a lot more scientific way of measuring when the necks become case hardened.

Secrets of the Houston Warehouse

Suggesting neck tension is actually pretty important, more important than generally accepted, maybe a lot more.

"Virgil continued: “You can change the powder charge slightly, and it won’t really make any difference, but if you change the bullet seating depth or the grip on the bullet, you’re going to see bad things happen fast.”"

In terms of hand v machine, generally I think its quite amazing how a person can train themselves to beat machines/tools. On that front it seems you need to be hand seating and not buying a fancy K&N tool. :p