Thread: Projectile annealing

Thought i'd start a new thread on the topic of Projectile annealing. I'm looking to reload with 150gr SSTs in .270win, covered in another thread, Thanks Kurlyman. Annealing was brought up in the thread a number of times so it was suggested to start a new one.

Nathan Foster recommends to anneal the projectile, he does with a couple of other different calibres' too.

I'm keen to hear peoples experience with this and if any budding metallurgists out there want to offer some technical considerations for and against.

Keep it clean

Straight up. Its a load of shit.

yes, a great topic. I have annealed the 150 SST as per the Fosters instructions. No idea if it makes a difference as have not shot enough deer with it. In fact now using a different projectile, but would likely go back to the 150 SST (if I stick with .270 in the long term).

Total waste of time, with out some very high tech equipment to test the hardness of the copper jacket how do you know you got it right,
it takes a temperature of 650 to 750 degrees Fahrenheit to anneal copper, lead melts at 650F,
Why would you want to make SST's softer they are designed as long range hunt projectiles, if hunting at close range they are varmint bullets

Originally Posted by shooternz

Total waste of time, with out some very high tech equipment to test the hardness of the copper jacket how do you know you got it right,
it takes a temperature of 650 to 750 degrees Fahrenheit to anneal copper, lead melts at 650F,
Why would you want to make SST's softer they are designed as long range hunt projectiles, if hunting at close range they are varmint bullets

Total waste of time like a lot of his shit except the stuff he has perhaps copied from other sources.

Just use the right projectile in stead of fuking around trying to make something into something it was never designed to be

I think I read somewhere that Hornady recommend annealing their A-max projectiles

Now that will melt your plastic tip!!! Careful or Hornady will change the sst as well

Originally Posted by zimmer

Total waste of time like a lot of his shit except the stuff he has perhaps copied from other sources.

Big call!

Originally Posted by bully

Big call!

Yeah, probably a bit unfair as most stuff published/written nowadays is not original, including most of our comments on forums.

I see there is also a need to "anneal" VLD Bergers.....

Originally Posted by Tahr

Straight up. Its a load of shit.

Fucken EH!

Annealing with a candle...fill up the glass BBQ again..jeezus!

Originally Posted by i41do2

Thought i'd start a new thread on the topic of Projectile annealing. I'm looking to reload with 150gr SSTs in .270win, covered in another thread, Thanks Kurlyman. Annealing was brought up in the thread a number of times so it was suggested to start a new one.

Nathan Foster recommends to anneal the projectile, he does with a couple of other different calibres' too.

I'm keen to hear peoples experience with this and if any budding metallurgists out there want to offer some technical considerations for and against.

Keep it clean

If this is true and it is advocated by that dude then he deserves the FITH title of the 21st Century. He wrote some absolute bs about a calibre he knew nothing about i.e. 223WSSM but this takes the cake.

Horseshit!

So much strong feeling from everyone!

Bear in mind though that shooters have been modifying bullets for specific purposes that differ from the original for as long as a need existed. These customisations are often ones that might be uneconomic to apply by the manufacturers.

Now I can't comment on the Hornady SST as I haven't used these recently, and annealing bullets with plastic tips sounds.... well, somewhat problematic. What I can say is that Berger bullets shoot with consistent accuracy in my long range rifle, and if I can apply an otherwise uneconomic customising process to these that enhances their ability to fragment at lower impact velocities and/or with less resistance - that will extend their usable range for killing shots on game - then that sounds fine to me.

If Nathan Foster - a person who shoots far more heads of game than myself - advises that annealing of tips on Berger bullets will achieve this, then by all means let the naysayers bring some contrary information to the table.

Originally Posted by shooternz

Total waste of time, with out some very high tech equipment to test the hardness of the copper jacket how do you know you got it right,
it takes a temperature of 650 to 750 degrees Fahrenheit to anneal copper, lead melts at 650F,
Why would you want to make SST's softer they are designed as long range hunt projectiles, if hunting at close range they are varmint bullets

Like this @Puffin