Reloading EverythingMidSouth Shooters SupplyLoad DataInline Fabrication
Lee PrecisionTitan ReloadingWidenersRotoMetals2
Repackbox
Results 1 to 18 of 18

Thread: 45-70 Case Annealing

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Jan 2021
    Posts
    10

    45-70 Case Annealing

    Is it beneficial to anneal 45-70 cases? Will be shooting from only one rifle and not full sizing.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    May 2022
    Location
    MPLS
    Posts
    1,486
    Are you crimping the bullets in ?? I load single shot, same gun, do not size, index, bell only to get bullet bases in with out damage.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master Castaway's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Dade City, Fl
    Posts
    779
    If you’re moving the brass by neck sizing or even with gentle crimping, the brass is worked and eventually work hardened. Maybe not so much as could be but annealing will soften it again. I don’t size or crimp, but occasionally I’ll anneal. Maybe it’s not necessary, but on the other hand, some of the big boys anneal after each shooting

  4. #4
    Moderator


    Winger Ed.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Just outside Gun Barrel City, Texas
    Posts
    9,484
    If you'll be using the same case 4-5 times and roll crimp it-
    yeah, I'd anneal it to keep the mouth & sides from splitting like you see old .38Specials do.

    You could anneal it every time you load it, but you'd just be making extra work for yourself.
    I try to avoid that myself. I've found there is plenty of other people more than willing to do that for me.
    In school: We learn lessons, and are given tests.
    In life: We are given tests, and learn lessons.


    OK People. Enough of this idle chit-chat.
    This ain't your Grandma's sewing circle.
    EVERYONE!
    Back to your oars. The Captain wants to waterski.

  5. #5
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    AL
    Posts
    330
    Annealing will make it more consistent shot to shot. With the price of brass and availability of it I bought an annealer and will now make that a step in brass prep.

  6. #6
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Ga.
    Posts
    112
    I would not anneal every firing unless i was target shooting. Probably after three to five firings under ordinary circumstances .

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master


    stubshaft's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Southernmost State of the Union
    Posts
    5,854
    I usually anneal after every three firings. Annealing helps the case sal the chamber with lower power loads too.
    Old enough to know better, young enough to do it anyway!

    Men who don't understand women fall into two categories: bachelors and husbands!

  8. #8
    Banned

    Join Date
    Aug 2022
    Location
    Central Coast Oregon
    Posts
    59
    I've read enough on here and throughout other forums that annealing 45-70 cases has benefits, so I have been doing it after a few firings. Even not resizing and not crimping it has benefits of extending case life and consistent neck tension. Like many of the guys here, I don't resize and just load them back up, so i concur with tctender.

  9. #9
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Jan 2021
    Posts
    10
    Thanks for all the replies. I will go forward with trying to find a Bench Source Annealer. I will be also using for 308 and 223. From my searches this unit seems to handle the calibers I will be handling. Does anyone have any advice on annealers?

  10. #10
    Boolit Master


    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    southern MO
    Posts
    2,946
    Just a comment regarding the purchase of an annealer. This is just my personal way of annealing bottleneck rifle brass. I do it after every 3 or 4 loadings. I just use a cheap propane torch set up on a small bottle. I hold the brass with my bare thumb and forefinger. I put the junction of the neck and shoulder about 1 1/2" from the tip of the blue flame and begin rotating the case back and forth to a 10 count and then dunk it into a bucket with about 3-4 inches of cool water. I just dunk the case about 1/2 way into the water. I judge myself by the change in color of the shoulder after the process. I look for a blueish tint to the case at the neck/shoulder junction. After a few cases you will get the process down such that you are pretty consistent with it. Believe me you will be the first to know when you need to leave the flame by the heat generated in the case as it travels quickly up the case to your fingers. I count fairly fast when I'm doing the 1 to ten count! I use a hair dryer to make sure the cases are dry on the inside especially.
    Mark 5:34 And He said to her (Jesus speaking), "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction."

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    2,863
    I have a giraud annealer and an AMP annealer, they serve different purposes and I really like them both. Have run a lot of 223 and 308 through the Giraud, lots of smaller batches and straight-walled brass through the AMP. I don’t recall anyone having issues with a bench source. Order some tempilac.

  12. #12
    Boolit Grand Master



    M-Tecs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    9,452
    I have the benchsource and it does everything I need it to do. I recommend it but I have not used any of the other annealers in the same class.
    2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. - "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

    "Before you argue with someone, ask yourself, is that person even mentally mature enough to grasp the concept of different perspectives? Because if not, there’s absolutely no point."
    – Amber Veal

    "The Highest form of ignorance is when your reject something you don't know anything about".
    - Wayne Dyer

  13. #13
    Boolit Master Rapier's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Location
    NW Florida
    Posts
    1,452
    I do not anneal the 45-70 brass, when the primer pockets get loose, I toss the brass. I do not shoot light loads in my 98 Mousers.
    This is the 20" barrel hog and bear stomper.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 1DB294C7-93FB-4CF2-8A10-7C4ACA07858B.jpg  
    “There is a remedy for all things, save death.“
    Cervantes

    “Never give up, never quit.”
    Robert Rogers
    Roger’s Rangers

    There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.
    Will Rogers

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
    FredBuddy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    NC Ohio
    Posts
    541
    Friends:

    Any comments or tips on annealing
    nickle plated 45-70 brass ?

  15. #15
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Jan 2023
    Posts
    12
    There are many annealers out there, all with pros/cons. You have to think about what and how often you’re going to anneal. I’m a CAS shooter and I contacted Benchsource IRT .45C cases, they said they don’t recommend it on their machine, so basically that machine was no good for a good part of my annealing. There’s a new machine that came out recently “The Ugly Annealer”,https://www.uglyreloadingusa.com/. It looks like a modification of Annealeze machine.

    So, ask yourself: what calibers are you going to anneal, how often and how many cases will you anneal?

    I have an Annealeze, but I like the metal wheels of the Ugly Annealer.

  16. #16
    Boolit Man
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    Northern California, For now.
    Posts
    87
    My wife gave me the ugly annealer for christmas, I wonder how she knew...

  17. #17
    Boolit Master huntinlever's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    S. Central Wisconsin
    Posts
    1,196
    Quote Originally Posted by MSGuy View Post
    There are many annealers out there, all with pros/cons. You have to think about what and how often you’re going to anneal. I’m a CAS shooter and I contacted Benchsource IRT .45C cases, they said they don’t recommend it on their machine, so basically that machine was no good for a good part of my annealing. There’s a new machine that came out recently “The Ugly Annealer”,https://www.uglyreloadingusa.com/. It looks like a modification of Annealeze machine.

    So, ask yourself: what calibers are you going to anneal, how often and how many cases will you anneal?

    I have an Annealeze, but I like the metal wheels of the Ugly Annealer.
    Eventually, pretty certain it will be a .300-.338 WM, but for now, exclusively 45-70. That machine looks promising. Will give hand-annealing a try for now as I am only doing things in limited runs, but if I ever "kick in to high production" this unit will be shortlisted. Thanks.
    -Paul

  18. #18
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Gone
    Posts
    448
    Quote Originally Posted by MSGuy View Post
    There are many annealers out there, all with pros/cons. You have to think about what and how often you’re going to anneal. I’m a CAS shooter and I contacted Benchsource IRT .45C cases, they said they don’t recommend it on their machine, so basically that machine was no good for a good part of my annealing. There’s a new machine that came out recently “The Ugly Annealer”,https://www.uglyreloadingusa.com/. It looks like a modification of Annealeze machine.

    So, ask yourself: what calibers are you going to anneal, how often and how many cases will you anneal?

    I have an Annealeze, but I like the metal wheels of the Ugly Annealer.
    Yep, can see the advantage of the 'metal wheels' with the inserts! But, the Annealeze works great for me. The "socket, drill and benzomatic" was good in the short term but got old after awhile.
    West of Beaver Dick's Ferry.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check