ot- anealing brass

[Rusty]

I have some 9.3X74R I need to blow out to make 3" .410 brass shells.
I read that I need to aneal the brass to make it easier to blow out. I'm thinking about 10 seconds in a molten lead pot should do it. What say ye?

[Tycer]

That's it. Looking forward to range reports.

[Ben_Rumson]

That'll do it .. and that would be the max time...then drop them in water...Before you dip you want to be sure to dip the area to be annealed in any kind of oil to insure the lead doesn't solder to the case. The zone to be annealed can be controlled fairly precisely if the UNPRIMED case is held in pliers so the base is flush with the top edge of the pliers... with the pliers resting on the rim of the pot...the level of the melt adjusted to the correct depth to apply to the needed zone. Keep the water well away from the pot..

[HEAD0001]

I thought using pliers was a no-no when annealing brass in a molten lead pot?? I thought you were suppose to hold it with your fingers, and when the brass was too hot to hold it was annealed?? And when you used pliers you were taking a big chance of also annealing the web-which you are not suppose to do?? Especially long brass like the OP is talking about?? Tom.

[Hobie]

On a big case I hold the case by the rim and heat the area to be annealed with the torch. When the case is too hot to handle I drop it in the bucket of water. Works a treat PLUS I don't have water drops coming near molten lead.

[Ben_Rumson]

HEAD0001 I’ve read that advice too, but it was always when using a torch.. I doubt there’s many fingers that can stand being close enough to the melt long enough for a case to have time to anneal..

[rogn]

Best way Ive found is to use a propane torch, in a dark corner. Hold the case with fingers as a safety measure(except short little ones like 45 LC, heat to a dull red while rotating the case and drop immediately into a container of cold water. Forget any"cherryred", when you hit that especially in normal lighting, youve overheated the cases already. 45-70 sized cases should run at about 100 in 20 min. 45 colt, youve got to use pliers or single your fingers. Takes abit longer with the short caaes and pliers. Acetylene torches can be used also, but use a "soft" flame, and turn the cases as you heat them. Faster with the acetylene, as the flame is consideably hotter.

[kimwcook]

I do it pretty much the same as rogn with the propane and water. It's easy.