The Art of Annealing: A Quick Start Guide (AMP Mark II DB)

At Ultimate Reloader, we’re passionate about annealing and its benefits for brass longevity and ammunition consistency. If you’ve been curious about getting started with annealing, this guide will walk you through the essential details, setup process, and frequently asked questions.

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Why Anneal Your Brass?

Annealing is a crucial step in maintaining the integrity of your brass and improving overall performance. Here are the top reasons to incorporate annealing into your process:

  1. Prolong Brass Life: Each firing and resizing cycle hardens your brass, making it brittle over time. Annealing restores optimal hardness, preventing issues like case neck splits and case head separations.
  2. Enhance Consistency and Accuracy: Properly-annealed brass minimizes velocity variation, reducing extreme spreads and standard deviations. This translates to tighter groups and improved long-range precision.
  3. Achieve Consistent Shoulder Bump: Softened brass post-annealing results in less spring back, making die setup easier and more consistent. This ensures precise shoulder bump adjustments for better sizing outcomes.

Types of Annealing Equipment

There are two primary methods for annealing brass:

  1. Flame Annealing: While effective, flame annealing requires careful setup and safety precautions due to its open flame.
  2. Induction Annealing: Utilizing advanced technology, induction annealing is precise and efficient. Machines like the Annealing Made Perfect (AMP) series use software to analyze and determine the optimal settings for your brass.

At Ultimate Reloader, we rely exclusively on AMP induction annealers for their accuracy and reliability.

Getting Started with Annealing

Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up and using an AMP Mark II for .308 Winchester brass:

  1. Prepare Your Materials
    • Clean brass.
    • Appropriate pilot for your cartridge (e.g., Pilot #11 for .308 Winchester).
    • Shell holder and grip for safe handling.
  2. Analyze Your Brass
    • Insert a sacrificial case to determine its properties. The machine will calculate the ideal annealing setting using its proprietary Aztec software.
  3. Start Annealing
    • Place each case in the machine and initiate the process. For larger batches, enable automatic mode for efficiency.
  4. Cool and Process
    • Allow the annealed brass to cool before lubing and resizing.

For fully automated annealing, consider adding the AMP Mate to streamline the process further.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Don’t My Cases Show Heat Discoloration?

Heat marks are purely cosmetic and not indicative of proper annealing. Your brass can be fully annealed without visible discoloration.

Should I Anneal Before or After Resizing?

Always anneal before resizing to ensure consistent shoulder bump and prevent working hardened brass.

Does Wet Tumbling Harden Brass?

No, wet tumbling with stainless steel media does not harden brass.

Do I Need to Adjust My Sizing Die After Annealing?

Yes, check and potentially adjust your die settings since annealed brass experiences less spring back. Use a comparator tool to ensure precise shoulder bump.

Can Nickel Cases Be Annealed?

Yes, nickel-plated brass can be annealed. Reanalyze cases with an AMP machine if switching to nickel.

Is It Safe to Re-Anneal Brass?

Re-annealing does not negatively affect the brass. You can safely anneal a case multiple times.

Will Annealing Prevent Case Neck Splits?

Yes, annealing significantly reduces case neck splitting by restoring proper brass hardness and extending its lifespan.

Join the Conversation

Have additional questions? Leave a comment on our video or visit the Annealing Made Perfect website for more information. Let’s work together to perfect your annealing process and elevate your reloading game.

Mastering annealing takes practice, but the results are well worth the effort. Thank you for watching and happy reloading!

Get the Gear

AMP Mark II DB Annealer

AMP Mate

AMP Press

Alpha Munitions Brass

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Thanks,
Gavin Gear

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