Precision rifle loading, process question (not processing)

[17+1]

I have read that neck tension is much more uniform if you anneal after each firing, and i have read that guys are getting 40 firings out of doing so.

I figure if i have the machine, this seems like a worthwhile step.

[divingin]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RCBS-Charge...-/192463548196

It works.

You will still throw over 0.3. Just less often.

Yup. I have one. I currently have the straw method in use. I will say that either the straw or the reducer helps, but doesn't, IMO, make the CM "consistent".

[Tommy Gun]

Your process is same as mine. First word in your thread title says it all. If you don't care about consistency then ya just get a powder thrower and get it close and charge away. But precision costs time.

[divingin]

I do have an annealer.
I would not run my brass through it more than every 3 firings.
Even 5 firings would be fine.
If you are using bushing dies, you are just not working the brass enough for it to work harden enough to justify annealing.
I went 12 firings on Winchester brass without ever annealing and the necks never split.

I notice soot on the shoulders of my 6mm BR cases after about 2 -3 firings after annealing. I am, however, running nowhere-near-max charges. The first firing after annealing shows the typical sine wave soot pattern on the neck only.

Just my observation.

[Whiterabbit]

I do have an annealer.
I would not run my brass through it more than every 3 firings.
Even 5 firings would be fine.
If you are using bushing dies, you are just not working the brass enough for it to work harden enough to justify annealing.
I went 12 firings on Winchester brass without ever annealing and the necks never split.
The primer pockets got loose first.
The neck tension stayed consistent and I know that as I seat with an arbor press.
You can REALLY feel the differences in neck tension when you seat with an arbor press.

Have you ever performed a single variable test for neck tension vs velocity, or tension vs velocity spread? Can you quantify a level of neck tension needed for a certain level of velocity shift?

(in the same way I can quantify a level of charge weight or case capacity to an amount of velocity shift, no matter how small or large)

Asking for one of our own. Want to know if I can use annealing to affect velocity (through affecting neck tension). And I mean that in a quantitative way, to measure how much benefit I really get.

[waveslayer]

I run 2 RCBS Chargemasters. Speed up my process by cutting half the time down to dispense powder.

On annealing there is some studies done by Litz on this... very interesting.

On a .308 every 2-3 firings is fine. I annealed every 2-3 on my big bore stuff.

Annealing made EZ is what you should be saving for

My wife thinks I only have 3 guns

[ar15barrels]

Have you ever performed a single variable test for neck tension vs velocity, or tension vs velocity spread? Can you quantify a level of neck tension needed for a certain level of velocity shift?

(in the same way I can quantify a level of charge weight or case capacity to an amount of velocity shift, no matter how small or large)

Asking for one of our own. Want to know if I can use annealing to affect velocity (through affecting neck tension). And I mean that in a quantitative way, to measure how much benefit I really get.

I seat with hand dies and you can definitely tell when the bullet seating tension is higher or lower then normal.
I set those rounds aside for positional shooting and keep the ones that feel most consistent for longrange prone use.
My 1000yd waterline is usually around 3" tall so I am not getting enough velocity variation to warrant the extra work of annealing all the time nor can I even tell a difference on target when I anneal.