Question on annealing brass

[Henry Shooter]

I annealed my first batch of 308 and 338 LM brass. I used 650 degree Templaq brushed on the inside of the neck then heated using a propane torch. The Templaq didn't vaporize but dried out and clumped. It's an older bottle 2 y/o, I would like to know if Templaq goes bad?

I held the brass in bare hands and when it was hot I dropped into water to cool.

Looking for advice.
Thanks

[krwada]

Tempilaq does not go bad. At the neck, the proper temperature is 750 degrees F.

I have no clue as to how you managed to hold on to the HOT brass with your bare hands while heating the thing with a torch ... without getting 3rd degree burns!

Also; You can use acetone to thin Tempilaq. You only need a couple of drops per bottle to get the stuff properly mixed.

[baih777]

no way you got the brass hot enough if you were holding it with bare hands.

[buffybuster]

no way you got the brass hot enough if you were holding it with bare hands.

IME You can get the neck of .308Win brass dull red, before the casehead gets too hot to hold with bare fingers. Takes about 7-8 seconds. Which is much hotter than it needs to be to anneal.

[baih777]

Drill and deep socket sounds a lot better to me.

[Henry Shooter]

Thanks for the info. Good stuff. I considered the drill and socket. I'll do that. The lapua brass costs a bunch didn't want to over heat it.

Thanks again guys. Got some brass to redo.

[gunboat]

If you are young and quick the hand held method is good --
I ain't either :-) -- You let go before case head gets too hot --
Well, most folks do - Not the best method with a short case -

Consider another method of placing cases upright in a shallow pan of water. When case mouth is hot enough tip case into water.

[Henry Shooter]

Gunboat. Good idea. My old Navy MM hands used to be able to handle heat. Not as tough today.
Thanks.