Annealing Torture Test: Does Annealing Multiple Times Matter?

Published on July 16, 2025
Duration: 9:04

This video from Ultimate Reloader, hosted by F-class John, investigates the effects of annealing brass multiple times. The experiment anneals brass 1, 5, and 10 times to determine if repeated annealing impacts performance. The findings suggest that annealing brass more than once has a negligible effect on group size, velocities, standard deviation (SD), and extreme spread (ES), providing reassurance for reloaders who may accidentally anneal brass twice.

Quick Summary

Repeatedly annealing brass, even up to 10 times, does not harm its performance. Tests show negligible effects on group size, velocity, standard deviation, and extreme spread when done correctly with cooling periods. This provides reloaders comfort if brass is accidentally annealed twice.

Chapters

  1. 00:03Introduction: The Annealing Question
  2. 00:29Meet F-class John & The Test Setup
  3. 01:06Expert Opinion on Double Annealing
  4. 01:23The 1x, 5x, and 10x Annealing Plan
  5. 01:50Tools and Baselines for the Test
  6. 02:09Preparing Brass for Annealing
  7. 03:19Reloading Process: Sizing, Priming, Powder
  8. 03:50Bullet Selection and Round Assembly
  9. 04:00The Test Rifle: Custom 6.5 Creedmoor
  10. 05:35Test Results: Unfired Brass Data
  11. 06:17Test Results: Once Annealed Brass
  12. 06:39Test Results: Five Times Annealed Brass
  13. 07:09Test Results: Ten Times Annealed Brass
  14. 07:40Analysis: What the Data Shows
  15. 08:01Conclusion: Comfort for Reloaders
  16. 08:13Final Thoughts & Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

Does annealing brass multiple times harm it?

No, annealing brass multiple times, even up to 10 times, does not harm the brass if done correctly with proper cooling between cycles. Experts assure that repeated annealing has a negligible negative effect on performance metrics like group size, velocity, SD, and ES.

What are the effects of annealing brass 5 or 10 times?

Testing shows that annealing brass 5 times can actually improve performance, reducing group size and improving consistency. Annealing 10 times resulted in a slightly larger group size but still within acceptable reloading parameters, with minimal impact on velocity and spread.

What is the main concern when annealing brass?

The primary concern when annealing brass is over-annealing, which involves overheating or underheating the metal. The number of times brass is annealed, provided the correct settings and cooling procedures are followed, is not the main detrimental factor.

Can I reload brass that was accidentally annealed twice?

Yes, you can confidently reload brass that was accidentally annealed twice. The testing indicates that this does not negatively affect the brass's integrity or its shooting performance, providing peace of mind for reloaders.

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