which annealer?

[geargrinder]

http://ballisticrecreations.ca/salt_home/salt-bath-annealing-kit-rev/

Here's an option my gunsmith sent me the link to. He was impressed with how well it works and he knows his stuff

I use a molten salt setup for my annealing. Rigged up my own plate setup for my Lee lead melter. Got the Potassium Nitrate from Amazon. Have less than $65 in my whole setup.

 

[Canhunter35]

I use a molten salt setup for my annealing. Rigged up my own plate setup for my Lee lead melter. Got the Potassium Nitrate from Amazon. Have less than $65 in my whole setup.

So basically the same thing only you rigged it up yourself?
Do you like the results?

 

[geargrinder]

So basically the same thing only you rigged it up yourself?
Do you like the results?

Yes, I saw the concept several years ago and decided to give it a try.
I found a cheap pot and thermometer on ebay. Stump remover (potasium nitrate) on Amazon. Some scap sheet metal and screws in my workshop.

The first time I melted the salt it kind of made a mess. It didn't want to melt evenly and foamed up a bit. I also fiddled with it too much. I should have only filled it half way and let it melt completely, then add a little at a time until full.

I have two sets of holes in mine. One for small diameter cases, and another for standard and magnum.

It takes a little bit to work out the timing. Once you do, that's how you control the amount of annealing.

 

[ppoole]

I just bought the setup from ballistic recreations and I have played with it just not shot the ammo yet. Seems better than the flame and socket and all the others I have tried. The amp is a little out of my price range, I'm in the process of starting a build now so that money is spoken for.

 

[Deputy819]

It takes a little bit to work out the timing. Once you do, that's how you control the amount of annealing.

Bringing up an older thread. I just ordered the kit from Ballistic Recreations as well and will be using a Lee melter. Have watched literally hours of video on this annealing concept and it seems to be consistent and controllable. Geargrinder, are you using a metronome (or some form of an App) to keep time and have you noticed any negative effects on your brass from the salts?

 

[geargrinder]

No, I just adjust my pace to control the timing. Put one in, take one out, drop it in the water bucket....repeat.

I think that it also helps that I anneal after every firing. I may not be getting a full anneal, but I'm at least getting enough softening to make sizing easy and protect the necks from splitting.

No negative effects that I have noticed.

 

[ehryk]

I bought the Giraud annealer and I love it. I pit the wheels on, set the heat and speed, confirm with a case that has tempilaq 750 and 800 (750 melts, 800 doesn't), load the hopper and drop into a roaster pan full of water and walk away. Well, not REALLY walk away, but you get the idea heheheh

 

[bob4]

I only used my Annealeez twice now but it's simple enough to use. May take a few more minutes to set up for a batch than the amp but for about 700 less I can afford a few more minutes. Did a small batch of 30 for a friend yesterday and I was done in 20 minutes or so. If it was a batch of 100 probably wouldn't of taken 10 minutes longer.

 

[cowboybart]

Bringing this back up, as I am now looking for an EASY and Quick way to anneal.

 

[338 dude]

Yes the amp is expensive but so is that scope you just purchased that stock for your Custom Rifle this sport is not cheap,but beyond sport what about safety?I have used flame annealers they were always getting out of adjustment could never keep the flame steady. I've never used a salt bath annealing but if you're worried about a flame burning your house down I don't think molten salt is much safer .spend the money rest easy don't worry about what might happen inside your house.

 

[morgaj1]

I have used multiple methods and finally bought the Amp. It is expensive but worth the money.

 

[nksmfamjp]

I don't know if it would be worth it to pony up and buy an AMP or go with a cheaper option??

I am standing by waiting to hear the logical explanation why the $1000 + AMP is exponentially better on target than the $300 Annealeez.

 

[morgaj1]

I am standing by waiting to hear the logical explanation why the $1000 + AMP is exponentially better on target than the $300 Annealeez.

As with everything we discuss, it's about personal preference. The only place I have to anneal Is indoors in my reloading room. I prefer not to have an open flame in there. In my opinion, any of the methods work fine, just which one you prefer and can afford.

 

[QuietTexan]

I am standing by waiting to hear the logical explanation why the $1000 + AMP is exponentially better on target than the $300 Annealeez.

All their research is posted on their website. It's up to you to decide if you want to believe it or not. There are also examples of home built induction annealers that work off the same principle and produce similar results for a lower cost if someone wants to build it on their own. Personally the lack of an open flame, lack of a pot of molten salt, lack of any setup time, lack of any calibration required, lack of a fuel source requirement, and ease of switching between cartridges made it easy for me to decide to buy an AMP.

One method or machine isn't necessarily "better" than another, it's a different mousetrap with different benefits and drawbacks.

Same logic as deciding which scope (which cost 3-5x more than an AMP) you want. Reticle, magnification, internal adjustment, glass, etc. The only way "better" enters is based on the goal set of the end user, which obviously varies.