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Posted: 7/12/2026 12:02:08 AM EDT
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I’m looking for a new annealer. I do not shoot competition, looking to anneal before and after sizing wildcats. I am looking at an AGS annealer, not sure I want to pay for an Amp I’m looking for any feed back on an AGS. |
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https://agscustomparts.com/?v=d1e7fd6e6a2a Here's the link if you are like me and never heard of this annealer. I watched the video to see how cases were fed. It's manual but so easy. It certainly look good, and the price isn't bad. Hope someone checks in with a review. |
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Shooting and Reloading, one hobby feeds the other.
Shooting and Reloading, one hobby feeds the other.
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The issue I'd have with this annealer is the case isn't spun during the annealing process. There's another carousel type annealer out there that's been around for a long time that uses 2 torches pointed at the case from opposite sides to address the issue. An auto feed annealer spins the case during annealing to assure equal heat distribution around the case. Annealeez is about the same price and it has an auto feed hopper and spins the case. There's others out there at about the same price point as well. Is there a particular reason your considering the AGS unit? |
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Ive owned an Annealeez, and while they are good units, I had some issues with long magnum brass like 300 PRC not spinning uniformly. I bought an AGS, and I run dual torches. I will say with no hesitation its a good, fast and consistent unit. I even spend a bunch of time setting mine up to case fed. Its has zero issues from anything from 223 to 300 PRC in my testing. A short video on general thoughts and how I set it up  Automating an AGS Annealer |
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Originally Posted By Blowout: The issue I'd have with this annealer is the case isn't spun during the annealing process. There's another carousel type annealer out there that's been around for a long time that uses 2 torches pointed at the case from opposite sides to address the issue. I wondered about that, too. However, if you look carefully at the video, you will see the case is spinning while in the flame. After the prescribed time, it gets pushed out of the flame. The things I was unsure about is they show two torch holders in some images but only one in the video. The video also has some sort of holder with TWO holes in it, neither of which gets used. |
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Originally Posted By Trollslayer: I wondered about that, too. However, if you look carefully at the video, you will see the case is spinning while in the flame. After the prescribed time, it gets pushed out of the flame. The things I was unsure about is they show two torch holders in some images but only one in the video. The video also has some sort of holder with TWO holes in it, neither of which gets used. The 3rd hole is in case you want to set it up to mark brass. Not sure how much its used outside marking brass for competition as alot of guys are shooting the same caliber, so they will add stripes to their brass so they know which is theirs. I have this piece, but Ive never used it. The annealer works fine with 1 or 2 torches. I do believe when I ordered mine a couple years ago, you could order with 1 or 2 torch mounts. Now I think they all come with 2. |
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Originally Posted By Trollslayer: I wondered about that, too. However, if you look carefully at the video, you will see the case is spinning while in the flame. After the prescribed time, it gets pushed out of the flame. The things I was unsure about is they show two torch holders in some images but only one in the video. The video also has some sort of holder with TWO holes in it, neither of which gets used. |
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Originally Posted By Blowout: The issue I'd have with this annealer is the case isn't spun during the annealing process. There's another carousel type annealer out there that's been around for a long time that uses 2 torches pointed at the case from opposite sides to address the issue. An auto feed annealer spins the case during annealing to assure equal heat distribution around the case. Annealeez is about the same price and it has an auto feed hopper and spins the case. There's others out there at about the same price point as well. Is there a particular reason your considering the AGS unit? No reason I’m considering the AGS over the others. I’m just reviewing all options before I buy. I shoot a good number of “ wildcats” that I need to form, so want to anneal before running through sizing dies. Will also re-anneal when formed. I no longer am interested in competitive shooting, so, at this time, I’m not sure I want to spend for an AMP. I want something well built and functional from 17/556 to 50 bmg. My next project is converting 1000 pieces of star line 458 Socom brass to 358 and 375 Socom brass. Then need to make 2-3000 556 to 17/556. I believe, the annealer, will save me frustration and money when making may different wildcats |
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Originally Posted By Yaguar: No reason I'm considering the AGS over the others. I'm just reviewing all options before I buy. I shoot a good number of " wildcats" that I need to form, so want to anneal before running through sizing dies. Will also re-anneal when formed. I no longer am interested in competitive shooting, so, at this time, I'm not sure I want to spend for an AMP. I want something well built and functional from 17/556 to 50 bmg. My next project is converting 1000 pieces of star line 458 Socom brass to 358 and 375 Socom brass. Then need to make 2-3000 556 to 17/556. I believe, the annealer, will save me frustration and money when making may different wildcats Found confirmation the case is turned during the annealing process. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By acman145acp: You definitely need to talk with Kaldor That kind of volume you are going to want a case feed. I have an aneleez and it works fine for my uses.. For what you are wanting to do the ags with a casefeed looks like it would be a better option. AGS is going to be offering a case fed version of their annealer in the near future that doesnt use the bushings and it appears the drop tubes are going to be aluminum. Talked with Stefan (owner of AGS) via email a couple of years ago about some hurdles I faced when I 3d printed mine. It appears he solved the needing to use bushings and the plastic parts needing a big ass heat shield which were the worst parts of my setup. Not that Im going to run out and buy one, but Im glad hes got it working even if it costs an extra $50 or $100 because nobody is really offering a case fed dual torch annealer that can handle just about anything you want to throw at it. The weaknesses for mine? You have to have a 3d printer, you have to have the ability to design/modify some drop tubes, you have to use a heat shield, and you have to eff around cutting the bushings to make them work. I also do need to come back and reprint some of my drop tubes in a material other than PLA with a more heat resistant material because when Ive run say a 1000 pieces of brass the heat soak eventually does start to make the drop tubes soft which is less than great. Right now I still run mine with my Hornady case feeder, but will be making at adapter for my Dillon case feeder as my LnL AP is sold, just waiting on my buddy to come pick it up. Vid from Shot Show 2026  AGS Annealer Version 5 SELF FEEDING |
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Originally Posted By dryflash3: Thanks for posting that video, very interesting. Yup, he definitely nailed the issues I talked with him about with that design. The sliding plate on the top of the feed plate is a good idea, and I briefly considered that, but there is a lack of space on the top of the older units with 10 holes in them which is why he went to 8 holes if I was a betting man. I also considered making plates that sat on the top of mine, and just locating them on the drive pins, but I didnt feel like having to have a handful of plates cut from some thin sheet stock to make it work. Little did I know after messing about with the inserts, it would have probably been easier to just have the plates cut and pay the bill. He also doesnt elaborate on how the case feed works, but if I were to take a guess, its just an adjustable sliding piece to allow for various types of brass. |
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I sent AGS an email yesterday asking about release date for version 5. This am I got a return email from Stefan. Hi Yaguar we are awaiting arrival of electronics for V5, it should be with us shortly, and once we have them we will star accepting orders. Thank you Stefan I think the version 5 with the adjustable plate , a case feeder, and two torch heads will fit my needs. I will order when they are released. |
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I am seeing annealers for $230 on Amazon. They include case feeders AND a five station case prep center, all for $230. Without a case feeder, this AGS is at a bit of a capabilities disadvantage, no? With a case feeder, the price will likely be higher than it is now. The AGS does look like a nice unit, that's for sure. |
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I can't comment on if dual torch is better or not. To me, the single torch approach still bathes the neck in flame, and in what little I can tell, there isn't an imbalanced degree of annealing with single torch. Dual torch likely is faster, but if it doesn't have a case feeder, I'm not sure that really is any advantage. Maybe. I have purposely tried to time it and test if the anneal marks are imbalanced or non-uniform, and never been able to show that with a single flame. I'm happy with the common single flame results. I'm happy with my single flame annealer, and here are a couple videos of the UGLY in operation. I'm not a fan of Annealeez, their rotator system isn't that great. UGLY is much better and more reliable and heat tolerant. Ugly uses rough texture metal, which is both more reliable, but also safer. As that is a heat sink for the case body, preventing excess annealing heat from propagating too far down the body in the event of a mishap. They don't advertise that, but that's my own thought at least. https://rumble.com/v74z3aq-annealing-.223-uaing-an-ugly-annealer.html https://rumble.com/v750qjm-6.5-cm-annealing-run.html You can see I those clips that the flame immersion and rotation. Is pretty good. Can't say much on The AGS version. |
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Originally Posted By Yaguar: looking to anneal before and after sizing wildcats. Hey Yaguar, just curious as to your why regarding the "before and after sizing" - mainly the after sizing part. I see you mentioned a specific annealer that I have no experience with, but for what it is worth, I really like the Annealeez annealers. |
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Originally Posted By Trollslayer: I read "forming" as meaning after fire forming (or after the first firing). Originally Posted By Trollslayer: Originally Posted By RWEIII: Hey Yaguar, just curious as to your why regarding the "before and after sizing" - mainly the after sizing part. I read "forming" as meaning after fire forming (or after the first firing). Some I fire form, such as the 257 Robert’s and 25-06 AI. Others, such as the 358 Socom are multi step processes. I prefer to anneal before forming ,those that are formed, on the reloader, I want to make sure I’m not trying to form brittle or hardened brass. Then I like to anneal after the case is formed to offset and work hardening that may have occurred. Some of my rounds, such as the 8mm/06 AI are formed on bench and by fire forming. So, as a habit, I anneal before and after. I realize is probably over killer. This is just part of my hobby so it relaxes me. |
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Ran my AGS the first time today. I already had a long propane hose, used to attached a large bbq sized tank to a Mr Buddy Heater. So i clamped the torch head to the annealer, then ran the Mr Buddy Heater hose to my bbq propane tank. Used 650* tempilaq on the side of the case, as shown by Bench Source in their how-to videos. Side note: only two firings on lapua 6br cases and found one cracked neck while feeding cases into annealer. Seems odd to happen so soon. First rifle using lapua, used a lot of hornady cases in the past, never had a cracked neck, but lost primer pockets after 6 or so firings. |
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