Thanks a lot for the replies and advice. I have never heard of annealing brass until this thread, I learn more about reloading every day. I've been shooting my Krag a lot since I got it (50rds per month give or take) because I'm still enamored with it; eventually that will peter out. I don't have a torch although I'm guessing I could use one of those handheld ones. How long will the brass last if I don't anneal it, because in the longterm I don't see myself shooting my Krag very often.