You will know if you need to anneal. At first the bullet will seat like you are putting it in butter then it will begin to take more effort. Once that effort increases, pressure starts to increase. The brass becomes "spring like" and will not size as easily having to increase handle force.

Hunters will rarely use their brass enough to make brass harden and then will buy new brass. Guys who wear out barrel use brass up. 70 rounds a weekend plus practice and rechecking loads as the throat moves. So pay attention to how much effort it takes to size brass and seat a bullet.

If you want to compete in Fclass or XTC or PRS at any level of success you might as well because everyone who competing against you and is reloading is most likely doing it.

Yobuck, Franks 2010 record at Williamsport in light gun was shot with his Dasher rifle having only one hundred rounds previously fired with it. Most likely whoever fire formed his brass annealed it, and if it was given to him, the maker annealed it. Also, every piece of brass you have ever bought was annealed at the factory.

If you want to know what guys like Frank or his son scott are doing to their brass, Go to accurate shooter and read the main message boards in the forum. It is a forum where serious BR and Fclass competitors hang out.