An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for annealing an ammunition cartridge that include an inductive coil, the inductive coil substantially encompassing the sides of an annealing chamber, the inductive coil including a first portion comprising a first diameter and a second portion comprising a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. Apparatus, system and method may also include an insert, the insert encompassing the sides of the annealing chamber, and a cartridge case that is unevenly heated such that the cartridge case obtains at least a first hardness at a first location and a second hardness at a second location, the first hardness different from the second hardness.