+- (https://6mmarc.com)
+-- Forum: 6MMARC DISCUSSION (https://6mmarc.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Forum: 6mmARC Ammunition and Reloading (https://6mmarc.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=6)
+--- Thread: Newbie help (/showthread.php?tid=297)
Newbie help - Keycap - 04-15-2021
I am totally new to reloading. I was hoping someone could direct me to a comprehensive list of items needed to be able to operate a single stage co-ax and do all the case prep, etc..
Right now, I am browsing https://www.midwayusa.com/s?searchTerm=6mm+arc and I am seeing lots of different brands of dies. On snipershide, it seems that people lean towards lee's dies a little more than hornady?
Anyone willing to chime in on what a new guy will need?
For brass, I heard Lapua is the way to go. However, I don't know how to form it into 6mm ARC.
For powder, I am holding out for Leverevolution, if it's ever in stock.
For primers, what are people finding is the best nowadays?
I would love to use Berger 105s, but I worry about seating depth. Does anyone have a good match with a Berger round and a type of magazine that allows for a little longer COAL?
Thanks!
RE: Newbie help - grayfox - 04-15-2021
First, 2 or 3 reloading books. They will also give you a tutorial in reloading.
2, stay away from Lee, use Hornady or Rcbs dies... there are some more expensive but these 2 work.
3, 6mm Arc brass would be first choice, esp since you are new.
4, Any Berger that is strictly Vld will be hard to do b/c it is so long, needs to be up close to lands and you rifle will be mag length limited. Hybrid or classic ogive, probably ok. Normal max seating length will be 2.260 but several bullets need to be shorter, you will want headspace and OAL comparators and modified case to check this for each bullet type, the seating length to the lands (so you can stay short of that limit).
5, Primers, use small rifle, mag or AR rated ones, like cci #41, cci450, Fed 205AR (I'm assuming you will use these in an AR). Never use Rem 6 1/2.
6. Other things, a nice caliper, case tray(s) for holding your cases, lube (like Hornady one shot), primer tool,
RE: Newbie help - alwie - 04-15-2021
A primer on primers is here: https://carolinafirearmsforum.com/index.php?threads/the-primer-on-primers.77416/
I am new to reloading also, and I bot a Hornady press: https://www.hornady.com/reloading/presses/lock-n-load-iron-press#!/
because of the lock and load bushing system
I also like the Lyman Case trimmer as it trims quickly and easily: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbgKTXSazUo
RE: Newbie help - StoneHendge - 04-15-2021
Which Berger 105s? There are several of them. C Products / Duramag 6.5 Grendel mags allow for the longest COAL - out to about 2.310"
RE: Newbie help - Keycap - 04-20-2021
I was looking at the 105 hunting VLDs. Fantastic G7 coefficient. https://bergerbullets.com/product/6-mm-105-grain-very-low-drag-vld-target/
RE: Newbie help - StoneHendge - 04-20-2021
I would stay away from VLDs if you are new to reloading. They have a reputation for being extremely sensitive to seating depth, like to be close to the lands and can be very difficult in magazine fed rifles (including bolt guns). I bought a box of 95 gr VLD target bullets to try in my 243 LBC*. I opened the box very carefully, checked one in my chamber with the Hornady comparator, put it back after seeing what the jump would be, and listed the box on GunBroker.
* Since your new, 243 LBC is basically a 6mm Grendel with a slightly different throat. It's what we had to do before 6 ARC. The only difference is that the ARC's shoulder is bumped down 0.03".
RE: Newbie help - CZ527 Guy - 04-21-2021
Can we assume you will be loading for an AR as opposed to a bolt action rifle? I would really not like getting into reloading in these times due to lack of availability of reloading components these days. Slowly getting better.
Plus 1 on reloading manuals. Hornady has a new manual that includes 6mm Arc coming out in the next month or so that should be on your shopping list.
No knowledge of your back ground. Let me share an opinion that reloading can be a great pass time though the hobby is not for everyone. Here is a free on line load manual that offers a lot to start off with though no data specific to the 6mm ARC yet 6mm ppc has similarities though be very careful with making any comparisons & error on the side of being conservative.
https://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/WesternPowdersHandloadingGuide8.0_WEB.pdf
If you would happen to come across someone getting out of reloading that would be your best deal for a press, powder measure, case trimmer primer seater, IMHO. Just for starters Id look at the following. lots of good options out there and we all have our preferences. Co-AX press is one I have no experience with yet very highly regarded. Leaves me wondering where your budget runs for the rest of the supply list.
1.) Load manual. https://www.hornady.com/assets/site/hornady/files/load-data/6mm-arc-gas-58-105gr-data.pdf
https://www.hornady.com/reloading/handbook
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000399241/11th-edition-handbook-of-cartridge-reloading
2.) Hornady die set would be among my favored die sets that are currently being offered.
3.) Powder thrower will be a must and there a lot of good options new and used.
4.) Powder scale
5.) Priming tool
6.) Caliper to measure OAL. head space Ogive
7.) Shell holder
8.) Case trimmer
9.) Inside, Outside diameter chamfer tool.
10.) Load manuals encourage Federal 205's. Good luck finding those. CCI BR 4 would be my second choice. CCI 450 a distant 3rd choice.
11.) Bullets depend largely on intended use at what distance. Most are challenging to find these days. If all you are doing is shooting 50 to 100 yards on paper your bullet options increase dramatically.
12) This should have been no. 1 arguably. A good mentor can prove very valuable.
13.) Propellants are somewhat dependent on bullet choice. CFE 223 , Power pro 2000 MR, Accurate 2520 along with your coveted LVR. Again wish you luck finding what you are wanting. All of these should be good places to start.
14.) Primer pocket cleaner
15.) Perhaps for more advanced reloader may be a Head space comparator. & bullet comparator would be good to at least understand if not own. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012743827/
Another vendor to consider is Midsouth. https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/search?SearchTerm=6mm+Arc . Though be prepared having on back order for many months can be fairly common in the present market.
RE: Newbie help - Lemonaid - 04-21-2021
At some point a chronograph will be needed, especially with a new cartridge like the 6 ARC. I like magnetospeed but if your budget allows, LabRadar might be worth it over the long haul.
Many reloaders use something to clean the brass, either a vibratory or wet tumbler.
Case lube, wrenches for the dies, powder funnel, a bench to put it all on, shelves and bins.
Johnny's Reloading Bench on twitch just unpacked a RCBS Rebel kit, you can see all that came with it.
JRB, Bolt action reloading and Gavintube Ultimate reloader all have good content, tests and reviews of different equipment.
RE: Newbie help - Keycap - 04-21-2021
I am reloading for the AR15 platform and have a 23" +2 gas Bartlein currently being finished up with an adjustable gas block. The goal is to be shooting PRS in bolt gun competitions because there is no gas gun PRS near me. I chose the 105 Berger because of how well it does in competitions. If there is something else better suited to my mission, I'd love to hear it.
My budget is more towards the buy once, cry once end of the spectrum.
Where would the best forums be for sifting through the good/used reloading equipment?
I'll order that 11th edition from Hornady. Other than that, all I have is some calipers. A Forester co-ax is backordered from opticsplanet... yeah, I know. It will arrive in 2023 if I am lucky. The due date is July atm.
My buddy has a chronograph that I can borrow.
I do plan on getting the comparator and OAL gauge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kL0HIgqqjU
RE: Newbie help - StoneHendge - 04-21-2021
Keycap, you want the Berger 105 Hybrid Target bullets - those are the ones a lot of competitors use. If those are tough to find, either the 105 RDFs (what I shoot in my 6 ARC) or the Hornady 108 ELDs (if you are someone who can get Hornady bullets to shoot straight - I am not one of those!). The Berger 109 Long Range Hybrids would also be a good choice.
I don't know where you're located, but having started shooting PRS (with a 6.5 CM gas gun) last December and a PRS style AR Competition last summer, temperature stability is much more important than getting an extra 100-150 fps or so. So I'd really stay away from Lever or any ball powder. At my last PRS match, the temp was 62 when we started at 7am and 91 when we started are last stage at noon. Lever is likely over 1 fps per degree ( and likely closer to CFE 223's reported 1.7 fps (which I've found to be 2fps at 90 degrees plus). Not only will there be different velocities over the course of the match, you risk falling out of accuracy nodes. I can confirm that that can be pretty embarrassing having shown up at an AR match with a Grendel loaded with CFE. There's a reason why the vast majority of PRS shooters use Varget and H4350. Unfortunately, a large portion of those who don't use something else do so because they couldn't find Varget or H4350 (note: do not attempt H4350 in 6 ARC). Varget isn't going to win any internet velocity competitions in 6 ARC, but Lever is just as likely to never win any practical shooting competitions.