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Anyone using a Dillon? I called Dillon to (back)order a 550 caliber kit to find out they have.a listing and part number for it... only it doesn't exist.
Waiting for a tech guy to call back, but I'd assume one could use the shellplate and pins for 6.5Grendel. However the powder drop is another issue... a 6ppc perhaps? Altho I think my loads will mostly be hand measured...
Just curious if anyone has done this?
Just a guy who likes guns, dogs and fishing more than people
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11-15-2021, 10:02 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-15-2021, 10:48 PM by Thelaststraw.)
I use a 550 but I would suggest not using a powder drop in a progressive setup. Grendel shell plate and a sizing die in 1st stage, 0.241 Mandel in second, and micrometer seater in third stage of a whidden floating toolhead. I decap separately and then clean, trim, etc.
I would suggest using a separate drop or an automated dropper if you feel spendy. It's not that it's bad but it depends on your expectations for ammo consistency. Most ball powders will meter well, but +/- 0.1-0.2 grains may or may not meet your needs. I always trickle within 0.1 gr for my needs.
Figured I should add....if you are just looking for a decent load to shoot cans and casually punch steel I imagine the dropper would meter plenty good for your needs( powder depending). Try calling or email Dillon, their CS is top not h and I bet they know which drop tube fits 6ARC. Sorry for the tangents.
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I made a powder funnel from a 7.62x39 one that came with my 6ppc adapter kit. The 6ppc one did not work for 6mm ARC (this is for xl 650). I used a 6 ARC case with release agent and epoxy in the 7.62x39 funnel. It works o.k. I mostly use a single stage for the ARC so I can weigh every charge. If I find the magic load then I'll try some out with the Dillon.
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11-17-2021, 06:57 AM
(This post was last modified: 11-17-2021, 07:03 AM by SwissyJim.)
(11-15-2021, 10:02 PM)Thelaststraw Wrote: I use a 550 but I would suggest not using a powder drop in a progressive setup. Grendel shell plate and a sizing die in 1st stage, 0.241 Mandel in second, and micrometer seater in third stage of a whidden floating toolhead. I decap separately and then clean, trim, etc.
I would suggest using a separate drop or an automated dropper if you feel spendy. It's not that it's bad but it depends on your expectations for ammo consistency. Most ball powders will meter well, but +/- 0.1-0.2 grains may or may not meet your needs. I always trickle within 0.1 gr for my needs.
Figured I should add....if you are just looking for a decent load to shoot cans and casually punch steel I imagine the dropper would meter plenty good for your needs( powder depending). Try calling or email Dillon, their CS is top not h and I bet they know which drop tube fits 6ARC. Sorry for the tangents.
I hear you on the powder stuff... I do my 6.5cm load with a powder thru die and hand measure each load. Not a plinker so easy enough to do. I'll do the same for the ARC..
I'm curious if you use commercial brass, or formed Grendel brass. I did talk to Dillon, and the tech told me the Grendel shellplate and pins with a 6ppc drop would work, but ONLY with Grendel formed brass. Commercial ARC brass had issues with that and they were close to having a new shellplate specific to 6mm ARC original brass.
(11-17-2021, 03:41 AM)Lemonaid Wrote: I made a powder funnel from a 7.62x39 one that came with my 6ppc adapter kit. The 6ppc one did not work for 6mm ARC (this is for xl 650). I used a 6 ARC case with release agent and epoxy in the 7.62x39 funnel. It works o.k. I mostly use a single stage for the ARC so I can weigh every charge. If I find the magic load then I'll try some out with the Dillon.
Interesting... The Dillon tech I talked to said the 6ppc funnel would work. Be interesting to see when their caliber conversion comes out. They have them listed as backorderable on their site. Was told 6-8 weeks. I'll prob do the same I do with my 6.5cm load and hand weigh each anyways. Do you resize your brass, or use original ARC brass?
Just a guy who likes guns, dogs and fishing more than people
Posts: 109
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Joined: Aug 2020
I use a Grendel shell plate and pins with both formed Grendel brass and factory ARC brass. The pins do seem to be a little too small when seating. I just attributed that to potential tolerance stacking with my setup. I use a Whidden free float toolhead and a micrometer seater. Occasionally I have to 'tip' a case with my finger to line it up with the seater. Every once in a while my mandrel requires the same.
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11-18-2021, 03:36 AM
(This post was last modified: 11-18-2021, 03:37 AM by Lemonaid.)
(11-17-2021, 06:57 AM)SwissyJim Wrote: (11-15-2021, 10:02 PM)Thelaststraw Wrote: I use a 550 but I would suggest not using a powder drop in a progressive setup. Grendel shell plate and a sizing die in 1st stage, 0.241 Mandel in second, and micrometer seater in third stage of a whidden floating toolhead. I decap separately and then clean, trim, etc.
I would suggest using a separate drop or an automated dropper if you feel spendy. It's not that it's bad but it depends on your expectations for ammo consistency. Most ball powders will meter well, but +/- 0.1-0.2 grains may or may not meet your needs. I always trickle within 0.1 gr for my needs.
Figured I should add....if you are just looking for a decent load to shoot cans and casually punch steel I imagine the dropper would meter plenty good for your needs( powder depending). Try calling or email Dillon, their CS is top not h and I bet they know which drop tube fits 6ARC. Sorry for the tangents.
I hear you on the powder stuff... I do my 6.5cm load with a powder thru die and hand measure each load. Not a plinker so easy enough to do. I'll do the same for the ARC..
I'm curious if you use commercial brass, or formed Grendel brass. I did talk to Dillon, and the tech told me the Grendel shellplate and pins with a 6ppc drop would work, but ONLY with Grendel formed brass. Commercial ARC brass had issues with that and they were close to having a new shellplate specific to 6mm ARC original brass.
(11-17-2021, 03:41 AM)Lemonaid Wrote: I made a powder funnel from a 7.62x39 one that came with my 6ppc adapter kit. The 6ppc one did not work for 6mm ARC (this is for xl 650). I used a 6 ARC case with release agent and epoxy in the 7.62x39 funnel. It works o.k. I mostly use a single stage for the ARC so I can weigh every charge. If I find the magic load then I'll try some out with the Dillon.
Interesting... The Dillon tech I talked to said the 6ppc funnel would work. Be interesting to see when their caliber conversion comes out. They have them listed as backorderable on their site. Was told 6-8 weeks. I'll prob do the same I do with my 6.5cm load and hand weigh each anyways. Do you resize your brass, or use original ARC brass?
From Lemonaid: I have been using Hornady 6.5 Grendel brass resized with Hornady 6.5 ARC dies. On about the 5th firing. I am saving the factory brass for when I get the load worked out. The 6ppc funnel worked, but there was powder spillage that I blamed on the difference in neck lengths.
