6XC ground truth as of Jan 2020?

[Dave Marshall]

Petersen and Norma brass will work in chambers cut with Tubb’s Manson reamer, a CIP reamer, or a 6xcII reamer. Most other reamer designs based on a .308 sized base should also work, but I can’t guarantee it. Alpha Munition brass did not work for me in any chamber. Including the chambers Alpha told me it would work in.

I use Whidden 6xc dies for my 6xcII chambers. Redding also makes/made 6xc and 6xcII dies.

I believe the only issue one may have is if they try to resize brass fired in a 6xcII chamber in a Tubb sizing die. David makes very nice dies, and I have a set that serves me well. I believe the base is just slightly tighter than other dies, and will shave brass off of the base of the case during resizing. If I’m wrong, hopefully David will be along to correct me.

If you want to run a 6xc, chamber your barrel with a Tubb or CIP reamer and use whatever dies you want. Ignore the BS about 6xcII. It will only cause you headaches and it’s unnecessary. I wish I hadn’t chambered 4 barrels with it.

Stick to Petersen or Norma brass. If you MUST have Lapua, form it from .22-.250 or .308.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

I think I mentioned it? It’s just a widden full length bushing die. I want to say 90 and a little change freebore. And do not know what he throated it to, number wise, my dummy round. Call Kiff at ptg. Talk to Tubb. Between the phone and messaging here they answered my question. And my gunsmith has done a few with the setup and components that I have, so...... I read about all the confusion and frustration too. I can give ya my gunsmith number if you want?

 

[tclaunch]

I may have missed it but I went back and read all six of your posts on this thread and did not see it mentioned on which full-length die you used. I appreciate the info.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

Love mine

Reamer from grizzly, throated to a dummy round seated above possible donut. Peterson srp brass, 268 loaded neck diameter. widden full length bushing and seater die. I shoot 108 Bergers at 3080. With RL16. It shoots better than me. No drama. 26” muller 7 twist. My experience which is limited to one barrel, is its easy like a BR. My first post

 

[tomswede]

Petersen and Norma brass will work in chambers cut with Tubb’s Manson reamer, a CIP reamer, or a 6xcII reamer. Most other reamer designs based on a .308 sized base should also work, but I can’t guarantee it. Alpha Munition brass did not work for me in any chamber. Including the chambers Alpha told me it would work in.

I use Whidden 6xc dies for my 6xcII chambers. Redding also makes/made 6xc and 6xcII dies.

I believe the only issue one may have is if they try to resize brass fired in a 6xcII chamber in a Tubb sizing die. David makes very nice dies, and I have a set that serves me well. I believe the base is just slightly tighter than other dies, and will shave brass off of the base of the case during resizing. If I’m wrong, hopefully David will be along to correct me.

If you want to run a 6xc, chamber your barrel with a Tubb or CIP reamer and use whatever dies you want. Ignore the BS about 6xcII. It will only cause you headaches and it’s unnecessary. I wish I hadn’t chambered 4 barrels with it.

Stick to Petersen or Norma brass. If you MUST have Lapua, form it from .22-.250 or .308.

I used the CIP reamer for that reason, Norma is CIP and Peterson is basically running the same as Norma ( like both). Use Widden dies, no issues.

 

[Sjett]

JGS REAMER #1297 same specs as Manson Tubb reamer
Peterson SRP BRASS
WILSON Neck bushing full length die. 270 BUSHING
---------------- NEW. FIRED. SIZED
.375 d. 1.518. 1.522. 1.521
Shoulder. .449. .454. .452
Base .200. .4679. .4695. .4675

 

[Hoot]

If anyone beside me is interested, here's the reamer that Criterion uses for 6XC barrels.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I wish Criterion chambered pre fits in 6SLR and 6mm Competition Match.

 

[spclark]

So after finding this thread I ordered some Petersen 6XC from D. Tubb.

Already had 200 from Alpha on hand that I haven’t tried yet.

Batch from Tubb’s arrived, then I found more I’d ordered (and forgotten about) direct from Peterson early last year.

Out of curiosity I weighed three cases out of each batch. The two lots of Peterson’s differ by nearly five grains.

Alpha’s close to one of ‘em (I won’t say which yet) so I’m curious what others have found what they’ve received weighs new/unfired.

 

[Hoot]

I wish Criterion chambered pre fits in 6SLR and 6mm Competition Match.

Have you called Jim (NSS) to see if he can special order one for you? No doubt, it won't be ready as quickly as the more common calibers but it only takes a phone call. He's a real nice guy to work with.

Hoot

 

[Dave Marshall]

So after finding this thread I ordered some Petersen 6XC from D. Tubb.

Already had 200 from Alpha on hand that I haven’t tried yet.

Batch from Tubb’s arrived, then I found more I’d ordered (and forgotten about) direct from Peterson early last year.

Out of curiosity I weighed three cases out of each batch. The two lots of Peterson’s differ by nearly five grains.

Alpha’s close to one of ‘em (I won’t say which yet) so I’m curious what others have found what they’ve received weighs new/unfired.

I’d wonder if the batch direct from Petersen was from the first run that was known to have problems?

After that issue, I’m pretty sure SSS was the only one selling the 6xc brass. I know SSS currently has the best pricing.

 

[Hoot]

I’d wonder if the batch direct from Petersen was from the first run that was known to have problems?

After that issue, I’m pretty sure SSS was the only one selling the 6xc brass. I know SSS currently has the best pricing.

Any Peterson rep will sell you their brass. I'm lucky to have one in town. His price is a penny more per case than SSS and no shipping charge. Unfortunately, he only has large primer ones in stock so I got my last batch of SRP from SSS about 3 weeks ago. If I get some time, I can weigh a sample of them this evening.

Hoot

 

[tomswede]

I’d wonder if the batch direct from Petersen was from the first run that was known to have problems?

After that issue, I’m pretty sure SSS was the only one selling the 6xc brass. I know SSS currently has the best pricing.

Still don’t know what the problem is supposed to be with the first batch. I have 500 of them and have fired them once, have worked great for me. Running a mild load so don’t know about the head hardness. Have not reloaded any yet.

 

[Dave Marshall]

Still don’t know what the problem is supposed to be with the first batch. I have 500 of them and have fired them once, have worked great for me. Running a mild load so don’t know about the head hardness. Have not reloaded any yet.

There’s a thread on this site somewhere that describes the issue. I believe it is related to case capacity versus Norma. It may not be a hardness issue.

I do remember Graf’s selling that brass at a discount with a warning.

 

[tomswede]

There’s a thread on this site somewhere that describes the issue. I believe it is related to case capacity versus Norma. It may not be a hardness issue.

I do remember Graf’s selling that brass at a discount with a warning.

Yes, they had slightly less capacity. Got 200 at the discounted price, had good luck and got 300 more.

 

[Hoot]

Yes, they had slightly less capacity. Got 200 at the discounted price, had good luck and got 300 more.

The ones I got a year and a half ago for $30/100 held 48.4gr H2O new and in my chamber, yielded fired cases that held 48.8gr H2O. Not a large change. Could be my non-custom chamber however (post # 87). Without getting going again, I have been wrestling with high pressure signs since I got it, despite using load recipes more conservative than many reported here, so the jury is out on my chamber/headspace job. I had rented a gauge set to install the barrel but had to return it once I was satisfied with my install (prior to taking it to the range). Unlike many here, I live on a budget. I have a permanent set ordered from PTG from my O.T. money, so I'll see if something drifted on me. I am dubious that it did, but open minded. No telling how long PTG will take to ship.

Hoot

 

[tomswede]

The ones I got a year and a half ago for $30/100 held 48.4gr H2O new and in my chamber, yielded fired cases that held 48.8gr H2O. Not a large change. Could be my non-custom chamber however (post # 87). Without getting going again, I have been wrestling with high pressure signs since I got it, despite using load recipes more conservative than many reported here, so the jury is out on my chamber/headspace job. I had rented a gauge set to install the barrel but had to return it once I was satisfied with my install (prior to taking it to the range). Unlike many here, I live on a budget. I have a permanent set ordered from PTG from my O.T. money, so I'll see if something drifted on me. I am dubious that it did, but open minded. No telling how long PTG will take to ship.

Hoot

The volume obviously would go up for any reasonable fit. I had pressure issues with a PAC-Nor 3 grove barrel, never found the reason but almost blew a rifle up. Took the barrel off and hacksawed it off. Currently have 2 Bartlein barrels with a CIP chamber using a PTG reamer that have caused no issues with any brass

 

[Hoot]

The volume obviously would go up for any reasonable fit. I had pressure issues with a PAC-Nor 3 grove barrel, never found the reason but almost blew a rifle up. Took the barrel off and hacksawed it off. Currently have 2 Bartlein barrels with a CIP chamber using a PTG reamer that have caused no issues with any brass

Interesting. I haven't slugged the barrel, so I don't know its actual land vs groove dimensions. It's relatively new (not fully broken in), so I'm resistant to getting concerned about the tendency to build up copper in the latter half with the loads I've tried. It takes some serious effort to scrub out. It was lapped at the factory prior to me getting it but I've seen barrels with this round count ~200, that have exhibited that same tendency to load up copper, then settle down after the round count goes up. My gut feeling is that its not the pressure culprit. Spent cases are tight fitting right at the shoulder to wall corner, like its headspaced too short. the other areas do not bind. Good news. PTG sent me a ship notice today, so I'll be able to recheck the fit later this coming week.

It is a shooter however with 108 ELDM's!

Here's a 5-shot, 100 yd group:

Got some 105 hybrids to also test when spring arrives. Lighter bullets produced brass with the same tight fit at the shoulder/case junction in the past.

These 87 Vmax's from back when I was breaking in the barrel, produced tight cases at the same spot. Since it was new at the time, I gave it the benefit of a doubt. If you're wondering why RL19, it was left over from a caliber I didn't reload for anymore and I wanted to keep the pressure down since I was just doing the "shoot and clean" break in.

Shoot, I was determined not to get started again...

I'll buzz off until after I get my gauges for a recheck...

Hoot

 

[tomswede]

Interesting. I haven't slugged the barrel, so I don't know its actual land vs groove dimensions. It's relatively new (not fully broken in), so I'm resistant to getting concerned about the tendency to build up copper in the latter half with the loads I've tried. It takes some serious effort to scrub out. It was lapped at the factory prior to me getting it but I've seen barrels with this round count ~200, that have exhibited that same tendency to load up copper, then settle down after the round count goes up. My gut feeling is that its not the pressure culprit. Spent cases are tight fitting right at the shoulder to wall corner, like its headspaced too short. the other areas do not bind. Good news. PTG sent me a ship notice today, so I'll be able to recheck the fit later this coming week.

It is a shooter however with 108 ELDM's!

Here's a 5-shot, 100 yd group:

Got some 105 hybrids to also test when spring arrives. Lighter bullets produced brass with the same tight fit at the shoulder/case junction in the past.

These 87 Vmax's from back when I was breaking in the barrel, produced tight cases at the same spot. Since it was new at the time, I gave it the benefit of a doubt. If you're wondering why RL19, it was left over from a caliber I didn't reload for anymore and I wanted to keep the pressure down since I was just doing the "shoot and clean" break in.

Shoot, I was determined not to get started again...

I'll buzz off until after I get my gauges for a recheck...

Hoot

If new cases fit with clearance I don’t understand why headspace could be the issue. Once fired the case will conform to the chamber minus some spring-back.
Looks like it shoots.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

If new cases fit with clearance I don’t understand why headspace could be the issue. Once fired the case will conform to the chamber minus some spring-back.
Looks like it shoots.

Yeah, agree with this,