Forming 6 ARC Brass from 6.5 Grendel

[chromatica]

I just finished forming another batch of 6.5 Grendel to 6 ARC, so I thought I would post my technique. (I am using brass from Alexander Arms.)

• Neck size w/ Lee Collet Die (6 ARC) very slowly and carefully
• Trim (using Lee Quick Trim 6 ARC die) (which bevels the outside edge)
• Size with Wilson FS die using oversize .265 bushing
• Size with Wilson FS die using .264 bushing
• Tumble brass
• Neck size w/ Lee Collet Die (6 ARC)

 

[JimSC]

I've converted two hundred by just FL sizing Starline 6.5 Grendel with the 6 ARC die while kicking the shoulder back .030 in a single pass. Then trimming the necks, and using a mandrel afterwards. I think I lost two due to the shoulder collapsing on the first batch of 100 so I did not anneal before I sized the next batch and did not lose any. They shoot as accurate as the real 6 Arc Hornady stuff

 

[Atlas0065]

Gents,
I've been converting 6.5 Grendel brass to 6 ARC for just over a year now. A mix of starline, Hornady, and now recently added Federal to the mix. No issues with Starline or Hornady, however I lost a ton of Federal due to the neck splitting. Unsure as to why that would happen as they have never been fired before. out of 158 cases I lost approx 25, all due to split necks. jsut to be clear, split necks not split shoulders or crushed shoulders.

Any idea why? Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[Ray123]

I have 2 6mm ARC ARs both Poof barrels..
I bought 6.5 Grendel in 2 500 pc batches and Starline straight wall 6.5 basic 250 ps at a discount...the basic cases are alot of work had to make intermediate dies and anneal between each step down 4 annealings each straight wall case...so unless you're desperate going from .440 to 6mm takes a bit of work but 249 out of 250 were great...tried 1st step without annealing on straight wall case ...Starline says to anneal when ya read instructions or the brass just cracks.

Not so on the Starline 6.5 Grendel 1000 at a time...they size easy, no annealing.
Steps, simple.. Mill to exact length in Bridgeport mill dead length collet, deburr id & od ...spray lube, keep lube off new shoulder area ...run through RCBS sb FL die, (checking to make sure they fit the cartridge gauge.) You are done!... except a light de lube in wet tumble. The 6mm ARC excellent AR cartridge shoots lots of small groups, with both Proof not so with the orginial barrel.. took both out the same day orginal barrel shot 2.5" match 108s same ammo in Proof .5" 1st 5 shot group...so when I got home ordered another Proof SS barrel..
The new one shoots well too...so I recommend them. The Stainless not the carbon fiber...their SS 308 shoots great too...

 

[MrK.]

I converted 1 (one) once fired Lapua 6.5 Grendel case to 6mm ARC with one pass of my RCBS small base 6mm ARC die. I immediately started getting the "belt" that shown on Johnny's Reloading Bench youtube channel (link below). I stopped and did not convert any more cases. I wonder if any anyone else has had this issue and what was your outcome.

Johnny's "belted" 6mm ARC

 

[Retired shooter]

A newcomer to the 6 ARC world. Recently ran 100 new Starline 6.5 Grendel through Forster full length sizing die. Cleaned and lubed new die, lubed cases run through Forster press resized, and moved shoulder back .030 all in one pass. Checked with Whidden gage, all good to go. Trimmed with Forster trimmer all + - .0005.
No defects. No annealing on new brass.

Just received another 250 new brass from Starline. Have new Hornady rounds waiting to be fired.

 

[JimSC]

I converted 1 (one) once fired Lapua 6.5 Grendel case to 6mm ARC with one pass of my RCBS small base 6mm ARC die. I immediately started getting the "belt" that shown on Johnny's Reloading Bench youtube channel (link below). I stopped and did not convert any more cases. I wonder if any anyone else has had this issue and what was your outcome.

Johnny's "belted" 6mm ARC

These have been fired 4 times and have been fully prepped for their 5th reloading. Interior inspection with a bent paperclip seems ok. I suppose if I look real close there are some faint lines about where your belt is. I have never had any fail to go into battery/fire or any other issues though