6MM ARC Ammo and loading components

[457ciSBC]

Well then perhaps you could enlighten us all by presenting facts.

When I read that original link, it leads one to believe that using the bolt type that AA actually uses, has performance disadvantages and mentions the incorrect role that supposedly SAAMI played. Nevertheless, I got to writing 4 bullet points and decided this 65G forum thread from 2018 sums up the whole .125/.136 bolt depth back story much better. The 65G thread author LRRPF52 has been around the 65G since the beginning. Back when we both were on the original 65G forum back in 04/05. I’ve had at least one Grendel rifle since 05 and remember how things were pre SAAMI approval. Imagine thinking AA 65G brass at $31/100 was expensive.

Also that original link article statement that mentioned the .136 bolt being “under the copyright“ makes me cringe when folks incorrectly confuse copyright, trademark or patent terms. My main point to get across is that not all information found on the interwebs is the 100% true gospel.

BTW, historically when one doesn’t want to pay licensing fees, work arounds are created.……….

https://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?16123-SAAMI-barrels-bolts

Back on point……since it was mentioned that Hornady stated that it looked like fired ARC brass had excessive headspace, how many folks know which bolt depth their AR ARC chamber was cut for or was supposed to be headspaced to?

 

[SD guy]

Back ordered Lapua Grendel brass from Creedmoor Sports and didn't have to wait long. Lapua costs only a little more than Hornady and lasts a LOT longer. A better bargain in the long run and MUCH more accurate/consistent dimensions (Hornady is WAY under-size at web and rim).
You only have to push the shoulder back .010in because Lapua Grendel shoulders are .020in short out of the box. Picked up a Redding 6PPC body die ($31) from them along with the brass and it works GREAT. Set this die .040 off the shell holder and you end up with a neck OD of .273, ready for final sizing in an ARC F/L or bushing die after annealing. At the moment, Wilson makes the only ARC bushing die. Proper bushing is Redding TiN .269 or Redding/Wilson. steel .268. These will give you .003in tension with loaded OD .271.
And if you don't want to wear out your elbow turning necks, buy a small cutoff saw from Harbor Freight. I used one of these for 300BLK and it worked perfectly, and a bargain at less than $40. Thin blade is very accurate and durable.

May wish to consider Whidden also.

Click Adj. Bushing FL Die Set + Bushing Kit - Whidden Gunworks

Take advantage of this discounted bundle of our Click Adjustable Bushing FL Die Set and Bushing Kit in the caliber of your choice.

www.whiddengunworks.com

 

[Rustytigwire]

Well then perhaps you could enlighten us all by presenting facts.

Yeah so i read some of the other articles on that site and will surely do more research.

 

[BOLTED]

When I read that original link, it leads one to believe that using the bolt type that AA actually uses, has performance disadvantages and mentions the incorrect role that supposedly SAAMI played. Nevertheless, I got to writing 4 bullet points and decided this 65G forum thread from 2018 sums up the whole .125/.136 bolt depth back story much better. The 65G thread author LRRPF52 has been around the 65G since the beginning. Back when we both were on the original 65G forum back in 04/05. I’ve had at least one Grendel rifle since 05 and remember how things were pre SAAMI approval. Imagine thinking AA 65G brass at $31/100 was expensive.

Also that original link article statement that mentioned the .136 bolt being “under the copyright“ makes me cringe when folks incorrectly confuse copyright, trademark or patent terms. My main point to get across is that not all information found on the interwebs is the 100% true gospel.

BTW, historically when one doesn’t want to pay licensing fees, work arounds are created.……….

https://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?16123-SAAMI-barrels-bolts

Back on point……since it was mentioned that Hornady stated that it looked like fired ARC brass had excessive headspace, how many folks know which bolt depth their AR ARC chamber was cut for or was supposed to be headspaced to?

Thanks for that. If there is one good way to vet an article, it's to post it here. There are so many knowledgeable folks on this site, the truth will eventually come out, one way or the other.

Interesting stuff, what a mess. I used a Lilja barrel and bolt matched combo, which is a .136 Grendel type 2 bolt for my Grendel build, and I have excellent accuracy. If I was to put together a 6ARC myself, I would count on a matched barrel and bolt combo for it as well.

I personally do NOT know my ARC bolt depth, since I didn't put the gun together myself. I have to trust that the manufacturer matched the bolt, barrel and brass, so it would shoot as it should. Proof is in the pudding though. With the brass bulging problems I have seen in the 6ARC cases, it makes me wonder if there is barrel and bolt matching issues with this cartridge, like the 65G has gone through. I have seen 6ARC barrels requiring a Grendel type 2 bolt for correct headspace. I assume they just mean a .136 bolt cut.

 

[David Milisock]

Thanks for that. If there is one good way to vet an article, it's to post it here. There are so many knowledgeable folks on this site, the truth will eventually come out, one way or the other.

Interesting stuff, what a mess. I used a Lilja barrel and bolt matched combo, which is a .136 Grendel type 2 bolt for my Grendel build, and I have excellent accuracy. If I was to put together a 6ARC myself, I would count on a matched barrel and bolt combo for it as well.

I personally do NOT know my ARC bolt depth, since I didn't put the gun together myself. I have to trust that the manufacturer matched the bolt, barrel and brass, so it would shoot as it should. Proof is in the pudding though. With the brass bulging problems I have seen in the 6ARC cases, it makes me wonder if there is barrel and bolt matching issues with this cartridge, like the 65G has gone through. I have seen 6ARC barrels requiring a Grendel type 2 bolt for correct headspace. I assume they just mean a .136 bolt cut.

As far as I've seen there is only 1 6MM ARC cartridge and according to Hornady it uses a type 2 bolt.

 

[SD guy]

Ok so mid last year I ordered an Aero Precision rifle and bought loading dies and supplies. I will not make brass so I bought 100 rounds of Hornady Black 6MM ARC as a factory base. I then back ordered another 200 loaded rounds.

All prices are + shipping. The ammo at that time, late last year was $105 for 100 rounds.

Now, brass (which is all back ordered) is $1 per case for a bag of 50, loaded Hornady Black ammo is $1.29 per round. I can't load a round for 29 cents.

I now have 300 rounds of factory ammo and tons of loading supplies so I'm good to go. The cost of brass is outrageous, it's not just the 6M ARC but all brass is up in some instances 300%.

The lowest I have been able to purchase ammo for lately has been 1.39 per round by the time local tax has been factored in. I anticipated issues with ammo pricing and availability so I will be working with fire forming Lapua 220 Russian to 6mm ARC as well.

My rifles will be a Savage Axis and a CZ 527, each with a 22" barrel. The Savage was purchased as a fire forming barrel and the CZ is in excess of 4 months waiting on a barrel thus far. Savage will be in at the end of the week.

I may HBN coat all bullets put through these rifles. at the very least all fire forming loads will be pushing HBN coated pulled bullets. I intend to hunt deer with the CZ 527 & have a few bullets I am considering for hunting. Berger 108 GR Elite hunters is the bullet I have the highest hopes for over a nearly full case of LVR.

 

[Raptor]

At our local Runnings store they have 6 ARC "Black" ammo here for like $25.70 out the door or a dollar more for 108ELDs......

 

[Laurie]

You only have to push the shoulder back .010in because Lapua Grendel shoulders are .020in short out of the box.

I've been puzzled by that too (in a 6.5 Grendel bolt-gun). Lapua shoulder position is usually good in relation to a minimum chamber, but not with this case. I imagine there must be a reason as I doubt if Lapua set them up this way accidentally.