6mm ARC question

[BarnDweller]

I am loading for a bolt action 6mm ARC. I am using Alpha Brass. It has been Annealed, trimmed, Turned, and mandrel to .2430.
I have tried Hornady Match 108gr ELD Match # 24561 and Hornady 105gr BTHP Match # 2458

I was using Hornady load data for Bolt Guns. Varget 27.1 grains. It takes almost 200 lbs of force to seat the bullets.

My question is about the Alpha Brass I have not used it before. I am told its great brass. Could it be thicker than the Hornady brass which is I am sure what they used to develop their loads. This load shoots great but I really do not like using compressed loads.

I loaded up 5 rounds using the AR load data and they seated at 65 lbs. which is kind of normal. I do use dry lube when I am seating the bullets.

Thank you for any help you can send my way.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

You are at a disadvantage with 6ARC's capacity. I would suggest H4895 or N133/135/140 as an alternative. Vihtavouri has load data online.

 

[1shot]

I'm currently using N-540, but working with CFE223 with 87 gr. Hornady Vmax. both of these powders show plenty of promise, just need to finalize some details.

 

[WyleWD]

I bought one of these Aluminum funnels and a 6" drop tube. If you pour the powder slowly onto one side of the funnel and allow it to swirl down the funnel and into the tube you will probably get a considerable amount more powder into the case. JME. WD

Powder Measures & Accessories - Page 2 - PMA Tool

www.pmatool.com

 

[charlie b]

It does sound like you need a faster powder. I've also gone to N540 for some of mine instead of the harder to find Varget. 4895 is another if you can find it. One of the things I use the GRT software for is to determine load density in the case. Helps me choose a powder for my applications.

 

[Rob01]

I am loading for a bolt action 6mm ARC. I am using Alpha Brass. It has been Annealed, trimmed, Turned, and mandrel to .2430.
I have tried Hornady Match 108gr ELD Match # 24561 and Hornady 105gr BTHP Match # 2458

I was using Hornady load data for Bolt Guns. Varget 27.1 grains. It takes almost 200 lbs of force to seat the bullets.

My question is about the Alpha Brass I have not used it before. I am told its great brass. Could it be thicker than the Hornady brass which is I am sure what they used to develop their loads. This load shoots great but I really do not like using compressed loads.

I loaded up 5 rounds using the AR load data and they seated at 65 lbs. which is kind of normal. I do use dry lube when I am seating the bullets.

Thank you for any help you can send my way.

Yes Alpha has less internal capacity than Hornady so you would be compressing but using a drop tube as mentioned may help some. Also are you loading to SAAMI length? In a bolt gun you can load longer as you aren’t stuck with AR mags. Measure OAL to lands and come off about .020”.

I tried Varget and N135/140 but none gave me the velocity I was wanting so I went to CFE223.

 

[SD guy]

Depending on your goals, velocity wise Leverevolution is one of the more popular propellants for the 6mm ARC. CFE 223 is another favorite. If you are striving for temp stability then the stick powders certainly have merit. Though you may be giving up 200ish FPS with the stick powders.

I like the 6mm arc as a bolt action deer rifle. 90 gr CX over CFE 223 has done rather well for me. Roughly 1 grain under max bolt action load, offered best accuracy for me of what I tried.

Wish you well.

 

[Oso]

Another couple of powder recommendations that are temp stable and meters/pack tightly into small cases are H4895 and ARComp. These are two different powders that all but mirror each other and have been proven in 6.5 Grendel. For the Grendel these two powders sit right behind LeverEvolution and CFE223 for max velocities using heavy bullets.

 

[TrapperBR549]

I'm loading Leverevolution and am happy with the velocity but not thrilled with the temp stability. I've loaded quite a bit of 8208xbr in a Grendel but don't see any load data in my manuals for the 6ARC. Anybody tried this that can give me the good, bad, and ugly?

 

[DHD]

I can't help with the Alpha brass other than say you must be feeling some crunching going on with that much seating force. Depending on your magazine length, seat the bullet out.

You will not see any impressive velocities with Varget, but could have great accuracy. I run into pressure trying to get decent velocities using Varget, so it is not a powder I prefer in either the 6ARC or 6.5 Grendel.

There are many other powders that better suit the 6ARC as previously mentioned in this thread. There are also what I would consider better bullets if you are striving for accuracy IMHO.

I have found N540 to give very good accuracy and about 50-75 fps less than CFE223 or LeverRevolution. Best speed and also very good accuracy can be found with either CFE223 or LeverRevolution.