6MM HLS

[Dodge61]

Hello,
I am trying to locate some reloading dies, reloading components and any relevant information, on the 6MM HLS. I recently picked up an old rifle in this caliber and would like to mess with it a little. My research has found that one can shorten 6MM Rem dies, but I was hoping to find something better than that, since this is a cartridge most people are not using anymore.

Let me know if you have anything you would part with.
Thanks

 

[SeabeeKen]

I thought this cartridge was based on the 250 savage case. If it is, wouldnt it be closer to the 6mm International? Is it based off the 6 Rem?

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

250 or 22-250 case


Frank

 

[Dodge61]

250 or 22-250 case


Frank

My understanding is that it’s based off of the 6MM Remington. Reamer ran in short and 6MM dies shortened. To be quite honest there might be different variations of it, I’m trying to figure things out and not much luck. I think I might have to do a chamber cast. Thanks for the responses.

 

[Dodge61]

My understanding is that it’s based off of the 6MM Remington. Reamer ran in short and 6MM dies shortened. To be quite honest there might be different variations of it, I’m trying to figure things out and not much luck. I think I might have to do a chamber cast. Thanks for the responses.

Also, I think I read somewhere that originally a 250 Savage case was used as the headspace gauge when chambering short “very short” with the 6MM reamer. I’m just not sure and that’s why I reached out. Yes it is very close to the 6MM International, but just a tad longer, I think.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Your first move should be a chamber cast, to ascertain the dimensions and then compare to available brass. The next moves may be consider rechambering to a more modern cartridge, or figure out if HLS cases are realistic to make and reload from available brass. I suggest that the 6mm International or the 6XC would be a good bet.

 

[Dodge61]

I will do a chamber cast.
Thanks

 

[Walt Krafft]

Your first move should be a chamber cast, to ascertain the dimensions and then compare to available brass. The next moves may be consider rechambering to a more modern cartridge, or figure out if HLS cases are realistic to make and reload from available brass. I suggest that the 6mm International or the 6XC would be a good bet.

This! NZ posted it as I was thinking it.

 

[HPC]

“Precision Shooting” magazine had at least three articles on the HLS: November 1961, June 1976 and March 1982.

The three articles can be found here: https://archive.org/details/precisionshootingmagazine?page=6

 

[Dodge61]

“Precision Shooting” magazine had at least three articles on the HLS: November 1961, June 1976 and March 1982.

The three articles can be found here: https://archive.org/details/precisionshootingmagazine?page=6

Thank you very much. That is exactly what I was looking for. Very appreciated.

 

[novice]

Dodge61:​

Have you fired your rifle in 6mmHLS yet or found the info, tools, and brass you need?

I would add two more references: PS of May 1997 (Winkler) and Ackley's handbook.
I bought a custom cartridge in 6mmHLS from:
https://collectibleammunition.com/product/6mm-hls-wildcat-rr/
I chambered mine with a 6mm Rem reamer. First, I made a case checker with the reamer and modified my 6mm Rem sizer die (not as straightforward as the writers describe.). I used cases of 250 Savage and pushed the shoulder until it looked right. I reamed the necks to remove any donut and turned the necks outside ala Jackie Schmidt.
After I jumped into that briar patch, I decided to make the neck relatively tight: .268"

I read recently that the headspace was set with 22-250 headspace gage. (PS Marxh 1982)
I have added two pics from my process

 

[KMart]

I read one of the articles and it said that a 6mm Rem reamer was run in short, to a cartridge length of 1.902.
That sounds an awful lot like the 6XC that was a short 243 to start with.
Interesting stuff.

 

[novice]

Yes. The case lengths of the 6XC and 6mmHLS are nearly identical, but the XC has a shorter neck (longer in he body) and is about 0.021" wider at the shoulder.
The HLS was a do it yourself cartridge, whereas the XC was fully supported with dies, etc, from its inception.
I'm not a fan of the longer neck of the HLS, but I haven't read any comments that it hurts accuracy. If I were to chamber a new barrel, I might would trim the necks about .100" and regrind the reamer for the shorter neck.
Or maybe I would just start fresh with 6 X 47L.