Fireforming 6.5 Creedmoor brass recipes

[Laurie]

Hmmm... wondering if forming from .243 or .308 brass would be a better option?

Monte,

the new Lapua .260 Rem brass a starting point instead of .22-250 Rem?

 

[memilanuk]

Ya.... the stuff thats not available yet?

The main reason I'm looking at options is that Hornady is, once again, behind on their supply of cases (nobody has component brass, only loaded rounds) and I'm still reading reports of soft brass (unacceptably short case life).

Starting to wish I'd ordered a .260 Rem instead.

 

[Laurie]

The main reason I'm looking at options is that Hornady is, once again, behind on their supply of cases (nobody has component brass, only loaded rounds) and I'm still reading reports of soft brass (unacceptably short case life).

Ahh ..... I must have been lucky then! I have a 6.5cm project on the go for an Armalite AR10(T) based SSR-10 (UK-legal straight-pull manually operated AR), just waiting on the reamer from PT&G, and ordered 300 Hornady cases through a UK importer late last year. I expected to wait months, but received them in 3 or 4 weeks, which was exceptionally quick for any special orders from the USA. I must have just fallen very lucky. I don't think I'll run into case-life problems with the straight-pull as you cannot load these things over hot given the lack of primary extraction camming, but if I take a liking to the cartridge - and it looks mighty good on paper - I'll probably move onto trying it in a single shot bolt-action F-Class rifle as an alternative to 6.5X47L, and the use of reformed Lapua brass will most likely become an option, so I have an interest in the subject even if mostly academic now.

Funny thing is that at a time when interest in the 6.5s has severely waned over here with the exception of 6.5X47L which has become a real multi-purpose match, varmint and deer cartridge, and .260 Rem as a short to mid-range target number, I seem to be doing more and more with the calibre. I have a 6.5X55mm on the go (with great results in a rebarrelled, but otherwise out of the box Savage 12 F-Class rifle that never performed well with the factory 6.5-284 barrel); .260 Rem, 6.5-284 Norma plus the aforementioned Hornady Creedmoor and Lapua designs on the way.

 

[memilanuk]

Hornady had better get their sh...tuff together or they are going to kill this cartridge through sheer negligence. Unavailable components, sub-standard components, etc. There's too many similar cartridges in the same general area to get away with this kind of malarky.

That said... since I do have one ordered and am somewhat committed (at least until I burn out the barrel)... for those of you forming from .22-250 brass, any issues with donuts forming around the base of the neck, from the thicker brass that was formerly part of the shoulder?

 

[Laurie]

There's too many similar cartridges in the same general area to get away with this kind of malarky.

Monte,
you couldn't speak more truly. When I started thinking about the Creedmoor, I asked if there were any users over here on a British shooting forum, and it appears there are fewer than 20 in the country. The response was largely "Why bother?" even from tactical and sniper competition shooters, when there is the Tubb 6XC (and its 6.5mm wildcat sibling), 6 and 6.5X47L, 6mm Swiss Match, .260 Rem etc available, sorted and ready to go.

... for those of you forming from .22-250 brass, any issues with donuts forming around the base of the neck, from the thicker brass that was formerly part of the shoulder?

While waiting for responses from those who've fireformed cases, it would appear maybe just not from a look at the cartridge diagrammes elsewhere on the website. In terms of ascending order of length from the case-head to the neck/shoulder junction, we have:

Creedmoor: 1.6606"
.22-250R: 1.6638" (+ 0.0032")
.260R: 1.7756" (+ 0.1150")

That 3 thou' between the Creedmoor and .22-250 dimensions would hopefully 'get lost' in minor inconsistencies / tolerances in case dimensions and chambers? Reforming a neck-shoulder junction over a tenth of an inch down the .260R's shoulder must be guaranteed doughnut creation.

Shame that the .22-250 is shorter overall. The SAAMI diagrammes say there's only 12 thou' between them, but presumably that difference grows with the considerable amount of fireforming required to the .22-250's upper case-body / shoulder area causing overall shrinkage to give Kevin's 30 thou' reduction.

 

[offgrid]

No problem with doughnuts.

 

[masterblaster1]

Wondering how you guys are making out with the fire formed Lapua after this period of time

 

[CKAB]

Hi,
not trying to hijack your thread but trying to figure out a source for a good 6mm creedmoor brass, was wondering if a 6mm would avoid the short neck ?
thanks,
Nick

 

[masterblaster1]

GAP has had 6 Creedmoor in the past.

 

[SHootSTraight22]

I think what he's asking above is their any trouble forming better quality brass into 6mm Creedmoore?? I'm interested in this as well.. I would like to develop a load with 105gr Hybrid shooting accurate at 3,200-3,230fps area and still have my brass last as long as the 6.5 Lapua brass does.. The Hornady brass in 6mm Creed won't last if pushed that high.. Actually I'm stuck on the fence between 6mmx47 or the 6mmCreed because of the brass.. Has anyone here ever formed and loaded 308 Lapua Palma brass to 6mm Creedmoore?? How was it?? I bet a Lee Collet die in 7mm to 6.5 Creed to S Type bushing die is all that's needed.. Any thoughts??? I've thought about even trying this with the 6mm SLR also..