Redding 6XC Type S Bushing Die Question

[Magnumwill]

So I am having a 6XC built and have picked up The Redding Type S Match Bushing 2-Die Set. This is the first set of bushing dies I have ever bought. The FL sizer uses the bushings but I am not sure which ones I need. I understand I need to measure a loaded round and subtract .001-.002" off of the outside diameter to get the bushing I need. But my problem is I dont have a loaded round to base this measurement off of. I still have a fairly long wait time until the rifle is done. Just trying to get everything lined up and ready to go for when it is finished.

Which size bushing is anyone using? I dont have a problem picking up a couple of different sized bushings just looking for a place to start.

Thanks.

 

[fdshuster]

Magnumwill: I personally don't have any experience with the 6XC, 6BR and 6ppc are my "specialties", but it will be dependent on the brass you plan on using, and if it's outside neck turned, and if it is, to what thickness ????? As an example, my .272" no-turn 6BR Lapua brass has a loaded round neck dia. of .269"= neck walls of .013". My .265" tight, fitted 6BR Lapua brass has a loaded dia. of .263"= neck walls of .010". A .267" bushing is used with the .272" neck brass and a .261" is used with the .265" neck brass.

 

[Laurie]

Magnumwill,

you don't say what brass you're going to use - Norma 6XC factory or reformed .22-250 Remchester etc. and they could have very different neck thickness which will affect the ideal bushing size.

My batch of Norma 6XC brass has very consistent neck walls measuring from around 0.0135" to a shade over 0.014", so if left unturned, would give a loaded round neck outside diameter of 0.243 + 0.014 + 0.014 = 0.270-271". Depending how much neck tension you want, your starting point is between 0.268" and 0.270".

I gather there have been three lots of Tubb / Norma brass which were not the same dimensionally, and don't know where my lot stands - it's fairly recent so it's presumbaly representative of current supplies. I doubt if other batches and/or reformed .22-250 will be any thinner in the necks. If they're thicker, a 0.268 or .269" bushing would still be usable, but you'd have to expand the necks after sizing either with the expander ball in the die (if fitted) or with a mandrel as a separate operation.

I hope this helps a little.

Laurie,
York, England

PS Lapua is introducing .22-250 cases next year, so there will be quality cases available to reform which makes 6XC a more attractive prospect.

 

[fdshuster]

Magnumwill: there you go: some really good info from someone who knows first hand about the 6XC. Yes, Kevin Thomas, from Lapua has also confirmed that 22-250 Lapua will soon be available, so some extreme high quality brass, that I will also be using. Have found Winchester 22-250 to be good and occasional fair, another popular brand to be fair to poor. Should provide a big advantage for your 6XC.

 

[Magnumwill]

Thanks for the information. I have thought about forming from Winchester 22-250. I have a lot of that laying around, but have also thought of just starting fresh with the Norma 6XC brass. I still have plenty of time to figure it out.

 

[WyleWD]

Good information from Laurie on the neck bushings. About .267 up to .272 and you should be able to cover about any neck tension you're after on that if it is a "no turn" neck reamer.

Just my experience..... Go with the Norma 6xc brass and save yourself some extra work. Both lots that I got were extemely uniform in weight and neck thickness. Tried several other ways and all were a PIA in some form or another. Just my 2 cents worth. WD

 

[e2k236lefty]

i have been loading 6xc since 2003 when the t2k first came out in left hand. my big qustion is who's reamer are you using? in my rifle I always used the smaller of the two so I never had any issues during rapid fire events if you are fire forming brass make sure you use the smaller of the two and seat the bullet in to the lands that way it will hold the brass tight up against the bolt I fire formed with 35gr loads of varget w/ coated bullets
davidtubb.com has great 6xc info you should be very familuar with this site before you fire your first round.

 

[Magnumwill]

Im using a PTG reamer. I have already read a lot of the information on tubbs website. Very handy.

 

[dearlallen]

Use 268 for moly and 269 for naked. This is for Norma brass. I have fireformed RP brass and the same bushings are used. I have a SpecTacLr and a Rem 700 that was chambered with PTG reamer. DTubb sells a sizing die for the 6XC and uses a 268 bushing that includes the neck and shoulder. I also have a Redding body die and neck sizer. I still prefer the custom die from David.

 

[1shot]

I have a set of the dies that SSS products sells and the set comes with a .266, .268 and a 30deg. bump gage, for measuring shoulder set back. I shoot W-W brass, with a skim turn on the neck and use the .268 bushing. This give me .003 neck clearance, and about the same on bullet tension if memory serves me correctly. I hope this helps,
Lloyd

 

[LittlefieldK]

As said above, bushing choice is dependent on the brass you are using and the neck wall thickness.

I typically use a .267 on Rem 22/250 brass, a .267 or .268 on Norma 6XC brass, and a.266 on Winchester 22/250 brass.