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  1. C

    223 Ackley Improved

    It's strange. I use Redding dies for 10 other cartridges and have always been pleased with their performance. Not sure what the deal is.
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    223 Ackley Improved

    I'm glad I found this thread. I'm having the same problem with my Redding FL Bushing die when resizing 223 AI. It won't bump my shoulder on my fire-formed brass (Lapua brass on a Redding press). FL-sized brass will chamber just fine, but the die isn't move the shoulder back, even with some...
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    6mm AR barrels

    6mm AR was really easy to reload-- not finicky at all in finding good loads and the accuracy nodes seem pretty wide. I'd assume 6mm ARC would be about the same. The SD and Extreme Spread were low compared to other AR15 cartridges I load (don't ask about my experience with the 224 Valkyrie...
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    6mm AR barrels

    6 ARC is a good cartridge. The problem with where Hornaday landed on the final cartridge specs is that you are giving up almost 2 grains of case capacity (34 grain H20 vs. 36) when they pulled the shoulder back 30/1000ths of an inch. I know it doesn't seem like much, but I get from 2,710 FPS...
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    6mm AR barrels

    I've seen people make that point, and you may be right. I just worry that losing two grains of capacity will impact velocity. I reload, so I figured I might as well stay with the slightly larger case -- and I like using resized 6.5 Grendel Lapua brass.
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    6mm AR barrels

    Man, I couldn't agree more. the 6mm AR has been a great performer for me out to 1,000 yards. It really sucks that Hornady gave up the case capacity in the ARC. I think the 6 Grinch from Craddock is really interesting -- I have Craddock uppers in 224 Valkyrie and another in 6mm Creedmoor (both...
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    6mm AR barrels

    I'll give them a call and see what they say. I called X-caliber and they said their reamer was worn out. I asked them if I bought a reamer and sent it to them if they'd cut a chamber in one of their barrels. The sales guy said their shop foreman wouldn't go for it. Too bad, I love the 6mm AR
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    6mm AR barrels

    Thanks! I checked them out and they do offer 6mm AR -- listed as 6mm Grendel
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    6mm AR barrels

    With the release of the 6MM ARC, it seems that 6mm AR chambered barrels are about as rare as hens teeth. I built a 6mm AR using an X-caliber barrel a few years ago that performs really well. But like many other barrel makers, they no longer offer 6mm AR as a chamber option. Is there anyone...
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    X-Caliber AR Barrels

    I think it depends on your expectations. I have three barrels from X-Caliber: 1) a heavy barrel 6mm AR in an AR15 build that shoots 0.5-0.6 MOA 5-shot groups (which I consider excellent for an AR15), 2) a heavy barrel 308 in an AR10 build that averages 1.0-1.5 MOA 5-shot groups, but shoots...
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    Very low ES and SD, but poor groups

    I haven't yet, but will see if I can track down some factory loads to test, including FGMM or Hornady Match. Thx!
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    Very low ES and SD, but poor groups

    Thanks for the feedback. The next set of loads will be all about seating depth. I really value the advice, guys. I can't believe how much experience is available in this community of shooters. Your willingness to share hard-earned widsom is truly appreciated. I'll report back on how things...
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    Very low ES and SD, but poor groups

    Two bolt guns, two gas guns (6mm AR, 6mm CM) in my stable that will do 0.5 MOA -- although the 6mm CM dips below and above that mark depending on the group. Muzzle device is a generic 3 baffle brake, with small ports on top.
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    Very low ES and SD, but poor groups

    Thanks -- that is where I'm going next. I'll measure distance to lands and then mess with seating depth. Right now I'm seating the 175 SMKs at 2.810.
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    Very low ES and SD, but poor groups

    All good points. I single hand-feed when I'm testing loads to make sure nothing is happening as the cartridge comes out of the mag. Barrel nut is on tight, but I do need to check the crown. I also wondered about a bur -- do you guys use a bore scope and is it obvious to see a burr on the gas...
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    Very low ES and SD, but poor groups

    Thanks for the advice. All really good points. I've tried to address most of these issues: 1) I used an adjustable gas block to try to get the right amount of gas to avoid an over-gassed situation (I hope that helps with lock-time) and the brass is coming out of the chamber in really good...
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    Very low ES and SD, but poor groups

    I built a 308 AR10 with a 20 inch 1:11 twist barrel from X-Caliber. Accuracy wasn't what I was hoping for with 168 grain reloads so I tried 175 Grain SMKs with Varget as my powder and Lapua brass (3rd reloadings). Powder charges varied from 43.9 to 45.0. 5-shot groups were still averaging 1.5...
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    Rifle Scopes Wotac Wonders Optics -- NOBODY HOME!!!!

    Re: Wotac Wonders Optics -- NOBODY HOME!!!! Update: finally received the scope from Matt. If Matt had told me it would take 3 months for the replacement, I could have lived with it. But telling me every time we spoke that is would the next day, or that it had already shipped, when it hadn't...
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    Rifle Scopes Wotac Wonders Optics -- NOBODY HOME!!!!

    Re: Wotac Wonders Optics -- NOBODY HOME!!!! It has been brutal. I have been sending follow up emails and occasional telephone calls. I received another promise saying it would ship in a week -- it didn't, and then I finally got a reply on 11/1 stating <span style="font-style: italic">" We...
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    Rifle Scopes Wotac Wonders Optics -- NOBODY HOME!!!!

    Re: Wotac Wonders Optics -- NOBODY HOME!!!! Great, a group buy. I imagine I won't see my replacement scope for months now