Posts: 2,062
Threads: 88
Joined: May 2016
Spring is in the air and it's time to get rolling with this project. The 26" McGowan barrel is starting to feel neglected sitting in the closet next to my spurned 22 Nosler barrel. Ordered my dies and bushing tonight. Superlative bleed off gas block on the way and just need to order some 105 RDFs and a hand guard.
I'm pretty sure I've read that virgin brass is recommended but I can't seem to remember where. Is using fired brass OK? Certainly haven't had a problem necking fired 223 out to 6mm. I've got lots of Hornady brass including a gallon bag of 2x. Was contemplating ordering Starline with the risk the necks might be too thick, but seems silly if the 2x Hornady would work......
Let's go Brandon!
Posts: 1,143
Threads: 51
Joined: May 2012
its probably a good idea to aneal for the fired brass, the starling brass may need anealed anyway im not sure if the started anealing with there new entries into the rifle market but they did not used to
Punctuation is for the weak....
Posts: 2,062
Threads: 88
Joined: May 2016
Annealing I could deal with and there's a first time for everything - especially if I'm able to count two quarters for each piece I anneal.
Let's go Brandon!
Posts: 1,973
Threads: 28
Joined: Mar 2017
03-13-2018, 11:16 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-13-2018, 11:29 PM by bj139.)
I used new Starline 6.8 SPC brass and necked them to 6mm with a .285 Wilson bushing and then a .267 Wilson bushing and all went smoothly.
This was for my 6x6.8. Going from 6.5mm to 6mm should be easier. I don't think you will have any trouble. Just use a good coating of lube.
Bringing out the big gun, eh?
Edit: You could adjust your die a little at a time and try to fit it in the chamber and close the bolt with the upper off the lower and with a charging handle installed to get the best fit. Both thumbs on rear of receiver and forefingers on each side of charging handle will eject it if it gets a bit tight.
Posts: 2,062
Threads: 88
Joined: May 2016
bj139 Wrote:I used new Starline 6.8 SPC brass and necked them to 6mm with a .285 Wilson bushing and then a .267 Wilson bushing and all went smoothly.
This was for my 6x6.8. Going from 6.5mm to 6mm should be easier. I don't think you will have any trouble. Just use a good coating of lube.
Bringing out the big gun, eh?
Edit: You could adjust your die a little at a time and try to fit it in the chamber and close the bolt with the upper off the lower and with a charging handle installed to get the best fit. Both thumbs on rear of receiver and forefingers on each side of charging handle will eject it if it gets a bit tight.
Do you know how thick the Starline 6.8 necks were before sizing down? I keep going back and forth on what I want to do.
Let's go Brandon!
Posts: 118
Threads: 7
Joined: Dec 2014
03-15-2018, 04:37 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-15-2018, 04:40 PM by 454bore.)
I've annealed my fired brass by putting them in a socket hooked to a electric drill or screwdriver and spinning the necks over a butane torch tip.
Count to 5 then dump in steel tray.
I set the flame at around 1.5 inch and put the necks close to the blue tip.
Posts: 1,973
Threads: 28
Joined: Mar 2017
StoneHendge Wrote:Do you know how thick the Starline 6.8 necks were before sizing down? I keep going back and forth on what I want to do.
I just measured a few and the necks are .014" to .015" both before and after reducing to 6mm.
I thought I would see an increase.
The American 30 case necks are .013" after enlarging to .305"
Posts: 1,973
Threads: 28
Joined: Mar 2017
454bore Wrote:I've annealed my fired brass by putting them in a socket hooked to a electric drill or screwdriver and spinning the necks over a butane torch tip.
Count to 5 then dump in steel tray.
I set the flame at around 1.5 inch and put the necks close to the blue tip.
I have held them in my fingers and rotated the necks in a propane torch then dropped them in water.
The finger part ensures you will not over heat the case heads.
Posts: 687
Threads: 9
Joined: Dec 2017
How about some easy and cheap annealing?
http://ballisticrecreations.ca/
Posts: 2,062
Threads: 88
Joined: May 2016
Lol - I just ordered some Starline. Last thing I need to do is burn my trigger finger.
Let's go Brandon!
Posts: 1,973
Threads: 28
Joined: Mar 2017
People make the annealing process more complicated than it has to be.
It is really simple. If you can fry an egg, you can anneal brass.
Posts: 2,062
Threads: 88
Joined: May 2016
bj139 Wrote:People make the annealing process more complicated than it has to be.
It is really simple. If you can fry an egg, you can anneal brass.
Things are winding down rapidly here so I decided to a Denver drop off rather than paying a driver to do it. Paid for the 250 pieces of brass with enough left over for a couple of packs of buttos and few Power Ball tickets depending on how well they scratch me. Seems easier than annealing!
Let's go Brandon!
Posts: 2,062
Threads: 88
Joined: May 2016
Box of shiny Starline brass arrived today along with my dies from Brownells. Sizing is moving along nicely with no issues. Lubing up the necks with RCBS Case Lube 2 on a Q-tip inside and out. Running it through the die takes less effort than full sizing fired brass. OAL grows about 0.004". Much more pleasant than blue flames, hot metal and burn ointment.
Let's go Brandon!
Posts: 1,973
Threads: 28
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,062
Threads: 88
Joined: May 2016
Redding 6.5 Grendel Type S Bushing die with .268 bushing and Redding 6mm PPC seater.
Let's go Brandon!
Posts: 1,973
Threads: 28
Joined: Mar 2017
I bought the Wilson 6.8 SPC die and .267 and .285 bushings for my 6x6.8.
I found out a Grendel seater die works fine for seating 6mm with some clearance.
I since bought a used Lee 6mm PPC die set on ebay for around $20.
