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Posted: 5/18/2026 3:24:49 PM EDT
[Last Edit: ZA206][Edited]
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Attached File Attached File  New reloading purchase list so far...  Mighty Armory 6 ARC full length sizing die Hornady 6 ARC Seating die Hornady 108 ELD seating stem Hornady Click Micrometer for seating die Sierra 107 TMK Berger 105 Hybrids Sierra 105 SMK Hornady 108 ELDM Redding #12 shell holder Hornady bullet comp. body (I think I already have a 6mm insert) 100 pieces of new Hornady 6 ARC brass I also bought 5 boxes of factory Hornady ammo for break in, zero, measurements and chrono data... Last but certainly not least... Giraud Powered case trimmer in 6mm ARC (I also got a 6.5 trimmer head and a 6.5 Creedmore shell holder) I have no idea where I'm going to put all this stuff. I gotta reorganize my bench.  -ZA |
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I gotta find a source for once fired 6 ARC brass, buying new brass feels wrong. I’ve been kicking around the idea of getting a Giraud Powered trimmer for years. I have two Tri-ways that I love, but they don’t make the for 6.5 CM or 6 ARC. I dislike my FA brass prep station I use for 6.5 CM and I refuse to use it for 6 ARC. I almost got the new Hornady trimmer, but decided to go with the Giraud instead. ZA |
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Also, I had been reading up on resizing 6 ARC brass and had heard of lots of issues with case head belting with certain brands of dies (resulting in ruined brass that won’t chamber). MA states that their die sizes all the way down including the case head, so I went with them. It’s a much more expensive die, but I’m going with the buy once, cry once deal on this one and not taking any chances. My 6.5CM resizing die from Redding was garbage when I first bought it and have to be sent back to them to clean it up/fix it. Never again! As for the seating die, I REALLY wanted to get an RCBS Matchmaster (recently got one for 223 REM), but you need a special shell holder (included with the die) to make it work with 6 ARC.  ZA |
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Originally Posted By Kaldor: Skip the ELD-Ms, buy the Aeromatch. Ive had pretty decent luck with them in my new Brux 6 CM barrel. They are running right neck and neck with the Bergers for group size so far. If the Bergers shoot in this barrel with the powders I have, the Aeromatch clone will be the next box of bullets I buy! Guaranteed!!! |
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Originally Posted By ZA206: If the Bergers shoot in this barrel with the powders I have, the Aeromatch clone will be the next box of bullets I buy! Guaranteed!!! Ive never seen the Berger 105 Hybrids not shoot  The last velocity test I did a few weeks ago the 10 shot Berger vs Aeromatch group was a .13 (.44 vs .57 - 1/8") larger on a 2gr powder drop spread. Needless to say, I was happy. I got a 1000 of them cheap about a year ago, and honestly the steel cant tell the difference when we are messing around. Ill be testing them further now that Ive nailed down the velocity Im looking for with the new barrel. |
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Originally Posted By Kaldor: Ive never seen the Berger 105 Hybrids not shoot The last velocity test I did a few weeks ago the 10 shot Berger vs Aeromatch group was a .13 (.44 vs .57 - 1/8") larger on a 2gr powder drop spread. Needless to say, I was happy. I got a 1000 of them cheap about a year ago, and honestly the steel cant tell the difference when we are messing around. Ill be testing them further now that Ive nailed down the velocity Im looking for with the new barrel. NICE!!!! |
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Berger 105's shoot in 6MM BR, Dasher, GT, 6 Creedmoor, 6 ARC. Although a shooting buddy said the Sierra 6MM 107 SMK do better out of his proof research barreled ar upper. |
jme and I am a NRA Endowment Member
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson
Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
R W Emerson
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Originally Posted By ZA206: Also, I had been reading up on resizing 6 ARC brass and had heard of lots of issues with case head belting with certain brands of dies (resulting in ruined brass that won’t chamber). MA states that their die sizes all the way down including the case head, so I went with them. It’s a much more expensive die, but I’m going with the buy once, cry once deal on this one and not taking any chances. My 6.5CM resizing die from Redding was garbage when I first bought it and have to be sent back to them to clean it up/fix it. Never again! As for the seating die, I REALLY wanted to get an RCBS Matchmaster (recently got one for 223 REM), but you need a special shell holder (included with the die) to make it work with 6 ARC. ZA Only reloading issue I have had with the ARC is not setting the shoulder back far enough. I’ve settled on .003-.005 as my goal leaning towards .005. FWIW, try Lapua 105 Scenar. |
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Originally Posted By ZA206: NICE!!!! Originally Posted By ZA206: Originally Posted By Kaldor: Ive never seen the Berger 105 Hybrids not shoot The last velocity test I did a few weeks ago the 10 shot Berger vs Aeromatch group was a .13 (.44 vs .57 - 1/8") larger on a 2gr powder drop spread. Needless to say, I was happy. I got a 1000 of them cheap about a year ago, and honestly the steel cant tell the difference when we are messing around. Ill be testing them further now that Ive nailed down the velocity Im looking for with the new barrel. NICE!!!! The Aeromatch will pretty much trade punches with the Berger in my 6 CM. .075 difference which honestly could just be me sucking. 42.4gr of N555 in Alpha brass with CCI 450 primers. Velocity, ES, SD on the pics. Will test 600 yards on Saturday.   |
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Got the GFR barrel swabbed out (looks like it was shot a couple times at the factory) and took some bore scope pictures of the barrel and the three gas ports. Everything looks fantastic, and all of the gas ports are centered in grooves and looking good! -ZA Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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Originally Posted By ZA206: I have no idea where I'm going to put all this stuff. I gotta reorganize my bench. -ZA I am in that same boat leaving stuff in boxes and labeling so i can find things easier. Leaving things out on shelves isn't an option anymore just to much. I only bought 500 pieces of brass each to save room lol. I got a proof 6 arc barrel for my hunting bolt gun. Then i built a 6.5 creed for long range stuff. Barrels are easy to store vs complete guns or component's.  |
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Originally Posted By ZA206: Got the GFR barrel swabbed out (looks like it was shot a couple times at the factory) and took some bore scope pictures of the barrel and the three gas ports. Everything looks fantastic, and all of the gas ports are centered in grooves and looking good! -ZA https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/114221/IMG_9654_jpeg-3771386.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/114221/IMG_9658_jpeg-3771387.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/114221/IMG_9669_jpeg-3771382.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/114221/IMG_9664_jpeg-3771383.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/114221/IMG_9662_jpeg-3771385.JPG They did a hell of a nice job landing that gas port right into the center of the groove. Hats off to their machinist. Thats a trick for sure. |
| One thing to be aware of with a Giraud power trimmer and the 6mm ARC is that the cases are short and there is not a lot of case sticking out of the shell holder. I find 6mm ARC more difficult to trim than most other cartridges, .300 Blackout is in the same situation. It's a little hard on the hands. |
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Originally Posted By Brian_h: One thing to be aware of with a Giraud power trimmer and the 6mm ARC is that the cases are short and there is not a lot of case sticking out of the shell holder. I find 6mm ARC more difficult to trim than most other cartridges, .300 Blackout is in the same situation. It's a little hard on the hands. 300 blk, easy fix. Use a Lee case holder meant to be used with a Lee trimmer. Giraud sell these for straight pistol cases. I have them in 357 and 44 Mag. Change the part that adapts the holder to 223 size and 300 blk is no issue. |
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Shooting and Reloading, one hobby feeds the other.
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I'm almost done with my build using the new ICAR size receivers and the new 6arc Pmags, just waiting on a new rail. Luckily I have a bunch of once fired brass from when I went to Geissele's range last year for Cola Keystone and then became a brass gremlin during range cleanup Attached File I am getting a 100 or so rounds to get it broken in this week, and then diving into loading for it. I have a bottle or two of leverevolution left, and that seems to be a hit for this cartridge. |
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Finally got in my Giraud power trimmer with 6ARC and 6.5CM trimmers + inserts. Immediately pulled the original lock rings and installed Hornady split rings. Change-overs should be quick. I still haven't shot this GFR. I think I'll go out this weekend and shoot some of the factory ammo, chrono it and get it zero'd. Make some once fired brass for setting up my resizing die, then I can start doing some load development. I think I'll start with the 108 ELD using Staball match and N540.  -ZA |
derp...
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Originally Posted By ZA206: Finally got in my Giraud power trimmer with 6ARC and 6.5CM trimmers + inserts. Immediately pulled the original lock rings and installed Hornady split rings. Change-overs should be quick. I still haven't shot this GFR. I think I'll go out this weekend and shoot some of the factory ammo, chrono it and get it zero'd. Make some once fired brass for setting up my resizing die, then I can start doing some load development. I think I'll start with the 108 ELD using Staball match and N540. -ZA Not sure if it fits G's billet lower, but I got one of the "brass goat" brass catchers for my AR. It is a very nice brass catcher for an AR. No more chasing brass or cussing out a crappy catcher. |
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FINALLY got out and shot the GFR today. Got it sighted in and it shot flawless. It loved the 80 gr ELDVT and 108 ELDM ammo. Weather was hot and tons of glare and mirage, but it was stacking them in there. It felt very accurate, definitely capable of some tight groups. Got back, cleaned up the brass by hand and setup the Mighty Armory resizing die so it bumps the shoulder to match factory new brass. I may back it off a little, it’s bumping the shoulder about .009”, I could drop it to .005”. Not sure what to expect out of this Hornady brass… we will see. VERY pleased with the rifle so far. -ZA |
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