6.5x6.8 Case forming A-Z

[BiggerHammer]

I've done a bunch of searching with several e-mail's and have found info concerning case forming for the 6.5x6.8 scattered about. Figured I would start a thread here to consolidate it. I am more of a caveman when the reloading press fires up and the powder starts flowing. I have 6.8 SPC dies, 6.5 Grendel dies( Neither are "Bushing dies". To make this work for the time being before the proper bushing dies get ordered. I'm thinking I can just neck the 6.8 brass down to 6.5 with the Grendel FL die set and seat with the 6.8 seater?

Of course I would like to hear exactly how the guys running the R&D on the chambering are doing it.

Thanks.

[Deleted]

Jan 11, 2014 21:26:21 GMT -8 BiggerHammer said:

I've done a bunch of searching with several e-mail's and have found info concerning case forming for the 6.5x6.8 scattered about. Figured I would start a thread here to consolidate it. I am more of a caveman when the reloading press fires up and the powder starts flowing. I have 6.8 SPC dies, 6.5 Grendel dies( Neither are "Bushing dies". To make this work for the time being before the proper bushing dies get ordered. I'm thinking I can just neck the 6.8 brass down to 6.5 with the Grendel FL die set and seat with the 6.8 seater?

Of course I would like to hear exactly how the guys running the R&D on the chambering are doing it.

Thanks.

I have never tried to make brass the way you are describing. It may well be another method to look into. We are using Redding full length bushing dies, with a .287 bushing. Set the die up as per the instructions and size. That's all there is to it, very simple.

We are using a Hornady 6.5 Grendel die to seat with. A 260 Rem die from Hornady would work too.

[GLSHOOTER]

Jan 11, 2014 21:26:21 GMT -8 BiggerHammer said:

I've done a bunch of searching with several e-mail's and have found info concerning case forming for the 6.5x6.8 scattered about. Figured I would start a thread here to consolidate it. I am more of a caveman when the reloading press fires up and the powder starts flowing. I have 6.8 SPC dies, 6.5 Grendel dies( Neither are "Bushing dies". To make this work for the time being before the proper bushing dies get ordered. I'm thinking I can just neck the 6.8 brass down to 6.5 with the Grendel FL die set and seat with the 6.8 seater?

Of course I would like to hear exactly how the guys running the R&D on the chambering are doing it.

Thanks.

You can use your method as a stop gap measure. Lube the snot out of the necks and go slow.

To do it the R&D guys way... Take a 6.8 full lenght bushing die. Insert .287 or .288 bushing per instruction. Screw die in. Start sizing a lubed case until you get your neck fully down to the shoulder. I use a magic marker to help my old eyes. Check shoulder height to avoid excessive set back. Chamfer case prior to sizing down as this helps somewhat.

One pass and walla one fine shooting round.

Greg

[bobbees]

I'm setting up my 6.8 bushing die now to neck down to 6.5 using a .287 bushing.

Don't you also have to change the size button from 6.8 to 6.5 to to keep the button from pushing neck interior back out to .276 for the .277 diameter 6.8 bullet?
Thx
Bobbee

[Deleted]

Jan 7, 2016 20:41:43 GMT -8 bobbees said:

I'm setting up my 6.8 bushing die now to neck down to 6.5 using a .287 bushing.

Don't you also have to change the size button from 6.8 to 6.5 to to keep the button from pushing neck interior back out to .276 for the .277 diameter 6.8 bullet?
Thx
Bobbee

There is no need to use the expander ball with a bushing die. Use the decapping pin retaining nut that came with your die. With a bushing die you adjust the amount of pressure or neck diameter with the size of the bushing you are using. The bushing size will depend on the thickness of the brass. Your bushing should run at least .002 smaller than the size of a round with a bullet seated. Example: your necks measure .012 x2 =.024 the bullet measures .264. Add .264 and .024 you get .288 so you would use a .286 bushing.

[bobbees]

Thanks. It worked like a champ. Redding is sending me the correct size decapping rod retainer.

Next problem is with bullet seating.

I'm using a Hornady seater die for 6.5 Grendle to seat the bullets but I can only get OAL down to 2.305 without mushrooming the case shoulder. My Hornady manual for 6.8 says Max OAL is 2.250 which should work for 6.5x6.8 . Do I need longer seater plug or a different die?
Thx
Bob L

[GLSHOOTER]

Jan 11, 2016 19:13:17 GMT -8 bobbees said:

Thanks. It worked like a champ. Redding is sending me the correct size decapping rod retainer.

Next problem is with bullet seating.

I'm using a Hornady seater die for 6.5 Grendle to seat the bullets but I can only get OAL down to 2.305 without mushrooming the case shoulder. My Hornady manual for 6.8 says Max OAL is 2.250 which should work for 6.5x6.8 . Do I need longer seater plug or a different die?
Thx
Bob L

I actually use a Hornady 260 Remington for my seater. 123 Hornadys are seated to 2.30. Trying to load that bullet to 2.50 would be a mistake for accuracy in MY guns.

You aren't trying to crimp are you?

Greg

[bobbees]

I'll be shooting this round in an AR platform so my OAL will be dictated by mag length which I took to be 2.250 since the test gun in the Hornady manual was a DPMS rifle.

I think what is happening with my cases is that the seater adjustment screw is pushing the seating stem against the top of the alignment sleeve so the sleeve isn't allowed to float and move up with the case when the handle is lowered like it normally would. I think a longer seating stem may resolve the issue. I have an email in to Hornady about the problem. I may have to buy a .260 Rem seating die if I can't get a longer seater plug from Hornady.

Thx for your assistance.

[GLSHOOTER]

Buy 6.8 magazines from ASC. You can load to nominal 2.314 with them. No need to limit yourself to 2.260. The 260 die I use is exactly the same one you are using from your Grendel set.

You have backed off from the case mouth if I understand your post. I just screw it down on an empty case and back off.

Here's a trick. Pull the black rubber grommet off the top of the seater. Run it metal to metal. That will gain you alarge amount of seating depth.

Greg

[bobbees]

Will do.

Can't wait for my BHW barrel to arrive so I can finish my build and check this baby out.

Thx Greg

[lapriester]

Jan 12, 2016 6:43:48 GMT -8 GLSHOOTER said:

I actually use a Hornady 260 Remington for my seater. 123 Hornadys are seated to 2.30. Trying to load that bullet to 2.50 would be a mistake for accuracy in MY guns.

You aren't trying to crimp are you?

I use a Hornady Grendle seater and haven't had that problem at all seating Sierra 85 and 100gr Varminters down to 2.21" OAL and could go shorter. Me thinks you have the die body screwed too far down. Back off the seating adjustment all the way and back off the die body a substantial amount until it no longer contacts the case neck. Place a sized case into the shell holder and run it all the way up. Lower the die body until it touches the case neck and back off about a half turn. Tighten it there. Drop your powder, place your bullet, run the case up into the die and lower the seater until it starts to seat the bullet and then adjust your OAL from there by screwing down on the seater to achieve the desired OAL.

[GLSHOOTER]

Apr 8, 2016 10:47:32 GMT -8 lapriester said:

Jan 12, 2016 6:43:48 GMT -8 GLSHOOTER said:

I actually use a Hornady 260 Remington for my seater. 123 Hornadys are seated to 2.30. Trying to load that bullet to 2.50 would be a mistake for accuracy in MY guns.

You aren't trying to crimp are you?

I use a Hornady Grendle seater and haven't had that problem at all seating Sierra 85 and 100gr Varminters down to 2.21" OAL and could go shorter. Me thinks you have the die body screwed too far down. Back off the seating adjustment all the way and back off the die body a substantial amount until it no longer contacts the case neck. Place a sized case into the shell holder and run it all the way up. Lower the die body until it touches the case neck and back off about a half turn. Tighten it there. Drop your powder, place your bullet, run the case up into the die and lower the seater until it starts to seat the bullet and then adjust your OAL from there by screwing down on the seater to achieve the desired OAL.

Looks like he got settled in. LOL

bobbees Last Online: Jan 13, 2016 at 5:08am

Greg

[bobbees]

Yes I did thanks to the great info on this site. Very pleased with the results.
Rifle is shooting very well and have almost completed my load development for the coming hunting season. IMR 8208 XBR powder is the preferred powder.
Shot this group yesterday of a rest at 100 yds.
Thanks again for helping me through the process.
Bob L

Attachments:

[GLSHOOTER]

It's always nice to hear back if someone has made progress in their endeavors. Good work and keep us posted as you get it all nailed down.

Greg