Forming 6xc

J

Jmiverson

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Definitely feeling like I bit off a bit more than I can chew right now. I have a 6xc barrel on the way, so now I'm looking into how to get components for it. Specifically stuck on brass right now. I would like to just plug and play with Norma 6xc, but at $1.50++ / piece I just can't. So, my next option is to form some 22-250. What kind of dies should I get for this operation? I know there is a "mushroom free" method where one bumps the shoulder back and sizes the neck slightly with a 30 or 7BR die, creating a false shoulder. Fireformed with COW and voila. But to me, that requires buying 2 sets of dies.

Tubb's original method seems to be just running 22-250 into a special 6xc die with tapered expander that makes an ugly mushroom, but a formable case. Load with a bullet on the lands, fireform, neck turn, and voila.

So for a guy who's embarking on his first "wildcat", what would those in the know suggest? Links to literature from the pros are broken, otherwise I'm sure this would be a no brainer. And if by some miracle someone has a video of the forming procedures, that would be oh so helpful.

Thanks
 
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you can push the shoulder back on the 22-250 case using a 6XC FL die... just go a bit long so the case is stiff to chamber. I have a 7BR sizing die I use to bump the shoulder. As you can see, the excess brass is kept to the "outside" before forming.

Fireform with COW and then do neck prep.

There really is no way to form the necks without a donut as you are moving material from the shoulder into the neck and the shoulder material is thick. I use a LEE collet neck die to size the neck which helps to push the thick part to the outside. I outside neck turn to the shoulder and that clears up the donut.

The Lee dlx 4 die set will include the FL, collet neck, a seater, and crimp die (which I would never use).... so you have the basics to do the case forming.

I would add a Redding body die to bump the shoulder and a Forster seater for the bullets. Works great.

some will use bushing neck die and a carbide cutter pilot to ream from the inside.... I much prefer pushing to the outside with the Lee die.

Hope this helps.
Jerry
 
Shawn_338 said:
So 3 or 4 sets of dies later you can make your own 6xc brass. To me $1.55 a brass is sounding pretty good, one set of dies and load and go.
Click to expand...

The only "extra" die is the one used to form the secondary shoulder... I use the Lee collet neck die, Redding body die, Forster seater for ALL my match rifles.

These dies can usually be purchased individually.

the 6.5 creedmoor doesn't have that option yet from Lee but if popularity continues to be strong, I sure it will happen.

But use whatever makes you happy. My long term goal is to try PRS style matches and if loosing my brass is the norm, me thinks forming from 22-250 is a good long term idea.

If you have the pockets, Norma brass IS wonderful.

YMMV

Jerry
 
Forming 6XC from 22-250, I would try using the 6XC sizing die with the expander removed, as said above you would size only to a point where the brass chambers with some resistance, followed by the cow. Tubb did nothing exceptional with this case it is almost identical to a very old wildcat cartridge the 6mm 250 Imp 30. Components are much better today VLDs and powders so it may stick around for awhile.
 
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Suggest using the Redding body die before the FL sizer because the FL sizer must force the shoulder material into the neck interior.

the Redding body die neck area will be bigger which can help. ideally, a larger bore from 7mm. A cut down 708 or 7BR would be my choice to create the shoulder in the picture.

Because you are not using a bullet, having the false shoulder area basically the same as the chamber neck dimension is not dangerous.

Jerry
 
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