6 ARC Gas Guns

Chrono data from 18 inch Odin Works barrel (Geissle BCG, OW Bolt, JP H2 Silent capture spring, OW adjustable gas block):

IMG_3442.jpeg
IMG_3443.jpeg
IMG_3504.jpeg
 
Has anyone worked up a load for 6ARC using the 106gr Hornady A-Tip "factory seconds?"

@padom
I got 2490 fps in an 18" AR with 26.7 gr N140. That's a near max load. I tried Staball Match with no luck, really slow. Didn't want to go CFE or LVR. Not fast, but those bullets are fantastic.

Edit, sorry the 106 TAP, not A-Tips.
 
Last edited:
  • Love
Reactions: GBMaryland
Adding my load I recently used at a quantified precision gas gun match. Shot with a proof 18” SS barrel. It did me well at the match

Hornady brass
Remington 7 1/2 BR primers
Berger 108 BT
29.2 gr CFE223
2580 fps with SD of 12

When I was shooting Berger 105 hybrids it was 27.8 gr of CFE223 for 2520 fps
 
  • Like
Reactions: PhrogDriver
Thats what I am running. With a KGM R30k The gun shoots soft with very little recoil and muzzle jump. Cycles fine, getting a good 3-4 o clock ejection but the damn thing wont lock back.

Weird. No issues with mine locking back.. I'm running a mega match billet ambi receiver set, rubber city bcg....
 
After reading tons and tons of info, i think the go to is Geiselle and Duramag magazines. Granted i bought 4 of the 15 rounders duragmags. Ive only put around 200 through my rifle but, i have not had any issues. Heard a lot of people were having accuracy issues with adj gas blocks on short dwell time barrels. Ive been playinig with the 107SMK and TAC powder and some more loaded up to try out. Im over book max now by around 1-2 grains. SDs are what i would consider normal for gas guns in the 9-15 range.

Noveske 18”
Ddc enticer-L

Last load tested:
107smk
TAC 27.5gr
CCI BR4
Hornady brass
2520 FPS
SD12
ES 30
0C4FBB1D-89F6-466D-BDF1-C720952AD2CD.jpeg


956CF611-F711-4FF5-9CEC-87DCB211E6AD.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Nice group! I've got an ar in 6arc that I haven't shot yet. Hoping for a little warmer weekend to put it through it's trials. Have new brass & dies, but going to start with Hornady 108 gr ELD match ammo. The warm weather better get here soon, foot surgery with a minimum 8 weeks on crutches. Sucks getting old.
 
106 A Tip
29.0 lvr
Ruag green fire primer
Hornady brass

Group was .86 MOA out of a 20 inch Grendel Hunter barrel.

Performance at 1000 yards was excellent. Made a first round impact on my 2/3 IPSC and went 12/15 on it afterward. Then came back the next day to get the target and someone had driven down and stolen it off the range. Which is odd and the first time that’s ever happened lol
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0920.png
    IMG_0920.png
    210.5 KB · Views: 3
Lots of good stuff here. I’m currently collecting load data, and planning on testing a bunch of different bullets and powders. I’m looking to find an accurate load for long range type things, and a consistent load for plinking and flat range LARPer stuff with my buddies. Have virgin starline in 6ARC and have converted a bunch of virgin starline 6.5G, as well as a ton of once fired Hornady.

Have 10 plus pounds of 2520, 8208, AR COMP. 2 or 3 pounds of a half dozen other powders as well. Will be sharing the results in here as I go
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: WeR0206 and db2000
Lots of good stuff here. I’m currently collecting load data, and planning on testing a bunch of different billets and powders. I’m looking to find an accurate load for long range type things, and a consistent load for plinking and flat range LARPer stuff with my buddies. Have virgin starline in 6ARC and have converted a bunch of virgin starline 6.5G, as well as a ton of once fired Hornady.

Have 10 plus pounds of 2520, 8208, AR COMP. 2 or 3 pounds of a half dozen other powders as well. Will be sharing the results in here as I go
Mostly shoot Berger 108 but this is a killer fast round Seekins 18” Proof CF, Garmin Xero
7/16/23
84F 56% 29.88 in

Hornady 58 gr VMAX
A2230
Hornady brass x 5
205M FGMM
BTO 1.6650
COL 1.4900
32.2 3468, 3466, 3474, 3476 SD 4.6 0.5” x 3 no pressure
32.5 3507, 3506, 3497, 3506 SD 4.6 1” mild pressure
 
  • Like
Reactions: The ReverendMR
Mostly shoot Berger 108 but this is a killer fast round Seekins 18” Proof CF, Garmin Xero
7/16/23
84F 56% 29.88 in

Hornady 58 gr VMAX
A2230
Hornady brass x 5
205M FGMM
BTO 1.6650
COL 1.4900
32.2 3468, 3466, 3474, 3476 SD 4.6 0.5” x 3 no pressure
32.5 3507, 3506, 3497, 3506 SD 4.6 1” mild pressure

Nice! I have a ton of 58 vmax and A2230. Have to try them out!
 
  • Like
Reactions: db2000
I’ve been running a similar load with Benchmark in my 6 ARC, and I’ve found that staying a bit under max charge really helps keep SDs tight. I also tried the 105 Hybrids with Varget, and they performed pretty well even with the jump, but I had to tweak the powder charge a bit for consistency.
 
Hi All - just starting to load for my 6 ARC 18" Proof barrel with an adjustable JP Gas block.

Question 1, what speeds are a good target range with 105-108gr bullets to try to get to for general steel at 800-1K? The Hornady factory ammo I've shot through it so far seems to run in the mid to high 2500s with devcent accuracy at range. The 106gr TAP is just under 2600 and the Hornady Match 108 ELDM is about 2570. Is that the sort of speeds I should stick to or do people push it faster? My plan is to use LeverRevolution primarily but I have lots of TAC and Varget as well. My very initial test with Lever however produced underwhelming SDs and average accuracy.

Question 2, I plan to shoot 99% of the time suppressed. Would you guys suggest to do the load Dev also suppressed? Or do the laod development without the can and then tweak as necessary once I get some good loads?

Thanks!!
 
Last edited:
Hi All - just starting to load for my 6 ARC 18" Proof barrel with an adjustable JP Gas block.

Question 1, what speeds are a good target range with 105-108gr bullets to try to get to for general steel at 800-1K? The Hornady factory ammo I've shot through it so far seems to run in the mid to high 2500s with devcent accuracy at range. The 106gr TAP is just under 2600 and the Hornady Match 108 ELDM is about 2570. Is that the sort of speeds I should stick to or do people push it faster? My plan is to use LeverRevolution primarily but I have lots of TAC and Varget as well. My very initial test with Lever however produced underwhelming SDs and average accuracy.

Question 2, I plan to shoot 99% of the time suppressed. Would you guys suggest to do the load Dev also suppressed? Or do the laod development without the can and then tweak as necessary once I get some good loads?

Thanks!!
I would do the load development with the suppressor since taking it off would change the barrel harmonics.

I’m still waiting on my 6 arc barrel so I don’t have any real world data for you re: speed targets for the bullets in question but side note that if you have any on hand CFE 223 gets pretty good velocity for 6 arc gas guns compared to almost anything except leverevolution maybe.

This has probably been posted multiple times so SIAP but the below pic is a good general guide for speed targets with different length barrels:
IMG_2982.png
 
I would do the load development with the suppressor since taking it off would change the barrel harmonics.

I’m still waiting on my 6 arc barrel so I don’t have any real world data for you re: speed targets for the bullets in question but side note that if you have any on hand CFE 223 gets pretty good velocity for 6 arc gas guns compared to almost anything except leverevolution maybe.

This has probably been posted multiple times so SIAP but the below pic is a good general guide for speed targets with different length barrels:
View attachment 8652099
This chart really helps - thanks!

And that explains a lot and creates more questions now. My first test with loading for the 6 ARC, I was getting much higher speeds than I expected, along with early pressure signs that I didn't expect. Npw the trick is to figure out why...

Below are the results from my first test run. I was getting really fast speeds even at low powder charges. So I wonder what is causing that big of a difference in speeds between mine and the chart above.

1743375208258.png


Chrono is a Garmin X1
 
  • Like
Reactions: WeR0206
This chart really helps - thanks!

And that explains a lot and creates more questions now. My first test with loading for the 6 ARC, I was getting much higher speeds than I expected, along with early pressure signs that I didn't expect. Npw the trick is to figure out why...

Below are the results from my first test run. I was getting really fast speeds even at low powder charges. So I wonder what is causing that big of a difference in speeds between mine and the chart above.

View attachment 8652960

Chrono is a Garmin X1
You’re welcome and that’s a good question especially considering you are getting normal velocities (without pressure signs) from factory loads right? If so then just tweak your hand loads to match the velocity/COAL of factory loads
 
  • Like
Reactions: max1840
You’re welcome and that’s a good question especially considering you are getting normal velocities (without pressure signs) from factory loads right? If so then just tweak your hand loads to match the velocity/COAL of factory loads
Correct. The Factory loads were Chrono'd and came right into the <2600 fps range.

1743381159203.png


Edit to add: I had wanted to work up to max load with Lever, since I'd read where numerous people say the SDs are not great until you get close to max case density in the case and then the SDs come right down. But that didn't seem to pan out for me. I might try some Varget and Tac next as well
 
Correct. The Factory loads were Chrono'd and came right into the <2600 fps range.

View attachment 8653026

Edit to add: I had wanted to work up to max load with Lever, since I'd read where numerous people say the SDs are not great until you get close to max case density in the case and then the SDs come right down. But that didn't seem to pan out for me. I might try some Varget and Tac next as well
If i were you i wouldnt invest any money in TAC, pretty terrible numbers and sensitivity. If i didnt have a 8#er to burn up id probably try to get some H4895, N135, or xbr 8208. Varget will probably be too slow unless youre ok with running compressed loads. I did my load work up in 50-60* weather and now im damn near 60fps faster and hitting pressure in 85* weather.
 
If i were you i wouldnt invest any money in TAC, pretty terrible numbers and sensitivity. If i didnt have a 8#er to burn up id probably try to get some H4895, N135, or xbr 8208. Varget will probably be too slow unless youre ok with running compressed loads. I did my load work up in 50-60* weather and now im damn near 60fps faster and hitting pressure in 85* weather.
+1 on this. Id also add that 4895 and 8208 are both extremely hard to find in stock. N135 is widely available and probably the cheapest of the 3 you listed. Its great for 223/5.56 as well. N140 isnt too bad either
 
loading 109 ELDM's to 2.300 in ASC mags, 29gr of lever RUAG greenfire SRP's in a dillon 550 with hornady dies. Run them through a SGT of arms belt buster die on my single stage. resize, trim/deburr/chamfer, dry tumble for 15 minutes. prime/charge/seat. out of my 20 inch grendel hunter barrel with no suppressor I get 2650fps and the drop actually out performs my 6.5 AR10 shooting 147 ELDMs. I love my 6arc such a handy and capable rifle.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WeR0206
Ok, I’ll be the odd ball. All things about tac aside, it gives me the best accuracy and same speed as lever with 105/108 hornady bullets. It’s one of my top powder picks
TAC gets a lot of shit but its versatility & performance for the money is amazing. Being a double base ball powder its not good for accuracy loads but it kicks ass for an all around load (decent accuracy/sd’s and good speed) from 223 to 6 arc to 308. I love using it with 77 smk’s in my 5.56 loads so I burn through a lot of it.

I save my more temp stable extruded powders like 8208, n140, and Ar-Comp for accuracy loads (various calibers) plus with the exception of n140 they are more expensive and seldom in stock.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jdowns0415
TAC gets a lot of shit but its versatility & performance for the money is amazing. Being a double base ball powder its not good for accuracy loads but it kicks ass for an all around load (decent accuracy/sd’s and good speed) from 223 to 6 arc to 308. I love using it with 77 smk’s in my 5.56 loads so I burn through a lot of it.

I save my more temp stable extruded powders like 8208, n140, and Ar-Comp for accuracy loads (various calibers) plus with the exception of n140 they are more expensive and seldom in stock.
Also in my dillon TAC meters so accurately through the powder dispenser I'm getting the same throw every time. I tried tac in my 6arc and the accuracy was there but it was about 100fps behind what lever could get me. I'm shooting usually past 800 yards to 1200 with my 6arc so I like to have that extra bit of speed to beat the wind.

I agree, TAC is one of my favorite powders. all my 5.56 loads use TAC. with 70gr SMK & 80gr ELDVT in the 6arc i shot the most accurate 10 shot group I've ever shot with the rifle.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WeR0206
Also in my dillon TAC meters so accurately through the powder dispenser I'm getting the same throw every time. I tried tac in my 6arc and the accuracy was there but it was about 100fps behind what lever could get me. I'm shooting usually past 800 yards to 1200 with my 6arc so I like to have that extra bit of speed to beat the wind.

I agree, TAC is one of my favorite powders. all my 5.56 loads use TAC. with 70gr SMK & 80gr ELDVT in the 6arc i shot the most accurate 10 shot group I've ever shot with the rifle.
Yeah good point on how well it meters…its just a smidge too fast burning to get the last little bit of speed in 6arc cases.

What brand of 6arc brass are you using and Have you worked up any 6arc loads with cfe223? If so I’d be curious how they compared speed wise with your lever loads.
 
Yeah good point on how well it meters…its just a smidge too fast burning to get the last little bit of speed in 6arc cases.

What brand of 6arc brass are you using and Have you worked up any 6arc loads with cfe223? If so I’d be curious how they compared speed wise with your lever loads.

CFE 223 was so dirty in my 5.56 I haven't bothered with it in my 6arc. like looney toons level of smoke and carbon. but quite honestly the hornady book data for lever max charge is like 200fps faster and way over pressure with every lot I've tried of lever so I usually knock them down like a grain and a half. I'm using hornady brass because starline belts if you go anywhere near book max. I anneal every firing but hornady brass has given me the best results but I still have yet to try alpha.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WeR0206