New 6mm Advanced Rifle Cartridge

[MinistryOfTruth]

Been having that with other barrels as well. A Criterion in my case.

My .224 Valkyrie kaboomed on me - but the bullet went over my radar chronograph and was within the normal SD and ES for that load. Chamber extension lugs had failed on it.

 

[supercorndogs]

Any pictures?

 

[Gtscotty]

Been having that with other barrels as well. A Criterion in my case.

My .224 Valkyrie kaboomed on me - but the bullet went over my radar chronograph and was within the normal SD and ES for that load. Chamber extension lugs had failed on it.

That's interesting, just to clarify, was the criterion that had extension lug setback the .224 Valk that kaboomed, or are you referring to two different rifles in that post.

How are folks monitoring for extension lug setback, using a no-go gauge every now and then or are there other indicators to watch for before the kaboom?

 

[357Max]

That's interesting, just to clarify, was the criterion that had extension lug setback the .224 Valk that kaboomed, or are you referring to two different rifles in that post.

How are folks monitoring for extension lug setback, using a no-go gauge every now and then or are there other indicators to watch for before the kaboom?

My 1 x fired brass shoulder datum has grown .003" in 90 rounds on this replacement Rainier UM.

Going to pull it now so I don't trash another bolt (JP). Pisses me off since they (Rainier didn't do shit to correct the issue). Also this monolithic is a total PITA to install a barrel in with ss shim stock.

 

[supercorndogs]

That's interesting, just to clarify, was the criterion that had extension lug setback the .224 Valk that kaboomed, or are you referring to two different rifles in that post.

How are folks monitoring for extension lug setback, using a no-go gauge every now and then or are there other indicators to watch for before the kaboom?

I actually noticed mine with my eye balls. On the second barrel I pulled it to check for the same problem after 15 rounds because they acted like the problem was with me and a one off problem. Had I been measuring my brass instead of sizing and shooting based on initial set up. I would have noticed sooner on the first barrel.

I have never seen a barrel extention in any other brand of barrel do this over about a dozen. BHW, criterion, cmmg, rra, woa, McGowan, model 1, spinta, ar stoner, some barrel I got off ebay before you couldn't sell them there anymore.

 

[padom]

Well my RCA 6.5 Grendel bolt, 6 ARC Headspace gauges and Starline 6 ARC brass arrived today. I have to ship the bolt to Craddock to headspace to the RTR barrel.

I guess I wasnt fully clear on these RTR barrels. I thought they were legit, READY TO ROCK... Email says 5-6 month lead time! Not sure I would have ordered if I knew all that. I was better off getting my smith to do a custom barrel on the blank of my choice at this point....

 

[rpoL98]

Well my RCA 6.5 Grendel bolt, 6 ARC Headspace gauges and Starline 6 ARC brass arrived today. I have to ship the bolt to Craddock to headspace to the RTR barrel.

I guess I wasnt fully clear on these RTR barrels. I thought they were legit, READY TO ROCK... Email says 5-6 month lead time! Not sure I would have ordered if I knew all that. I was better off getting my smith to do a custom barrel on the blank of my choice at this point....

my 6ARC RTR shipped 12 calendar days after ordering. I did specify cerakote finish, so that's expected, they said 1-4 weeks for that, got it a couple days ago. I didn't specify anything else, like fluting, headspacing, etc.

 

[padom]

my 6ARC RTR shipped 12 calendar days after ordering. I did specify cerakote finish, so that's expected, they said 1-4 weeks for that, got it a couple days ago. I didn't specify anything else, like fluting, headspacing, etc.

Interesting. I specified no add-ons and chose the headspace to my supplied bolt option. Emailed with Craddock yesterday and they said mail your bolt in. Im just going off the order confirmation email I got yesterday that said 5-6 months lead time.. Hopefully its short like yours.

I just emailed Josh who I was speaking with yesterday to see what the actual lead time is.

 

[LRBuck]

Well my RCA 6.5 Grendel bolt, 6 ARC Headspace gauges and Starline 6 ARC brass arrived today. I have to ship the bolt to Craddock to headspace to the RTR barrel.

I guess I wasnt fully clear on these RTR barrels. I thought they were legit, READY TO ROCK... Email says 5-6 month lead time! Not sure I would have ordered if I knew all that. I was better off getting my smith to do a custom barrel on the blank of my choice at this point....

I received an 18” I ordered to assemble an upper for my son in less than a week. 5 days I think. Shoots great with the factory 108s. He had hits on the 1200 in wind. But I ordered the bolt/bcg and gas with it.

 

[padom]

I received an 18” I ordered to assemble an upper for my son in less than a week. 5 days I think. Shoots great with the factory 108s. He had hits on the 1200 in wind. But I ordered the bolt/bcg and gas with it.

Just heard from Craddock. It's ready to ship

 

[Shotafterdark]

Just put this thing together today and made some ammo
Ran her ....Damn am I impressed !!

I bought a 24" 6 ARC Barrel at EABCO $250.00 1-7.5 Twist
bought a 6.5 bolt from them as well ..
Dropped it into a DMR I've had collecting dust ..

Dropped my new old stock AAC SDN 6 can on her ...
probably gonna leave it on her .

Used the Primary Arms DMR 3-10 scope at first then tore it
off and dropped the Arken SHJ4 to work the load better and see
what I'm doing at 100 yds.

I have a ton of AA2230 powder so I was hopeful I could start a load
from that ...I ordered 600 Hornady 87 GR Vmax as this is a Coyote rig.

800 new Starline brass from Midway .

First load was 30 GR of AA2230 with 87 gr Vmax ...made 5 seated @
2.260" Fed SR match primers..
RCBS SB dies .

I put a new Superlative Arms GB on it turned her 18 clicks ccw
then came back 6...would you believe it was perfect ? cycled
and tossed em at 3 o clock ..





first 2 rounds 3100 fps ....whoa !! that's hot !

 

[Shotafterdark]

Cratering was noted until I backed down to 27 Gr AA2230 with the 87 GR Hornady V Max...
I had an average sd of 20 with starline brass..
2800 FPS is average ....she is grouping ...I like ....great performance with only 27 GR of powder !
Now that's efficient ! and pretty bad ass...

cycling 100% no issues ...dropping brass on top of eachother at 3 o clock

 

[Shotafterdark]

LOL from watching everybody else online , I thought this was gonna be a challenge ..
This gun runs like a sewing machine ...smoooth..
grouping like a champ right outta the gate ...

I'm getting 2900 fps with a lousy 27 grains of powder ...
Daddy is vedy vedy happy .....

I'm thinking when the RAPS stock shows up and I get her painted up like the
6.5 Creed....I'm gonna take the Zulus LRF off the creedmor and put it on this
and plug the dope into the calculator in the app and run the Zulus for nite time
huntin ....otherwise I have the Pard Thermal with laser and ballistic calculator

probably a match made in heaven...


They seem to say these 6 arcs with thermals on a tripod at nite is the whip !

This is my first experience with the 6 ARC and I love it

 

[Shotafterdark]

There 's not much data out there for this cartridge with regards to us Varmint hunters
so we will have to pioneer, I see loads sold by others are pretty slow in this configuration ..


example ...https://coppercreekcartridgeco.com/product/6arc-87vmax/

I can push this thing to 2900 fps and stay safe ...

6MM ARC
Projectile	87gr Hornady V-MAX
Muzzle Velocity (18")	2680
Muzzle Energy (ft/lbs)	1408
Ballistic Coefficient (G1)	0.400
C.O.A.L.	2.140"
Minimum Barrel Twist	1-7.5"

 

[supercorndogs]

Hornady and hodgdon have load data for quite a few diffrent bullet weights. All the way down to 58g. Hornady has both bolt action and gas gun data. I haven't shot any of the 65 vmax out the two barrels i have now but they shot ok in the problem child rainer barrel.

 

[Tex68w]

I had a KAC LPR for years that I thought was the pinnacle of small frame gasser precision (IMHO it was in it's day) but this 6ARC takes the cake. I have zero desire to bother with a large frame gasser ever again (sorry SR25's). The only rifle I could be tempted by enough to sell my LMT/Proof would be the Ridgeline LPR and that's only if they start to offer it in 6ARC.

 

[Shotafterdark]

Adreed....my 6.5 creeds (2) will collect dust ...This lil guy is a blast
and again it is an economizer !! 28 grs of powder compared to 40
no recoil ....

I'm gonna drop my Pard SA 32 x 45 on it and get the ballistics plugged in
to the calculator today as well as working up load for momma's 22 arc

my 6.5 Grendel brass , and dies just arrived ... ohhh so much fun this weekend.

I can't imagine how this lil 22 arc is gonna perform ??
same 24" barrel . Superlative arms GB...
I have 62 GR ELD VT ready to go !! gonna run her hot with AA2230

 

[padom]

I shipped my RCA bolt off to Craddock yesterday, they said my barrel will be ready to ship once my bolt arrives and they headspace it. So should have it end of next week or not long after.

If this 6ARC pans out and I like it, I will definitely be ordering a 22 ARC to build another upper. Should replace my 220TB nicely if it pans out.. We shall see

 

[Tex68w]

I shipped my RCA bolt off to Craddock yesterday, they said my barrel will be ready to ship once my bolt arrives and they headspace it. So should have it end of next week or not long after.

If this 6ARC pans out and I like it, I will definitely be ordering a 22 ARC to build another upper. Should replace my 220TB nicely if it pans out.. We shall see

Not gonna lie, I am seriously considering 22ARC in my next Manners/TL3 build for predators instead of the 6 Creed like originally planned.

 

[padom]

Not gonna lie, I am seriously considering 22ARC in my next Manners/TL3 build for predators instead of the 6 Creed like originally planned.

Honestly for me, not worth it in a bolt gun. When I went to 22BR there was no looking back.. no recoil, stupid crazy accuracy, crazy long brass life with lapua, same bolt face as your other popular calibers and great barrel life.

 

[Shotafterdark]

Not gonna lie, I am seriously considering 22ARC in my next Manners/TL3 build for predators instead of the 6 Creed like originally planned.

I would'nt even consider it in a BG ..
The only reason I'm jumping on is the ar15 platform that I have plenty of ...
For Bolt Gun in an economy and fun 22 ...it's 223 AI all day long
same velocities as 22 arc , dirt cheap and plentiful brass , uses even less powder

Monday my KRG Bravo arca rail fore end chassis shows up , then this new 26"
223AI barrel gets screwed on ....

Ill show you what fun is ! My Tikka Super Varmint is getting a transformer job !

 

[Shotafterdark]

Look what just showed up !!
Been on the road all day making a few bucks ..
guess it's time to get busy ..
Ill post results and vids.....

 

[Tex68w]

Final setup. Short of waiting on the optic level to be released from Reptilia for their AUS mount this is it's final form. I still might go back to the Acro at 12 o'clock but for now I am happy without it up there. I love this rife and this caliber.

 

[supercorndogs]

After initially looking really good everything went to shit. After a couple range trips I was thinking bad bullets. Did I mess something up with thermal fit. Then it occurred to me all the promise disappeared when my new gas block was installed. So after a little filing on my handguard. I went out to confirm zero with 95g midway blems smk or nosler maybe clocking 2800fps form a barrel with 110 rounds down it. I only had 40 left so I load 10 90 tgk also midway blemished over the charge of mp501 and shot the second group. I had 5 more but i want to chrongraph them.

 

[rlsmith1]

18" Proof sped up a bit, decided to chrono after my handloads were a little faster than expected. May order more 103's but don't love that SD...

Factory 103 ELDX: 2699 fps (29 SD)
Factory 108 ELDM: 2627 fps (11 SD)
Handload 75 VMAX: 3008 fps (8.6 SD)

Random reloading question: the 75's have been consistently ~1 MOA and velocity is very consistent but today I had a flier that opened things up to 1.7" (rest of the group was 1.1 MOA).

Anything I should keep an eye on to cut down on fliers?

 

[padom]

18" Proof sped up a bit, decided to chrono after my handloads were a little faster than expected. May order more 103's but don't love that SD...

Factory 103 ELDX: 2699 fps (29 SD)
Factory 108 ELDM: 2627 fps (11 SD)
Handload 75 VMAX: 3008 fps (8.6 SD)

Random reloading question: the 75's have been consistently ~1 MOA and velocity is very consistent but today I had a flier that opened things up to 1.7" (rest of the group was 1.1 MOA).

Anything I should keep an eye on to cut down on fliers?

Whats your sample size to call a flier problem? If I shot 10 5 shot groups or 5 10 shot groups and caught fliers in every one that would be one thing.

Otherwise I'd keep on trucking

 

[rlsmith1]

Whats your sample size to call a flier problem? If I shot 10 5 shot groups or 5 10 shot groups and caught fliers in every one that would be one thing.

Otherwise I'd keep on trucking

Probably have 20 rounds on paper and this was the first one for me. I guess what made me second guess is if that had been on a yote at 250y I may have missed.

Will carry on happy to get that one out of the system on paper

 

[Capri_Man]

1st time trying for actual groups after breaking in the barrel and sighting the scope in. The gun is definitely not the weak link in these groups, I am. If I can get my act together the group at the top left small diamond could be the normal for this gun minus the flyer. But I was happy to see that the barrel seamed to like both the 108gr eld and the 80 eld-vt factory ammo. The velocities also matched what hornday had on the box's.

The barrel is a 24" xcaliber 7 twist.

These 5 groups were the factory 108's and a sample of the velocities.

These two were the 80's.

 

[padom]

I have everything ready to go. Just waiting for my barrel and headspaced bolt back from Craddock. It finally shipped, delivery says Saturday.

MEGA Billet Ambi lower
BCM upper
Rubber City Adjustable Gas key BCG
Geissele Airborne CH
Geissele MK14 handguard
Geissele lower parts kit
Geissele H1 buffer and spring
Larue MBT-2S with JP spring kit

 

[supercorndogs]

Midwayd has some 87 v max on sale. Some factory second 95g 6mm also.

 

[putput30]

AAC will be releasing 6 arc ammo in 90 days or so. Should be a good cheaper option for well under 1$ a round. A good sign for the growth of the cartridge.

 

[LRBuck]

AAC will be releasing 6 arc ammo in 90 days or so. Should be a good cheaper option for well under 1$ a round. A good sign for the growth of the cartridge.

Where did you learn/hear about that? Any idea what type of projectile and weight?

If offered in 105g -109g weight range I will certainly give ‘em a thorough evaluation. Been waiting for more factory choices and fantasizing about lower costs- I don’t have time to hand load for my son too (the busy little dude). Barely have enough time for myself. I shot some of the AAC 178g match in 308 and I though it was great for $1 round.

 

[putput30]

Where did you learn/hear about that? Any idea what type of projectile and weight?

If offered in 105g -109g weight range I will certainly give ‘em a thorough evaluation. Been waiting for more factory choices and fantasizing about lower costs- I don’t have time to hand load for my son too (the busy little dude). Barely have enough time for myself. I shot some of the AAC 178g match in 308 and I though it was great for $1 round.

One of the reps from AAC posted it on another forum. Not surprising since they just did a run of 6.5 Grendel

 

[Jdowns0415]

Does anyone have any load data for the 106gr polymer tip hornady ammo? got 300 of the factory seconds and wanted a good starting point. I am just gonna use my 108 data as a starting point with Varget otherwise.

 

[Gtscotty]

Does anyone have any load data for the 106gr polymer tip hornady ammo? got 300 of the factory seconds and wanted a good starting point. I am just gonna use my 108 data as a starting point with Varget otherwise.

Personally, I'd put them 20 thou off the lands and load up 5 each of 29.1, 29.3, and 29.5 gr of LVR. I've had several different bullets like a LVR charge in that range.

 

[LRBuck]

Personally, I'd put them 20 thou off the lands and load up 5 each of 29.1, 29.3, and 29.5 gr of LVR. I've had several different bullets like a LVR charge in that range.

I agree with that advice. Every load I have and the loads of some buddies of mine all fall in that range with similar weight projectiles (103-109g)

 

[padom]

My 22" RTR, low profile SS gas block, Forster Ultra Micrometer seating die and Wilson SS FL Bushing sizing die showed up today. I can finally finish this build and load up some ammo to get some initial rounds down it!

Looks like Craddock is having a 13yr in business sale today on their in stock RTR barrels 13% off. Thinking hard about just ordering a 22 ARC barrel as well....

 

[padom]

All put together. Just gotta swap out the stock and mount up some glass.

Now to decide what to load up first to break it in.

 

[db2000]

All put together. Just gotta swap out the stock and mount up some glass.

Now to decide what to load up first to break it in.

Nice looking setup! There’s some good loads over in another 6ARC thread you’ve probably seen. A lot of my guns love VMAX. Some of the most accurate bullets I’ve shot. They’re often lighter for the load though. 60 gr in .223 and 57 gr in 6 ARC but incredibly accurate. A2230 in 6 ARC is 3500 fps from 18”

 

[357Max]

All put together. Just gotta swap out the stock and mount up some glass.

Now to decide what to load up first to break it in.

The Berger 95vlds surprised me. Easy to find a load for in 2 different barrels and speed was great from a 22”.

I was using Lever.

With 108 eld’s 29.2 - 29.5 = 2680 - 2720 with 205AR or Cci41.

I’ve had the best luck loaded 2.290ish.

 

[padom]

Nice looking setup! There’s some good loads over in another 6ARC thread you’ve probably seen. A lot of my guns love VMAX. Some of the most accurate bullets I’ve shot. They’re often lighter for the load though. 60 gr in .223 and 57 gr in 6 ARC but incredibly accurate. A2230 in 6 ARC is 3500 fps from 18”

Nice! I have a bunch of 75 and 87 vmax and 88 smk. That's what I built the gun to shoot. Looking for fast and accurate with these lighter pills. Not real interested in shooting 100gr or heavier in this little case

 

[david walter]

@Shotafterdark

This is what I see in place of your videos.

 

[loclass]

All put together. Just gotta swap out the stock and mount up some glass.

Now to decide what to load up first to break it in.

Hope your 22" shoots well. My 22" RTR 6arc likes 90 TGK as well as it does 107 smk. The 107s shoot great with Lever while the 90s prefer AR Comp and SW Match Rifle.

 

[Jdowns0415]

Personally, I'd put them 20 thou off the lands and load up 5 each of 29.1, 29.3, and 29.5 gr of LVR. I've had several different bullets like a LVR charge in that range.

Didn’t have any lever laying around but I had some staball match. Loaded up 26.8 and sent 50 of em down range, 2550 fps sd of 12 out of my Odin barrel. Groups were alright. 3-4 rounds would be touching and then a random flier but they were sub moa at 109y. This was two seperate 5 shot groups.

 

[Kocher]

FYI -brass bulging at base on my barrel
When loading close to max - case bulge when resizing. I am familiar with the issue with the RCB and Hornady dies

I have a Whidden die on the way
I have some case gages as well (using a 9mm empty is not fun) … could be my chamber.. although the chamber should be gtg.. as it is RTR craddock… bout something is off as it will not group with 87vmax no matter the charge w/ varget

I resize the cases so they just chamber… with just a thousand more, so should have been RTR…


i’ve noticed that if you have a good barrel- it will shoot great groups even with sub-optimal charge

 

[padom]

I haven't shot my new RTR barrel but this was a first for me.. I always run a wet patch then a dry patch down a new barrel. 99.9% of the time the wet patch has a little crud on it from machining or whatever but then the dry patch is clean and I go shoot.

I don't know what was up with this RTR barrel but it was absolutely filthy. I had to use a nylon brush then patch it out to get it clean. Never seen this before on a brand new barrel. Hopefully it shoots well..



Patches down barrel from left to right

 

[Jdowns0415]

I haven't shot my new RTR barrel but this was a first for me.. I always run a wet patch then a dry patch down a new barrel. 99.9% of the time the wet patch has a little crud on it from machining or whatever but then the dry patch is clean and I go shoot.

I don't know what was up with this RTR barrel but it was absolutely filthy. I had to use a nylon brush then patch it out to get it clean. Never seen this before on a brand new barrel. Hopefully it shoots well..



Patches down barrel from left to right

My Odin barrel shot like crap even 100 rounds in and I took a .243 bore brush and ran some JB bore paste and Kroil then ran hoppes through it about 20 times. It’s been shooting a lot better since.

 

[Kocher]

My Odin barrel shot like crap even 100 rounds in and I took a .243 bore brush and ran some JB bore paste and Kroil then ran hoppes through it about 20 times. It’s been shooting a lot better since.

Did all of that 2times
Ran over 120+ and it has gotten worse..

Looked with a bore scope .. it has not smoothed out . The gas port looks like it has a burr that foleded over and is just digging into the bullet… I have a proof that looks the same way. I cleaned it prior to scoping it… this time I should have not touched it prior to scoping .. but hind sight …you know the saying…
Just may have gotten a bad one… shit happens
Perhaps ann illusion. But that is what it looks like to me.

 

[357Max]

Did all of that 2times
Ran over 120+ and it has gotten worse..

Looked with a bore scope .. it has not smoothed out . The gas port looks like it has a burr that foleded over and is just digging into the bullet… I have a proof that looks the same way. I cleaned it prior to scoping it… this time I should have not touched it prior to scoping .. but hind sight …you know the saying…
Just may have gotten a bad one… shit happens
Perhaps ann illusion. But that is what it looks like to me.

Does it look something like this? Like you said shit happens.

 

[Jdowns0415]

Did all of that 2times
Ran over 120+ and it has gotten worse..

Looked with a bore scope .. it has not smoothed out . The gas port looks like it has a burr that foleded over and is just digging into the bullet… I have a proof that looks the same way. I cleaned it prior to scoping it… this time I should have not touched it prior to scoping .. but hind sight …you know the saying…
Just may have gotten a bad one… shit happens
Perhaps ann illusion. But that is what it looks like to me.

That is unfortunate, mine doesn't have that issue luckily. I would just send it in and see if they can fix it, I had dimpled my barrel and ODINworks still opened my gas port and checked the headspace and fixed my barrel when it was belting every case and not cycling. I am not sure if yours is an odin but its worth a shot. I have about 350 down the tube since I got it back and it is shooting great with the 105/106/108gr bullets. ELDVT is still giving me some random problems.