Intro: Ron Dague wanted a new gun that was similar to his trusty .223 Rem rifle, but which fired 6mm bullets. There is a superb choice of bullets in this caliber, and Ron found that the 95gr Berger VLD could be driven to a healthy 2604 FPS by the small .223 Rem case. This 6mm wildcat based on the common .223 Remington offers excellent accuracy and very low recoil — something very important in the cross-the-course discipline. In addition, Ron’s 95gr load with Alliant Reloder 15 delivered an ES of just 4 fps over ten shots. That exceptionally low ES helps achieve minimal vertical dispersion at 600 yards.
By Ron Dague, Sinclair Reloading Tech
From Sinclair’s GunTech Articles Archive
I have watched a change in thinking for NRA High Power across the course in match rifles and calibers. There are several [popular chamberings]: 6mm AR, 6.5 Grendel, 6XC, and 6.5 Creedmoor. I have seen these rifles perform and all have done very well.
When I started this project I was looking for a cartridge that shoots and feeds well from a magazine[.] I had shot the .223 Rem in my 722 Remington and knew it had fed well so I chose the .223 Remington necked up to 6mm.
The 6mm-223 gives me what I have in the standard .223 only with a better selection of bullets. I wanted a better 600-yard bullet with a higher BC than provided by the 80 and 82 grain bullets. I also wanted a 600-yard line bullet with a .500 or better B.C. for those shots that should be 10 ring or better but seem to find the 9 ring no matter how well I held and broke the shot.
Putting the 6mm-233 Project Together
My project started with ordering a 6mm barrel from Bartlein with a 1-8″ twist. I called Pacific Tool and ordered the 6mm-223 reamer. I found a used Remington 700 action at a local gun shop and already had a Remington 40X stock. I then started putting the gun together.
I already had a .223 Remington match rifle, and I wanted the 6mm-223 to be as close to the same as I could make it. I installed the barreled action in a wood 40X stock to work up load data and work out any magazine feeding issues. While I was working on that, I looked for a McMillan Baker Special stock and finally found one to finish this project. I bedded the action and stock, then took the rifle to the range to check zeros on the sights and scope. I was surprised that I didn’t have to change anything on the sights. I thought changing the stock would cause sight changes. The thought went through my head, “Maybe the 40X stock isn’t all that bad”.
Here’s line-up of 6mm bullets. The Berger 95gr VLD is in the middle.
I took the new rifle to the first match of the year, a National Match Course match, and my off-hand score was 83, rapid sitting 95, rapid prone 95, and slow fire prone 197 — for total aggregate 470. This may not be my best work, but on match day the wind was blowing about 15 mph and the temp was around 40° F, with rain threatening. This was a reduced course of fire — we shot at 200 and 300 yards on reduced targets.
I used 70gr Berger bullets for this match, loaded in Remington brass with 25 grains of VihtaVuori N540 and Federal 205M primers. When I worked up loads for this rifle, N540 gave the best accuracy with the best extreme spread — 2,950 fps with an extreme spread of 20 fps on a 10-shot string. The load for 600 yards was with a 95gr Berger VLD bullet, with 23.0 grains of Reloder 15, Lapua cases, and the same Federal 205M primers. This load is 2,604 fps, with an extreme spread of 4 fps over a 10-shot string. I’ve shot this load at several 3×600 yard matches, and the accuracy has proven to be very good. At the last 3×600 match, my scores were as follows: 199-10x and 198-11X with scope, and 193-10X with iron sights. Best 600-yard score so far with iron sights was 198-12X.
6mm-223 Rem Rifle Specifications: 700 BDL action and floor plate, Bartlein 6mm 1:8″ twist, McMillan Baker Special stock in Desert Camo, Centra front and rear sights, Ken Farrell bases with stripper clip guide, Sinclair hand stop, and Jewell trigger. Gunsmith Neil Keller helped me with the metal work and instructed me on the action work and rebarreling.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. EuroOptic — Tikka T3x Rifle Blow-Out Sale — Save 35%
⏺️ Tikka makes great hunting rifles now offered at major savings
With this Blow-Out Sale at EuroOptic.com, you can save $120-$530 on quality Tikka T3x hunting rifles, starting at just $599.99. Multiple models are on sale including T3x Lite, T3x Lite Compact, T3x Lite Stainless, T3x Hunter, T3x Laminated, and T3x RoughTech. Both right-hand and Left-hand versions are offered. The Hunter models feature a handsome wood stock. These rifles can deliver sub-MOA accuracy with good hand-loads.
2. Precision Reloading — 10% Off All Berger Bullets
⏺️ Great top-tier, high-demand bullets on sale through 1/17/2025
Berger bullets are used by top competitors in many disciplines — F-Class, Benchrest, PRS/NRL, Service Rifle, ELR and more. Now through 1/17/2025 you can get 10% off the full range of Berger match and hunting bullets. Precision Reloading has a large stock of Berger bullets currently, including high-demand 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm, and .30-caliber bullets.
3. Sportsman’s WH — Flash Sale on Optics, Knives, and More
⏺️ Great deals — save up to 50% on optics, ammo, and knives
Get major savings on optics, ammo, knives, and some firearms with the January Flash Sale at Sportsman’s Warehouse. We saw some amazing deals on Leupold and Vortex optics. And there are some very good deals on knives with savings up to 50%. CLICK HERE to see all 36 current Flash Sale bargains.
4. Creedmoor Sports — ADG Brass Sale, Std. + Magnum Cartridges
⏺️ ADG makes great brass for larger F-Class, hunting, and ELR rifles
If you are a F-Open shooter or a hunter using a modern magnum cartridge, head over to Creedmoor Sports. Currently top-quality ADG brass is on sale with significant savings of 10% or more on notable cartridge types including 6.5 PRC, 7 SAUM, 7mm Rem UltraMag, 300 PRC, 300 WSM, and more. This ADG brass is very strong and consistent.
⏺️ Great products — Wipe-Out, Carb-Out, Patch Out — save time/effort.
Sharp-Shoot-R Precision makes fantastic barrel cleaning products including Wipe-Out Foam, Carb-Out, Patch Out, Wipe-Out Accelerator, Tactical Advantage, and No-Lead. In addition Sharp-Shoot-R makes Maxx and Slicker lubricants. We use Wipe-out, Carb-out, and Accelerator and these products have dramatically reduced the amount of brushing required and have detered hard carbon fouling. All Sharp-Shoot-R products are currently on sale at Precision Reloading. You can save on these truly outstanding cleaning items.
6. Midsouth — 2000 Rounds Aguila .22 LR ammo, $114.99
⏺️ Good reliable rimfire ammo for just six cents a round
Here is one of the best deals on rimfire ammunition that we’ve seen in years. Right now at Midsouth, you can get 2000 rounds of Aguila .22 LR Super Extra HV ammo for just $114.99 on sale. That works out to just $3.00 per box (6 cents per round). This would work great for pistol and rifle plinking.
7. Midsouth — LEE Breech Hand Press Kit, $68.99
⏺️ Compact hand press can do a number of key tasks — Great Sale
The LEE Breech Lock Hand Press Kit combines the popular LEE Hand-Held Press with a LEE Breech Lock System that allows reloaders to quickly change dies without having to readjust dies. This hand-held reloading press weighs only 1.5 lbs and works well for depriming tasks or bullet seating at the range. This kit, now just $68.99 on sale at Midsouth, includes Hand Press, Ram Prime Unit, Powder Funnel, and Resizing Lube.
⏺️ Great price on versatile rapid access 2-gun security safe
If you want handy storage for two handguns or one pistol, watches, and other valuables, consider this SnapSafe 2-Gun Keypad Vault, now just $59.99 at Grafs.com (54% off). Along with the keypad, there is a backup rotary key lock. The spring-loaded door opens immediately with your programmable code. A protective foam liner safeguards contents, the interior shelf is removable, and the base is pre-drilled so the vault can be bolted in place. This is a great deal — the very same SnapSafe 2-gun vault costs $134.99 right now at MidwayUSA — nearly twice as much.
⏺ Very comprehensive set covers huge range of calibers
Successful and safe reloading requires knowing your base to ogive measurement. The AltitudeCraft Bullet Comparator Kit (#ad) allows you to get that key measurement for a huge range of bullet sizes. The AltitudeCraft bullet comparator kit has 14 precision inserts that fit a carrier that attaches easily to your calipers. This allows you to measure calibers from 0.17 to 0.45, so this one kit will cover the vast majority of popular rifle and pistol cartridge types.
10. Amazon — Splatterburst Targets 50pk, $39.99
⏺️ Targets have fifteen 3″ bulls per sheet — bullet impacts show bright yellow
Splatterburst Targets make spotting bullet impacts easy, with hi-viz, bright yellow shot marks. With fifteen 3″ bullseyes, this Splatterburt target sheet is great for rimfire or centerfire practice. And you can see bullet impacts out to 400 yards. And right now you can get FIFTY (50) of these 15-bull target sheets for just $39.99 on Amazon (#ad) — that’s just 80 cents per target sheet. The BRIGHT yellow bullet holes are visible in all light conditions, great for people with weak vision.
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“The press is the heart of the handloading operation, also traditionally the most expensive single tool employed…” — Laurie Holland
British competitive shooter Laurie Holland has reviewed three popular, single-stage reloading presses for Target Shooter Magazine (targetshooter.co.uk). Laurie bolted up a Forster Co-Ax, RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme, and RCBS Summit to his reloading bench and put the three presses through their paces. These three machines are very different in design and operation. The venerable Rock Chucker is a classic heavy, cast-iron “O”- type press that offers lots of leverage for tough jobs. The smaller RCBS Summit press is an innovative “upside-down” design with a large center column and open front. It offers a small footprint and easy case access from the front. The Co-Ax is unique in many respects — dies slide in and out of the upper section which allows them to “float”. The cartridge case is held in the lower section by spring-loaded jaws rather than a conventional shell-holder.
If you are considering purchasing any one of these three presses, you should read Laurie’s article start to finish. He reviews the pros and cons of each press, after processing three different brands of brass on each machine. He discusses ergonomics, easy of use, press leverage, smoothness, priming function, and (most importantly), the ability to produce straight ammo with low run-out. The review includes interesting data on case-neck run-out (TIR) for RWS, Federal, and Norma 7x57mm brass.
Review Quick Highlights:
RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme
“My expectations of the antediluvian RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme’s performance weren’t over high to be honest as I mounted it in the place of the Summit. As soon as I sized the first of the stretched RWS cases though, I saw why this press has been such a long-running favorite. The workload was considerably reduced compared to the other two presses and doing 40-odd cases took no time at all with little sweat — it just eats hard-to-size brass.”
RCBS Summit Press
“Despite its massive build and long-stroke operating handle, [the Summit] took more sweat than I’d expected, even if it was somewhat less work than with the Co-Ax. Although the Summit is apparently massive, I noticed that the die platform would tilt fractionally under the heaviest strains[.] It is nevertheless a very pleasant press in use and bullet seating was a doddle — the few examples tried proving very concentric on checking them afterwards. The optional short handle would be valuable for this task.”
Forster Co-Ax
“[On the Co-Ax], the operating handle is above the machine, located centrally [with] twin steel links at the top end of the press dropping down to the moving parts. The Co-Ax incorporates [many] novel features, principally its automatic and multi-case compatible shell-holder assembly with spring-loaded sliding jaws, very neat spent primer arrangements that allow hardly any gritty residues to escape and foul the moving parts and, the snap-in/out die fitment that allows rapid changes and lets the die ‘float’ in relation to the case giving very concentric results. I own this press and it meets my handloading needs very well.”
For many Americans, real incomes have stayed flat in recent years, while inflation has increased the cost of living very significantly in the past four years under Biden. Accordingly, it’s important to save money whenever possible. Prices are going up, but wages aren’t following (for most of us). Here are six ways shooters can save money on gear purchases and other shooting-related expenses.
1. Watch for Our Deals of the Week. Every Monday, in our Daily Bulletin, AccurateShooter.com offers some of the best deals to be found. We search the web to find great deals on ammo, reloading components, optics, tools, firearms, gun safes, electronics and more. It’s not unusual to find savings of 20-35% through our Deals of the Week. And many of our vendors are now offering special deals just for AccurateShooter.com readers.
2. Check Out the Forum Classifieds. There are great deals to be found every day in the AccurateShooter Shooters’ Forum. The latest deals are displayed in the right column of every Forum page. To see all the listings, browse through the Forum MarketPlace section which has four main categories:
Guns, Actions, Stocks, & Barrels
Tools, Dies, Rests, Reloading Components & Misc
Scopes, Optics, Sights, Rings, Bases Etc.
Commercial Sales by Paid Sponsors
3. Share a Ride to Matches. Fuel prices are on the rise — Regular-grade gasoline is over $5.00 per gallon in California now and around $3.10/gallon nationwide. With many shooters living 30-100 miles from the nearest range, fuel remains a big part of a shooter’s hobby budget. We’d say 90% of shooters drive solo to matches, often in large, gas-guzzling trucks. If you drive 200 miles round-trip to attend a match in a 20-mpg vehicle, you’ll burn over $31.00 worth of gasoline on your trip. That adds up. By simply sharing the ride with one fellow shooter you cut your fuel expenditures in half. And, if you alternate vehicles with a buddy from one match to the next, you save on vehicle wear and tear. At $0.65/mile (overall operating costs) consider the savings.
4. Use Discount Codes to Save. It’s always smart to check for discount codes before you buy. In the Daily Bulletin, we feature “Deals of the Week” every Monday morning, and we provide discount Coupon Codes when available. These can reduce the price substantially or lower shipping costs. Search codes for Brownells, Creedmoor Sports, EuroOptic, Graf’s, Midsouth, Powder Valley, Sportsman’s Warehouse, KYGUNCO, MidwayUSA, and Precision Reloading. Check your email also — some discount codes are only announced in email newsletters. If you can’t find a Coupon Code for your preferred vendor, visit Gun.deals and/or RetailMeNot.com. Both those sites list current coupon codes, and RetailMeNot.com covers thousands of vendors.
5. Shop for “Demo” Optics. Modern high-quality optics can easily cost $2000.00 or more, often exceeding the value of the rifle on which they are mounted. However, you can often save 20-30% by purchasing demo optics. These are normally display units used at trade shows. They may have slight ringmarks, but otherwise they are “as new”, having never been carried in the field or used on a rifle that has fired live ammo. When purchasing demo scopes, you should always ask about the warranty before consummating the sale. However, most demo scopes from name-brand manufacturers come with full factory warranties. EuroOptic.com and Natchezss.com are two respected vendors that offer a good selection of demo optics.
6. Train with Rimfire Rifles. Good match-grade centerfire, hand-loaded ammo, counting premium bullets, powder, primers, and brass (figuring 10X loads), can now exceed $1.60 per round. And if your $600 (as chambered and fitted) competition barrel is toast after 1500 rounds, add $0.40 for barrel deprecation per shot. So you’re effectively spending two bucks a round total! By contrast, you can get quite good .22 LR target ammo for under $0.18 per round. Good rimfire barrels last a long, long time, so you don’t have to be concerned about wearing out your barrel quickly. A quality rimfire barrel can retain its accuracy for 7,000 rounds or more. If you run the ballistics, a .22 LR round at 100 yards can emulate the wind drift experienced by a centerfire cartridge at long range. This allows for effective cross-training with much less expensive ammo.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. Brownells — Crimson Trace Optics Sale
⏺️ Quality Crimson Trace scopes now at very significant discounts
Brownells is running a major sale right now on quality Crimson Trace Optics. Along with rifle scopes (both FFP and SFP versions) with a wide range of magnification levels, there are red dots for pistols. With this notable Crimson Trace Optics Sale you can save up to 60% on quality optics with very positive user reviews. We would definitely consider a FFP Crimson Trace for a PRS rifle.
⏺️ High-quality match-winning 6BR brass, works for Dasher and 6BRA too
The original 6mmBR Norma cartridge and its wildcats such as the 6mm Dasher and 6BRA have been hugely popular for many disciplines — Benchrest, PRS/NRL, varminting. But with this popularity has come short supply. 6mmBR brass has been hard to find in recent months. But take heart — Whidden Gunworks has Lapua 6mmBR Brass in stock at $119.99 for 100 cases — a good price. If Whidden Gunworks sells out, Bruno Shooters also has Lapua 6mmBR brass in stock for $122.80 per 100, just a few bucks more.
3. Palmetto SA — SAR9 Sport 9mm Pistol, $299.99
⏺️ Save $300 off MSRP on good full-size 9mm pistol
This is a great deal for a modern, reliable 9mm pistol with better ergonomics than a Glock (at less than half the price). The lightweight polymer-framed, striker-fired SAR9 points naturally and has three insertable back straps to customize fit. We like the 20-degree grip angle which points well for most users. This ported slide version with 5.2″ barrel is a great gun for IDPA, USPSA, and other pistol matches. The listed $299.99 sale price is $300.00 off the original $699.99 MSRP. The slide has two threaded holes that allow an optic to be attached, but it does not have a removable plate like some newer pistols.
4. Graf & Sons — Unis Large Rifle Primers, 5000 for $399.00
⏺️ Get Large Rifle Primers — in stock now at Graf’s
Large rifle primers have been hard to source lately. But Graf & Sons now has ample inventories of Unis Large Rifle Primers. You can get a big 5000-count case of UNIX Large Rifle Primers for $399.00, a 15% discount. That price works out to just eight cents per primer. Manufactured in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Unis “Ginex” primers are used by major ammunition manufacturers world-wide. With consistent ignition and uniform size these will work for anything from plinking to competition.
5. Creedmoor Sports — $20 Off All Rifle Cases
⏺️ Creedmoor Sports makes some of the best soft cases — save $20 now
For decades Creedmoor Sports has offered some of the best fabric rifle cases you can buy. These cases are very popular with Palma, High Power, and Service Rifle competitors. They have quality zippers and handy outside pockets and are offered in a variety of sizes and colors. Right now these Creedmoor Sports gun cases are $20 OFF on Sale through 1/11/25. With a variety of size, pocket, and color options this is a great opportunity to pick up a new gun case for 2025.
6. Scheels — Forster Co-Ax Primer Seater, $119.99
⏺️ Great product, with significant savings over other sellers
If you load lots of cartridges, it’s wise to have a high-leverage, stack-loading bench-mounted primer tool that gives repeatable results. This allows you to prime hundreds of cases efficiently without the hand pain from repetitive gripping. A great choice is the Forster Co-Ax Primer Seater with E-Z-Just Shell Holder Jaws. This system has an adaptive rim holder so separate shell holders are not needed. The E-Z-Just jaws can grip rifle and pistol cases with a rim thickness of .045″ to .072″. Primers stack in vertically-oriented primer tubes (separate tubes for large primers and small primers are supplied). The primers stack sideways — outer diameter to outer diameter — for added safety.
7. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Tumbler Combo Kit, $99.99
⏺️ Complete tumbling kit — tumbler, separator, bucket, and media
Cleaning your brass is a critical step in the reloading process and we found a great kit if you’re in the market for one. The Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler Kit (#ad) has everything you need to get started. With Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler, Quick-N-EZ Rotary Media Separator, 4 oz. Brass Polish, 3 lb. Cleaning Media and a Plastic Bucket you’ll be up and running in no time.
8. Amazon — Wheeler Trigger Pull Gauge, $61.49
⏺️ Good very consistent and reliable trigger gauge
Competitive shooters as well as hunters need to accurately monitor trigger pull weights. Having optimal (and consistent) pull weights is key for shooting performance and safety. You may also need to verify pull weight to comply with match rules. One of the best trigger gauges out there is the Wheeler Professional Digital Trigger Pull Gauge (#ad). With digital display and 1 oz. increments this Pro Trigger Gauge is a great tool for target shooters and gunsmiths, allowing precise trigger settings. This digital gauge boasts accuracy to +/-0.5% over a range of 0 to 12 pounds.
9. Amazon — Lockdown Hidden Storage Shelf, $99.99
⏺️ Great design provides security in a living area
It can be challenging to keep firearms in your house in a manner where they are both secure yet readily accessible. One way to accomplish this is with the Lockdown Hidden Compartment Shelf (#ad). This has a hidden horizontal storage area where you can keep a pistol and other key items. The Lockdown Shelf mounts easily on your wall. With a simple swipe of the included magnetic key, you have instant access to firearms and other important items.
10. Amazon — Digital Microscope, $29.99
⏺️ Very low price on great tool for inspecting bullets, brass, primers
Do you wish you had a way to cheaply and easily inspect your primer pockets, trimmed brass, or pointed bullets? We like this 4.3″ 1080p HD 1000x Zoom Microscope (#ad) that allows you to go from 5X to 1000X with an easy-to-use focus. This advanced electronic magnifying system is priced at just $29.99, a very low price for such a sophisticated device. NOTE: This is a limited time deal that may expire very quickly.
11. TargetSports USA — Self-Inking Stamp for Targets, $5.99
⏺️ Handy tool to stamp your own 2″ bullseyes on target
Are you tired of buying targets or wasting expensive printer ink just to shoot holes in paper? Consider this handy, low-cost Self-Inking Target Stamp. With an easy-to-fill ink reservoir, you can stamp a grid of multiple targets or add 2″ red bullseyes to a printed target. NOTE: This target stamp is listed at 51mm, so it makes bulls 2 inches in diameter.
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The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit regularly published a reloading “how-to” article on the USAMU Facebook page. One excellent “Handloading Hump Day” post covered preparation of once-fired 5.56x45mm brass. This article, the first in a 3-part series, has many useful tips. If you shoot a rifle chambered in .223 Rem or 5.56x45mm, this article is worth reading. You can obtain once-fired Lake City 5.56x45mm brass for less than half the cost of premium .223 Rem brass.
This week, Handloading Hump-Day will answer a special request from several competitive shooters who asked about procedures for morphing once-fired GI 5.56mm brass into accurate match brass for NRA High Power Rifle use. The USAMU has used virgin Lake City (LC) 5.56 brass to win National Championships and set National Records for many years. In this 3-part series, we’ll share techniques proven to wring match-winning accuracy from combat-grade brass.
GI brass has an excellent attribute, worth noting — it is virtually indestructible. Due to its NATO-spec hardness, the primer pockets last much longer than most commercial brass when using loads at appropriate pressures.
Preparing Once-Fired GI 5.56 Brass for Reloading (Part 1 of 3)
Assuming our readers will be getting brass once-fired as received from surplus dealers, the following steps can help process the low-cost raw material into reliably accurate components.
1. Clean the Brass
First, clean the brass of any dirt/mud/debris, if applicable. Depending on the brass’s condition, washing it in a soap solution followed by a thorough rinsing may help. [This step also extends the life of the tumbling media.] Approaches range from low-tech, using gallon jugs 1/2 full of water/dish soap plus brass and shaking vigorously, to more high-tech, expensive and time-consuming methods.
2. Wet-Tumbling Options (Be Sure to Dry the Brass)
When applying the final cleaning/polish, some use tumblers with liquid cleaning media and stainless steel pins for a brilliant shine inside and out, while others take the traditional vibratory tumbler/ground media approach. Degree of case shine is purely personal preference, but the key issue is simple cleanliness to avoid scratching ones’ dies.
If a liquid cleaner is used, be SURE to dry the cases thoroughly to preclude corrosion inside. One method is to dump the wet brass into an old pillow case, then tilt it left/right so the cases re-orient themselves while shifting from corner to corner. Several repetitions, pausing at each corner until water stops draining, will remove most water. They can then be left to air-dry on a towel, or can be dried in a warm (150° F-200° F max) oven for a few minutes to speed evaporation.
Shown below are Lake City cases after cleaning with Stainless Media (STM). Note: STM Case cleaning was done by a third party, not the USAMU, which does not endorse any particular cleaning method.
NOTE: The USAMU Handloading (HL) Shop does not RE-load fired 5.56 brass. We use virgin LC brass with our chosen primer already staked in place. However, our staff has extensive personal experience reloading GI brass for competition, which will supplement the Shop’s customary steps. In handloading, as in life, there are many ways to accomplish any given task. Our suggestions are note presented as the “only way,” by any means. Time for loading/practicing is always at a premium. Readers who have more efficient, alternative methods that maintain top accuracy are invited to share them here.
3. Inspect Every Case
Once dry, inspect each case for significant deformation (i.e., someone stepped on it), damaged mouths/necks and case head/rim damage. Some rifles’ ejectors actually dig small chunks of brass out of the case head — obviously, not ideal for precision shooting. Similarly, some extractors can bend the case rims so badly that distortion is visible when spinning them in one’s fingers. These can be used for plinking, but our match brass should have straight, undamaged rims.
Dented case mouths are common, and these can easily be rounded using a conical, tapered tool, [such as a .223 expander mandrel. A dummy 7.62 or .30-06 cartridge with a FMJ spitzer can also work.] If most of your brass is of one headstamp, this is a good time to cull out any odd cases.
4. Check the Primers Before Decapping
Your clean, dry and inspected brass is now ready for full-length sizing, decapping and re-priming. Historically, primer crimps on GI brass have caused some head-scratching (and vile language) among handloaders. Our next installment will detail efficient, easy and practical methods to remove primer crimp, plus other useful handloading tips. Until next week, Good Shooting!
Accuracy Potential of Mil-Surp 5.56×45 Brass
So, how accurate can previously-fired GI surplus brass be in a good National Match AR-15? Well, here’s a data point from many years ago that might be of interest. A High Power shooter who wrote for the late Precision Shooting magazine took a Bill Wylde-built AR match rifle to a registered Benchrest match. He had no difficulty obtaining consistent 0.5-0.6 MOA accuracy at 200 yards using LC brass and a generic “practice” load that was not tuned to his rifle.
Why You CANNOT Rely on the MV Printed on the Ammo Box!
When figuring out your come-ups with a ballistics solver or drop chart it’s “mission critical” to have an accurate muzzle velocity (MV). When shooting factory ammo, it’s tempting to use the manufacturer-provided MV which may be printed on the package. That’s not such a great idea says Bryan Litz of Applied Ballistics. Don’t rely on the MV on the box, Bryan advises — you should take out your chrono and run your own velocity tests. There are a number of reasons why the MV values on ammo packaging may be inaccurate. Below is a discussion of factory ammo MV from the Applied Ballistics Facebook Page.
Five Reasons You Cannot Trust the Velocity on a Box of Ammo:
1. You have no idea about the rifle used for the MV test.
2. You have no idea what atmospheric conditions were during testing, and yes it matters a lot.
3. You have no idea of the SD for the factory ammo, and how the manufacturer derived the MV from that SD. (Marketing plays a role here).
4. You have no idea of the precision and quality of chronograph(s) used for velocity testing.
5. You have no idea if the manufacturer used the raw velocity, or back-calculated the MV. The BC used to back track that data is also unknown.
1. The factory test rifle and your rifle are not the same. Aside from having a different chamber, and possibly barrel length some other things are important too like the barrel twist rate, and how much wear was in the barrel. Was it just recently cleaned, has it ever been cleaned? You simply don’t know anything about the rifle used in testing.
2. Temperature and Humidity conditions may be quite different (than during testing). Temperature has a physical effect on powder, which changes how it burns. Couple this with the fact that different powders can vary in temp-stability quite a bit. You just don’t know what the conditions at the time of testing were. Also a lot of factory ammunition is loaded with powder that is meter friendly. Meter friendly can often times be ball powder, which is less temperature stable than stick powder often times.
3. The ammo’s Standard Deviation (SD) is unknown. You will often notice that while MV is often listed on ammo packages, Standard Deviation (normally) is not. It is not uncommon for factory ammunition to have an SD of 18 or higher. Sometimes as high as 40+. As such is the nature of metering powder. With marketing in mind, did they pick the high, low, or average end of the SD? We really don’t know. You won’t either until you test it for yourself. For hand-loaded ammo, to be considered around 10 fps or less. Having a high SD is often the nature of metered powder and factory loads. The image below is from Modern Advancements in Long Range Shooting: Volume II.
4. You don’t know how MV was measured. What chronograph system did the manufacturer use, and how did they back track to a muzzle velocity? A chronograph does not measure true velocity at the muzzle; it simply measures velocity at the location it is sitting. So you need to back-calculate the distance from the chrono to the end of the barrel. This calculation requires a semi-accurate BC. So whose BC was used to back track to the muzzle or did the manufacturer even do that? Did they simply print the numbers displayed by the chronograph? What kind of chronograph setup did they use? We know from our Lab Testing that not all chronographs are created equal. Without knowing what chronograph was used, you have no idea the quality of the measurement.
5. The MV data may not be current. Does the manufacturer update that data for every lot? Or is it the same data from years ago? Some manufacturers rarely if ever re-test and update information. Some update it every lot (ABM Ammo is actually tested every single lot for 1% consistency). Without knowing this information, you could be using data for years ago.
CONCLUSION: Never use the printed MV off a box of ammo as anything more than a starting point, there are too many factors to account for. You must always either test for the MV with a chronograph, or use carefully obtained, live fire data. When you are using a Ballistic Solver such as the AB Apps or Devices integrated with AB, you need to know the MV to an accuracy down to 5 fps. The more reliable the MV number, the better your ballistics solutions.
“22 Plinkster” is an avid shooter who has produced a number of entertaining videos for his YouTube Channel. In the video below, he tackles the question “Why Do Misfires Occur in .22 LR Rimfire Ammunition?” This is the most common question posed to 22 Plinkster by his many viewers. He identifies four main issues that can cause .22 LR misfires or faulty ignition:
1. Damaged Firing Pin — The dry firing process can actually blunt or shorten the firing pin, particularly with older rimfire firearms. Use of snap caps is recommended.
2. Poor Ammunition — Some cheap brands have poor quality control. 22 Plinkster recommends using ammo from a manufacturer with high quality control standards, such as CCI and Federal.
3. Age of Ammunition — Rimfire ammo can function well for a decade or more. However the “shelf life” of rimfire ammunition is not infinite. You ammo’s “lifespan” will be shortened by heat, moisture, and humidity. You should store your rimfire ammo in a cool, dry place.
4. Mishandling of Ammunition — Tossing around ammunition can cause problems. Rough handling can cause the priming compound to be dislodged from the rim. This causes misfires.
Preventing misfires is essential if you want to succeed in NRL22 competition and other rimfire competition disciplines run “on the clock”.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. Palmetto SA — SAR9 9mm Pistol, $219.99
⏺️ Save $330 off normal retail price on good full-size 9mm pistol
This is an incredible deal for a modern, reliable 9mm pistol with better ergonomics than a Glock (at less than half the price). The lightweight polymer-framed, striker-fired SAR9 points naturally and has three insertable back straps to customize fit. We like the 20-degree grip angle which points well for most users. This is a great gun for both self-defense and IDPA and other pistol matches. The listed $219.99 sale price is for the “platinum” gray version with 4.4″ barrel. A matte black version with 5.2″ barrel and ported slide is also on sale now for $299.99 from Palmetto SA.
⏺️ Massive savings up to $900 on quality PRS/NRL tactical scopes
EuroOptic is a top-flight vendor, with fast shipping and great customer service. Right now EuroOptic is running major sale on BurrisExtreme Tactical III and Extreme Tactical Pro scopes, which work great for PRS/NRL competition. With the current Burris XTR Scope Sale, you can save up to $900.00 on a rugged, reliable FFP scope with various zoom magnification options (e.g. 3.3-18x50mm, 5-25x56mm, 5.5-30x56mm), with both 0.1 Milrad and 1/4 MOA click options.
3. EuroOptic — Tikka T3x Rifle Blow-Out Sale — Save 35%
⏺️ Tikka makes great hunting rifles now offered at major savings
With this Blow-Out Sale at EuroOptic.com, you can save $120-$530 on quality Tikka T3x hunting rifles, starting at just $599.99. Multiple models are on sale including T3x Lite, T3x Lite Compact, T3x Lite Stainless, T3x Hunter, T3x Laminated, and T3x RoughTech. Both right-hand and Left-hand versions are offered. The Hunter models feature a handsome wood stock. These rifles can deliver sub-MOA accuracy with good hand-loads.
⏺️ Many positive user reviews — good set-up for varminting and home ranges
Need a good platform for shooting in areas other than organized ranges? Check out the Caldwell Stable Table Deluxe. A bolt in the base allows position adjustment of a single leg, aligning the tabletop so that it is parallel with the horizon. The central shaft, seat, and tabletop are able to pivot (rotate) around a center axis as a single unit while keeping the tabletop parallel to the horizon. This is great for varmint hunting. Owner reviews have been very positive. This item is sold via Walmart.com but ships from Optics Planet.
⏺️ Very rugged, full-featured TSA-approved roller case
Whether flying or just transporting your rifles to the range it’s important to protect them with a rugged, quality gun case. The solidly-built HQ Issue 41″ Tactical Rifle Case (#ad) meets all the TSA requirements and can withstand tough treatment. Offered in Flat Dark Earth (tan) or Dark Gray, this waterproof case has rollers to ease movement through the airport. Handy pick-n-pluck foam allows a secure custom fit for your firearms. NOTE: This case is 41″ overall so it will NOT fit long-barrel competition rifles unless the action is separated from the stock/chassis. For larger rifles, one good option is the Eylar 53″ Protective Roller Rifle Hard Case priced at $199.99.
6. Walmart — Fingerprint Access Gun Safe, $169.99
⏺️ $100 off price on Rapid Access Gun Safe (fingerprint, keypad, key)
Need to store a few rifles or shotguns with secure yet rapid access? Consider this 5-Gun Safe with Fingerprint Access. With a $269.99 MSRP, it is now just $169.99 on sale, $100 OFF. It has three locking bolts on the door sides plus an internal LED lights. Sized 11.0″ x 11.8″ x 54″, this 64-lb safe can hold multiple long guns and pistols, along with other valuables. The main door can be opened instantly with fingerprint recognition, or use the digital keypad. The interior has foam barrel holder and carpeted floor, plus three pistol pouches on the door. NOTE: We do NOT recommend this as a primary gun safe, but it can be a good secondary safe.
⏺️ High-quality soft case big enough for Palma and F-Class rifles
Typical soft rifle cases will not fit long-barreled match rifles. But this 52″-long quality case from Champion’s Choice is big enough for most F-Class and Palma rifles. Forum members highly recommend this $85.00 Deluxe Rifle Case which has a water-resistant heavy duty 600 denier PVC outer shell. It has large outside pockets for ammo and accessories, and is well-padded with over 1″ of thick high-density foam. This case boasts a carry handle, adjustable shoulder strap, and backpack straps. The case even has an interior tube for holding a cleaning rod.
8. Amazon — Birchwood Casey .22 LR Target Rack, $30.50
⏺️ Fun, self-resetting target rack for rimfire guns
Plinking reactive targets with a .22 LR can be a lot of fun. A great way to practice is with a dynamic target such as the Birchwood Casey Steel Resetting Target (#ad). Shoot the four lower plates then hit the upper plate to reset the group. NOTE — This target is designed for .22 LR Rimfire rifles and pistols only so don’t use this with any centerfire. This Rimfire target features a twist design with no welds to break.
9. Amazon — Waterproof 200rd Rifle Ammo Case, $49.99/$39.99
⏺️ Great high-capacity waterproof ammo transport case — three versions
Keep 200 rounds of ammo securely stored in this Waterproof Ammo Case (#ad), now $49.99 on sale. Made of high-strength ABS plastic, this 11.5″ x 9.5″ x 4.5″ ammo transport case can withstand harsh environments, resist impact, and protect against scratches. Shown above is the version that holds 200 .308 Win-sized rounds. If you are traveling long distances to a major match, this is a good option. The ammo is very secure with a foam base surrounding every round.
Another model holds 200 .223 Rem rounds in the same-size case. This .223 Rem version — great for varminters or service rifle shooters — is priced $39.99 on Amazon (#ad). There is also a $39.99 double-decker KingHardCase (#ad) that holds 350 rounds of pistol ammo.
10. Amazon — Walker’s Razor Slim Muffs, $38.50
⏺ Comfortable slim NRR23 muffs with high-gain microphones
Walker’s Razor Slim Electronic Shooting Earmuffs (#ad) provide good protection against gunshot noises, while allowing you to hear range commands and voices. These non-bulky Razor Slim muffs have a good 23 dB noise reduction rating (NRR). (For optimal protection run plugs under the muffs.) The Razor series muffs feature Walker’s comfort fit headband for all-day shooting. NOTE: These have been Amazon’s #1 Best Seller in Hunting & Shooting Earmuffs. This $38.50 price is a very good deal. Other colors/patterns (e.g. orange, camo, green, tan, gray etc.) are offered for a few bucks more.
As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.
For some applications, we prefer a non-bushing FL die over a bushing die. Shown here are three Forster full-length sizing dies, with necks honed to three different dimensions: 0.265″, 0.266″, and 0.267″.
The Honed Full-Length Sizing Die Option
There are many good options in full-length (FL) sizing dies. Most precision hand-loaders prefer FL dies with neck bushings. These let you adjust the “grip” on your bullet by using larger or smaller bushings. FL bushing dies are available from Whidden Gunworks, Forster, Redding and other makers.
Conventional, non-bushing full-length sizing dies can create ultra-accurate ammo with very low run-out. But many conventional non-bushing FL dies have an undersized neck diameter so you end up with excess neck tension, and you work the brass excessively.
There is another effective option, one that promises extremely low run-out. The honed FL die is a full-length sizing die that has the necked honed to provide a precise fit to the case-neck. When done right, honed FL dies produce extremely straight ammo — as there are no issues with bushing alignment (or bushings that are not perfectly concentric). This Editor owns honed dies from Forster, Redding, and Whidden Gunworks. They all perform extremely well, delivering match ammunition with extremely low run-out measured with a 21st Century Concentricity Gauge.
In one of the most popular articles we’ve ever published, Bugholes from Bipod, California shooter “Froggy” explained why he prefers honed dies for his tactical ammo.
Q: Do you FL size every time? Do you use custom dies?
Absolutely, I full length resize all of my brass every time I reload. And guess what? I’ve never had a feeding problem.
I do use a modified sizing die, without bushings. My FL resizing die has been custom-honed in the neck area to give .0015″ press fit on the bullet. I also put a slightly larger radius at the neck shoulder junction. I feel that this helps to seal the chamber. With this die, I get consistent neck tension every time–without bushings. Bushings are useful when you’re fishing around for a good load. But once you find the right amount of sizing for ideal neck tension, you can do this better with a customized FL die.
6.5 Guys Review Forster Honed Full-length Dies
The 6.5 Guys have reviewed honed FL sizing dies from Forster, explaining the pros and cons of this type of reloading die. They explained that, if you load a wide variety of bullets from different manufacturers, you many want to stick with a Bushing FL die. However, if you have settled on a particular bullet and found the “ideal” neck tension, then a honed die may make sense.
In this Gear Update, the 6.5 Guys discuss a service offered by Forster Products to custom hone the neck diameter of its full-length sizing dies to the customer’s specifications (to the thousandth). Whidden Gunworks also offers custom-honed FL dies.
This article is Copyright 2023 AccurateShooter.com. Any publication on another website is unauthorized and obligates monetary compensation and statutory damages.
By Ron Dague, Sinclair Reloading Tech
Putting the 6mm-233 Project Together
Review Quick Highlights:
2. Check Out the Forum Classifieds. There are great deals to be found every day in the AccurateShooter 
3. Share a Ride to Matches. Fuel prices are on the rise — Regular-grade gasoline is over $5.00 per gallon in California now and around $3.10/gallon nationwide. With many shooters living 30-100 miles from the nearest range, fuel remains a big part of a shooter’s hobby budget. We’d say 90% of shooters drive solo to matches, often in large, gas-guzzling trucks. If you drive 200 miles round-trip to attend a match in a 20-mpg vehicle, you’ll burn over $31.00 worth of gasoline on your trip. That adds up. By simply sharing the ride with one fellow shooter you cut your fuel expenditures in half. And, if you alternate vehicles with a buddy from one match to the next, you save on vehicle wear and tear. At $0.65/mile (overall operating costs) consider the savings.
4. Use Discount Codes to Save. It’s always smart to check for discount codes before you buy. In the Daily Bulletin, we feature “Deals of the Week” every Monday morning, and we provide discount Coupon Codes when available. These can reduce the price substantially or lower shipping costs. Search codes for Brownells, Creedmoor Sports, EuroOptic, Graf’s, Midsouth, Powder Valley, Sportsman’s Warehouse, KYGUNCO, MidwayUSA, and Precision Reloading. Check your email also — some discount codes are only announced in email newsletters. If you can’t find a Coupon Code for your preferred vendor, visit 
5. Shop for “Demo” Optics. Modern high-quality optics can easily cost $2000.00 or more, often exceeding the value of the rifle on which they are mounted. However, you can often save 20-30% by purchasing demo optics. These are normally display units used at trade shows. They may have slight ringmarks, but otherwise they are “as new”, having never been carried in the field or used on a rifle that has fired live ammo. When purchasing demo scopes, you should always ask about the warranty before consummating the sale. However, most demo scopes from name-brand manufacturers come with full factory warranties. 
6. Train with Rimfire Rifles. Good match-grade centerfire, hand-loaded ammo, counting premium bullets, powder, primers, and brass (figuring 10X loads), can now exceed $1.60 per round. And if your $600 (as chambered and fitted) competition barrel is toast after 1500 rounds, add $0.40 for barrel deprecation per shot. So you’re effectively spending two bucks a round total! By contrast, you can get quite good .22 LR target ammo for under $0.18 per round. Good rimfire barrels last a long, long time, so you don’t have to be concerned about wearing out your barrel quickly. A quality rimfire barrel can retain its accuracy for 7,000 rounds or more. If you run the ballistics, a .22 LR round at 100 yards can emulate the wind drift experienced by a centerfire cartridge at long range. This allows for effective cross-training with much less expensive ammo.
