Leveraging the incredible success of the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge, ammo-makers and rifle manufacturers have teamed up to produce a bigger Creedmoor cartridge — the 7.6 Creedmoor. The latest addition to the Creedmoor line gets its name from its 7.62mm bullet dimension. Yep, that makes it a .30-cal cartridge, but the creators stuck with the metric title for consistency. Makes sense. We like the way “7.6 Creedmoor” sounds and we bet consumers will too. The 6.5 Creedmoor has been a singular success — it is by far the most popular new cartridge introduced in the last decade. We think the 7.6 Creedmoor could become equally successful in short order.

In creating the new 7.6 Creedmoor, the product engineers were primarily concerned with accuracy, reliability, and compatibility. In a brilliant marketing stroke, the 7.6 Creedmoor’s designers crafted this cartridge to be 100% compatible with existing .308 Winchester and 7.62×51 rifles. So you can shoot the 7.6 Creedmoor safely in your existing .308 Win deer rifle or F-TR rig. As one ammo-maker’s marketing manager told us: “The 7.6 Creedmoor gives you everything you liked about the .308 Win, with a trendy name and the undeniable Creedmoor cachet. The 6.5 Creedmoor has become hugely popular. We expect the new 7.6 Creedmoor to do as well, or better!” We agree. Consider this — the 7.6 Creedmoor offers much better barrel life than the 6.5 Creedmoor, along with better bullet selection, particularly for hunters. With these advantages, how could the 7.6 Creedmoor not become a huge hit? The Creedmoor name alone should ensure success.

We discussed the new 7.6 Creedmoor with Dennis DeRille, one of the “founding fathers” of the 6.5 Creedmoor. Dennis said — “The Creedmoor name is synonymous with innovation and tactical success. This new 7.6 should live up to its name as it delivers .308 Win performance in a package for the 21st Century.”

Reassuring .308 Win Ballistics and Die Compatibility
Another great feature of the new 7.6 Creedmoor is that you can use existing .308 Win dies and reloading components. That excited one PRS shooter: “I had all this old .308 brass and .30-Cal bullets sitting around. When I heard about the 7.6 Creedmoor I said ‘Wow this is great, I can use this stuff in a Creedmoor now’. I know it will be accurate based on the name alone. That’s cool — tacticool!”

Because the new 7.6 Creedmoor shares case capacity and design details with the venerable .308 Win, it also shares the .308 Win’s impressive ballistics performance. “Whatever you can do with a .308 Win, you can do with the 7.6 Creedmoor… and then some!” says Hornady. Here is a chart showing projected velocities for the 7.6 Creedmoor with various barrel lengths and bullet weights.

NRA Approves 7.6 Creedmoor for F-TR Competition
Currently, NRA competition rules restrict F-TR rifles to the .308 Win (7.62×51) and .223 Rem (5.56×45) chamberings. But that’s going to change. Starting in June 2026, the NRA will allow 7.6 Creedmoor rifles in all F-TR matches. In addition, the 7.6 Creedmoor can be used in service rifles such as the popular M1A. It’s great to see this old battle rifle updated with Creedmoor accuracy and performance.

USA and Foreign Ammo Makers will Produce 7.6 Creedmoor Ammo
7.6 Creedmoor factory-loaded ammunition will be available from all major USA ammo-makers including Federal, Hornady, CCI, and Remington. As well, foreign ammo-makers Hirtenberger, Sellier & Bellot, and Prvi Partizan have pledged to produce 7.6 Creedmoor ammunition. That’s good news for shooters who want affordable Creedmoor ammo. One ammo-maker told us: “The whole industry is excited about the 7.6 Creedmoor. To be honest, .308 Win ammo sales have been declining for a number of years. Now we can repackage those same great components and market them to a new set of consumers reared on the 6.5 Creedmoor. This is a great deal for ammo-makers, who know how excitable Creedmoor fan-boys can be!”

This Week on Shooting USA – The 2026 SHOT Show
SHOT Show 2026 is featured on Shooting USA today on the Outdoor Channel. SHOT stands for “Shooting Hunting and Outdoor Tradeshow”. The biggest gun industry convention/tradeshow in the world, this huge event attracted over 2,500 exhibitors. Exhibits occupied over 800,000+ square feet in the Venetian EXPO and Caesars Forum.

If you watch just one episode of Shooting USA TV this year, this might well be a top choice. This episode has very good coverage of products from leading manufacturers including Colt, Smith & Wesson, Kimber, Ruger, Taurus, Les Baer, CMP, Luth AR, GA Precision, Hogue, Hornady, Integrix, FosTec, MCS and more. CLICK HERE for the February 18, 2026 SHOT Show episode highlights.

Shooting USA SHOW TIMES: This Shooting USA Episode airs Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific; 8:00 PM Central on the Outdoor Channel. If you miss the regular broadcast, you can stream the show online at any time on Vimeo for $0.99 per episode.

More SHOT Show 2026 Videos

Interested in more SHOT Show 2026 product coverage? Here are videos that cover new rifles, new pistols, plus the impressive new Nightforce NX6 line of scopes. The first two videos, covering new rifles and pistols, are hosted by True Pearce, a skilled shooter and GunsAmerica Digest Editor-in-Chief.

New Rifles at SHOT Show 2026

New Handguns at SHOT Show 2026

Nightforce NX6 Optics

Hornady will host the Zombies in the Heartland 3-Gun Match, May 29-31, 2026, at the Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island, Nebraska. This is one of the nation’s most popular multi-gun reactive targets match. It attracts 400+ competitors each year. For complete event information, visit the official Zombies in the Heartland website or follow the Zombies in the Heartland Facebook page.

Match registration is now open. You can register via Practiscore at: https://practiscore.com/zombies-in-the-heartland-2026/register

With an unusual and challenging course of fire, Zombies in the Heartland attracts shooters from across the country. Shooters will find exciting new reactive targets developed specifically for this match, with most targets breaking, falling over, or moving. Most participants will compete with a pistol, rifle, and shotgun. Alternatively, shooters can compete with a pistol-caliber carbine and shotgun in the PCC Division.

Reserve lodging at Best Western Plus, 2707 S. Locust Road, Grand Island, NE. Call (308) 675-5656 and mention Zombies match for reduced rates.

2025 Zombies in the Heartland 3-Gun Match Highlights

Ten competitive stages mimicking post-apocalyptic situations were featured. Professional and amateur shooters from across the country enjoyed specially developed reactive zombie targets. The Heartland Zombies match is a veritable theme park for shootists, with many fun stages and innovative targets. Many unique, reactive zombie targets have been developed specifically for this match. The use of paper targets has been minimized — so it’s mostly “bang and clang”. Rifles, pistols, and shotguns are used on most stages. There were also fun side-matches. Watch the video above to see this year’s action.

In June 2020, Hornady introduced the 6mm ARC, a new SAAMI cartridge optimized for AR-platform rifles*. The new 6mm ARC is basically a 6.5 Grendel necked down to 6mm, with the shoulder moved back around .030″. That pushed-back shoulder does reduce case capacity (and velocity), but we assume Hornady did that to create a shorter, proprietary chamber so people could not simply neck-down Lapua 6.5 Grendel brass, as has been done for years with Robert Whitley’s outstanding 6mm AR wildcat.

CLICK Image for official SAAMI Specifications:

If you are intrigued by the 6mm ARC, you’ll find the products you need at Brownells — barrels, bolts, mags and even complete 6mm ARC Rifles. Midsouth has 6mm ARC ammo and reloading dies. For general information, see 6mm ARC Wikipedia Info Page.

What Is the 6mm ARC Cartridge?
The 6mm ARC cartridge is a new SAAMI-spec cartridge based on the 6.5 Grendel case necked down for 6mm bullets, with the shoulder moved back 0.030. Yes it is designed to run in AR15-platform rifles. You’ll need a new barrel, bolt, and mags. If you already have an AR chambered in 6.5 Grendel, the ONLY thing you need to change is the barrel. Everything else — bolt, magazines, gas system – is compatible with 6mm ARC.

▶ Official SAAMI Cartridge (not wildcat)
▶ Fits standard AR15-platform rifles
▶ Fits Short/Mini action bolt rifles
▶ Efficient short, fat case design
▶ 30-degree case shoulder

For more INFO, see 6mm ARC Info Page.

What Do I Need To Shoot the 6mm ARC?
Faxon and Ballistic Advantage are already producing barrels, with more manufacturers sure to follow. All the other required components are already on the market for 6.5 Grendel rifles. Aero Precision already offers complete 6mm ARC uppers.

If you’re converting a standard 5.56×45 mm (.223 Rem) AR15 upper to shoot 6mm ARC, you’ll need a 6mm barrel, a Type II 6.5 Grendel bolt carrier group, and new magazines. Some folks have suggested standard AR mags will work, but trust us, you want the magazines that have been designed for 6.5 Grendel. Most of the hardware you need is available at Brownells.

6mm ARC Videos from Hornady (18 Total)

* While 6-6.5 Grendel shooters are known to run stout pressures, the new 6mm ARC cartridge has a relatively moderate Maximum Average Pressure (MAP) rating of 52,000 psi according to the official SAAMI specifications. For a variety of reasons, is wise to keep pressures in a semi-auto rifle moderate. Don’t chase the velocities you might get in a bolt-action gun.

Nobody likes to spend hours manually chamfering cases and cleaning primer pockets. There are simple hand tools that will perform these tasks, but the process is time-consuming and tedious after a couple dozen cases. To speed up case prep duties, you can get one of the large, powered case prep centers. These function well, but frankly we didn’t want to give up that much precious space on our reloading bench. One good solution is Hornady’s compact Lock-N-Load Case Prep Trio (item 050160). This triple-threat tool packs a lot of functionality in a small package.

This cleverly-designed powered tool has a small footprint, yet it can perform three tasks as well as much more expensive, tower-style case prep units. The Hornady Case Prep Trio $139.99 at Midsouth, $144.65 at Precision Reloading, and $146.99 on Amazon. We’ve used this machine and it works well. The only negative is that you will get metal shavings on your bench (unlike some of the larger case prep centers). We’ve seen some guys put a small pan under the power head — then you can just dump the shavings out of the pan.

With three active stations, you can chamfer, deburr and clean primer pockets without having to change tools. The Case Prep Trio ships with inside chamfer, outside chamfer, and deburr tools. You can also use the machine with other optional 8/32 threaded accessories such as primer pocket reamers, primer pocket uniformers, and case neck brushes. CLICK HERE to see all tool options. Conveniently, the Case Prep Trio has on-board storage for your tool-heads. User reviews have been very positive.

Hornady has announced a new 25 Creedmoor cartridge. The SAAMI-accepted 25 Creedmoor is a necked-down version of the popular 6.5 Creedmoor. It’s primarily designed for hunters who prefer a compact 25-cal cartridge. Some PRS/NRL shooters may also turn to the 25 Creedmoor because it offers heavier bullets than the 6mm Creedmoor. This allow easier perception of hits on steel at longer ranges. The bigger bullet transfers more energy.

“The 25 Creedmoor is the end result of our constant pursuit of maximizing ballistic potential” states Jayden Quinlan, Hornady Senior Ballistician. “This cartridge fills that competitive niche between 6mm and 6.5mm — providing shooters the absolute best blend of moderate recoil, flat trajectory, and superior wind resistance.”

Hornady claims that, given its up-to-date case design, the “25 Creedmoor is the first SAAMI-accepted 25 caliber cartridge that was explicitly designed to take full advantage of the sleek, low-drag bullets that are now available.” As you might expect, the 25 Creedmoor has a 2.800″ overall length to function properly from AICS-style magazines.

“Variants of the 25 Creedmoor have existed in the wildcat space for quite some time and for good reason … it gives the discerning shooter a competitive advantage. Now we can offer that same level of performance to the shooter with factory ammo offerings” added Quinlan. Hornady claims that the 25 Creedmoor is the “first SAAMI‑accepted .25 caliber cartridge purpose‑built to harness today’s sleek, low‑drag bullets.”

Filling the gap between the 6mm and 6.5mm, Hornady claims that this new 25-caliber cartridge delivers exceptional accuracy and functions perfectly in AICS‑style magazines. For PRS/NRL shooters this offers a middle range of recoil between the 6mm Creedmoor and 6.5mm Creedmoor. Hopefully Hornady’s 25-caliber bullets will prove accurate. Initially you’ll have a choice of a 128gr ELD-X hunting bullet and a 134gr ELD Match gullet — both offered in Hornady factory ammo:

For the new 25 Creedmoor cartridge, Hornady will be offering modified cases and a variety of die sets.

By Pete Petros, Lead Reloading Technician, Sinclair International

We have all been there — you place a piece of tumbled brass in the shell-holder of your press, raise it into the die, and suddenly it is like somebody hit the brakes. The case is stuck in the die. Your first instinct is to reverse it out. You crank on the handle, and BANG! The rim rips off the case head and you are looking at a piece of brass stuck in the die.

A stuck case is one of the boo-boos that all of us reloaders have faced from time to time. If proper lubrication is applied, then it should not be a problem. No matter if you are a seasoned reloader or new to it, this situation can happen. Take your time, use the proper procedures, and you will be back in business in no time! This article explains how to avoid stuck cases (through proper lubrication) and how to use a stuck case removal system.

What Causes Stuck Cases
One of the first common mistakes reloaders face is the stuck case. It can be caused by too much or too little lube. Too much and a vacuum can be formed causing the case to become suctioned into the die. Too little lube and friction is the culprit. So what is the cure? There is no exact cure, but the best lube that we have found so far is just a dab of Imperial Sizing Die Wax on your fingers and applied in a thin coat on the body of the case, not the shoulder or neck. Too much of this wax can cause the vacuum effect, or can eventually load your die up with gobs of residue. If it is applied to the shoulder area, or the leftover wax moves up into the shoulder region of the die, you will see dents or dimples in the shoulder. [AccurateShooter.com Editor’s Note: For normal full-length sizing of small cases such as 220 Russian/PPC, 6mmBR, 6.5 Grendel, or 6.5×47 Lapua we recommend Ballistol (aerosol) lube. It is very slippery, goes on very thin, and does not gum up the die.]

A great way to ensure that your dies are clean is to use a simple chamber mop with a dab of your favorite solvent on it and clean out the die. Be sure all of the solvent is out after cleaning by spraying the die out with Quickscrub III or use a clean chamber mop. If you are storing your dies, you can apply a thin coat of a good oil to protect the steel such as TM oil or Starrett M1 Spray.

This video shows how to use an RCBS Stuck Case Removal Kit:

Using a Stuck Case Removal Kit
If you do stick a case in your die there are a few good stuck case removal kits available. Each one works in a similar fashion. I have found the Hornady kit very effective and easy to use. [Editor: Forster, Lyman, and RCBS also make good kits for removing a case stuck in a die.]

Basically what you do is remove the die from the press. Unscrew the decapping assembly and pull it out as far as you can. You then need to drill/tap threads into the stuck case head (this is why it is suggested to unscrew the decapping assembly as far as you can to get it clear of the drill bits). Once this is done screw the die back into the press. You then install the included shellholder attachment on the shellholder ram, and thread it into the case via a small wrench. With some elbow grease you can reverse the stuck case out of the die with the leverage of the press, and not damage the die.

However if the case is stuck… REALLY stuck, you may pull out the threads on the case and you are still left with a stuck case in the die without any way to pull it out. If the case is really difficult to remove even with the use of a stuck case removal kit, do not try to be Hercules with the press ram. Here is a trick that may work. Take the die with the stuck case and place it in your freezer for a couple of hours. Then repeat the removal with the cold die. The freezing temperatures may cause the brass to contract, and make removal easier. If this does not work it is recommended to send it to the die manufacturer. They will be able to remove the case without damaging the die.

Another fix if you can remove the decapping assembly completely is to use a tap hammer and a punch or small wooden dowel to knock the stuck case out. This isn’t the best way since it is very possible that you will damage the die internally or externally on the threads, or both. Send the die to the manufacturer to have this done properly. You will be happier in the long run.

This article appears courtesy Sinclair International. It first appeared in Sinclair’s Reloading Press Blog.

Nearly 400 competitors descended on Grand Island, Nebraska, May 30th – June 1st, 2025, to battle the “undead” during the 2025 annual Zombies in the Heartland 3-Gun shooting match hosted by Hornady and the Heartland Public Shooting Park. “Make Zombies Dead Again” was the theme for this year’s competition. There were ten stages with targets for rifles, shotguns, and pistols. For complete results, visit: practiscore.com/results/new/289649.

2025 Zombies in the Heartland 3-Gun Match Highlights

Ten competitive stages mimicking post-apocalyptic situations were featured. Professional and amateur shooters from across the country enjoyed specially developed reactive zombie targets. The Heartland Zombies match is a veritable theme park for shootists, with many fun stages and innovative targets. Many unique, reactive zombie targets have been developed specifically for this match. The use of paper targets has been minimized — so it’s mostly “bang and clang”. Rifles, pistols, and shotguns are used on most stages. There were also fun side-matches. Watch the video above to see this year’s action.

“The 2025 Zombie match is in the books, and I have to say, this is one of the best matches we’ve ever run”, said Jeremy Millard, Hornady Engineer and Match Director. “I cannot thank the park staff, [Range Officers], volunteers, and workers enough for their efforts. Hosting a match of this magnitude is a monumental task, and we couldn’t do it without their efforts. Congratulations to all the competitors for a fun, challenging, and safe match”, he added.

For event photos and updates on next year’s match, visit the Zombies in the Heartland Facebook page: Facebook.com/ZombiesInTheHeartland.

If you are considering purchasing a progressive reloading press — you’ve struck gold. Today’s Saturday at the Movies article showcases the most comprehensive video ever created about progressive presses. Hosted by Gavin Gear of UltimateReloader.com, this remarkable 79-minute video covers a dozen presses from six leading manufacturers: Dillon, Frankford Arsenal, Hornady, Lee, Mark 7 (Lyman), and RCBS.

Set aside plenty of time, because there is a wealth of information — the “mother lode” of progressive press coverage. Along with the big comparison video, Gavin has prepared a detailed, 17-page online article which covers all of the presses in the shootout. This 17-page article also includes many product-specific videos. We link to five of these videos below.

12 Progressive Presses are compared in this comprehensive video:

Here it is! Ultimate Reloader’s long-awaited Progressive Press Shootout. This online article and accompanying video represent the most exhaustive and most in-depth look at progressive press reloading equipment. The Ultimate Reloader Progressive Shootout covers a dozen different progressives from Dillon, Frankford Arsenal, Hornady, Mark 7 (Lyman), and RCBS. Reviewer Gavin Gear demonstrates how each press works and provides data on costs, output rates, capabilities, and accessories so that potential buyers can make informed purchasing decisions.

MORE INFO — Progressive Press Shootout Online Article

To accompany the remarkable 79-minute Progressive Press Shootout Video, Gavin Gear has posted a ton of information on his UltimateReloader.com website. A lengthy online article provides detailed information on the particular presses, press mounts, and lighting, as well as general details such as cost of ownership. We provide links to particular topics below. This is a GREAT RESOURCE — it’s like getting an entire chapter of a technical book all for FREE!

» READ Full Progressive Press Comparison Article (17 Pages, Multiple Videos)

Below we provide links to each product-specific online page, along with the corresponding time-link to the related segment of the 79-minute Progressive Shootout video.

Progressive Press Comparison — Online Article Highlights

Time-Mark & Topic (with LINKs)
00:00 04:22 13:43 13:43 22:02 31:49 35:39 39:20 43:47 46:42 54:44 1:01:44 1:05:30 1:10:32 1:14:06 1:14:45 1:15:03	Introduction Hornady Lock-N-Load AP RCBS Pro Chucker 5 RCBS Pro Chucker 7 Mark 7 APEX 10 Dillon Square Deal B Dillon RL-550C Dillon XL-750 Dillon RL 1100 Frankford Arsenal X-10 LEE Pro 1000 LEE Breech Lock Auto Pro (Pro 4000) LEE Loadmaster Total Cost of Ownership Recap Inline Fabrication Mounts KMS Squared UFO Press Lighting Conclusion

Individual Progressive Press Videos

Dillon XL-750

RCBS Pro Chucker 7

Mark 7 APEX 10

Hornady Lock-N-Load AP 5-Station

Frankford Arsenal X-10 10-Station

LEE Breech Lock Auto Pro 4000

NOTE: Along with the presses featured in these six videos, the Ultimate Reloader Progressive Press Comparison video covers six other presses (12 total), in a comprehensive 1 hour 19 minute video linked at the top of this article.

In June 2020, Hornady introduced the 6mm ARC, a new SAAMI cartridge optimized for AR-platform rifles*. The new 6mm ARC is basically a 6.5 Grendel necked down to 6mm, with the shoulder moved back around .030″. That pushed-back shoulder does reduce case capacity (and velocity), but we assume Hornady did that to create a shorter, proprietary chamber so people could not simply neck-down Lapua 6.5 Grendel brass, as has been done for years with Robert Whitley’s outstanding 6mm AR wildcat.

CLICK Image for official SAAMI Specifications:

If you are intrigued by the 6mm ARC, you’ll find the products you need at Brownells — barrels, bolts, mags and even complete 6mm ARC Rifles. Midsouth has 6mm ARC ammo and reloading dies. For general information, see 6mm ARC Wikipedia Info Page.

What Is the 6mm ARC Cartridge?
The 6mm ARC cartridge is a new SAAMI-spec cartridge based on the 6.5 Grendel case necked down for 6mm bullets, with the shoulder moved back 0.030. Yes it is designed to run in AR15-platform rifles. You’ll need a new barrel, bolt, and mags. If you already have an AR chambered in 6.5 Grendel, the ONLY thing you need to change is the barrel. Everything else — bolt, magazines, gas system – is compatible with 6mm ARC.

▶ Official SAAMI Cartridge (not wildcat)
▶ Fits standard AR15-platform rifles
▶ Fits Short/Mini action bolt rifles
▶ Efficient short, fat case design
▶ 30-degree case shoulder

For more INFO, see 6mm ARC Info Page.

What Do I Need To Shoot the 6mm ARC?
Faxon and Ballistic Advantage are already producing barrels, with more manufacturers sure to follow. All the other required components are already on the market for 6.5 Grendel rifles. Aero Precision already offers complete 6mm ARC uppers.

If you’re converting a standard 5.56×45 mm (.223 Rem) AR15 upper to shoot 6mm ARC, you’ll need a 6mm barrel, a Type II 6.5 Grendel bolt carrier group, and new magazines. Some folks have suggested standard AR mags will work, but trust us, you want the magazines that have been designed for 6.5 Grendel. Most of the hardware you need is available at Brownells.

6mm ARC Videos from Hornady (18 Total)

* While 6-6.5 Grendel shooters are known to run stout pressures, the new 6mm ARC cartridge has a relatively moderate Maximum Average Pressure (MAP) rating of 52,000 psi according to the official SAAMI specifications. For a variety of reasons, is wise to keep pressures in a semi-auto rifle moderate. Don’t chase the velocities you might get in a bolt-action gun.