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Reloading 6mm Remington
ATHOMSON
Member Posts: 3,399 ✭✭
Well, you guys got me into this. How about some answers. Small base or full length dies? I've got a 30 year old rock-chucker I did some 45 ACP on as a kid. I assume these are still good presses? My boys are chomping at the bit to get this started. Any info is much appreciated.
Thx, AT
Thx, AT
Comments
The Rockchucker could be 40 years old and still do a very good job loading ammo for you.
Hunt up some 85 grain bullets, and some 4350 and your well on the way........
You should not need the small base dies with your set up.
The Rockchucker is a standard for reloading and should outlast you and your sons. They are excellent presses.
Accurate Arms XMR-4350
Ramshot Hunter
IMR-4350
Any of the good 90 grain Spitzers and maybe the 100 grain Hornady RN.
It's a terrific cartridge that has the potential to harvest a lot of deer and little varmints.
Best.
I have a Rockchucker press and have no plans to go to anything else for my rifle loading. For sixteen years of continuous service it's still rock solid.
For dies I've mostly used RCBS. I have found that Redding dies are very good. If you want to fit the case to the chamber a little better get the S-type dies. I like the Hornady dies as well for the sliding case holder as it slides up into the die and has the bullet being aligned as it goes in. Just some thoughts. Hopefully where you buy dies you may have someone there to show the differences in each and help you select the ones you want.
By s-type. You mean the small base? It sizes the case all the way down like a pistol die?
Thx, AT
By S-type, I mean these. Look at Reddings whole line-up though.
http://www.redding-reloading.com/pages/typesbushseatdie.html
Small base dies are used mainly for reloading ammo to be used in lever, semi-auto or pump action rifles. You won't need a small base sizer with your bolt action m98.[V]
Reading dies are more expensive but they are great dies.[:)] If you want to get into the nitty-gritty go-all-out shooot'n for that clover leaf group then get the competition die set. Micrometer seating die and bushing neck sizer and full length sizer too. Get the carbide neck expanders too.[^] You can play with finding your rifles desired OAL. With a m98 you can seat em out pretty far and they should still fit your magazine. Just don't go too far and get them sticking in the throat.[V] Seat the bullets back a little from engaging with the rifling.[:D]
If you are after economy but don't want low end stuff get a regular set of Redding or RCBS dies. I don't remember for sure (help me out guys)[?] but I think the shell holder you have for your RCBS Rock-Chucker 45acp will also work for 6mm Rem. BTW: can't beat a Rock-Chucker for single stage every day loading! Clean her up and squirt some thin oil on the ram and other parts that move.[8D]
Get a decent scale. I prefer a mechanical one like an RCBS 10-10.[^] A powder thrower like the Lyman 55 will help too. A trickler is a must unless you want to do it with a baby spoon.
Most of all...... GET A GOOD RECENT LOADING BOOK like a Lyman, Speer, or Hornady and read up on loading for rifles. Lyman's my favorite.
My favorite powders over the years for the 6mm has been:
IMR-4064
IMR-4350
VARGET
H380 ( LIGHTER BULLETS)
Get the boys involoved, you won't regret it.[^] Just make sure everyone is thinking on the same page when loading.[B)]
Good dies at a good price - RCBS. Others like Hornady, Redding and so on are great but usually cost a few dollars more. The choice is yours. As far as deer loads - anything 85 grain and above will work fine though I would recommend 90 to 100. I have loaded and hunted with various 6mm set ups in the past and find they all do well with with proper bullet placement at a reasonable distance. Partitions are good bullets and work well but not every rifle shoots them well. Sierra, Hornady, Nosler (non partition) basically fall into the same "standard" bullet category as far as performance on game and all have proven reliably accurate for me. Barnes on the other hand are more a specialty bullet that I have found never to fail. But again, bullet placement is the key. Good bullet but more expensive.
Bottom line. You don't have to sell the farm to get going on your 6mm. Standard bullets 90 to 100 grain, a set of full length RCBS dies, your large rifle primers, some powder and a good reloading manual or two and you are on your way, assuming you have the other items needed to put everything together such as scales, lube pad, deburring tool and so on and so forth.
Enjoy your time loading. I didn't have anyone to teach me or mentor me when I got started 31 years ago. The kids will appreciate having "Dad" around to share the experience with.
Vic