Saw vso dropped a video about your video on making the dip safe

Just in time, I just converted almost 1000 7.62x39 cases to 6.5 Grendel with the goal of converting to 6mm arc at some point later and here's what I learned. All European brass I had PPU, Belom, Geco, Norma, Fiocchi, etc. would leave that ring you saw at the base of the case and it was considerably more difficult to size and would not pass headspace until I readjusted the die past shellholder contact point with a bit of cam over going on. I even took the die to the lathe and trimmed it a bit. Now with domestic brass Remington, FC, Winchester including PMC which is Korean but made the same there was NO RING at the base so I took measurements and here's what I found: international 7.62 brass has a case head .443 where as domestic is about .438, but a factory PPU 6.5 Grendel also measured .438 so my conclusion was I needed to use American (including PMC) and I lubed everything up and converted all on my Dillon as fast I could pull the handle and not a single one had problem. I also converted some international and it also didn't collapse but I had to readjust the die and did it on my single stage. Now one exception where shoulders collapsed was HORNADY 7.62 brass with small primer pockets which I had high hopes because of small primer pocket, I annealed it before hand and I feel like this might have been a problem as weird as this sound I've seen this happen when I tried to convert 223 to 221 fireball the brass that was annealed would collapse and once fired brass would not. Now here's funny part, the Hornady brass that had folded shoulder would still pass case gauge so I loaded reduced load and shot 11 rounds and all of them cycled but it didn't quite straitened all the folds, maybe on the 2nd firing it will get even better but IT IS usable brass and can be reloaded. P.S. Forgot to mention I did try turning PPU brass body diameter down on the lathe to .439 and that worked too but it was uneven on most brass and I think mostly that was due to brass being fired in 7.62 already but it could be just inconsistent brass.

Great to see you get back to 6mm arc. Was hoping you would do more videos on it. It's an awesome little round.

Although I'm not going to invest in an Ar based or bolt 6mm ARC, I still enjoyed your video, showing what a guy can do if the need arises and he has to improvise. We have seen some interesting times lately, and showing your audience how to take available brass and with a few steps and tools transform it into completely different caliber and case is still worthwhile to me... Beats watching the crap that is on T.V. everyday allday... Thanks for your willingness to turn out great content for your viewers...

I learned an awful lot of good stuff just on reloading and I don't even have the ARC or Grendel. Great forming process video; thorough & logical procedures.

It was good to see the process. I’ve been told and read about it, but there’s nothing like seeing it done.

I am about to convert my AR to 6 ARC. I have been watching and reading any info about 6 ARC I can find all day. This was a great help for brass options if I can't find factory brass or ammo.

I love that your soo passionate about reloading and the components for it 🖤

Outstanding video Johnny! Thanks for the demonstration and explanation! Yeppers, I'll be going back to watch the .220 Russian conversion also! Thanks man!

I built myself a new induction annealer based on a model I saw on KZfaq. It's sooo much better than before!!!!

Dude you are awesome. I will be using the 7.62 for my arc brass. Thanks!

Very informative video, thanks Johnny. Good to see someone with a decent grasp on the meaning and purpose of "headspace," as there is a lot of misunderstanding and fear out there on that topic.

I certainly miss your videos. I'm always pleased when I come across an older one that is directly relevant to my current interest. Hope to see new content at some point!

Loved that Lady Bug made an appearance at 47:50. I was wondering how she was doing

Thanks to this excellent video I decided to to feed my 6 ARC with reformed Winchester 7.62x39 brass, first sized to 6.5 Grendel without the neck sizing button and then then sizing the result with a 6 ARC sizing die with neck sizing button in place. Then triming to 1,490. The water capacity of the brass so made was 29.8 grains of water. Then I fire formed with a 68 gr bullet and a preliminary low load from the Hornady 6ARC data. After fire forming the capacity was 32.3 grains of water. This is a significant bit lower that Hornady brass which I seem to recall is about 34 grains of water after firing. Happily, I checked the Starline site and 6 ARC is back on Backorder status. $0.64/case volume 250 45:09 Happily, there is no development of the belts seen on the video. I think some foreign source 7.62x39 has a bigger base case diameter as another commenter has elucidate here. (I used Lee die) Thanks to “Johnny” and to all of you for interesting discussions and info. Lou The Fire formed 7.62x39 Win brass holds 32.1 gr H2O Starline 6 ARC fire formed holds 33.7 gr H2O and HRN 6 ARC fire formed hold 34.1 gr of H2O.

Really, really enjoy the style of your videos and commentary.

I've resized both 7.62x39 and 6.5G down to 6ARC. My best success has been with 6.5G, and experienced variable situations with 7.62x39 from crushed neck (as you did) to neck rebound that would not fit in my Wilson 6ARC case guage after trimming. Now I first size to 6.5G slowly (as you did), check the 6.5G case guage, the size down to 6ARC after trimming with my Hornady case trimmer. I have not had the need or incentive to trim the case neck thickness yet. Good info, Johnny!!

Thanks for your help forming brass

This is great man. Really enjoyed it and learned a ton

I’ve collected a bunch of 7.62x39 to convert to 6.5G. I’ve seen 6 arc barrels selling for really reasonable money. Maybe next time I’ve got money burning a hole in my pocket I’ll start another project

Great stuff. I feel like a novice learning the ways of brass smithing from a master.

6mm ARC from 220 russian? No problem: Fire forming! :)

Thank you for another 6mm arc video!!

That was excellent, thanks for the entertainment.👍

I watched your 223 to 300 blk as a learning video for making 300 blk and then I also made 375 Raptor from 30-06 brass as well as 270 and 308 brass . Both the 30-06 and 270 brass were thick @ the neck for Raptor and I had to outside neck trim to fit in the chamber . I also tried making 6mm arc brass about a month ago from some new 6PPC brass and was successful. I only had 100 ppc and I did have some shoulder issues if I ran through too fast through the die . I messed up about 7 cases with rounded pushed back shoulders. Then I tried the 7.62x39 cases (range pick up) I crushed 2 at the shoulder. I slept on it and then took the spindle out of the sizing die and lube up a couple more 7.62 brass with Hornady sizing wax and slowly ran them through in an up and down slightly turning the case and wallah I had a couple 6 mm arc cases . So the only dies available when I purchased about 3 months ago were the Lee 6mm arc dies . So the difference between the Lee die and your RCBS Small base dies I’m sure there’s a thousandth or 2 difference so could definitely make a difference whit dies a person uses . It would be interesting to see the difference between RCBS standard dies vs your small base die . Just thinking out Loud . Great video thanks for all you do . Have loaded handgun rounds for 45 yrs . Just started reloading rifle rounds 3.5 yrs ago and your videos were very helpful during my learning curve the last 3.5 yrs . Thanks again keep up the excellent work .

Yeah, turns out this is a super important and needed video. Where else you gonna get 6mm ARC brass? I used some of your most awesome knowledge and ideas, and converted 100 6.5 Grendel cases a friend most generously gave me. Once fired Hornady cases, I didn't even bother to anneal them (this time) and they re-formed perfectly. I'm using them for ladder tests right now, and once I can establish some pet loads for my rifle, I will load most of them up in bulk, saving 20 of them for other experiments. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your know how. Much appreciated 👍👍

Watching your videos is very fun. I wish I had neighbors like you. :) Keep on keepin' on.

Thanks for showing the 6PPC in the video. I knew they would be close in dimensions but previously I hadn't been able to find anything that compared the PPC with the 6ARC and 6.5 Grendel all in the same shot! It's a pity that Hornady couldn't just SAMMI spec the 6PPC or the 6 Grendel instead of creating a new cartridge... Cheers!

2 additional options past 6.5 grendel.. brilliant. Side note. I knew you can do 762x39but wasn't sure on the exact process. Excellent.

Looks really interesting. Always good to know that brass you don’t have may be produced from the brass you do have. Also, I was debating building either a 6.5 Grendel or a 6mm ARC. Learned that these use Large primers, which I don’t have. So that debate is over.

Very interesting! Great video.

I have done the same thing you did to the Lapua with Norma 6mm dasher brass making the mad dog weapon systems 6.5 Timberwolf. It makes me feel better that I'm not the only one that's done it.

Could you do a video about organizing? Like brass and the different stages of prep, bullet and powder organization. This channel finally got me into reloading and finally got everything I need, now lookin for how to piece everything together!

The 6 PPC forming video that covers more of this same stuff: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jc9yfdGV2eC4YGQ.html

Missing your videos man! Gonna watch some reruns 😊

Great video. I just got my 6mm ARC build done in December. Managed to find 100 rounds of Hornady ammo, but that is my entire stock of brass right now. As I also have a Grendel, I may pick up a box of 500 Grendel cases and re-size half down to ARC. Thanks for showing the process. I expected it to be a lot harder. Since 6mm ARC brass is non-existent right now, this is a good solution.

I've converted 7.62x39 to Grendel before without annealing. I'm sure it would have been better to do so but I didn't have a torch at the time so I didn't. I haven't had any issues yet but I'm sure I will eventually. For fire forming I just used the Hornady minimum charge of AA2520 and a Hdy 123 FMJ bullet. Worked fine

You're the best reloader on KZfaq.

Thank You, Johnny!

Sweet video, thanks for sharing

Phenomenal presentation my friend.

Yes a whole hour

Just something else to try if you haven't already - I used Redding die wax which I figured out was actually Mink Oil Paste, you get it in the shoe section. Works great for forming stuff like this a bit better (IMO) than Lanolin. I used it to not only turn R-P 7.62x39 to 6mm PPC, but to resize machine gun 50 BMG brass with good results.

Fantastic video brother I had to convert a batch of 6.5 Grendel brass to 6mm ARC brass and it was pain free considering it was my first time doing something like this. I wasn't exactly sure how it was going to turn out but I did what you did I ran it through my die, trimmed it, and fire formed it. That 7.62×39 conversion was interesting... I wonder if after a few firings and sizings that little ridge you got at the top of the case head would dissappear once the brass started to stretch out some. You might have come up with a way to get even longer brass life... LOL Again great video brother keepem coming!!!

I almost forgot to mention that VSO Gun Channel did a response video to one of your videos.

Great video. I've got some Starline Grendel Basic brass that I was going to use for my 6ARC. I tried stepping to 6.5 Grendel first but that resulted in some ugly creased necks. I guess I should try going 7.62x39 first.

7.62x39 makes a mini-belted magnum case!

Evening Johnny guys will eat this up

I really enjoyed this, even though I'm not needing to do case conversion presently. And if I do, it will be converting .223 to 300AAC. I carefully watched some videos on it and looks like it can be done. Some guy named Johnny...

Thank you for this video!

I use 7.62x39 to covert to 6mm ARC/6.5 Grendel. I also start with the 6.5 Grendel die, except I ordered a 6.5 Grendel hydro forming die from Hornady to conserve primers. 7.62 brass through the Grendel die to neck down and start the shoulder. Then insert a spent large rifle primer (I save them for this purpose), fill with water or alcohol and into the hydro die. Two or so hard hits later, Grendel brass and I didn’t have to spend a primer. From there I can run them through a 6mm Arc die if I need brass for those rifles, or leave them 6.5 Grendel. I have multiple AR’s in both calibers.

Great content 👍🏼

Good stuff!

Good job. I make my 6.5c from free once fired Norma .308 and having to turn the necks. All good and they seem to last forever with no stretch when fired. My failure point is the primer pockets getting loose after 15 or so reloads.

A new vid from Johnny. Just the thing for the almost Monday blues.

So the video doesn’t apply to me but thought it was flipping awesome! Absolutely loved the video seeing how you can change brass like that! Would love to see more like it! What about 6.5 creed? I know creed ammo and brass is everywhere I just think it would be cool to watch! Keep up the great work! Look forward to seeing what comes out next Sunday!

Also could be formed from Starline 6.5 Grendel basic brass.

Solid info. Thanks

I've been enjoying and learning from your videos. Thank you. I just got a 6arc. I wanted the most lethal round I could get out of the AR 15 platform. Was looking at.224, but never was convinced it would last. I want to put down wild hogs and Coyote's at longer range. I don't understand why you would reform cases like this, where the brass is available. I personally, want the head stamp to match the rifle I plan to use it in! Only in extreme circumstances, would I consider doing this.

Ladybug for the win!

It would make an interesting follow up video to see what effect, if any, small vs large primer has on 6mm ARC by using the 7,62x39 converted brass.

I got tired of denting my necks so I put some soft Velcro on the brass deflector and no more dented brass.

The all new 7.62x6ARC JRB Belted mini-magnum!

I wanted to have some visual difference between my two 6.5 Grendels brass. One is a bolt and one is an AR. So I used Hornady brass for the bolt gun , they have small primers and I resized Winchester 7.62x39 they have large primers. The reason I mention this I resized the Winchester in Hornady dies and I didn't get the ring at the bottom of the case as you did when using RCBS dies on your intermediate step.

I did some experimenting turning lake city 308 brass into 6.5 Creedmoor and I was unable to just convert in a single stage on the press. The shoulders would deform most of the time. I ended up going to from stock brass, to 7mm-08, then to 6.5 Creedmoor... necks needed turn and of course needed trimmed. I ended up converting over 500 of them and I still use them in my semi-auto since it's harder on brass. So your findings are similar to what I encountered. Also, use more lube than you think you usually would as I ended up with some stuck cases.

I'm just hoping 6 ARC brass becomes available. But if it don't, I'm buying Grendel

Excellent info

With all this brass work.... Have you considered getting into 22 grendel. Very interesting cartridge vs 224 Valkyrie.

Nicely done vid JRB. Do you think the 7.62x39 converted brass with the large primer pocket will have as long a life as small primer pocket brass? (Primer pocket enlargement)

Your a God sent 🙏

I appreciate that you're a bull in a China shop so that I don't have to be. With that said, you should so try using starline's #2320 - Grendel Basic Brass (Small Rifle primer) Un-tapered (W/No caliber designation)

Awesome !

It was very informative

Awesome!!!!!!!!

My dies make that same weird little ring at the base. I have been making mine from x39. I just neck them to 6.5 for my grendels and load a good charge and a bullet to use on a range day then form and trim them to arc on the next go around

I formed a bunch of lapua 6.5 grendel brass. I had better speed and consistency with the Hornady brass. I also tried starline brass, got only half the reloads out of the star line brass that I did with the Hornady brass. I just keep buying a bunch of factory loads.

I guess it might depend on what kind of brass and primers you have available. I went ahead and bout a new 6 arc barrel for my savage 110 tactical. (Previously 6.5 prc) I bought some Hornady factory ammo to get started, hopefully that’ll set me up for success.

Before watching this video I used 7.62 Starline brass and first used a 6.5 Gendel die and then a 6 ARC dye, it was easy and worked well. The problem I see with the 7.62 Starline brass is that, possibly because of the large primer, the case volume was considerably less which makes most of the decent loads for 6 ARC compressed loads. I would like to know if you worked up any loads for 6 ARC using the reduced case volume of the 7.62 Starline brass.

I just bought some belom 7.62x39 123gr to convert, i havent been able to find anything but did backorder some hornady and starline basic brass(un formed). After pullimg the bullets i ran the brass though hornady match grade die without a neck bushing or decapper and they ran right through. Even with out lube. Though i did get a bit of a belt at the bottm. Not worried about it though.

7.62 to 6.5 G was no problem ..I had to covert to 6.5 because of them using large primers which I have.

I think we can take it that he’s rather impressed with the press 😀

Since you used a small base 6 ARC die on the PPU 7.62x39 brass and got the ring near the base, I would say the PPU brass is on the large size base diameter wise. With the pass through the 6.5 G die there was no ring formed near the base. The small base die is just too tight for the PPU brass.

On the 7.62, would you consider doing something like a 7mm br neck sizer first to do it in 3 steps? Then you could get the neck to a more maneageable size before you start forming the shoulder.

I ran into that same ring using rcbs sb dies forming 6arc from 6.5 grendal I also ran into shoulder and body burn out. I’m very interested to see if you run into same issues I did so far the ring is the start of what I’ve been seeing.

When you were playing with 6 ARC, when you were using the brass you sized from 7.62x39, were you using a large pistol primer vs a large rifle primer, when you were shooting?

Ive done one of the 3, 7.62 to 6 arc

I'm pretty convinced grendal is ideal

case forming can be a pain at times . you are right 6.5 grendel to 6 arc is the way to go . only cases i form anymore are 45 auto shotshells and the 22 tcm . gave in and ordered 22 tcm form dies from ch4d . but they cost big bucks ! inside ream dies are best instead of turning the case necks . so what cartridge you think is better , 6.5 grendel or 6mm arc ?

I got a 6mm arc formed the brass from 6.5 Grendel then trimmed the necks. It worked fine but honestly I regret building the rifle making the brass is just a pain in the ass. I make 7mm-08 from 308 but for some reason arc has just been a bit of a pain. What spray do you use?

What are your top 3 personal favorite long distance (beyond 500 yards) calibers? And your 3 top reloading preferences for long range calibers?

The ring around the base is because 7.62x39 is just a bit larger than 6.5 grendel and 6mm arc i run into the problem with once fired brass when forming into 6.5 grendel all the time and have to take the ring lip off because one of my two 6.5 grendel's is a very tight chamber and the ring at the base will not always let it chamber and it's extremely hard to extract.

I wonder if you sized up the 220 case with an expander mandrel to 7mm if the false shoulder method would work better ?

if for no other this vid didn't cover what you wanted to see it was textbook on brass behavior, thank John.

Sounds like you have a cold. If so, hope you get better soon.

It could be a trick of the light but the cases that had a false neck seems to have a crisper transition from body to shoulder 🤔. And if that is true, then the hypothesis would be that "the brass that formed the shoulder flowed from the body rather than shortening the neck", mabe the work hardening from putting in the false neck (twice?) stopped the neck from moving or the harder neck let more pressure build before the bullet got going? Either or, it should mean that using a false neck has potential for forming more consistent brass. More of a point for bench rest shooting than anything but now I WANT to know for sure...

Do you think annealing would help make the shoulder a bit sharper?

Say I saw that your chamber had the 85 grain bullets in the lands at 2.13. Similar to my barrel with 108 Hornady. Aren’t you concerned about accuracy and pressure-you might have to reduc loads??

Hi this is really great for us who has "free" access to range brass, but no possibility to obtaing weaponry to mach those range found brass. It seems that there is no need to select suitable brass, just buy few dies and you got plenty of suitable brass

Quick question I converted some grendel brass to arc. And after the fireforming and resize I'm getting a ring around the base kinda like I see your getting. Is that something to worry about

When I resize 7.62x39 to 6.5 G if I anneal the brass it crushes every time. I just run once fired brass cleaned and lubed into the die and have no issues.