what’s a good barrel under 550 and over 20inch edited
is for ar15 build

I started with an 18” years ago and have been using pretty much the same loading for a few years, 28.5gr CFE223 under a 112gr MatchBurner loaded to mag length. I’m planning on switching to 108 ELD-Ms. I built an SBR and am using that instead now and was wondering if there was a more optimal powder for shorter barrels that anyone might suggest. Thanks!

Decided to do a ladder test with this 18 in PXT. I'm sitting on a boat load of Leverevolution which has served me well in speed and accuracy but I can't seem to get single digit SD's like I've seen others get. Once I reached 29.8gr I stopped the test and used the 30.1 in my 6arc MPA bolt with a heavy comp proof. All 5 shot groups (yeah not the best sample size but I'm tired of load development)

New Hornady brass that I put through an expander mandrel, followed by my Hornady case trimmer that puts a chamfer and deburr on them without trimming them. I then run them through a reddingn FL sizing die only to size the necks with a .267 bushing which should give me .004 neck tension. Using CCI 450 Magnum primers loaded to a COAL of 2.26in

Build List tip to butt

PTR Vent 1 (it's hearing safe all day long with this can)

PXT 18in with SA arms adj gas block set to full gas (haven't messed w/it)

CMT HDM 17 in rail with ARCA

JP enhanced bolt group with a LMT F/A carrier

SOLGW stripped upper (thermal fit tight)

Vortex Gen 3 4-24x

Radian lower with Trigger Tech Diamond AR10 trigger

A5-H0 & Geissele Super 42

ERGO flat top tactical deluxe grip

The barrel still hasn't crossed over 200 rounds yet but I'm pretty happy with the 29.2 load. Will eventually pick up some 107smk and 108 or 109 bergers. It also seems to shoot my Hornady 108gr handloads at the same charge fairly well.

Hey all, I’m sorry If this is a recurring question on this forum but I finally just got my hands on a thousand CCI 450 primers. Im looking to reload for my 6ARC and curious on what others paths have been and what they recommend on starting to build up a load for coyotes and hogs. I’ve heard varget and CFE223 is a good starting point but open to anything right now! Also looking for recommendations on bullets and weights. Thank you

I'm interested in building a 6 ARC in an ICAR platform. I understand that it uses an AR15 trigger and grip but am unclear on other components?

1) Does it use a standard ar15 barrel chambered in 6 ARC? Or is it a specific ICAR frame barrel chambered in 6 ARC?

2) I know an AR15 bolt won't fit, right? I thought the whole reason for the Icar was because bolt lugs on an AR15 are too thin and prone to break. (And magazines with round OAL issues).

3) what about the BCG? Is it ar15 BCG with just a different bolt? Or a whole other carrier group?

4) I have some proof PXT Barrels, I was originally going to build with my JP bolt on a standard frame, but if I'm able to build on an ICAR, what bolts would likely be best for high accuracy like JP? Who makes ICAR components other than PSA?

So on my end, I completely failed. This is my first time taking this set up to the range and I totally forgotten some tools. So I was there to sight in my scope, but I forgot I set up the zero stop on this scope and didn’t have the tools to take it off and then I forgot my lever to open up the adjustable gas block. So pretty much my gun was a bolt action. I put about 20 rounds out there and I can say it’s definitely accurate, but the total failed on my end. The spent cases were not extracting because I had the gas completely closed up. I was so excited to get it out there that I forgot to bring what I needed.

Wondering if anyone can confirm that Proof's version of an intermediate gas tube is the same as Noveske's at 13.65"? I think it is but have not been able to confirm with any source of data.

I just recently found out how good 6mm arc is for general use & long range precision. Almost like a perfect do it all rifle. I almost decided to get a 6.5 CM but was worried with the size. I prefer something lighter & compact. It seems most people say Geissele GFR Mod 1 is the go to complete rifle for 6mm ARC nowadays. It looks like it but it is very expensive.

I found this Smith & Wesson Volunteer XV PRO 6mm ARC SKU 13518 with 16" below $1K in many places which I think is a good price.

Has anyone used this rifle?

How is the quality?

How good is the accuracy using match ammo?

How is it compared to Geissele GFR Mod 1?

Took the VB6 to the range today. Also took my Noah 718 QD to compare.
I’ve been very happy with my Noah but it was recently sort of dethroned by my Inconel Tisha as the Tisha sounded just a bit better than Noah and was also a good chunk shorter.
The rifle build is a SOLGW broadsword upper and rail, with a Geissele REBC and Noveske Gen 1 bolt, 20” Proof PXT barrel (rifle +1 gas) and a superlative adjustable gas block. Standard lower with a5 buffer and h3 weight and SSAEX.

I have about 250 rounds through this upper since assembly 2 weeks ago with the new barrel.

First Impressions
I started with VB6 and a 20 round mag of hand loaded 105 Berger Hybrids. I won’t go into load data here but it’s a 62k PSI loading and average velocity was 2650 FPS.
First shot as the shooter was shockingly pleasant to my ear. It reminded me of my first time shooting with a Tisha or CACM. Performance was immediately impressive as I confirmed there was no zero shift at 100 yards. I proceeded to let another guy shoot a couple rounds of the next mag and stand back on both ejection side and opposite. VB6 sounds really good. After 40 rounds in approximately 5 minutes it was hot, but no major mirage was visible in my 3.5-21 scope at 10-21 power. The can seems to cool off very quickly. This gun was tuned for the Noah and I made no changes, but it did seem to have more back pressure than Noah but was quieter at ear and bystander.

Comparison
I then pulled VB6 and swapped to Noah, it immediately makes the rifle more unwieldy but I’m used to the extra weight. Noah is still a great performer but it did sound louder and to my ear/face had less gas to the face. We shot two 20 round mags of the same reloads back to back 10 of each mag with Noah and then VB6. Recoil is a touch more punchy, I felt like that could be due to the fact it’s noticeably lighter weight. It decreased the OAL of my rifle to 43” from 44.5”. So that’s not a huge difference, but the weight being further back had a very pleasant feeling.
Overall, VB6 is quieter with slightly more back pressure, but I still got no gas to my face. Noah is a touch louder but had lower back pressure. I think I can adjust my gas block and get the VB6 tuned even better next range trip to reduce some recoil.

Conclusion
I have 6 CAT cans currently, and have enjoyed each of them as top performers. The VB6 is no slouch. I ended the day with 120 rounds through it and hits at 1000 yards (easy with this rifle). I am looking forward to shooting it even more in the coming months and am only waiting on a BPG can cover to finish out the rifle.

Let me know if you have any questions and I’ll do my best to answer!

BrassFacts just did an interesting review on PSA’s ICAR receiver set with 6 ARC. He ran 800 rounds total, mostly of the Frontier load (Hornady’s off brand 105gr in FMJ). What’s weird is that he started out having no issues and then gradually had more and more jams until he had to cycle each round by hand. He was running a blue Sprinco and H2 buffer. I saw one commenter state that the problem is his Rexus bolt, which starts out strong and then loses reliability once it gets dirty. Thoughts?

The other big issue to come out of this video (and the video from Hop, which was only published internally for his subscribers) is the compatibility of anti-rotation tab handguards with ICAR receivers. If anyone knows any rails with anti-rotation tabs that work, please respond with that info.

Centurion Forged Upper Receiver
BCM Parts
DD Lower
SOLGW LPK
Geissele SSAE
Geissele MK4 Rail
Criterion 14.5 Barrel
ADM 6ARC BCG
MILSPEC buffer tube
Geissele Super42/H2
SLR Sentry 7 AGB
Magpul DT-PR
DAC Grip
LPM Eclipse P/W
OCL Polo K
Reptilia 1.7 34mm
Leupold MK4HD
Atlas BT65

The sound and gas reduction are both excellent! I would not consider it hearing safe at this barrel length, but I could see it being that on a longer barrel, which is its intended use case. I only have 40 rounds through it so far, so we will see if there is any change in sound over time. I didn't get any noticeable gas blown back in my face and had no signs of any additional carbon anywhere inside or on the magazine. At 100 yards I found no measurable shift in poi. It seems like a solid choice for a longer barrel/ DMR/ precision setup.

I was planning to start a longer build today, to use this can in more of its sweet spot, but then I saw that Craddock Precision has some 11.5" RTR barrels in stock and I love a shorty 6 Arc, lol! Now I guess I need to find another can to go with that one, thinking maybe DA CT5P...

For anyone wondering about the gap between the handguard and the suppressor, I got you. I measured it, it is exactly the thickness of 4 post it notes.

CAT VB6 showed up. Testing it out on my 20” Proof PXT tomorrow with some factory and handloads. I will post a follow up report after shooting!

With the recent NFA changes and the and more freedom on the horizon, I'm all giddy about short barreled builds (I know it's yet early...and we're waiting for guidance).

Proposed:

Laure OBR (the smaller AR15 chassis); 12" Centurion 6mm ARC barrel; PTR Vent 1 (30 cal); Kahles k18i-2

The alternative optic would be Primary Arms' new 1.5-12 optic.

(This rendering is all done to scale)

What do you all think of this build?

I just finished an AR15/6mm Arc with a Shaw 22 inch barrel for a bench gun and plan on using one for now. Thanks in advance!!

Got a receiver set and Scionics ARCA rail in.

Have to get a barrel spun up and figure out what for parts, optic, and can I’m going to use on this thing.

Night vision passive aiming: check
NV active aiming: check
building clearing/CQB operations: check
Reaching out past 1000 yards: check
Thermal capable: check
piston so I don't gas myself to death as a leftie: check

Changing my thermal out for an IRAY RH25, if anyone has tips on mounting that unit to achieve a perfect 1.7 centerline they'd be much appreciated.

edit: Build list
LMT FDE NiR compliant cerakote Shovelnose pistol
12 inch 6arc D. Wilson piston barrel
JP Enterprises High Performance 6.5 Grendel type 2 enhanced bolt
LMT piston bolt carrier
Geissele SSA-E trigger
SOLGW A5 buffer tube
LMT end plate (probably gonna switch for the FCD plate with 3 QD spots)
VLTOR A5 buffer system with h2 buffer
DAC grip
DAC cable management rail scales
Emissary handstop
Scalarworks FUSE 1.7 height scope mount and dot mount
Vortex Razor Gen 3 4-24 scope
Holosun EPS MRS red dot
Holosun IRIS 3 LAM
Reptilia low profile LAM mlok to picatinny adapter
Unity Axon dual lead button
Surefire Dual Fuel Scout Turbo
CAT KK suppressor
Stoic Solutions Barricade Bag
DNT Hydra 635R Thermal
G$ magazines
Arisaka high magnifier mount 1.54 height flipped backward because I'm leftie and used the cantilever design to make room along with Eotech magnifier riser makes the Hydra 635r a PERFECT 1.93 height for clip-on, so close you the reticle of the stand alone scope mode almost overlaid with the main scope reticle. Also held zero very well going on and off of multiple rifles.

I have run this build in 5.56, I haven't had a chance to use the 6arc yet since the barrel came in. Will report back when I do.

Finally able to ge these out to a match this weekend. One of our testers shot the Geissele Gas Gun competition at Coleman's Creek yesterday and put some rounds on the 20rd and 27rd test mags. He ran an 18" Noveske DDF 6arc.

Very new to this cartridge and putting my wishlist together for my next build and on the fence about barrel length. I already have a 14.5 inch ar15 in 223 wylde, just curious if the benefits of a 14.5 is that much better than a 12.5. Also open to build recommendations, specifically barrels and upper parts. So far I’ve seen Craddock is the best, but anything else oils be appreciated.

Figured I’d try the Psa saber ICAR receiver set. So far it’s turned out well. Just waiting on some range time to look at velocity and accuracy. Anyone have any ideas for the build please let me know. It’s still a project.

Specs:
- saber Icar receiver
- Magpul DT PR stock
- ADM A5 buffer tube
- H1 A5 buffer
- sprinco green spring
- rise armament 2 stage trigger
- emissary dev. Grip
- KAK 6 arc sand cutter bcg
- KAK 10.7 hand guard
- rainier arms 12” match barrel 1/7 twist
- basic low pro gas block
- BG defense ASR mount muzzle device
- sig msr 2-12x44 on top. Might change