223 or 6x45 (in an AR15) for mid range varminting

[mao0720]

Im looking at puting together another AR15 for mid-range varminting, out to 500m at the very longest and most shots within 300m. Im waffling between a 24" 223 with 77gr Lapua Scenars or a 6x45. I like the idea of the 223 beacuse I am already set up to load for it, and the availability of barrels. I like the idea of the 6x45 mostly because of the ability to shoot 85-87gr bullets from the magazine, but finding a barrel for an AR15 chambered in 6x45 is difficult, especially for a similar price to a comparable 223 barrel.

Help me make up my mind here. If you have experience with varminting with either or both of these cartridges, please chime in! Thanks,
Mason

 

[MrMajestic]

Have you considered a 6mmAR or 6mm Hagar? A little more powder capacity to push the high BC bullets and still mag feed from an AR. JMHO to reduce wind drift which to me is the toughest to dope.

 

[mao0720]

I definately have, and the only thing holding me back is the price. I would actually preffer a 6mmAR. I know you cant put a price on quallity, but $1600 for an Upper is a lot of money. Black Hole weaponry makes a 243 LBC (6mmAR copy) barrel, but I have had very mixed results with their barrels.

 

[MrMajestic]

You could build your own(at the kitchen table) with a DPMS lo-pro upper receiver, a Shilen barrel chambered and headspaced from D-Tech and a bolt you have presently for much less($700?). You would have a quality upper you built yourself! JMHO

 

[mao0720]

I was just looking at D-techs website today and I didnt notice a 6mmAR cahmbering offered by them. I saw their 6DTI (6-6.8SPC). Am I missing something? I did find a company, ar15performance.com, that offers a 20" melonited 6mmAR barrel for $290. Great price but I have no idea about the quality.

 

[MrMajestic]

I am aware he doesn't list it but you can call him for his recommendations. You may have to supply the reamer which will still not break the bank. Whitley's Smith can make you a barrel also, http://www.6mmar.com/Sources_tbtain_6mm_AR_It.html

 

[mao0720]

Nice, thanks. Back to the 223 and 6x45. My biggest question is, can I load an 87gr V-max to magazine length in the 6x45?

 

[5spd]

Nice, thanks. Back to the 223 and 6x45. My biggest question is, can I load an 87gr V-max to magazine length in the 6x45?

I have both calibers & yes you can run the 87 VM at 2.260 MAX in the AR15 mag, best at 2.250 " though.
That said I would look hard and long at the 65g VM & 70g nosler BT, both those will spit at 3000+ fps and the 87 will be 200 fps slower, but it does have a lot higher BC.
In my 6x45 I run the 65g vm at 3053 fps and it flat out drops coyotes at 600 yards and p-dogs at 400 yds is easy as breathing. I run them both to 700 yards also.
My antelope load is with the 80-95 gr bullets at 2.290" BUT that's in my Savage bolt gun 6x45, 24" build.
The .243" bullet packs a tad more punch due to better BC.
***There is a 6x45 upper over on the predator master site at around $400, 18" bbl though***