6mm ARC vs 6x45

[harro]

I realised that it’s been a while since I checked on the availability of the 80 eld vt here in Australia.
I searched online again and they have just become available here , so will get some very soon .

 

[spaniel]

I've had a 6x45 for years and it's a nice little rifle. With 75gr VMAX it blows up prairie dogs with more authority than the 22 cals. Not like my 243AI, but I'm not counting barrel life shooting a 50rd box of ammo in an hour either. Plus building one uses all of the common components of a 223, whether on an AR or bolt gun. But IMHO it doesn't make sense to go over 85-87gr bullets, not enough horsepower.

I recently got a Howa Mini barreled action in 6mmARC and dropped it in an MDT chassis. Nice little rifle but it just won't group. After about 50rds of various loads it's in the safe until my McGowen barrel gets here. Looking forward to trying it again with 87gr VMAX or 80gr VTs. The 22ARC is equal or slightly superior ballistically and I have one of those, but the 6mm bullets simply hit harder.

 

[jdh47]

I got a Howa mini 6 ARC for Christmas. It shoots 105 Hornady Match very well in three shot groups. 105 Hornady hpbt and 29.6 gr. CFE223 groups higher and left. Factory are loaded lower velocity. The barrel measures .238 and there is no belling at the muzzle like many factory barrels.I fractured my elbow over the holiday so I'm stuck for a while.

 

[bobcat93]

Im here with you SD guy,
Ive decided im not an arc fan.
After discussion with other.
Im goning with a tight neck 6mm-223 AI
Or simply a tight neck 6mm creedmore
Nothing special, just proven performance
A world of avalable components at regular over inflated cost.
Just makes sense. (For me)

 

[kojaone]

6 max is gaining popularity in gas gun comps, .375 bolt face,350 legend case ,grendel brass capacity.
bcprecisionballistics.com.

 

[Raptor]

Interesting discussion. I nearly built a 6x47 years back. I liked the idea but wanted to shoot the 80+ bullets to gain anything over the 77s for the .223s. I just didn't see where I would gain that much over the 77s in the .223s. When the ARC came out, I got really interested in it. I built one in an AR first and was really impressed with the accuracy. So, I decided to build a bolt gun when I got a good deal on a pre fit Benchmark 6ARC barrel. The barrel was for the Zermitt "Origin" action. I bought one and had it screwed on then bought a cheap ""Stockys" Stock and bedded it into that. Honest to God it is the most accurate rifle I have ever owned. I honestly think that the ARC case is too small to really push the "Heavies" fast enough to gain any advantage of the higher BC. SO, I concentrated on the 80 to 90gr bullets. I also had a 1-8 twist in a 22" barrel. I settled on the 90 Bergers but in all reality it shot everything well!! This was the first 18rds out of a brand new barrel. It took 3 rounds to sight it in and then this was the next 3 5 shot groups...

 

[Raptor]

Interesting discussion. I nearly built a 6x47 years back. I liked the idea but wanted to shoot the 80+ bullets to gain anything over the 77s for the .223s. I just didn't see where I would gain that much over the 77s in the .223s. When the ARC came out, I got really interested in it. I built one in an AR first and was really impressed with the accuracy. So, I decided to build a bolt gun when I got a good deal on a pre fit Benchmark 6ARC barrel. The barrel was for the Zermitt "Origin" action. I bought one and had it screwed on then bought a cheap ""Stockys" Stock and bedded it into that. Honest to God it is the most accurate rifle I have ever owned. I honestly think that the ARC case is too small to really push the "Heavies" fast enough to gain any advantage of the higher BC. SO, I concentrated on the 80 to 90gr bullets. I also had a 1-8 twist in a 22" barrel. I settled on the 90 Bergers but in all reality it shot everything well!! This was the first 18rds out of a brand new barrel. It took 3 rounds to sight it in and then this was the next 3 5 shot groups...

Final 2 groups load testing at 100yds all 5 shot groups. 300yd group and 1050yrd group. Average velocity is around 3050+...

 

[Griffiga]

I've just picked up a Ruger American Gen II in the 6mm ARC and haven't had it long enough to experiment. It only sports a 16 inch bbl, so I'm not going to get the top velocities, but at my age, it's short and light to pack around. I'm appreciative of the information you all have posted as it gives me an idea where to start from.

 

[Raptor]

I don't know if I would say "walk all over". An extra 100 fps doesn't get you a whole lot until you get over 600 yards. How many people are shooting that far?

I am shooting my bolt gun out to 1050 so far. I shoot the 90 Bergers in mine. Fist one is 820yds and the other one is at 1050yds. I am pretty sure the 6x45 would have trouble keeping up with that. Don't get me wrong, I do think it is a really great round with the lighter bullets and esp in the AR. I have a 6ARC in an AR too and I shoot the 87 Bergers in it and have shot it out to 800yds. It was just under half MOA for 3 shot groups.

 

[harro]

Just thought I'd give a bit of an update on my 6x45 vs 6mm ARC journey .
Well........
I no longer own the Howa 6mm ARC .
All along my main reason for trying the ARC was to achieve a bit more velocity with 70gr-85gr projectiles than what I get from my 6x45 .
My type of shooting / hunting doesn't require the heavier 100gr-108gr bullets .
The distances I shoot at never really exceed 300 yards so I don't dial the scope and high BC etc just isn't applicable.
I couldn't get the ARC to shoot very well with the lighter bullets ( the Factory 108's shot very well ) .
Also to be honest I just didn't " Jive " with the Howa , so it got sold quickly and I don't regret selling it at all .
The 6mm ARC definitely has a place , but not in my Safe .

 

[mike243]

Well I will start testing my 6arc in early July, range fee's start fresh then. I bought a complete upper from bear creek, have only ran 10 or so through it, 2 dead deer with 2 shots and some holes in a box real close together lol. The round might not be perfect for everybody but as much as I like 243 hoping we get along. Looking at some other complete uppers is addictive, thinking 450 Bushmaster for a heavy thumper. Lots of fun trying different combo's, will reload when I get make some empty brass. having issue finding 80g and 103g local, might have to bite the bullet and order it.

 

[boltfluter]

Interesting discussion. I nearly built a 6x47 years back. I liked the idea but wanted to shoot the 80+ bullets to gain anything over the 77s for the .223s. I just didn't see where I would gain that much over the 77s in the .223s. When the ARC came out, I got really interested in it. I built one in an AR first and was really impressed with the accuracy. So, I decided to build a bolt gun when I got a good deal on a pre fit Benchmark 6ARC barrel. The barrel was for the Zermitt "Origin" action. I bought one and had it screwed on then bought a cheap ""Stockys" Stock and bedded it into that. Honest to God it is the most accurate rifle I have ever owned. I honestly think that the ARC case is too small to really push the "Heavies" fast enough to gain any advantage of the higher BC. SO, I concentrated on the 80 to 90gr bullets. I also had a 1-8 twist in a 22" barrel. I settled on the 90 Bergers but in all reality it shot everything well!! This was the first 18rds out of a brand new barrel. It took 3 rounds to sight it in and then this was the next 3 5 shot groups...

Very impressive groups and shooting on your part. The Berger 90 gr is a little hidden gem of a bullet. The ARC should be a tac driver what with it's PPC lineage and inherent accuracy. I may need one in the near future. Very enjoyable post to read, thanks for sharing.
Paul

 

[NDSU]

I had a 6ARC and sold it. Kept my custom 6X45. Brass that is everywhere, a plethora of different Bullets and great accuracy. Buck taken with an 85gr Partition

 

[captainquigley]

I just got into the 6mm arc after painstakingly studying the BR, GT, and some other "majic" 6's. I decided it would be hard to beat Hornady at the 6mm game as they have poured more $ worth of engineering into the ARC than I would earn in several lifetimes, so it seemed like a no-brainer.
Also, beautiful, durable Nosler brass is plentiful.
Hopefully, I made the right choice, given the fact that I am a mediocre shooter, using average equipment.
Nonetheless, I will enjoy it!
Captain Quigley

 

[charlie b]

I've had a 6x45 for years and it's a nice little rifle. With 75gr VMAX it blows up prairie dogs with more authority than the 22 cals. Not like my 243AI, but I'm not counting barrel life shooting a 50rd box of ammo in an hour either. Plus building one uses all of the common components of a 223, whether on an AR or bolt gun. But IMHO it doesn't make sense to go over 85-87gr bullets, not enough horsepower.

I recently got a Howa Mini barreled action in 6mmARC and dropped it in an MDT chassis. Nice little rifle but it just won't group. After about 50rds of various loads it's in the safe until my McGowen barrel gets here. Looking forward to trying it again with 87gr VMAX or 80gr VTs. The 22ARC is equal or slightly superior ballistically and I have one of those, but the 6mm bullets simply hit harder.

I have a standard Howa I will get a new barrel for in the near future. Let us know how the McGowen barrel shoots as that seems to be the easiest path for these actions.

 

[koger]

I have a Ruger Gen 2 American, Predator in 6 ARC. I did a trigger job on it, got it down to #2, mounted a decent Vortex 4x12x40 on it for varmint duty here in KY which is usually 300 yds and in. I had a large batch of Euber70gr HP moly coated so I tried them with H335 behind it, max load, running 3450 fps. First 3 5 shot groups are in the .350 and under, good to go with that. For deer hunting, I loaded up some 90-95 gr, 1" groups were as good as it got, then I tried some Sierra 85 GK and it shot about .450 for 5 shot groups, running 3000fps I stopped right there, since that covered all my bases that I would use this gun for. I am using Starlie brass, easy to find now