6X45 bolt gun experts needed

[1lnbrdg]

I've wondered about the Benchmark powder.

It seems like the increase in bore size from .223 to .243, the faster burning powders work a little better in the 6MM variant than the slower powders that work for the.223.

I can't get the velocities up high enough with Varget/4895 volumes whereas I-8208 works great. Benchmark may fit that narrative also.

 

[Oso]

Other powders to try are CFE 223 or Lever Evolution. Both are fast and will have no issues with heavy 6mm bullets. Unlike Varget/H4895/8208, these two are ball powders making them temperature sensitive.

 

[stacy]

MINE NOT A 6X45 ITS A 6TCU AND IS A SHOOTING MACHINE WITH H-335 AND 75GR V-MAX AT 3150 LAPUA BRASS AND 7 1/2 REM PRIMERS LOW .2'S GROUP WISE PUT A DOE DOWN TODAY WITH IT ALSO AT 240 YDS WITH 85GR BTHP SIERRA'S AND H-335 AT 2900FPS BANG FLOP DRT.

 

[5spd]

Ive assembled several 6x45 in bolt and ar15 rigs. All were/are 1/9" TW, 3p grooved barrels.
No need to play around with powders as I did over time.Drop in 24.4g H335 behind the sierra 85g BTJHP, 2738fps, 20" bbl. In my guns that load stacks em on top of each other and is good to 600 yards on coyote. Id stick 400 yards for deer sized game even though it punches through 1/8" steel at 400.
That load is perfect in my Savage & AR15 rigs, you may vary naturally.

 

[chrisj]

I'm toying with the idea to build a 6X45 bolt gun. I like 223 case based wildcats. I used to have a 6X45 upper and it did well for me for deer/hogs when I used it several years ago and now I think I want a bolt gun. I'm curious to know what barrel length and twist would possibly be ideal for an easy to carry rifle to use 85gr hunting style bullets with. I really like the Sierra 85gr HPBT Gameking. This will be used for Deer/hog/coyote mainly and any unfortunate groundhogs who happen to show up on our family ground.

I now have 2 20 Practical bolt rifles so I am probably going to use the Savage action from my 20 Practical I've had for several years for this build if I do it.

Who would be a good barrel source? Recommended twist rate and barrel length?

I know krummarine and others have had stellar results with their 6X45's over the years for hogs/deer.

I had 6x45 and 6 TCU aka..6x45 Ackley. Go with the Ltter if you don't wantvto be trimming brass every other firing.

 

[IA_shooter]

I have definitely decided to build a 6X45 bolt rifle. I might just try to order a new barrel in the configuration I want unless I can find a barrel very close to the specs I want. I have decided I want a 22 to 24 inch light varmint stainless, possibly fluted barrel with a 1-9 or 1-8 twist. If anyone has a good lead on who might be the best source for such a barrel, let me know. I am going to use my Savage 20 Practical as a starting platform. It's currently a smooth as butter trued Savage action that is professionally bedded into the stock with a 20 Practical BHW 20" polygonal barrel on it. I'm going to have a buddy refinish the stock so it looks like new again and I have a fluted bolt to put on it to pretty it up even more. I'll probably put the BHW barrel up for sale as I have another 20 Practical already but I hate to part with it too because it's tack driver. The before mentioned Savage 20 Practical I have/will be using for the build is the top rifle in this pic.

 

[Dan1505]

I am new to accurate shooter since last summer. I am retired and I have really gotten into the 6x45. I have purchased used barrels from members here and purchased new. Right now I have 2 Savage bolt guns with 8 twist and 2 AR's, one a new Satern barrel with 8 twist and a used BHW in 10 twist. With the savage 12FV from cabelas and a MGM barrel 8 twist using 95SST, I shot 2 White tail bucks in TX last November. With the AR15 6x45 BHW 10 twist using sierra 85 soft points I shot a 175 lb feral hog last week. On the AR15 I had an ATN Thor 4 thermal scope that includes a video camera. In total darkness I was able to shoot and stay on the hog during the shot for some good video. I was having terrible luck with groups on the AR 6x45 satern 8 twist barrel. I was trying to use 95-100 gr and could not get repeatable groups under 3" at 100 yds. I finally figured out the magazine length was my issue. After reading a blog I cut out the front of the AR magazine. I was able to seat the 100 gr bullets from the standard 2.25 to 2.31. You are basically using the front of the magazine well as the front of the magazine. This helped with my bullet jump and I am now getting consistent 1 1/2 inch groups. Keep in mind this is a hunting gun and not a benchrest gun and these groups are acceptable to me. In the other 3 rifles I am consistently getting 1 MOA and have shot them at 200 yds on paper. For hunting deer and hogs I keep my shots under 150 yards. So far so good. I have learned so much good information from this site that I hope my information will help others. Happy New Year. Be safe., Dan

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Im a fan of the 13-14tw and old benchrest bullets in the 62-68gr range. I dont feel like its enough gun for a 1:8tw myself

 

[1lnbrdg]

Im a fan of the 13-14tw and old benchrest bullets in the 62-68gr range. I dont feel like its enough gun for a 1:8tw myself

Dusty,

I would have agreed with you until I tried I-8208.

H-Benchmark wasn't thought of to be a Palma powder until this last year.

In a bolt rifle, it's working great with the S-95's. My space gun, not so much.

 

[AWS]

I have a 6x45 on a Rem 600 and it is great for coyotes with 55gr NBT's and 58gr Vmax. For targets 70gr match bullets. I shot a 6mm-204 for many years in contests and control work where saving pelts wasn't needed, just changed it out to a 20P and let the 6x45 do the heavy work.

6x45 Load Data PDF
6x45 loaddata_8_1.pdf - Google Drive

 

[JSH]

I was a bit concerned with the 1-8” I went with, throated and planned on nothing heavier than an 80 grain. It is a screamer with 55-65 grain bullets, very usable accuracy (sub MOA). The extra RPM gives more splat factor with bullets that may have not disrupted unless spun up that fast.
All depends on what you want to do with it.

 

[EOD Rob]

I'm toying with the idea to build a 6X45 bolt gun. I like 223 case based wildcats. I used to have a 6X45 upper and it did well for me for deer/hogs when I used it several years ago and now I think I want a bolt gun. I'm curious to know what barrel length and twist would possibly be ideal for an easy to carry rifle to use 85gr hunting style bullets with. I really like the Sierra 85gr HPBT Gameking. This will be used for Deer/hog/coyote mainly and any unfortunate groundhogs who happen to show up on our family ground.

I now have 2 20 Practical bolt rifles so I am probably going to use the Savage action from my 20 Practical I've had for several years for this build if I do it.

Who would be a good barrel source? Recommended twist rate and barrel length?

I know krummarine and others have had stellar results with their 6X45's over the years for hogs/deer.

IA,
I am in the middle of the same build (Savage action 6x45). I went with a 20" 1in8" X-Caliber Pre-fit. I do not have the rifle together yet, however I have had a lot of experience with the X-Cal barrels. All of it has been great. They are super high quality that does not brake the bank. I have bought barrels from them in 7mm-08, 260, 6 Creed, 308, and 223. All of them shot under .5" groups with hand loads. Also, if you are not in a big hurry, wait until there is a holiday coming up. They regularly run 25%-35% off sales. My 6x45mm barrel with 1in8, 20", straight blank contor, and threaded 5/8x24 at the muzzle was $340 shipped.
Note: I like running heavy bullets, so you may want to look at a lighter twist. They offer a large selection of twist rates and rifling.

 

[22vartarg]

I’m in the middle of getting my Cooper MTV re-barreled by Cooper in 6x45 but with a 1:10 twist. Only planning on shooting the 65-85 gr. I got a 24” barrel and will be used both for target and varmint use.

 

[1lnbrdg]

Very good article on the bulletin today 6MM/223 (6X45).

I shot my rifle Saturday 70gr TNT 200 yds, 26gr+ 10 rounds, per the shotmarker, .87 MOA 2590 avg fps. Horizontal stringing on the group. I wasn't watching the wind, just trying to get an average vel. but it was sure sweet when I got down to take a look at the target.

These loads were thrown with my Dillon powder measure too, loading on my 550.

 

[EOD Rob]

Very good article on the bulletin today 6MM/223 (6X45).

I shot my rifle Saturday 70gr TNT 200 yds, 26gr+ 10 rounds, per the shotmarker, .87 MOA 2590 avg fps. Horizontal stringing on the group. I wasn't watching the wind, just trying to get an average vel. but it was sure sweet when I got down to take a look at the target.

These loads were thrown with my Dillon powder measure too, loading on my 550.

Great to hear brother,
Sounds like she is coming together nicely! Bet if you did a little more messing with that load, you could really make her sing! I know its not a good time to just go out firing off primers, but you might try changing primers and see if that doesn't help out with that stringing. I ran into that a while back and that's what ended up being the issue. The load just did not like those primers.
Keep us posted!
Rob