6X45 bolt gun experts needed

[IA_shooter]

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.

 

[bsekf]

I built one on the cheap, Green Mountain moly blank and had Bison chamber it. I have some .5 to .75 200 yard groups. I believe it is a 1/10 or 1/12 and likes 75 grain flat base bullets. AND, I got to keep it clean! The TCU is a little more gun, but, IMHO, not worth the extra effort and money. I am a believer in the Houston warehouse, 21 3/4 barrel.

 

[th82457]

Not sure I am an expert on a 6x45, but I did own an original Kimber 82 in 6x45 at one time. The factory twist on that barrel was 1:9 & it shot 70 to 85 gr. bullets well for a light sporter weight rifle. Not sure why I ever sold that gun ! Anyway, if you are using a Savage action you might want to see if NSS can get you either a Criterion or Shilen for it. Either should shoot very well. I would think 20 to 22" barrel is all you need for max. velocity in this round.

 

[JSH]

I am no exspert.
I have had or have 6-223/6x45/6TCU. Never had a 6-223AI.

Not enough to argue over on any of them. I shot a lot of 6-223 in an XP and 6TCU in a TC for quite a while in IHMSA. One is NO more work than the other. If you want out on the cheap and use fired brass from the range, you end up with no better than what you start with.

Once fired will work, I still advise you to anneal. Virgin is the way to go.

I am playing with an XP we switched to a rifle. 1-8” twist even though I run 80’s and under.
One can argue over barrels. All of them could have issues, but today’s makers are at the top of the game.
I have visited with a few folks on this and other cartridges. One gent bought a cheap barrel, it shot fantastic, purchased another from a highly recommended vendor and had issues, problem was resolved nicely but still out shop time and machine work cost.

I know of one gent that has more knowledge of bullet performance in this cartridge than anyone I have seen. The Vmax will perform well as a deer bullet at certain speeds.

As an AR round I have no idea why this one has never taken off.

 

[jpx2rk]

I just built a 6x45 with a 24", 10T, 3R from Preferred Barrels, on a RAR action with a Boyd's AT1 stock. I went with the .800 varmint contour as I don't really plan on humping it very far if any distance at all. It's on the muzzle heavy side, and overall a fairly heavy gun. First 5 shots at break-in were in one hole with the 58g Vmax, I shot some 70g TNT's on the same day during break-in and the TNT's have potential as well. Have not gotten much farther with load development due to the summer heat right now.

 

[swd]

I went with an 8” twist. Easy to get and you can shoot the 95SMK at about 2800 if ever want to play with heavier bullets and it shoot lighter bullets very well too.

 

[Oso]

Definitely 1:8 twist for +90gr bullets, and faster twist won't hurt you with 80gr bullets. I would go with 18"-20" barrel for handy hunting rifle, especially if plan on suppressor and your shooting reasonable distances. Go longer 24" if want to squeeze more velocity... gain like 100fps wit the additional 4".

 

[RussellJ]

I have a Rem 700 with a 24" Pac-Nor 6x45 barrel, it's a 10-twist. I have it in a B&C stock with a CDI detachable box magazine. I'm shooting Nosler 80grn. Ballistic Tipped bullets and Sierra #1515 Varminter bullets at just shy of 3000 fps. I went with a ACCURATE MAG (SKU: 00100-0038) .223 5-round magazine, it can easily be modified to accept cartridge lengths close to 2.5". My 6x45 with a 80-grain Ballistic Tip bullet is 2.424" long and this magazine worked perfectly with a 5-min. modification, super smooth feeding. It is one of the most accurate rifles that I own with 27grn of IMR 8208XBR powder.

 

[DogBuster]

If'in I were 20 yrs younger.........

I'd be buildin a 6x45 P-N barrel

 

[357Mag]

IA -

Howdy !


Did you happen to read “ ALLTHINGSAI “ ‘s post about “Favorite Varmint Rifle pics please “. He included info and pic about his 6X45.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[venatic]

I have a Cooper in 6X45mm and while it shoots fantastic not sure why Cooper puts 1/14 Twist barrels on their 6X45's... my several AR's in 6x45 were all 1/10.
The 6x45 is one of my favorites for sure. I wish my Cooper bolt had a 1/9 twist so I could try some heavier/longer offerings.

 

[rjtfroggy]

I have one down on the shelf, threaded for a Savage small shank. Only a couple hundred rounds but it shot great, took it off for a 30 BR plus being a full cylinder barrel it would not make weight.
It will probably sit there until my wife has to get rid of everything.

 

[muleystalker]

I have a 6x204 and I went with a Kreiger LT palma 1:8 at 28", it shoots the 95gr SMK at 2900+. I loaded some 79gr Badlands Bulldozers hunting monos and was getting 3100+ . They are a fun to shoot for sure.

 

[1lnbrdg]

I'm shooting a 30" 1/8 straight 6X45. IMR-8208 powder running about 2920fps with the 95gr Sierra with excellent accuracy. Speer 70gr TNT's shoot great too but I have no idea on the velocity.

 

[M14AMU]

6MM Dasher!

 

[1lnbrdg]

Rem. 700 action on a prone rifle (sling) setup

I started with a Green Mountain barrel, 26" 1/10 twist (measured). It shot the Sierra 95's very well, a smidgen over 2800 fps. The gunsmith and I were both surprised that the 95's stabilized. Currently with a 30" Brux 1/8 twist light Palma.

I couldn't get enough H-4895 or Varget into the case to get a reasonable velocity. Currently using a "LOT" of IMR-8208, quite a bit of crunching going on. As many as 8 firings on some of these cases, haven't trashed any yet. Using once-fired LC 06 cases which seem to weigh ~.5 grains less than any of the others I have.

Very surprisingly accurate cartridge, JGS Reamer from off the shelf, not sure what the freebore is but it works well with the 95's. Full dia. of the 95's ended at the bottom of the neck, just the boat-tail extending down below the neck.

Think some of the 88's and heavier in the .223 may now out-shoot it due to their BC's but it's still a great round.

 

[krummarine]

9 Point North Dakota whitetail dropped with one shot to the chest in Nov of 2019. It’s my fourth deer with this rifle. Built by Dave Sink in Clemmons NC. Remington 700 action, Shilen Barrel, B&C stock. 85 gr Partition with H335. Perfect rig for the farm I hunt. Accurate, light, and low noise/recoil.

 

[david12601]

1:8 twist bartlein #3 contour 26 inch on savage action.....95 sierra matchking with imr 8028 xbr 2850 fps shoots 3/8 at 150 yds.....took about 75 rounds to settle in the bbl ......I love it good luck

 

[RonS]

I use 70-85's(target bullets) in my 1:9T with a 24" heavy barrel @ +/-.375MOA out to 200 yards

 

[doublestar300]

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 built a 6x45 with a preferred barrel blanks remage Barrel. Its 1-8 3r twist and is 22". I shoot 85 SGK's with benchmark powder and am getting .5 MOA at about 2900FPS. I have an ar stoner barreled ar upper also, I really like this cal.