6x45 shooters and questions.

[Bc'z]

Good to hear! Did you have to load the 80s at mag length or could you touch/jam them?

I'm at a bodyshop trying to reformulate a tri coat I'll post pictures of work around when I get home.

 

[Bc'z]

@Bc'z holy crap. Thank you. It downloaded. Lot of good info on there. Speeds seems rather slow with the 80s though. Couple had em in the 2800-2900 range though.
Can you touch/jam and still feed through a magazine with the 80s?


@ebb i was thinking the same thing, just getting a different bolt face, but I’m going to make this a repeater in a chassis. Also I guess brass availability wasn’t a concern but there’s a ton of .223 and less powder. Not much, but a little less. Don’t make me second guess myself and regret this! Haha

Workaround..
Steel 10 shot magazine windowed ti accept longer rounds.
80gr Barts Dominator

As for listed velocity in data your rifle, brass, powder bullet is different than what's listed in description.
Only your rifle and load work will tell you how fast the end result will be.
I'm clocking 2940 with 26.7gr W748 CCI450 Swift brass.
As everyone else has stated this is a fun lil round.
I've got some 58gr Barnes Varminator loaded for a charge weight test, this is gonna be interesting.

 

[NDSU]

I’m on my second 6X45 barrel on a Rem 700 action. Fun, accurate and easy to tune. My 7.5 twist Benchmark likes the 90 and 95 gr bullets; H322 powder is the most accurate.
Below is the North Dakota 9 point I took with an 85 gr Nosler Partition.

 

[Oso]

A word of caution .223 and 6x45 look really similar, and if you have multiple rifles or shooters you might want to consider some way to distinguish them for safety. You might consider a 6TCU (aka 6x45AI) or even the 6mm-204 Ruger, with both of these being .223 bolt face. Either of these would greatly reduces risk of someone grabbing wrong ammo. Also, both of these would provide an additional +100fps of velocity.

Aside from the two cartridges, the 6mm ARC has the greatest velocity but unfortunately has a larger bolt face. There is a newly released cartridge (even newer than the 6mm ARC) that is touted at same ballistic performance as 6mm ARC. It is called the 6mm MAX, and is based on the 350 Legend case (slightly greater powder volume than .223 Rem) that still utilizes the .223 bolt face. I have no experience with this cartridge, but it might be something worth looking at.

It appears the impetus for the 6mm MAX was to capitalize on the increased strength of the .223/5.56 bolt face as compared to 6.5 Grendel bolt face in an AR15. In short, no more concern about broken lugs with the 6mm Max. The upside for bolt rifle is if you already have a 223 rifle then this a simple barrel swap to achieve 6ARC performance. Supposedly, Starline is making the brass for 6mm MAX.

6mm MAX

6mm ARC vs 6mm MAX

One last thing, LeverEvolution generates the greatest velocity out of .223 as well as for the Grendel Cartridges. Wouldn't be a stretch to assume it will do the same for a 6x45.

 

[RussellJ]

So I posted on here a couple weeks ago asking for some cartridges that people would choose with a .223 bolt face.

Was unaware of the 6x45/6mm-223 but have done some research on it and it seems like a great choice for my needs.

If anyone could answer any of these I’d really appreciate it. Can’t find much info on them.

Questions:

With a 24” barrel could I get 80 grain dominators or other 80grainers to reach 2900-3000fps?

What is brass life like?

What’s your favorite powder/bullet combo.

And finally how accurate is your rig?

Thanks fellas!

In my 6x45 700Rem rifle, I'm using the 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. It feeds super smooth.

 

[BobT]

My 6x45 is a little different, it's an XP100 pistol built by Trapper Gun with a 14" barrel identical to one owned by the late Bob Milek. I thought at first I had stumbled across Bob's pistol but my gun has no spacers on the forend tip or grip cap.

https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/retro-223-6mm-223-load-data-long-range-handgun/367647

I don't have my data in front of me right now but the Box of ammo sitting in my office indicates an average velocity of 2786fps for the Sierra 70 grain HPBT match bullet. This load features Ramshot Xterminator and a Federal 205.

This gun shoots very well and I am strongly tempted to build a bolt action rifle for it.

 

[DLT]

I have a 6X45 chambered Rem 700(Pac-Nor Barrel), shooting 80grn. Ballistic Tip Bullets at 2996fps & the Sierra #1515 Varminter Bullets at 2998fps. Both are loaded with 27.0 grains of IMR 8208XBR Powder with outstanding accuracy.
View attachment 1498180

That is sharp !!!

 

[SmokinJoe]

My 6X45 is based on a Sako A1 custom sporter with a 1-8 twist barrel and I really like it for white tail deer hunting, light and easy to manage for an older guy. I like it so much I could get interested in putting another one together with an action that I can get more cartridge OAL with. Considered a Howa 1500 (not the mini) or a Tikka. Can anyone give me some guidance on this? BTW, my favorite deer round to date has been a Nos 90BT and H335 for about 2700fps. Would sure like to be able to seat the bullet out farther for just a little more powder capacity.

 

[HandgunHTR]

My 6X45 is an AR built with a 20" Black Hole Weaponry barrel. It is a shooter.

I stumbled into a mess of the old Sierra 80 grain single shot pistol bullets a while back and they work great in this gun. I am using AR-Comp as a powder and run those bullets at right around 2750 fps. It is a bit slower than I would get out of a bolt gun, but as I said, it is super accurate and has accounted for quite a few coyotes and whitetails.

It is what inspired me to build a 7TCU bolt gun. So fun to shoot.

 

[harro]

My 6X45 is based on a Sako A1 custom sporter with a 1-8 twist barrel and I really like it for white tail deer hunting, light and easy to manage for an older guy. I like it so much I could get interested in putting another one together with an action that I can get more cartridge OAL with. Considered a Howa 1500 (not the mini) or a Tikka. Can anyone give me some guidance on this? BTW, my favorite deer round to date has been a Nos 90BT and H335 for about 2700fps. Would sure like to be able to seat the bullet out farther for just a little more powder capacity.

My Howa 1500 .223 SA ( not mini ) magazine allows for a maximum oal of 2.34
I’m in the process of getting a 6x45 built on my Tikka T3 because with a Waters Magazine I can load a round up to 2.6 without any other modifications.
The dummy round I sent to my gunsmith with a Sierra 85 hpbt so he can throat the barrel correctly is 2.45 .
I’m definitely no expert on this , but thought that might help .
What I worked out is that the Howa would work , but the Tikka with a Waters mag ( which I already own ) is a better option.
That’s why my Howa will stay a .223 and the Tikka will be a 6x45 .

Ken

 

[jcm800]

I always wanted a 6×45.
Some good 6 tcu data to get you in the ballpark.

Handloading & Bench Testing The 6mm TCU Virgin Valley Contender Barrel

From the pages of The IHMSA News, Shooting sports, hand gun, ammo, cartridges, xp 100, reloading, firearm, cast bullet, bullet casting and more information articles

www.lasc.us

 

[SmokinJoe]

Thanks for the information, harro. If the itch gets too bad I will have to check that out.

 

[prasse]

So I posted on here a couple weeks ago asking for some cartridges that people would choose with a .223 bolt face.

Was unaware of the 6x45/6mm-223 but have done some research on it and it seems like a great choice for my needs.

If anyone could answer any of these I’d really appreciate it. Can’t find much info on them.

Questions:

With a 24” barrel could I get 80 grain dominators or other 80grainers to reach 2900-3000fps?

What is brass life like?

What’s your favorite powder/bullet combo.

And finally how accurate is your rig?

Thanks fellas!

Some 20 years ago I had a 20" barrel in 6mmTCU made for my T/C Contender by Bullberry Gunworks. Unfortunately they made a 1-2" twist instead of the 10" I had ordered. It doesn't stbilize jacketed bullets heavier than 80/85 grains. Still it is one of my favorite hunting rifles. The barrel is very accurate both with 80gr Rem. PSP ( fireform load shoots in one ragged hole) as with my favorite hunting bullet, the Impala Solid. In this case I use the 50gr LS at 3500 fps, the 65grainer beeing to long for the slow twist. Over the years I have shot varmints, roe deer, chamois,smaller red deer and a female ibex at distances up to some 280 yards.

 

[prasse]

Some 20 years ago I had a 20" barrel in 6mmTCU made for my T/C Contender by Bullberry Gunworks. Unfortunately they made a 1-2" twist instead of the 10" I had ordered. It doesn't stbilize jacketed bullets heavier than 80/85 grains. Still it is one of my favorite hunting rifles. The barrel is very accurate both with 80gr Rem. PSP ( fireform load shoots in one ragged hole) as with my favorite hunting bullet, the Impala Solid. In this case I use the 50gr LS at 3500 fps, the 65grainer beeing to long for the slow twist. Over the years I have shot varmints, roe deer, chamois,smaller red deer and a female ibex at distances up to some 280 yards.

1-12" twist, of course

 

[Tim Singleton]

1-12" twist, of course

What velocity did you get to with the 80s?

 

[prasse]

What velocity did you get to with the 80s?

Around 3000fps. A female red deer at 60 yards was an instant kill, rest of the bullet under the skin on the far side.

 

[harro]

Any updates, or further progress on your “ life changing decision “

 

[Kevin1990]

Any updates, or further progress on your “ life changing decision “

I ended up selling the action. Got a kelbly atlas tac, and doing a 6br.

That said. A buddy of mine who has an FFL said he has a used defiance classic, with a .223 bolt face, that he’s willing to part with in another month or so. So the dream is still alive. But just down the road a little.

 

[nakneker]

I had a 6x45 built last year. Remington 788, Krieger light varmint, 18” barrel, McMillan stock. I haven’t played with it ton yet and I’m sure I’m not getting the velocities guys with 24” tubes are getting but it is very accurate with 70 grain blitzkings and has cream puff recoil. Super fun rifle for a truck gun, feeds perfectly out of 788 223 mags. Zack at old Dominion did the work, reamer is still there. You won’t find a nicer guy to work and his guns shoot. Neat cartridge.

Thanks for the load data you posted Brett, it is saved and appreciated,

 

[prasse]

Around 3000fps. A female red deer at 60 yards was an instant kill, rest of the bullet under the skin on the far side.

Well, I looked into my files and found that this FF Load makes only 2800fps. Nevertheless it is very accurate and clean killer, especially on roe deer.