6x45 vs 6TCU vs 6.5TCU for whitetails - Rifle build

[dhagerty40]

Bullberry is closed do to the owners retirement.

Actually, Bullberry is still in Business. The Lead Machinist took over the business when the owner Retired. it is now called Bullberry Legacy.

Custom Firearms | Bullberry Barrel Works, Ltd. | United States

Custom crafting guaranteed accurate sporting firearms since 1983, with attention to detail and performance are at the center of every Bullberry custom project.

www.bullberrylegacy.com

 

[dk17hmr]

I like the 6tcu/6-223AI but also have a 25-223 that will shoot a 110gr accubond at 2700fps.

With the mag length you have maybe something based on the 204 Ruger case would be worth looking at for more velocity

 

[JEFFPPC]

This is a no brainer. 7TCU which is simply the 223 necked to 7mm. Anneal fitst can bek done in 1 pass, then anneal again. Use load data from handgun shiloutte data. My first choice in bullets would be the single shot pistol bullets by Hrnady and Sierra. Next choice would be either 120 Ballistic Tip or120 Harnaday HP. IMR 3031 works well in this case.....makes deer DRT. If you do this PM me I have an extra set of dies.

 

[JSH]

I see lots of comments on the TCU family, which is fine. The main issue will be OAL. I don’t know if maybe the 204 magazine may be of a different design and a bit longer, if it is that may be something to look at.
Sold all of my 527’s or I could tell ya.
The SSP bullets are all discontinued to my knowledge. There are others out there that will work. Problem is the 6mm are designed around 243 speeds, saw issues guys had with the 6.8SPC those were geared around the .270. They may shoot very accurate but performance on game can be iffy, there are some good suggestions from others.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I see lots of comments on the TCU family, which is fine. The main issue will be OAL. I don’t know if maybe the 204 magazine may be of a different design and a bit longer, if it is that may be something to look at.
Sold all of my 527’s or I could tell ya.
The SSP bullets are all discontinued to my knowledge. There are others out there that will work. Problem is the 6mm are designed around 243 speeds, saw issues guys had with the 6.8SPC those were geared around the .270. They may shoot very accurate but performance on game can be iffy, there are some good suggestions from others.

You need in either 6 or 7 single shot pistol bullets, both Sierra and Hornaday made them when I was into Contenders. I think I still might have a few, I used 50 to fireform my last 6PPC cases. If you can't find any send me a pm.

 

[mike.e]

Old AMAX were good killers in the 6.5TCU and also Partitions

 

[JD95]

Hi Guys!
I had some luck in the woods last night and got the knife bloody. The rifle/load was a 6.5 grendel, 24" barrel, nosler 120BT @ magazine length with cfe223 for 2600fps at the muzzle. this is the 6th deer Ive taken with this combination. Took off the top half of the heart as well as making (unusually) severe entrance and exit wounds. I suspect the 120BT is on the verge of coming apart at these speeds (25yd shot, so probably well over 2550 fps) but they seem to make it out the other side just fine. I would not want the 120BT at impact speeds higher than this but suspect that it would perform well (better even) at slightly lower speeds. pics for reference, I know there wasnt much of this type of info out there when I built my
grendel.

entrance side


entrance side



exit side


exit side



given this experience, the relatively large amount of meat damage, as well as my suspicion that Im pushing the 120BT 6.5 bullets a little too fast, I feel even more confident about either a 6.5TCU or a 7TCU built around the 120BT in either caliber. I did some measuring on my 6.5 120BTs and came to the conclusion that I can seat them deeply enough in the case to make my OAL requirements. the 120 7mm bullet is 0.085" shorter, so it should be no issue to seat it to mag length with a little more available space in the case for powder.

Ill plan to move forward with re barreling to 7tcu with the intention of using the 120BT and hoping for MV between 2400-2500. I suspect that this should be a good load for whitetails sub 200yds, and most of my shooting is well within 100yds. thanks for all of the suggestions! and trust me, I havent taken the large amount of advice to build a 6x45 and use 80-85r bullets lightly, I considered that carefully. Ill be sure to keep you guys posted! maybe if I order a barrel blank now it will be here by next deer season..

 

[JD95]

Mike.e - Thanks for the detailed info! that really helps when it comes to figuring out what will work. Thanks!

Hagerty- Thanks for the words of wisdom!

JEFFPPC - Thanks! I think I have a lead on a set of dies, but I appreciate that as well as the advice on projectiles.

 

[AWS]

I've been shooting a 6mm-204 and 25-205 for 16yrs and 6x45 for 20. I believe I built the first 25-204 and it is a great cartridge BUT if I were to do it again it would have been on the Grendel case, a better fit in a small action. I have a Mini Howa in 6.5G and it would be hard to improve on that in any small cartridge. A little heavy handed if want to save pelts but great for deer.

 

[PRR1957]

Actually, Bullberry is still in Business. The Lead Machinist took over the business when the owner Retired. it is now called Bullberry Legacy.

Custom Firearms | Bullberry Barrel Works, Ltd. | United States

Custom crafting guaranteed accurate sporting firearms since 1983, with attention to detail and performance are at the center of every Bullberry custom project.

www.bullberrylegacy.com

Didn’t know that. Thanks for the FYI. A friend of mine has a Contender 15” 25 BB Imp. he somehow lost his Redding dies set for it in his last move.

 

[SantaFe66]

Back when I lived in Anchorage I shot IHMSA every week. I used a 7mm08 custom Remington pistol in Unlimited and had to load them down to prevent overly abusing the chickens. For production class I used a Contender in 7mmTCU and since the local military guys kept me in surplus 5.56 cases, I had plenty of brass. My big issue with the 7TCU was forming the cases initially. I lost a number with split necks until I annealed them first. I have a Pacific die set that has an excellent forming button on the rod that tapers up and down and as long as I used Die wax on the necks and the button I had no problems making cases. My load was using Hornady 139gr SP's for Chickens through Turkeys and 154gr Hornady for the rams. Didn't chrono my loads but as long as the steel went down I assumed velocity was adequate.

 

[CJ6]

I've used the 6.5 x 222 Mag for years in a Rem XP. I like the Hornady 129 gr Interlocks.

 

[Jim Hankins]

This is my 6x45- Rem. 600 action,x caliber 1-8 bbl,Timney trigger and McMillan stock. Have killed a couple deer with 85 grain Sierra's,worked perfect. Very easy caliber to load for and rifle shoots great for a light sporter.