Anyone running a 6x45 ?

[264win]

I am thinking of getting a 6x45 upper for my ar. Anyone running one with 70-90gr bullets ?
I would like to hear any info on performance, reliability and specs.

thanks

Adam

 

[slowagon]

I am contemplating the same build right now. Looking for something to stick coyotes and pigs.
What is the performance like for 400-700 yard shots with the 70-90 gr bullets?

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I have one in progress so I don't have much experience but I'm quickly losing interest. When I researched I found the load data on buck ammo.com and thought it seemed promising. Not taking into account that most of those aren't at AR mag lengths. I got some Berger 95gr classic hunters thinking they would be ideal for what I want to do (deer or to 400 yards) and would work well since the thin jacket would allow it to still expand at the lower impact velocities of the 6x45.

Reality set in when I loaded up a few mock loads to determine powder capacity and realized how much of the bullet is down in the case at AR mag lengths. With the 95gr classic hunter I think I'd be lucky to get 22gr of powder behind it (or around it). I also measured and seated a few 87gr hornady BTHP bullets and they aren't much better for left over case capacity.

To me everything is indicating this round is better for lighter bullets (55-75gr) at mag length which I don't feel comfortable taking 400 yard shots on deer with. I've got no doubt the 87gr and 95gr would get there accurately but I don't feel comfortable with the impact velocity it would have. For yotes and hogs I wouldn't hesitate at least at reasonable distances but with deer I want to find them, not just kill them.

If anybody is on the fence I have a nice 18" SS mid length gas 1:9 BWH barrel and dies I'm seriously considering selling.

 

[Mod Adahy]

Have a couple of them. Best bullet for me was the 95 Berger classic hunter at mag length.
95 N-530
22.5F
2486
1304
51600 psi
16.25
2.295


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Load submitted by 'azprc'.
This load was developed using Berger very low drag (VLD), jacketed, hollow-point, boat-tailed, match bullets (24570).
In terms of power, the developer considers this a MAXIMUM load and notes this charge fills the case.
The velocity measurement is by chronograph.
Hornady cases and CCI SRM primers were used in development.

COMMENTS:
Max for my gun. 3/4 moa at 100yards. This is in an AR platform. Start at 21 grains. Got 2257fps at 21.

 

[Mod Adahy]

Another

95 IMR-8208 XBR
23.1F
2415
1230
54555 psi
16.25
2.295

 

[redneckbmxer24]

What mags are you able to load 2.295 in? Also any data on the 95's with PP2000MR, H4895, or Varget?

 

[5spd]

I had an Ar15 in 6x45, 20" ss BHW p3, 1/10" bbl. Not a single problem ever w/it. MY col is 2.250" in that
It shot so well I built a Savage SA in 6x45 & it shoots even smaller groups, 24" ss, 1/10" bbl. COL in the bolt is 2.280"
It will run every bullet to 800 yards w/ease.
My go to coyote load is w/a 65g vmax on top of 26.2g exterminator....600+ yards on them not a problem
My antelope load is w/the 90&95g nosler bullets on top of 24.2g H335.........400 yards is a simple 1 shot on deer/antelope.
After 400 yards on big game the energy drops fast, but still good for predators.

 

[Mod Adahy]

What mags are you able to load 2.295 in? Also any data on the 95's with PP2000MR, H4895, or Varget?

PRI

 

[jlucas]

I have some C products mags from Midway that will take ~2.3 also. I'm waiting on a gas block to put together one of these. I have some 80gr Hornady GMX bullets on order, and already have some 95gr Berger classic hunters on hand. I have fit 23gr of 8208 behind the berger. Seems like I can get a little more in there yet. I won't be able to do any shooting for a couple weeks though.

Azprc - What barrel length were those loads used with?

 

[Mod Adahy]

I have some C products mags from Midway that will take ~2.3 also. I'm waiting on a gas block to put together one of these. I have some 80gr Hornady GMX bullets on order, and already have some 95gr Berger classic hunters on hand. I have fit 23gr of 8208 behind the berger. Seems like I can get a little more in there yet. I won't be able to do any shooting for a couple weeks though.

Azprc - What barrel length were those loads used with?

20" and only lost 30 or so fps down to 16"

 

[jlucas]

20" and only lost 30 or so fps down to 16"

Good to know. Thanks for the response.

 

[jlucas]

I was able to do some shooting yesterday. The 95gr Berger classics performed pretty well. I had no pressure signs with 23gr 8208, will be stepping up a little at a time and see where I end up. I have an 18" BHW barrel, and I had no luck at all with Varget, I think I will be sticking to faster burning powders. I'll be trying some 80gr Hornady GMX in a couple weeks.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I was able to do some shooting yesterday. The 95gr Berger classics performed pretty well. I had no pressure signs with 23gr 8208, will be stepping up a little at a time and see where I end up. I have an 18" BHW barrel, and I had no luck at all with Varget, I think I will be sticking to faster burning powders. I'll be trying some 80gr Hornady GMX in a couple weeks.

Are you using the c products mags as you mentioned before? What velocity did you see? I've got the 18" SS 1:9 mid length three groove, I was going to start with the 95gr classic hunters and H4895 but unless I get some more mags I'm limited to 2.260.

 

[DirtyDave]

I just got mine together and loaded up some ammo. Have not shot it yet though. 18" BHW barrel. Loaded up some 75gr V-max and 58gr Z-max. Both are compressed loads with 26gr IMR4895.
I will be mainly using it for Coyotes

There are certainly better caliber choices if you are going after Hogs and Deer though.

 

[jlucas]

Are you using the c products mags as you mentioned before? What velocity did you see? I've got the 18" SS 1:9 mid length three groove, I was going to start with the 95gr classic hunters and H4895 but unless I get some more mags I'm limited to 2.260.

I'm using the C-products mags. The longest I could go with them and feed reliably was ~2.285. PRI mags will probably let you load longer. The c-products are much cheaper.

I have the same barrel you are using. I don't have a chrony, so I'm not sure about velocity. I'll be using this for hunting at relatively short range, so I'm not too concerned about the speed. I plan on bumping up the charge a bit as the Hodgdon site shows 25gr as max load for a 100gr, and 26gr as max for a 90gr with 8208 (admittedly with a COAL of 2.34). I'll see how much I can fit without excess compression.

 

[jlucas]

I just got mine together and loaded up some ammo. Have not shot it yet though. 18" BHW barrel. Loaded up some 75gr V-max and 58gr Z-max. Both are compressed loads with 26gr IMR4895.
I will be mainly using it for Coyotes

There are certainly better caliber choices if you are going after Hogs and Deer though.

I'm interested in how IMR4895 does. Please let us know how they shoot.

 

[Mod Adahy]

Imr was a no go for me with accuaracy and velocity although H4895 accuracy got better but then velocity was really bad. CFE was also promising and frees up case space but was unsure about temp sensitivity. PRI's are only $40 ish and are super strong compared to c products. 87 grain bergers are also a good bullet for the 6x45 as is the 65 berger flat base. I did spend most of the time on the 95 classic since they seemed to be perfect for this cartridge. In the end, there were better options for the ar 15 so I moved on. JFI the 65's out of 20" got 2995 fps with N-530.

 

[DirtyDave]

I'm interested in how IMR4895 does. Please let us know how they shoot.

Will do. I like it in my 6mm Remington. 55gr Nosler BT's & 45gr IMR4895. It is screamin fast. With a 200yd zero, my holdover is only .8 MILs @ 400yds