6x45

[KyleR1985]

@83cj-7 @Taudisio

 

[KyleR1985]

Bought a 6x45 reamer a couple of weeks ago.

We’re redoing the handi rifle we attempted to stub last fall. The two piece chamber didn’t work out, so we’re going to bore all the way through the stub, and do it the normal way and cut an extractor groove.

Trying really hard not to buy another Howa mini and punch it 6x45 now that I have the reamer. Can load out to 2.475” no issue, which is not perfect but gets the 87’s and 90/95’s scooting along pretty fast.


@hereinaz could probably be convinced to do mini prefits if there was enough interest.

 

[longrangelead]

Bought a 6x45 reamer a couple of weeks ago.

We’re redoing the handi rifle we attempted to stub last fall. The two piece chamber didn’t work out, so we’re going to bore all the way through the stub, and do it the normal way and cut an extractor groove.

Trying really hard not to buy another Howa mini and punch it 6x45 now that I have the reamer. Can load out to 2.475” no issue, which is not perfect but gets the 87’s and 90/95’s scooting along pretty fast.


@hereinaz could probably be convinced to do mini prefits if there was enough interest.

what is the handi issue?

 

[Taudisio]

@83cj-7 @Taudisio

Go two pages back.

I have been meaning to clean my 6x45 and get out to the range. Still waiting to see the tmk’s back in stock.

 

[The Guide]

I'm very interested in a short lightweight 6x45 but am struggling to find reason to go with the 6x45 over the 6 ARC since the ARC can run a variety of heavier bullets that the 6x45 can't due to COAL limitations. The only way the 6x45 beats out the 6 ARC is in the SOLO action since it is 223/5.56 based.

Jay

 

[HandgunHTR]

I'd be very interested in the 6x45AI / 6 TCU info as well.

I will post up the pages from the TC load manual for 6TCU when I get a few more minutes this afternoon.

I'm very interested in a short lightweight 6x45 but am struggling to find reason to go with the 6x45 over the 6 ARC since the ARC can run a variety of heavier bullets that the 6x45 can't due to COAL limitations. The only way the 6x45 beats out the 6 ARC is in the SOLO action since it is 223/5.56 based.

Jay

Jay, I tend to agree, however the bolt face on the ARC and the lack of decent brass is a bit of a hang up for me. If you build on a Tikka action and use Waters mags, you could go with a 6TCU (6X45AI) to squeeze a bit more, but if you really want to hang with the ARC on a 223 bolt-face, then I would go with a 6X204AI. Build on a Remington action, you can modify the BDL mag box to get cartridge lengths in excess of 2.5". That is what I did with my 7TCU.
If you want to go single shot, then you can go even longer. You can pick up an SSK-50 frame from EABCO, a barrel from MGM and have a very light, short, handy, carbine that will push 108s pretty well. You could also go that route with good quality 223 brass (Lapua) and just run them hard in a 6TCU as well. Lots of options.

 

[longrangelead]

I'm very interested in a short lightweight 6x45 but am struggling to find reason to go with the 6x45 over the 6 ARC since the ARC can run a variety of heavier bullets that the 6x45 can't due to COAL limitations. The only way the 6x45 beats out the 6 ARC is in the SOLO action since it is 223/5.56 based.

Jay

as far as a Howa, 6x45 vs 6Arc, mostly just because...
I have buckets of 223 brass and already load for 6x45.

In a Tikka or Rem, 223 is the easy button, 223 bolt face and the action/mags can handle all but the longest oal.

 

[KyleR1985]

30.5gr LC 223 case capacity, versus 35 or so with my 6ARC brass.


For 200 yard and under work (almost all of my deer hunting), the 16” 6x45 does anything I’d need from the 6ARC. I built a 6 dasher to do anything I’d reasonably expect of myself past that.

Currently, if I get 3 firings and toss the brass, I’m at .05 for brass, .06 for a primer, .16 for powder charge, and .15 for 87vmax seconds. .42 cents a pop. I’ve got the components for 2000 rounds. Saving about 40% over 6arc - about 500.00 bucks.



There’s something to be said for having one gun to shoot all the bullet options and just download powder charge if it’s not needed - the 6arc is great for this.


It’s mostly a just because thing.

 

[The Guide]

30.5gr LC 223 case capacity, versus 35 or so with my 6ARC brass.


For 200 yard and under work (almost all of my deer hunting), the 16” 6x45 does anything I’d need from the 6ARC. I built a 6 dasher to do anything I’d reasonably expect of myself past that.

Currently, if I get 3 firings and toss the brass, I’m at .05 for brass, .06 for a primer, .16 for powder charge, and .15 for 87vmax seconds. .42 cents a pop. I’ve got the components for 2000 rounds. Saving about 40% over 6arc - about 500.00 bucks.



There’s something to be said for having one gun to shoot all the bullet options and just download powder charge if it’s not needed - the 6arc is great for this.


It’s mostly a just because thing.

I hope the portless 6x45 group buy comes through. The only place the 6x45 makes since in my quiver is with the SOLO upper right now. I already have multiple bolt action rifles in 6 ARC, 6CM, and 243 but all 20" and 22" barrels. The 16" 6x45 barrel for the SOLO fills all the gaps.

Jay

 

[KyleR1985]

I hope the portless 6x45 group buy comes through. The only place the 6x45 makes since in my quiver is with the SOLO upper right now. I already have multiple bolt action rifles in 6 ARC, 6CM, and 243 but all 20" and 22" barrels. The 16" 6x45 barrel for the SOLO fills all the gaps.

Jay

I bought a reamer assuming it won’t and I’ll have to do it myself. Can’t stomach 500.00 for a barrel for this build right now.

Come on @hereinaz !

 

[Taudisio]

Another option everyone should be exploring is the 24 nosler. Nearly ARC capacity on a rebated 223 case. They discontinued it, but components may still be bouncing around. I toyed around with the idea and iirc little crow gunworks did a build series on it. May be worth a look for a balance between the two without going full “wildcat”.

 

[longrangelead]

Another option everyone should be exploring is the 24 nosler. Nearly ARC capacity on a rebated 223 case. They discontinued it, but components may still be bouncing around. I toyed around with the idea and iirc little crow gunworks did a build series on it. May be worth a look for a balance between the two without going full “wildcat”.

Personally, I never considered the Nosler simply because they never support their cartridges. Sourcing brass long term in any volume puts it right with odd wildcats if not worse. I don't remember the parent case or if it is unique.
I see Alpha sells 6Arc, so that's good for now.

 

[waspocrew]

Personally, I never considered the Nosler simply because they never support their cartridges. Sourcing brass long term in any volume puts it right with odd wildcats if not worse. I don't remember the parent case or if it is unique.
I see Alpha sells 6Arc, so that's good for now.

Agreed - the lack of support for the Nosler cartridges keeps me from them as well.

The 6 ARC has Hornady, Alpha, Peterson, and Starline manufacturing brass.

Now back to the 6x45… I’m intrigued!

 

[Ckat]

I love my 6x45, though I’d do it a little different nowadays…. It’s a cheapie - Stevens 200 with a 1:9 ER Shaw barrel at 22”. I built it around the 85gr SGK BTHP… that bullet kills way above its weight class. I have never felt undergunned on any deer or pig, and it always kills efficiently. I would go 1:7 or 1:8 if doing it again for options. I’m about to chop and thread the barrel that I currently have.

I took it on this particular doe management morning - 5 of these does fell to the 6x45 out to just over 300 yards.

 

[Taudisio]

Personally, I never considered the Nosler simply because they never support their cartridges. Sourcing brass long term in any volume puts it right with odd wildcats if not worse. I don't remember the parent case or if it is unique.
I see Alpha sells 6Arc, so that's good for now.

Buy enough components to last the barrel and don’t worry about it going away. I haven’t looked too far into it, but a smith should be able to cut the chamber out to 6arc if you need the to.

I just stripped my 6x45 down and cleaned it. It was in desperate need of attention. I’m hoping I can hit the hills and plink some steel in a few hours.

 

[KyleR1985]

what is the handi issue?

The way we did the stub didnt work.

My idea was to take an AR 6x45 barrel, spin off the extension, and bore/thread the handi .223 barrel stub to accept it. Leave extractor and breech of barrel intact, and just have an internal shoulder the AR barrel lands on.

The point of that was to make it simple, easy, and fast. The barrel already exists, just need to bore and thread the stub. Then set internal shoulder back until it headspaces.


First miss was head spacing - this one could be overcome by using once fired brass from my other .223’s and then setting up sizing die to accommodate a slightly longer wildcat 6x45. Not even a problem - more case capacity!

The bigger issue was the “split” in the chamber where the barrel met the shoulder of the stub. I’m sure there’s a way to execute this joint where the gap is imperceptible and perfect. But in our case, the first round fired in the gun shoved brass into that gap and locked the case in the chamber.

It took pulling it apart to see what the issue was.

So we’re going to do a normal stub job and run the barrel all the way through the stub and cut an extractor groove. It was a cool idea, but trying to make it easy made twice the work…

 

[PistolPete]

I've also been looking for a portless 6x45 AR barrel, and I found a quality barrel manufacturer who will do a group buy for 10 barrels. I don't want to step on @hereinaz toes, so I won't do it if he is going to - it was his idea after all.

However, all that to say that the 6x45 group buy barrel WILL go through one way or another as long as 9 other guys want a barrel.

I hope the portless 6x45 group buy comes through. The only place the 6x45 makes since in my quiver is with the SOLO upper right now. I already have multiple bolt action rifles in 6 ARC, 6CM, and 243 but all 20" and 22" barrels. The 16" 6x45 barrel for the SOLO fills all the gaps.

Jay

 

[KY_coop]

Tagging in, I have a 6arc, it’s being really finicky with load development, with pressure signs at lower velocities than I have seen some getting in the 6x45. My 6x45 barrel has been ordered for a straight pull ar15

Are you loading for the 6 arc in a howa mini by chance?

 

[Tbieberle42]

I may have to build one of these over the 6arc. Seems like a pretty neat little cartridge

 

[KyleR1985]

For anyone else looking for a cheap point of entry on an action that suits the 6x45 well:

HOWA MINI ACT 350 LEG 16.25' HVY TB

<p>Howa Mini Action, Bolt Action Rifle, 350 Legend, 16.25' Heavy Threaded Barrel, Black Polymer Stock, Right Hand, 3 Round Mag, Manual Safety HMA350B</p>

dahlonegaarmory.com

I needed this like I need another hole in my head, but couldn’t pass up that price. 100 bucks cheaper than the cheapest barreled action at Brownells.

Figure I can get a few bucks for the stock and barrel.