6x45, an oddessy continues......

[Thebear_78]

Several years ago I purchased a set of dies for 6x45 for an AR15 barrel that I had on order. this was during the big AR push and the barel never came thru and eventually the order was cancelled. I kept the dies planning on building a nice small bolt gun for a starter rifle for my kids. This too never came to fruition but I still had the dies. After my recent AR15 build purchase I decided to pick up the stuff to make a hunting upper in 6x45. I backordered a 20” HBAR barrel from midway today along with three boxes of 85gr Nosler partitions.

I think the 6x45 will make possibly the perfect fur round for alaska combined with 80gr FMJ and when loaded with the 85gr Partiton it should make a dandy, deer, black bear, and caribou round. I have quite a bit of data for several good powders but I am lacking any data for CFE223. I was wondering if anyone could do a quckload for me with 85gr Partion and CFE223.

Thanks

 

[DrMike]

I confess my ignorance of this particular cartridge, having never worked with it. For clarification, are you speaking of the 6-223? Here's data for that particular cartridge:

Cartridge : 6 x 45 (6-223)
Bullet : .243, 85, Nosler PART SP 16314
Useable Case Capaci: 26.231 grain H2O = 1.703 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.260 inch = 57.40 mm
Barrel Length : 20.0 inch = 508.0 mm
Powder : Hodgdon CFE223

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 83 22.24 2180 897 26988 6305 80.4 1.309
-18.0 85 22.80 2238 945 28853 6548 81.9 1.273
-16.0 87 23.35 2297 996 30859 6788 83.5 1.238
-14.0 89 23.91 2356 1048 33017 7025 85.0 1.204
-12.0 91 24.46 2417 1102 35343 7256 86.4 1.171
-10.0 93 25.02 2477 1158 37854 7482 87.8 1.138
-08.0 95 25.58 2538 1216 40565 7700 89.2 1.102
-06.0 97 26.13 2600 1276 43497 7911 90.5 1.067
-04.0 99 26.69 2662 1337 46672 8112 91.7 1.033
-02.0 101 27.24 2725 1401 50122 8304 92.8 1.001 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 103 27.80 2787 1466 53872 8484 93.9 0.969 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 105 28.36 2851 1534 57957 8653 94.9 0.939 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 107 28.91 2914 1603 62418 8808 95.8 0.909 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 109 29.47 2978 1674 67302 8948 96.6 0.880 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 111 30.02 3043 1747 72664 9073 97.4 0.852 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 114 30.58 3107 1822 78566 9181 98.0 0.825 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 103 27.80 2953 1646 65130 8614 98.8 0.894 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 103 27.80 2579 1255 43985 7901 85.0 1.065

I note that QL also lists data for Data for a cartridge identified as the 6X45mm which is similar in dimensions. This data differs significantly from the data for the 6X45 (6-223), having somewhat less case volume.

Cartridge : 6 x 45mm
Bullet : .243, 85, Nosler PART SP 16314
Useable Case Capaci: 25.332 grain H2O = 1.645 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.260 inch = 57.40 mm
Barrel Length : 20.0 inch = 508.0 mm
Powder : Hodgdon CFE223

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 83 21.60 2154 875 26842 6149 79.9 1.316
-18.0 85 22.14 2211 923 28703 6388 81.5 1.280
-16.0 87 22.68 2270 972 30702 6624 83.1 1.245
-14.0 89 23.22 2329 1023 32855 6856 84.6 1.211
-12.0 91 23.76 2388 1076 35174 7084 86.0 1.178
-10.0 93 24.30 2448 1131 37683 7306 87.4 1.144
-08.0 95 24.84 2509 1188 40391 7521 88.8 1.108
-06.0 98 25.38 2570 1247 43322 7729 90.1 1.073
-04.0 100 25.92 2632 1307 46502 7928 91.3 1.039
-02.0 102 26.46 2694 1370 49956 8117 92.5 1.006 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 104 27.00 2756 1434 53712 8296 93.6 0.974 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 106 27.54 2819 1500 57810 8462 94.6 0.943 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 108 28.08 2883 1568 62291 8616 95.5 0.913 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 110 28.62 2946 1639 67202 8756 96.4 0.884 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 112 29.16 3011 1711 72600 8880 97.2 0.856 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 114 29.70 3075 1785 78549 8988 97.9 0.829 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 104 27.00 2922 1611 64913 8438 98.7 0.898 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 104 27.00 2548 1226 43875 7710 84.5 1.070

 

[Thebear_78]

Thanks Dr. Mike

Yes is the 6mm-223. I have always thought that it would be an excellent AR15 alternative and loaded correctly would make a decent deer rifle.

I started looking at it as a dedicated predator hunting rifle for alaskan fur hunting. The 80gr FMJ @ 2800fps was recommended as the best all around combination for minimal fur damage and quick kills on furbearers from fox to wolves without tearing up the hides. Velocity is the enemy when it comes to damaging fur, especially on thin skinned critters like fox, they tend to pop like a balloon when hit with really fast violently expanding projectiles.

The plethora of good medium game bullets available for the 243 make it a no brainer. Simply run a 223 brass thru a 6x45 expander and load away. The 80, 85gr barnes bullets, 85gr sierra HPBT, and 85gr Nosler Partition at 2700-2800fps should work very well out to 250-300 yards.

 

[DrMike]

It does look as if it will do what you want. Neat round for that platform.

 

[preacher]

Hello bear- Back in '87-89 when I was going to bible school in Oklahoma, several guys I met used that platform/cartridge. They really bragged on it for deer/coyotes/hogs. I want to sat they used the 85 Sierra HP. I myself played with a long barreled (27") 6x47 and the Barnes 85XBT right after a neck surgery in 2000. I was getting a solid 2900fps with BLC2. I went to Texas and killed an axis doe, a big bodied axis buck in velvet and, get this, a 500 lb Scimitar Horned Oryx! I shot the doe at 80yds, the buck was running at about a 100 ( took two shots on him, my bad) and the Oryx at 184 lasered yds, one shot through the base of the neck. It exited too. Even though he was dead (its the dead ones that kill you, right?) I gave him an insurance shot at 75yds, his belly/brisket was facing me, it went through the heart, on up and broke the spine and I found it under the skin, still weighed 83gr! So....if it were me and I had your set up, I would use the newer Barnes 80gr TSX or TTSX on deer and up , that 6x45 will push them plenty fast enough ( I'd shoot a moose at the base of the skull with that thing!) I think you will love it! Good hunting. Jim

 

[laylandad]

Bear....I recently built an AR chambered in 6x45mm for my son to hunt with. I use the 85 gr Nosler Partition loaded with H 335 seated to 2.26". Hodgdon's lists data for the cartridge. Good luck. This is a fun little cartridge.

 

[Thebear_78]

What kind velocities are you getting in your sons ar? What barrel length did you go with?

 

[laylandad]

I went with a 16" 1-9 bull barrel from Blackhole Weaponry. I've gotten as high as 2750fps with H335, but had to back off the powder some.....I was running into pressure issues. I shoot comfortable around 2600fps. That is measured with a Shooting Chrony Beta. I'm not sure why the velocities are this good, maybe it's the type rifling or maybe just a fast barrel.

 

[Thebear_78]

That's pretty impressive, I am going with a 20" barrel and would be happy with 2700-2750.

 

[Thebear_78]

Got the shipping confirmation today. By the end of the week I should have all the parts needed to put together my 6x45 upper.

20" hbar contour barrel 1-8 twist
Hogue FF hand guard
YHM lopro has block
Flat top bushmaster upper





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[Thebear_78]

Loaded up the first loads for the 6x45 today during the superbowl halftime show. I happened upon a good deal on 200 sierra GK HPBT 85gr bullets that I intend to use as a cheaper alternative to the partitions. I shot a lot of those 85gr Gamekings out of my 243 winchester. It proved to be an accurate bullet and worked well on a few whitetails. I always got an exit on broadside whitetails with a muzzle velocity of 3050fps. I also killed a few coyote with it but didn’t like some of the large exit wounds. Hopefully at a much slower starting velosity it will be less destructive.

recipe
85gr Sierra Gameking HPBT
H335 24.5gr
fed 205 match
hornady virgin brass
COL 2.254” Just barely fits in my Pmags

Sierra 85gr HPBT next to loaded 6x45 and 223 55gr SP on the left.

 

[DrMike]

I've used the Sierra hollow points in .284 calibre and in .308 calibre; they are a great bullet that gives excellent performance. I'm guessing they will perform quite well for you in that round. If I could lay hands on some, I would be tempted to load them for my grandson's .243.

 

[SJB358]

I had great luck with 85 grain HPBT GK's in my son's 243 as well. Great deer bullet when it's not pushed real hard.

 

[Thebear_78]

Here is the rifle all finished. It's lighter than I figured it would come out.

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[HTDUCK]

Bear, whose barrel are you running ?
I'm toying with building a 20 inch upper myself.

 

[Thebear_78]

It's an ar stoner from midway


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[HTDUCK]

Found those online yesterday.
Considering that or one from Blackhole Weaponry.
Stoner is over $100.00 less money.

You get a chance to shoot it post up some pics of the groups please ?

Thanks,
Howard

 

[Thebear_78]

Hopefully later this week, I'll keep you posted


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[Thebear_78]

Finally got to shoot the 6x45. 100 yards final group after sighting it in.

85gr sierra gameking @ 2630fps


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[DrMike]

Bragging size holes. Good rifle control of a fine load.