6x45 (6mm-223)

[ExtremeX]

I'm just curious if anyone here reloads this cartridge?

I'm thinking of building a rifle around this cartridge and wanted to see if anyone has some tips for necking up / case forming.

Also curious as to what bullet and powder comp has worked for you.

It appears I don't have to go out and source anything special since it shares many of the same powders as 223 or 308.

Also... just curious how you like the 6x45? Fun to shoot, has it performed well for you?

[edgerly779]

i have 33 rounds as components I pulled the bullets. They are 100 grain psp
bullets cases are once fired sized and primed. $11 shipped. Powder that was in them was 748 26 grains.

[JMP]

It's an excellent case as it will kick the **** out of a 223 Rem since 6mm bullets are SO SO SO much better than .224.

Just get a set of dies.

http://www.midwayusa.com/find?sortby=1&itemsperpage=20&newcategorydimensionid=15214

If you don't have the right style expander, just get a 6mm punch in a larger die, then resize it. Note that the 6mm punch will expand it too far because it is used with brass that is thicker. 223 Rem usually has 0.011" neck thickness, and the punches are made for 0.013-0.014".

The powder depends on how heavy you run the bullets. If you are shooting in an AR, then you may need to drop down to a lighter bullet if you want mag length.

Just use common sense on powder, H322 isn't a bad one.

[ExtremeX]

Good to hear...

I was thinking of going with Redding dies... they seem to be generally better quality and from my conversation with Redding their FL sizing die has a long tapered expander, they said would be better for the necking up operation vs the standard expander ball.

Redding doesn't make a competition seating die for 6x45 but Forster does so I might just mix and match instead of getting a set. I use Forster seaters for 223, 243, and 308 already and love em.

I still haven't decided if I want to do this in a bolt action or AR... I generally neck size for bolt guns and use a body die for minimal sizing when needed but I don't see a body die option from Redding, or a collet neck die from Lee which has worked well for me in the past too.

[JMP]

Yes, however, be careful of the expander ball as it needs to be somewhat smooth and have a lead in. You don't want to force a large expander ball in to your neck. That's why I suggest first using a cheap punch for decapping and necking up for smoothness, then using the dies. It all depends on your die configuration.

For seating, you can use a Redding Comp 6BR seater as it is shorter.

[ExtremeX]

Maybe ill get the dies before getting the rifle... hopefully the process isn't bad.

I've never had a cartridge that required necking up or down / case forming so I really don't know what to expect.

Right now my 223 Remington 700 is my volume shooting practice rifle, I generally shoot from 200-800 yards with it. I hope to be able to do the same with the 6mm bullet instead. If I can get and process the brass in bulk like I do with 223 than the 6x45 looks like a real winner.

I would end up pulling off the factory 223 barrel and using the action and bolt... I was thinking of sticking with 223 but since I came across the 6x45 I don't see the point of sticking with 223 being a avid reloader and i'm not seeing a real downside dropping .224 and opting for 6mm bullets in the same case.

[JMP]

Indeed, with a R700 223, there's no downside to making it a 6x45 as you will only get better performance. The nice thing about a bolt action is that you can seat them longer, and you'll probably want to use 90gr bullets. In an AR-15, they don't work as nicely due to mag length issues. The fact is that .223 is one of the best cartridges in the world to learn on (especially for wind), but it is a horribly inefficient and antiquated case. Put the same amount of powder in a small 6mm, and there is no comparison.

With that said, once you rebarrel the R700, if it is of a stock configuration, it's pretty temping to just purchase a 0.7004" bolt with a 0.474" bolt face and just have the action trued and shoot something like 6BR that will devastate the 6x45. All my R700s were bought at .223s since they are the cheapest as folks find the .223 bolt face least desireable since you cannot change cartridges with a simple barrel swap (really except to 6x45, which is most common). Since I plan on buying new bolts anyways, I do not care if it is a .223.

You won't have an issue necking up. .223 brass is generally 0.011", so it is extremely pliable.

[micro911]

I'm just curious if anyone here reloads this cartridge?

I'm thinking of building a rifle around this cartridge and wanted to see if anyone has some tips for necking up / case forming.

Also curious as to what bullet and powder comp has worked for you.

It appears I don't have to go out and source anything special since it shares many of the same powders as 223 or 308.

Also... just curious how you like the 6x45? Fun to shoot, has it performed well for you?

I am very interested in this caliber, also.

[ExtremeX]

Indeed, with a R700 223, there's no downside to making it a 6x45 as you will only get better performance. The nice thing about a bolt action is that you can seat them longer, and you'll probably want to use 90gr bullets. In an AR-15, they don't work as nicely due to mag length issues. The fact is that .223 is one of the best cartridges in the world to learn on (especially for wind), but it is a horribly inefficient and antiquated case. Put the same amount of powder in a small 6mm, and there is no comparison.

With that said, once you rebarrel the R700, if it is of a stock configuration, it's pretty temping to just purchase a 0.7004" bolt with a 0.474" bolt face and just have the action trued and shoot something like 6BR that will devastate the 6x45. All my R700s were bought at .223s since they are the cheapest as folks find the .223 bolt face least desireable since you cannot change cartridges with a simple barrel swap (really except to 6x45, which is most common). Since I plan on buying new bolts anyways, I do not care if it is a .223.

You won't have an issue necking up. .223 brass is generally 0.011", so it is extremely pliable.

I was very tempted to just get a 6x45 barrel for an AR and just call it a day... It’s a lot less work for me considering I can do it all myself but I read I would have run into COAL issues for mag fed operation. I know I would be chasing the highest BC / heaviest target bullets I can use.

Bolt gun just seems like the better choice even if I have to get someone to build it for me. It will absolutely cost me more, and take up more time to get it. I still like the idea of a 6x45 AR but I love bolt actions that much more. Ever since I got my first bolt action I caught the bug pretty bad, and almost completely lost interest in the AR platform.

Regarding the 2nd bold portion… brass availability played a big part in my interest of 6x45. 223 parent case, loads of brass on hand, easy to form the case… I bought a 223 trainer for a reason, and I don’t really give up any of the perks with 6x45. Sadly for someone who handloads/reloads, I don’t currently own anything exotic or different.

In a way I’d like to dump my 223 and 308 and focus more on the 6mm, 6.5mm, and 7mm bullets. I was also considering a 7mm-08, but I think I would end up with a 6.5 Creedmoor if I ever pull that 308 barrel off my other rifle. I can deal with higher case costs for my larger cartridges, but the 6x45 would completely replace my 223 volume trainer/range toy.

[ar15barrels]

I still haven't decided if I want to do this in a bolt action or AR... I generally neck size for bolt guns and use a body die for minimal sizing when needed but I don't see a body die option from Redding, or a collet neck die from Lee which has worked well for me in the past too.

Bolt action will allow for 2.5" overall length which really helps if you want to shoot the sleek target bullets.
The 2.25" OAL of an AR mag really inhibits the 6x45 to super lightweight varmint bullets.

[ar15barrels]

6x45 (6mm-223)

Right now my 223 Remington 700 is my volume shooting practice rifle, I generally shoot from 200-800 yards with it. I hope to be able to do the same with the 6mm bullet instead. If I can get and process the brass in bulk like I do with 223 than the 6x45 looks like a real winner.

I have done about half a dozen 6x45 bolt guns.
With 95gr smk's, they basically match the ballistics of a 175smk in a 308, but with far lighter recoil and long barrel life.

[ar15barrels]

At 2.25" mag length, the 105-107gr bullets will fall into the case while feeding as there will be so little of the straight portion of the bullet actually IN the case neck.
About 2/3 of the case neck will have the bullet's ogive if bullets are seated to 2.25" AR magazine length.

[ExtremeX]

I have done about half a dozen 6x45 bolt guns.
With 95gr smk's, they basically match the ballistics of a 175smk in a 308, but with far lighter recoil and long barrel life.

Out of curiosity what length did you finish those barrels on the rifles you built?

What would you recommend regarding barrel length and twist rate for a target setup?

[ar15barrels]

I would go 1:8 twist and 26" long.

[pacrat]

ar15barrels noted

At 2.25" mag length, the 105-107gr bullets will fall into the case while feeding as there will be so little of the straight portion of the bullet actually IN the case neck.
About 2/3 of the case neck will have the bullet's ogive if bullets are seated to 2.25" AR magazine length.

Even though the parent cartridge was the 5.56x45. The necked up versions were originally wildcatted in the 1970s, as the 6mmTCU-6.5mmTCU-7mmTCU by Ugalde for the TC Contender, as long range silhouette pistol cartridges for use in top break and bolt action IHMSA single shot unlimited pistols.

I have a 7mmTCU that does exceptionally well for my uses out to 300 yds from a 14" Bull Barrel on a Contender using 130 grain Sierra SSP hunting bullets.

But just not suitable in an AR platform. Would work well in a short action bolt gun. But as others noted, there are now other cartridges that edge them out on the bolt actions. So once again, best suited for original intended purpose.

JM2c