I'll take a SWAG that you'll gain 300 fps over a 14" pistol barrel.
I've had one for years in a 14" XP-100, had a customized Rem 788 a while back (20" Hart full bull bbl.) and currently have a 15" Contender barrel coming from Virgin Valley Custom Guns.
If you are looking for an effective little varminter, look no further than the 6x45. As to the 87 grain loads, the 70-75 grainers will shoot flatter and deliver all the punch you need at the payoff end.
Lastly, you can stick with just one powder and primer: H-335 and Rem 7 1/2s. After firing thousands of rounds in this calibers, I have found that nothing compares with H-335 for overall best performance when one considers both velocity AND accuracy.
There's really no point in the 100s as you are not going to get enough velocity to ensure proper expansion very far downrange, and the trajectory starts to suffer as well. If deer are what's on your mind, the 80 grain Sierra Single SHot Pistol is just the ticket and will perform admirably.
I use local powder (Denel S321) and cases. PMP made a special batch with the caliber 6x45 indicated on the headstamp. 223 Cases can be used but we tend to have problems at roadblocks and customs when crossing into Namibia if your firearm license says 6x45 and your cases are 223. (This can be a major problem if you use converted brass)
The PMP cases have thicker walls, limiting case capacity.
Velocities that I have attained are as follows :
100gr Hornady RN = 2350 f/sec
100gr PMP SP = 2400 f/sec
87 gr Hornady SP = 2580 f/sec
87gr Hornady V-Max = 2600 f/sec
75gr Speer HP = 2700 f/sec
Accuracy is outstanding and recoil very mild. I did not try to reach maximum velocity, as I do not believe there is much to gain by it.
I use the 100gr bullets for short range (<150m) work and meat damage is negligible.
Due to the lower velocities, this is not a long range snipers rifle. I try to limit all my hunting shots to under 250m, and it works fine.
In my opinion people are taking shots at animals at way to long distances to see if they can hit them without regard to the fact that they might wound the animal and it will suffer a lot of pain before it dies somewhere.
Sitting at a bench with a properly supported rifle and shooting at an unmoving target at a known distance is not a problem. Hitting an animal after you've walked half the day, stalked it over a distance, lying prone on a rocky uneven surface and only have your jacket or hands for support is a feat that is not accomplished as easily.
[This message has been edited by alekojjensen (edited 03-28-2002).]
I've run lots of rounds through this caliber over the years, and for the most part, that little flat-based, 80 grain Sierra is the hands-down winner. It expands AND penetrates sufficiently -- and it is so predictable in performance that it is almost boring.
It makes a great all-around bullet for everything from varmints through smaller deer at reasonable ranges.
If you decide to go strictly for varmints, give the 70 grain BlitzKing or Hornady 70 grain SXSP a whirl. They are deadly on the smaller critters...
[This message has been edited by Bobby Tomek (edited 03-28-2002).]
For hunting, take a hard look at Gerards 62 gr. G.S. custom HV. My wife used it to shoot her antelope last fall (using the PPC), and with a B.C. of over .3, and an M.V. of over 3300 fps, it was flatter than her 270 load...... No recoil, very little blast. Another good option would be the old 75 gr. X-bullet. I laid in a supply when I found out they were d.c.'d, but you might find still be able to find them somewhere. HTH, Dutch.