I'm in the middle of building an AR, have a DPMS lower put together wth an Ace skeleton stock. Trying to decide on an upper caliber and the 6 x45 was suggested. I'll use it mainly for punching paper at 200-300 yards and occasionally I get invited to cull some whitetail, mostly under 100 yards. I'm thinking this might be a perfect in between round, I could go with a 458 Socom or 50 Beaowulf, but that's a lot of shoulder thumping at the range. I already have one .223 (KelTec SU16A) and I'm just not comfortable using it on deer (but it's ok with me if you want to). I handload for about 6-7 calibers now so adding one more is not an issue.

Thanks for your thoughts.

I have seen much more success with .223 on small/medium game than with the 6x45. Over the years four of my customers tried the calibre and two sold the rifles almost immediately. Game over 100lbs and anything beyond 100yds is not going to fall over reliably.

I used to shoot a 6x45 in a match rifle, and loved it on paper, but how about a 6.5 Grendl? Great ballistics, and a little more oomph for game than the 6x45.

I've used my cute little 6 X 45 to take two whitetail bucks and at less than 100 yards but here's the surprisse.....the bullet I used?.....Hornady 70 grain SX!!!!!

About 20 years ago I bought a 6x47 (now I wish it were a 6x45) to use for my boys' 1st deer rifle. All three of them got their 1st doe with it. An 85gr Partition at about 2700 fps worked well for "supervised" deering hunting. Now with a 60gr Sierra HP, it's as good as a 223 for varmints.

6.5 Grendel first choice, but they are spendy for an upper!! The 6.8 SPC is a lot cheaper especially if you are putting together the upper. Use a flat top and a nice scope and you're set.

20 years ago I to shot a Sako carbine in 6 x 47 and used the 85 Partition as well on our northern whitetails. I was very dissatisfied with the results as the wound channel was too narrow. Specifically I shota large doe at about 70 yards broadside center lung pass thru. The channel was like a 25 cent piece was driven through sideways. Yes she died quick, but there was no reserve if the shot hadn't been perfect. I would have to agree that a .223 or better bullet selection would have made a difference. Take note that a PPC/7.62X39 Bolt face is a real option and the bigger bore is always better.

PS: Lowrider, good luck on the hunt...

I have a 6x45mm AR upper and it's surprisingly accurate. I've shot it with 70 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips and 85 gr. Sierra HPBT hunting bullets. So far, I haven't shot a deer with it, but for the close ranges that you mention, I thihnk it should do fine. It is a very easy round to load and shoots relatively flat at modest ranges.

I haven't shot or owned one, but I have really been waiting for a 223 of mine to be shot out to rebarrel one or have on bored out to 6 x 45....

I think it would be a dandy first cartridge for a young shooter! It would be cheap to shoot, and have a lot of componets available, yet capable of taking many of the deer that live in the lower 48.....

Cheers
seafire

Whoever says the 6mm-.223 (aka 6x45) isn't a reliable killer on deer-sized game has either used the wrong bullets or put them in the wrong spot. I've used this caliber in rifles and pistols (XPs and Contender barrels) and have taken a variety of game. Granted, bullet selection is absolutely critical, and precise shot placement takes precedence with a small caliber. But it works like a charm -- and I could list a lot of game that could NOT testify to that fact.....

My favored projectile is the Sierra 80 grain Single Shot Pistol bullet, which is now on the discontinued list from Sierra. However, there are plenty of these bullets still available, and the 80 grain Blitz performs nearly as well should you not be able to locate any SSPs.

My most memorable hunt with the caliber took place in the Texas Hill Country with Lone Star Hunts, a company once based out of Ingram, TX. I took a rather large catalina billy at 230 yards, and performance of the 80 grain SSP was absolutely perfect. I prefer to keep the range on medium game to 150 or 175 yards, but inside those ranges, it does extremely well.

The 6mm-.223 is also one of the most accurate calibers I have ever worked with. In the 80s, with Bob Milek's inspiration, I got my first 6mm-.223, and it was in an XP-100 with a 14" Shilen barrel. Five-shot, 200 yard groups of 1 to 1.25" were the norm, and many groups went well under that. Subsequent 6x45s have proven to be just as accurate.

And by the way, H335 is still one of THE BEST powders for the 6mm-.223. And lastly, be sure to use Rem 7 1/2s as other primers may pierce long before top-end loads are reached.

I've been using a 6x45 in a redone mini 14 for several years now. My load has been 24 gr on H335 and a nosler 70 gr BT. shoots about 3/4" groups. I wouldn't consider is as a deer type rifle, but it sure makes a mess of PD's. Definately a better wind bucker than 223.

quote:

Originally posted by browningguy:
I'm in the middle of building an AR, have a DPMS lower put together wth an Ace skeleton stock. Trying to decide on an upper caliber and the 6 x45 was suggested. I'll use it mainly for punching paper at 200-300 yards and occasionally I get invited to cull some whitetail, mostly under 100 yards. I'm thinking this might be a perfect in between round, I could go with a 458 Socom or 50 Beaowulf, but that's a lot of shoulder thumping at the range. I already have one .223 (KelTec SU16A) and I'm just not comfortable using it on deer (but it's ok with me if you want to). I handload for about 6-7 calibers now so adding one more is not an issue.

Thanks for your thoughts.

I have a rebored Savage 24V in 6x45 mm, not a bad little gun.

I appreciate the input guys, I think I'll go ahead with it and see how it does. It will be 90% paper punching and I may try it on a culling hunt this fall, it's all does and spikes, and I'll stick with the 30-50 yard shots.

Browning guy,

Let us know how you make out with it. It is certainly a good round for your application and I'm thinkng about it for a Contender barrel too.

Thanks!!

About 18 months ago my gunsmith made up a Rem 700 in 6*47 for me. It was a toss up between that and the 6*45; I don't think there is much in it.

Even with the *45, make sure you'll have enough magazine length, as the loaded rounds can be quite long compared to a 223.

Performance from my rifle is excellent, though it hasn't been out in the field yet.

Velocity...
58 gr 3290 fps
65 gr 3200 fps
70 gr 3150 fps
75 gr 2850 fps (lower than expected)
87 gr 2820 fps

I have killed a few Blacktails with my 6x45 with no problems. I used the 70 gr Hornady SP and Win 748 for about 3000 fps and the shots were under 200 yds. Accuracy is excellent permitting the proper shot placement required with any calibre. I actually prefer the little 6.5-223 I made up a bit better. I get right at 2900 fps with the 100 gr bullets and exceptional accuracy with no recoil and great penetration and quick kills here too. The 6x45 is NOT to be sneezed at!

Aloha, Mark