Black Hills to start making 6x45mm ammo

[Z-Michigan]

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2010/01/21/6x45mm-makes-a-comeback/

To me this looks very interesting and appealing. The 6.5 and 6.8 calibers require different magazines and bolts, and have fairly mild muzzle velocities. Hopefully this will be less expensive to get into and offer some real benefits over 5.56, especially for hunting and mid to long range target shooting.

 

[ArmedBear]

Makes more sense to me than putting a really heavy bullet in 5.56, since you have to get a special barrel either way.

Do you know what velocity it puts out?

 

[Z-Michigan]

I don't know. No info yet either at that blog or at Black Hills' website. I've heard before that you get about 100fps more for a given weight, or 10gr more for a given velocity. No idea how accurate an estimate that would be. The big thing I see is the often much better ballistic coefficient of 6mm bullets vs. .224.

 

[Float Pilot]

The 6 x 45mm or 6mm-223 has been around since 1965.
I have seen a few mini 14s converted to this cartridge which were nice for Arctic (smaller) caribou.
Some reloading data is posted on the Reloaders nest... all in all it is a good cartridge from a 20 to 22 inch barrel.

http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=300

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

LoadID Bullet Bullet weight Velocity
11546 Nosler Ballistic Tip 55 grs 3540 fps
9238 Sierra 75 grs 2980 fps
11547 Lapua HP 77 grs 3100 fps
11548 Winchester SP 80 grs 3000 fps
9454 Winchester PSP 80 grs 3010 fps

Interesting; Hard to argue that it's not better than ANY 5.56x45. Better vel AND BC AND frontal area.

 

[ECVMatt]

I really like the 6x45 and 6x47. I wish a rifle maker would step up and make a bolt action in one of these calibers. It would make a nice little set up for patrolling the ranch and picking off varmints.

 

[deadduck357]

CorBon has been making 6x45mm for a while

http://www.dakotaammo.net/Performance-Match/6-X-45mm-70gr-Performance-Match-HPBT/PM6X4570-20/700/Product

 

[MMCSRET]

What is the difference between 6X45 and 6MM-TCU??????

 

[brl150]

Glad I found this post! I've recently been looking at having my Mini 14 customized by a company. They told me that my caliber options (other than a re-barrel in .223 with a faster twist to handle heavier bullets) were 6x45mm or 300 Whisper.

I am really interested in the 6x45 to breath new life in my Mini as I don't use it much. I already own 2 Bushmasters in .223. I am considering this custom rifle for use as a close range (under 150) deer rifle.

Now that I am seeing that factory ammo might be a little easier to find, I am really thinking of having the rifle re-done in that caliber.

What are everyone's thoughts?

1. Re-do the gun keeping it .223 but with a faster twist to handle heavier bullets?

2. Re-do the gun in 6x45, keeping in mind that I don't reload for rifle yet?

Thank you!!

 

[Skids]

6X45 is a great load. I have been using it for 5-6 years. I can tell you it is more powerful than what it should be. I dropped a 125 doe a few years ago ( 80 gr@ 3000 fps) one shot in its tracks. Loading it is a breeze just take .223 and run them through a fl die. What can I say accurate, easy to load and very flexiable. I am thinking of making an AR in 6X45 as it would be the nutts for Coyotes. By 6x45 is a rebarreled CZ527 very accurate for a lt rifle. drop me a note if you would like some load data.

 

[ECVMatt]

Remington are you listening....

I would love to see Remington come out with a Model Seven or a compact 700 in this round. A trim stock and a 20" bbl would be very handy and lethal.

A 527 would be cool too, but I can't get used to the whole backwards safety thing though.

 

[Maverick223]

Keep in mind this is not the 6.5mmSAW...it will not fit in the AR-15 platform. This is a necked up .223Rem. Personally I don't see anything that radical about it. The cost will likely be significantly higher than .223/5.56, and likely will not match the performance of the 6.5Grendel.

 

[ECVMatt]

I personally don't care much about the AR platform. I enjoy shooting mine, but I like bolt actions much better. This round has been around for a while and is easy to make. I would just like a little more pop from my truck/ranch rifle at times. I am sort of into odd calibers and this is one I like. I don't care about combat effectiveness, because my combat takes place with coyotes and swine....

 

[Z-Michigan]

and likely will not match the performance of the 6.5Grendel.

Use your existing magazines and bolt.
No worries about bolt strength (6.5G requires a very thin bolt edge for the larger case head)
Much cheaper and more readily available brass - reform any .223 brass

 

[Maverick223]

Much cheaper and more readily available brass - reform any .223 brass

Hmm, good point, that makes it pretty cheap...didn't even consider that. Add a few grains of pistol powder, a little patch from a tee shirt, and a primer...new case made to order. OTOH, dies may be very hard to come by, and therefore expensive, but that is something that you shouldn't have to buy more than once. Might not be that bad of an idea after all.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Where do you get an AR barrel for it?

 

[7.62 Nato]

Looks very interesting to me.

 

[ECVMatt]

I found this place on a whim...

http://www.ar15barrels.com/prod/6x45.shtml

not sure of the quality.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Lookie here kiddos:

http://www.robarm.com/XCR_Cal_Conversion_Specs.asp

As you can see, Robinson arms has it "under development".

Thank all that is holy; just need an 18" bbl in 6x45, and all will be well with the world.

 

[freakshow10mm]

Maverick, it will fit in the AR15. It's the .223 Remington necked up to 6mm. Something that's been done for decades and done thousands of times in an AR. Black Hills is just making factory new ammo with correct headstamp.

 

[Maverick223]

Maverick, it will fit in the AR15. It's the .223 Remington necked up to 6mm.

Right, but the 6.5mmSAW will not fit...that is why I said it is NOT the SAW.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I found this place on a whim...

http://www.ar15barrels.com/prod/6x45.shtml

not sure of the quality.

That's a gunsmith who regularly posts on calguns.net, often with outstanding useful, detailed information. I don't know him, but I would expect those barrels would be excellent quality.

Right, but the 6.5mmSAW will not fit...that is why I said it is NOT the SAW.

Although that's correct, only you, me, and about two other people have ever heard of the cartridge you're referring to. And I think it's the 6mm SAW anyway:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6_mm_SAW

 

[MMCSRET]

I'm asking again, please. What is the difference between 6X45 and the 6MM-TCU from 25 years ago? Surely someone knows, please!

 

[Maverick223]

I'm asking again, please. What is the difference between 6X45 and the 6MM-TCU from 25 years ago? Surely someone knows, please!

I don't know for sure, but I don't think there is any.

 

[rangerruck]

High standard has been making a 6x45 ar for years now, and they import that ammo for years; through pmc I believe. Call them up, they are in Houston.