6x45 Load workups

[mosigdude]

This has been a long time coming, I actually worked these up when I first got the barrel almost 2 years ago and never posted up the results.  As with all data, compare anything I post here with a reputable source and make sure this works for your application.

Barrel is a BHW 18" Mid-length 1/9 twist 3P, Standard Profile.  The barrel is fit into a pretty basic free-float tube in a nothing-special upper with a standard BCG.  Lower is also fairly basic with a RRA Match Trigger that breaks a little lighter than a few other similar models I have in other builds, probably around 3-1/2 lbs but I haven't measured it.

All brass is "FC 11" 223, formed to 6x45 through an RCBS Small base size die, primer crimp removed, flash hole uniformed, all bullets are seated with a Forster Bench Rest Seater, All loads are very lightly crimped.

All 3-shot groups measured center-to-center (extreme edges minus bullet diameter), rounded to the nearest hundredth

First up is Sierra's 85 Gr "Varminter" SP, 26.0 gr 8208 XBR, CCI#450 Magnum Primer, COAL 2.255", 2701 fps avg




Next is Sierra 85gr GameKing BTHP, 26.0 gr 8208 XBR, CCI#450 Magnum Primer, COAL 2.310", 2741 fps avg



Next is Sierra 85gr GameKing BTHP, 25.5 gr H4895, CCI#450 Magnum Primer, COAL 2.305", 2654 fps avg



Hornady 87gr BTHP's (not pictured) shot similar to the above with only slightly larger groups in similar workups

Finally, Nosler's 70gr Ballistic Tip, 23.5 gr H322, CCI #450 Magnum Primer, COAL 2.310", Velocity unknown (it was cloudy and I haven't had cause to rework this load yet) but it looks like this one could handle a little more speed



Hornady's 75 gr HP (not pictured) shot similarly with a similar workup from the same powder.

Like many before me, I badly wanted the 87gr Hornady V-Max to shoot but after experiencing several groups in excess of 4", I finally caved and decided it just wasn't meant to be with this barrel.

I do wish this chambering had a slightly shorter throat so I could load everything at "regular" mag length and be closer to the lands.  All of these loads still have a significant jump to the rifling but obviously the BHW quality is there and it still shoots anyway. As it stands, I use an ASC stainless magazine or a modified (windowed) Lancer to feed the longer OAL's

Cheers to all, hope this helps someone a little.
-Tim

[decoy71]

Thanks for the write up. I bought some Sierra 85 gr to give those a try.

[mosigdude]

I finally decided on the Sierra 85gr Soft Point (Varminter) for my main load in this rifle too. I reasoned that this bullet out of this rifle is starting at the velocity that matches a 243 Win (firing the same bullet) at 150 yards, so, even though is is a "varmint" bullet, it will perform more like a conventional bullet in terms of expansion at the slower velocities out of 6x45. Field performance has solidified this theory over the last few years and this has been an excellent loading for medium game. Even at very close ranges and maximum velocities (for this loading), I have not had issues with this bullet fragmenting significantly. Unfortunately I have not yet recovered a bullet from game due to complete pass-throughs but from the wound channels, it appears each of the bullets has remained mostly intact. My nearest shot on a deer with this loading is right around 10 feet and my furthest has been a little over 120 yards. On one of the nearer shots I hit a rib directly but still noticed no ill effect.  Anyhow, I think either of Sierra's 85 gr offerings will serve you well on fur or paper.

Keep us posted on your findings!

Cheers!

[lawdog]

I am new to this forum. I've got the same exact barrel as the original poster. I have found that the same is true for my barrel. The Sierra 85 gr Varminter bullet is by far the most accurate in my rifle. I went to the range yesterday and shot Nosler 85 gr Partitions, Barnes 80 gr TTSX, and Hornady 80 gr GMX bullets in groups with the same type powder charges that I was using for the Sierra's. It was a horrible day at the range to say the least. None of those bullets were even measurable for group size. They were all over the place. 
I found that 23.5 grains of H335 and 25 grains of H335 shot well for me with the Sierra bullet. The 23.5 averaged about 2310 fps and the 25 averaged about 2650. The main problem that I see with loading this round is the limitation of having to load to magazine length. I believe that was the main reason for the TTSX and GMX bullets not performing well. I had to seat them so far down into the case that the ogive of the bullet was nearly even with the case mouth opening. That was the only way to get them to mag length and that was loading them to 2.260. I noticed that you were loading some of yours to 2.310 and 2.305, how did you get them to fit in the magazine? I would love to load some up and be able to pull that bullet out a bit but my platform is a Stag AR-15 and I'm using a standard 10 round metal magazine.

[GLSHOOTER]

Buy ASC magazines that allow you to load to approx 2.314. They are very reasonable and it all I run. BUY THE STAINLESS STEEL versions as the others are the standard 2.60.

Greg

PS: Welcome to the board. Lots of guys here with lots of information.

[mosigdude]

Nov 11, 2015 6:37:00 GMT -8 GLSHOOTER said:

Buy ASC magazines that allow you to load to approx 2.314. They are very reasonable and it all I run. BUY THE STAINLESS STEEL versions as the others are the standard 2.60.

This.  The ASC mags weren't around, or at least I wasn't aware of them if they were, when I did my workups so I windowed a conventional mag.  I have since switched to the ASC and use them in almost all my rigs.  As Greg said, get the stainless version and you should be good to go.  A little bit of google-fu should get you into them for less than $15 ea.

[lawdog]

Thank you to both of you. I will look into those mags for sure.

I have another, maybe silly, question. What is the "P" designation that I see on my barrel? What does that signify?

[GLSHOOTER]

Nov 11, 2015 9:55:59 GMT -8 lawdog said:

Thank you to both of you. I will look into those mags for sure.

I have another, maybe silly, question. What is the "P" designation that I see on my barrel? What does that signify?

P is for POLYGONAL The P3 means three land polygonal rifling. Black Hole is the only manufacturer in the US doing true poly rifling. Benefits are less bullet stress on engraving that results in lower pressures and increased velocities. It also yields a much decreased degree of fouling and makes for cleaning it out much quicker. The use of Gunslick Foaming Bore Cleaner is highly recommended. Pretty odorless and fast. It only requires patches and no brushing.

Greg

[airbornem40]

Does anyone have any good load data on the 58 grain V max in 6x45.  I want to use 8208 XBR for powder unless there is something better out there.

[GLSHOOTER]

Oct 6, 2017 17:23:34 GMT -8 airbornem40 said:

Does anyone have any good load data on the 58 grain V max in 6x45.  I want to use 8208 XBR for powder unless there is something better out there.

I'll look tomorrow as I believe I have some. You can use 223 data and increase from the MAX a bit. Also look at the sticky on data here.

Greg

[airbornem40]

Thanks

[GLSHOOTER]

Got jammed up today. I'll get it in the AM.

Greg

[Want2BS8ed]

Greg,

I would be be interested in the 55g/8208 XBR data as well.

I finished breaking in my 24" 1:9 BHW barrel today with a mix of 85g Nosler Partitions and 85g Sierra SP's over 8208 and was a little underwhelmed. Once through the 60 break-in rounds, I tried some 68g Bergers over the same charge of 8208 for giggles because I couldn't find published data. 6 rounds dropped into a single ragged hole at the albeit short 50 yards being used for break-in. Shows potential and looking forward to some serious load development and chrono work at longer distances.

Thanks,

Mike

[GLSHOOTER]

Magic Unicorn Load

55 Nosler
2.31" COl
28.5 8208
CCI 450

3370 FPS 5 SHOTS 0.497/100 yards

Primers looked nice and round. Maybe can get a tad more in there.

Greg

[Want2BS8ed]

Thanks Greg. Didn't know you could stuff that much powder in there!

I'm off to the LGS for some lighter bullets.

Thanks,

M