Which barrel?

[bcspider]

I am looking at building a couple of 6x45's and I have decided to go with BHW barrels. I think I will go with 1/9 twist, but can not decide on barrel length. I will be using it for hunting anything from hogs and deer to PD's and yotes. Any suggestions?

[Win75]

I am getting my BHW barrel tomorrow.

I chose a 20 inch 6x45 standard 1x9 target crown machine finish. I do mostly stand hunting but ordered the 20 for more portability. I hunt deer, coyotes, paper, and hogs if they show up.

That is my choice for what it's worth.

[letaz77]

Hi bcspider.

This is a very important topic, so much so that we have exchanged opinions many times in the past. What we have agreed on is the barrel length and profile depend mainly on what you are going to use it for and your enviroment where you will deploy it.

For example: if you are hunting deer in the american sabana, then you need a rifle that will reach out to your target at long ranges and velocity is quite important. If you are hunting in the brush, then chances are your target will be with in 150 yds. and you'll need a rifle that is easy to handle and won't get snag on the brush (a shorter barrel fills this billet).

Are you going to hunt from a stand or are you planing on stoking your prey? If you are going to be stationary on a stand then the profile can be as heavy as you like (Bull barrel). On the other hand, if you are going to be carrying that bad boy around all day you might want to shave off as much weight from you rifle as you can.

Now here comes my personal opinion:

1. I love the 6x45, but depending on the size of hogs you are planing to harvest it might turn out to be a little bit puny against large pigs (bullet selection and shot placement will become even more critical in this case). I would revise my caliber selection if I were going for large hogs.

2. I served as a machine gunner in the Marines in a line company. we carried everything needed for battle on our backs. My girl was a M240G, it weighted 25 lbs (unloaded and with open sights), had a 24" barrel and an over all length of 49". I loved that girl, but she could use losing some weight. She got caught on everything and a was a drag to carry around all day.
I think a good barrel length compromise is between 18"-20" Light so you'll have enough hump down rage without having your arms burned from carrying all that weight. Hunting is all about first few shots on target and a light profile barrel is accurate enough to deliver what you need.
The rate of twist on your barrel will depend on the length (weight) of the bullets you'll use. 1:9 should be all need for the optimal bullet selection for this little cartridge.

Recapping; rage and enviroment will determine barrel length and profile. 1:9 is adequate for this little cartridge.

I hope you'll find this helpful.

Erick

[GLSHOOTER]

For your needs I'd go with a 20" standard weight BHW barrel. I've shot a 20" for years in matches and PD shooting and it is a well balanced length. My 24" guns are used for PD's and matches but don't see a lot of time in the woods and they would be a pain in the tail there.

I love the velocity but hogs and deer are not true long range targets for these 223 bases rounds IMHO. Up close under 100 on the hogs and maybe 200 on the deer would be about it for me with the right bullets.

Greg