Powder recommendation 6x45, 85gr bullets

Im after recommendations for the next powder to try in my 6x45. I shoot predominantly 85gr bullets, and have so far tried 2206H and 748. Struggled to get to book max with 2206H due to powder compression. The 748 got to pressure, but was erratic as on target, also quite slow velocity.

Next port of call is going to be either 2219 (H322) or BM2 (Benchmark). My barrel is 18”, so wondering if 2219 is the go. The data has 2219 filling the case to about 95% where the BM2 will be a compressed load again like the 2206H I’ve already used. 2219 gives less velocity for the same pressure, but could be more effective in the short tube.

Thoughts?

I have had the best performance in that weight with CFE.223, and BLC-2
There is a thread on the hunt and fish forum, reloading section that is very good, bit of a search should find it.
I get 2800 with my 20" cooper and CFE.223,
BLC-2, IMR 3031, H4895 are all good,
Quickload gives, 3031 as the best speed for 85 gr weight, 25.4 gr for 54000psi, 2838. fps.
Great we cal, good luck.

Yep Southernman on to it. CFE223 is what I run with the Sierra 85gr HPBT. I tried others but this works well and you'll get a good result without a compressed load. 27.5gr gave me 2800 with a 20" barrel. With my 23" 6x45, I have seen over 2900 with a higher charge but dropped back to 27.5 for both rifles. These shoot to the same point at 100yrds as my 75gr load.

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Originally Posted by Mathias

Yep Southernman on to it. CFE223 is what I run with the Sierra 85gr HPBT. I tried others but this works well and you'll get a good result without a compressed load. 27.5gr gave me 2800 with a 20" barrel. With my 23" 6x45, I have seen over 2900 with a higher charge but dropped back to 27.5 for both rifles. These shoot to the same point at 100yrds as my 75gr load.

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Thanks @Mathias what COAL are you running with those 85 HPBTs? I reckon I’d struggle to get anywhere near 27.5gr of powder in my cases. I’ve been contemplating lengthening the throat a little, as all the 85/87s have the base of the bullet below the body/shoulder junction. I could only get 26.5gr of 748 in before it was starting to compress.

58mm neat. It's a very fine ball powder similar to 748. Worth at try as it's best suited to 80+gr bullets.

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Have just put together my 6x45 new shilen select match barrel 20 “
With bm 8208 26.5 to 27 gn with 85 gn Sierra bthp game kings getting 2900 to 2950 FPS still work in progress.
Did a ladder today with 58gm vmax same powder getting 3050 FPS 27.3 gn max.
Will try some 2208 with the 85 game king’s
Not keen on cfe223 as had pressure problems with my grendel in the hotter months.

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Originally Posted by Doon

Have just put together my 6x45 new shilen select match barrel 20 “
With bm 8208 26.5 to 27 gn with 85 gn Sierra bthp game kings getting 2900 to 2950 FPS still work in progress.
Did a ladder today with 58gm vmax same powder getting 3050 FPS 27.3 gn max.
Will try some 2208 with the 85 game king’s
Not keen on cfe223 as had pressure problems with my grendel in the hotter months.

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Wow @Doon, those 85’s are really singing along. The best I’ve managed to get with the 85 Sierras is 2750fps and 2206H. Couldn’t get enough of it in the case. Only managed to cram 25.5gr in there.

Even after all this, it’s probably going to come down to what powder I can get my hands on locally anyway.

Yes I was quite impressed with the speed since it is a new barrel and will speed up, am restricted to about 59 mm mag length in my rem 700 , tried to single feed but with extra length but no good, have 6 creed if I want to push faster.
My barrel is 1/8 twist.

@Doon You raised a good point about CFE223, I had the same issue with the Grendel and 8208 was the fix. I have tried 8208 in my 6x45 but only with the 75gr but found no advantage over H335, so will give the 85gr ago based on your info. Handy as I'm nearly out of CFE and have over 600gr of 8208 left over from my Grendel days. An 85gr zipping along at 2900+ is a very useful round for harvesting venison and such.

Definitely! I was reasonably happy with the 2750fps, 2900 is next level!

Looks like I’ve tracked down some BM8208, so going to give it a spin

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Originally Posted by Hunter_Nick

Definitely! I was reasonably happy with the 2750fps, 2900 is next level!

Looks like I’ve tracked down some BM8208, so going to give it a spin

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@hunter-Nick @Mathias ADI have max of 26.5 gn of 8208, I started at 25gn and worked up over magneto speed.
Was pushing over 2900fps just over 26 gn and primers starting to flatten at 27gn.
Will probably stay aground 26-26.4 on my next run.

Tried some BM8208 today, and behind the 85gr Sierra I only just cracked 2750fps. Pressure was right up there at 26.5gr, so much so I’d be unhappy using that load long term.

So no magic fix there unfortunately. I think I just have a slow barrel. It is only 18” after all….

2750fps with an 85gn bullet from an 18" barrel is about the best you can get I think. You might get a tinch more with a suppressor. I guess the faster powder you can get is what you need.
I have a Sako AI 6x45 22" barrel, I get
58gn BT AR2206H 26.9gn 3180fps
70gn Blitzking AR2208 27.8gn 2980fps my current load, super accurate, 0.5" no problems; not using the 6x45 for deer now I have the 243WSSM
80gn Corelokt AR2206H 26.5gn 2863fps this load dropped reds like a 243
80gn Hornady AR2208 26.2gn 2820fps shot 300 of these, very very accurate. Pistol bullet v explosive, DRT on goats. no longer made :O(
80gn Rem HP AR2206H 26.4gn 2880fps these opened up too fast for my liking
87gn Hornady HPBT AR2206H 23.5gn 2504fps could go way hotter but gave up on the idea.
100gn Hornady RN AR2206H 23.0gn 2420 fps could go way hotter but gave up on the idea.

I have never found an inaccurate load for my 6x45, and all my different loads grouped close to each other. It is a unicorn calibre, a rarity. It is a mystery why no manufacturer has picked it up.

refer to the ADI online load data, Rifle - ADI World Class Powders and Ammunition I found the load data for AR2208 my searching '6x45 varget load data' etc AR2208 is slightly more accurate in my rifle over AR2206H by small margin. As I have plenty of both powders, and both give me accurate loads, I have looked no further.

If you want your bullet to exit your deer and leave a blood trail, I have one solid recommendation - 80gn TTSX. I use it in the 243WSSM and if I was going after deer with the 6x45 or a 243 that's the only bullet I'd now use. Expensive but so much better than any other if you want an exit wound, with the possible exception of a partition bullet which haven't tried. 80gn bullets are the best weight for the calibre in my opinion.

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Originally Posted by 243wssm

2750fps with an 85gn bullet from an 18" barrel is about the best you can get I think. You might get a tinch more with a suppressor. I guess the faster powder you can get is what you need.
I have a Sako AI 6x45 22" barrel, I get
58gn BT AR2206H 26.9gn 3180fps
70gn Blitzking AR2208 27.8gn 2980fps my current load, super accurate, 0.5" no problems; not using the 6x45 for deer now I have the 243WSSM
80gn Corelokt AR2206H 26.5gn 2863fps this load dropped reds like a 243
80gn Hornady AR2208 26.2gn 2820fps shot 300 of these, very very accurate. Pistol bullet v explosive, DRT on goats. no longer made :O(
80gn Rem HP AR2206H 26.4gn 2880fps these opened up too fast for my liking
87gn Hornady HPBT AR2206H 23.5gn 2504fps could go way hotter but gave up on the idea.
100gn Hornady RN AR2206H 23.0gn 2420 fps could go way hotter but gave up on the idea.

I have never found an inaccurate load for my 6x45, and all my different loads grouped close to each other. It is a unicorn calibre, a rarity. It is a mystery why no manufacturer has picked it up.

refer to the ADI online load data, Rifle - ADI World Class Powders and Ammunition I found the load data for AR2208 my searching '6x45 varget load data' etc AR2208 is slightly more accurate in my rifle over AR2206H by small margin. As I have plenty of both powders, and both give me accurate loads, I have looked no further.

If you want your bullet to exit your deer and leave a blood trail, I have one solid recommendation - 80gn TTSX. I use it in the 243WSSM and if I was going after deer with the 6x45 or a 243 that's the only bullet I'd now use. Expensive but so much better than any other if you want an exit wound, with the possible exception of a partition bullet which haven't tried. 80gn bullets are the best weight for the calibre in my opinion.

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Hey @243wssm thanks for the data. I think you’re right regarding the velocity. Been going through some predictions with guys on another thread, and next thing to explore with the rifle is going slower. More realistic pressure and greater accuracy (hopefully)

My first 6x45 was like you described, could fill the magazine with mismatched loads/bullets and slot them into a 1” circle easy. Just not finding that with this short barrelled one.
I’m contemplating a move to a bigger case (eg 243) because there’s no point carrying an accurate cartridge without sufficient power

Your 6x45 with a suppressor will gain both velocity and accuracy. I use a Sonic 35, I can remove baffles for the 6x45, and add them for the 243AI, so it isn't too heavy on the light 6x45.

Give AR2208 a try, I assume you reload given there is no factory ammo for 6x45, it may well deliver the goods for you. I also suggest you also try the Barnes 80gn TTSX on game before you trade the rifle off. It works fine at 6x45 velocities as it is designed to mushroom under 2,000fps out past 500m for the 243.

Good luck Hunter_Nick!