Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 223, 223A.I. or 6X45

Ok guys I am looking to the campfire for guidance on my next build. I know these threads are always fun!

So here is the deal, my next build is going to one of these three chamberings 223, 223 A.I. or 6x45

The purpose of this rifle is to shoot a lot! I have a ton of 223 brass, 223 bullets and 6mm bullets.

The main purpose of this rifle is in order of most use:

#1, to shoot long range (1000yds) steel and rocks etc...
#2. Gophers/ prairie dogs
#3 Coyotes/ wolves in the forest , short to medium range
#4 Doe whitetail, mule deer, short to medium range

I have no gaps in my battery. I have fast twist large .22 Cf. Fast twist large 6mm's for open country long range.

This is going to be a general purpose rifle. The stock is already ordered, a McMillan
The barrel is going to be a sporter profile. The action a Rem 700
The twist will be 1/8
The scope a 3-9, with a ballistic reticle and turrets. With a ton of elevation travel.
Should spec out at 7.5 to 8lbs

So what are the pro's and con's of the three chambering choices?

Thanks in advance

Don't know much about shooting at 1000 yards, except that those folks seem to think staying supersonic all the way is important. Can any of your choices do that? I've never run the numbers myself, but I bet Boxer-Stick can tell you.

Pappy,

Good point. The 6x45 is awfully appealing with the Hornady 105HPBT. I will run ballistics.

As far as asking Big Stick, I wont even try to decipher his crazy talk, his opinions seem driven by ego and exaggeration.

Looks like the 105 started at 2600fps will be doing 1230fps at 1000yds. the long range stuff will be for fun and practice.

Not sure about the super long range.

At normal hunting ranges I'm not sure you would ever really see a difference in killing ability, recoil or accuracy in any of the small based cartridges. The .22 caliber is more versatile as far as bullets are concerned.

Pick the caliber you like and run with it.

Hard to go wrong with the 223AI. You can shoot 223 to fireform and just to have fun. Mine is so accurate while fireforming full house 223 loads, I'm a little hesitant to reload the formed cases in case the accuracy is disappointing....
You will get substantially more performance from the 223 AI than the parent cartridge and the 69 grain VLD's and the Nosler competition should stay supersonic to the distances you are quoting. Also, won't wear you out if you want to shoot it all day long like some rifles will. Cheap to load for also and components are just about everywhere. What's not to like?

Bob

irfubar, you can do every thing you listed with a plain old 1 in 8 twist .243 or .243 A.I. with bullets fro 45 gr. to 115 gr. look this up, I think you will be supprised. Rio7

Go 6 Creed or 243. No flies on the 223 or 223ai though.

Rio7,
I already have a 1/8 twist 243 and you are correct it is wonderful. My goal with this build is for volume shooting, low barrel wear and heat.

Shiester,
The 223 A.I. is a strong contender for the reasons you cited. A bonus to the A.I. is it will help me keep the brass separate from my AR's. I don't like to mix brass when it comes to precision rifles.

Chrome,
I suspect you are correct and that is why I am having such a hard time deciding. The Hornady 105bthp would give me a slight advantage over the 223 A.I. at extreme range. The long range stuff will just be for fun though.

I am hoping to hear from a few 6x45 users?

Get all three,problem solved.

Thank you Calvin,
The 6mm Creed is compelling, I am thinkin just a bit less powder though. And I already ordered the action for the small bolt face. Do you have a lot of experience with the 223 A.I.?

I usually long range shoot by myself, no spotters. So it is important to be able to spot my hits and misses. Will the 6x45 be easier to spot, a little more recoil but a bigger bullet impact?

Ken I like the way you think! And truth be told before it is all said and done I will probably have all three.

Now quit giving advice and go back to shooting wabbits with your 460 Wby.

223 AI. All that T&A can't be wrong. Seriously, this is my vote. You already know the pluses.

I had a hardon for the 6x45 till i bought a 6ppc.

I know! I went to that thread looking for answers and I am much wiser now!

Funny story Ken, I went out with Deflave last week and took my 458 and told him I need to shoot a chipmunk with it to keep up. The darn chipmunks were to cagey for me! His son was deadly with his S&W 38 though and slayed a couple!

Did you carry solids in the .458? That is what I would use for chipmunks.

440 grain hard cast G.C. at 2200fps. cant be too careful!

223 or 223 A.I. by a landslide I If volume shooting is the agenda. 77gr TMK, 75gr ELD-M, or 80gr ELD-M's. They'll all make it to 1,000 without issue.

Thanks Formid,
Your opinion carries a lot of weight.