I am happy with the 18". It shoots great. The nosler 55gr shots were shooting around an inch, the 55bt about 3/4", and the 85 hpbt Sierra all touch at a 100. I was just going to build another 6x45 and wanted to wring all I could from the barrel. I have a 16" on the way for the wifes rifle. It will be used deer hunting and shots will be within a 150 yards. The truth is I haven't shot it alot, I got it worked up a couple loads and went to texas. I killed one coyote with it and came home to missouri and shot a small doe with it. I like the rifle alot. I am taking it and my 17 rem my wife got me for christmas to NM to hunt with Tony Tebbe next month. It is going as a back up because I want to try the 17 out on some coyotes but I know the 6x45 will do the job that's why it is going! Truth is I'm a sucker for a deal and was going to order a barrel from barrels and beyond because they were so cheap. Now I'm in no hurrry. The wife is sitting here beside me and is po'd I didn't order another barrel yesterday before the price went up.
Sig