6x6.8 vs 6x45: only has perhaps 50 yard advantage?

DiRTY DOG

DiRTY DOG

Well-known member
I've been comparing published reloading data on 6x6.8 vs 6x45. In a 20" hunting type AR with light (50-70gr) bullets, it seems the 6x6.8 only has a minor advantage over the 6x45.

The 6x6.8's faster velocity only translates to perhaps a 50 yard advantage. Meaning a 100 yard shot with a 6x6.8 has the same* impact velocity as a 150 yard shot with a 6x45, all else being equal. A 200 yard shot with a 6x6.8 is the same* as a 250 yard shot with a 6x45.

Is the 50 yard advantage of 6x6.8 enough to justify the higher cost of brass, dies, and powder? Not to mention special bolt, mags, and hard to find brass?

Those who have used both, what do you think?
 
The 6x45 is so dang easy....I can't see a reason to not go with it. Brass is more plentiful, and plenty of off the shelf dies, etc. JMO on the matter.
 
I always figure 75 to 100 yards depending on the bullet weight. The 6X6.8 doesn't have to work as hard. I look on the 6X6.8 as superior to the 6X45 as the 243 Winchester is to the 6X6.8. I also believe the 243 LBC is better for the top end stuff at 90 grains and up.

I have variants in virtually every common wildcat chambering you can get on the 223, 6.8 and 6.5. Each has a niche and I feel blessed that we all get choose the stick for the task. Smiles are hard to come by in today's world and I get them from all of them.

Greg
 
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I have Both and run the same bullet in Both, the 6x45 is a 18" BHW and the 6x6.8 is a 17" GM, the 6x6.8 runs 250fps faster than the 6x45... Big difference... don't take it wrong because i like both rifles. Brass is cheap and every where for the 6x45, 6.8 brass is $$$ so i would have to figure out which is worth it the most for the intended use.
 
Originally Posted By: yotehunter243Greg where do you feel the 243 LBC performs best length wise on the barrel?

I think it starts out at 20" for the good stuff with a 22" maybe being optimal. Velocity wise it and the 6X6.8 are close but the 243 because of the chamber will do the heavier bullets better. I consider"heavy" as 90's on up.

I have 243 LBC's in 20", 24" and 26". The short ones are on AR's. The 26" is for matches of 500 and soon to be 1000. I love the ballistics of these at long range and have shot the 24" gun at 500 extensively in F-Class and done very well with it. I would not hesitate to use a bit less barrel for that game but velocity is TOF and less is better.

If I were shooting on song dogs I would build a 16" or 18" gun. Rich shoots a 16" 6X6.8 that is 100FPS faster than a 6X45 with a 20" tube using the same bullet (58 VMAX) It is according to him the most accurate AR he owns and he is not even trying to push it hard compared to the 6X45 that is balls to the wall.

Ramble but my opinion is 20" on the 243 LBC and with standard dies available in either from CH4D they are equally easy to make in one pass.No harder than necking up 223 to 6X45 so I would not say that the wildcats are the least bit more labor intensive.

Greg

PS: Don't get me started on a 22X6.8 for killing. I get hot flashes thinking about it!!
 
Originally Posted By: GLShooterOriginally Posted By: yotehunter243Greg where do you feel the 243 LBC performs best length wise on the barrel?

I think it starts out at 20" for the good stuff with a 22" maybe being optimal. Velocity wise it and the 6X6.8 are close but the 243 because of the chamber will do the heavier bullets better. I consider"heavy" as 90's on up.

I have 243 LBC's in 20", 24" and 26". The short ones are on AR's. The 26" is for matches of 500 and soon to be 1000. I love the ballistics of these at long range and have shot the 24" gun at 500 extensively in F-Class and done very well with it. I would not hesitate to use a bit less barrel for that game but velocity is TOF and less is better.

If I were shooting on song dogs I would build a 16" or 18" gun. Rich shoots a 16" 6X6.8 that is 100FPS faster than a 6X45 with a 20" tube using the same bullet (58 VMAX) It is according to him the most accurate AR he owns and he is not even trying to push it hard compared to the 6X45 that is balls to the wall.

Ramble but my opinion is 20" on the 243 LBC and with standard dies available in either from CH4D they are equally easy to make in one pass.No harder than necking up 223 to 6X45 so I would not say that the wildcats are the least bit more labor intensive.

Greg

PS: Don't get me started on a 22X6.8 for killing. I get hot flashes thinking about it!!

Thasks for your reply. Considering a barrEl in 243LBC for deer. Since Indiana is 6mm or 308 cal only. Thinking 85 BarnesTSX or a Nosler BT. But in all reality 200-250 is the farthest I will ever shoot
 
I think you need to give your ballistic calculator a good slap with a hammer.

They're both fine cartridges, but the 6x6.8 will outrun the 6x45 by an easy 250 fps. Some bullets as much as 325 fps.

I've got them in bolt actions, if that matters. The 6x45 doesn't come out much. I'm saving it for my daughter. The 6x6.8 (actually a 6 WOA) is my favorite rifle by a landslide.
 
Originally Posted By: yotehunter243Originally Posted By: GLShooterOriginally Posted By: yotehunter243Greg where do you feel the 243 LBC performs best length wise on the barrel?

I think it starts out at 20" for the good stuff with a 22" maybe being optimal. Velocity wise it and the 6X6.8 are close but the 243 because of the chamber will do the heavier bullets better. I consider"heavy" as 90's on up.

I have 243 LBC's in 20", 24" and 26". The short ones are on AR's. The 26" is for matches of 500 and soon to be 1000. I love the ballistics of these at long range and have shot the 24" gun at 500 extensively in F-Class and done very well with it. I would not hesitate to use a bit less barrel for that game but velocity is TOF and less is better.

If I were shooting on song dogs I would build a 16" or 18" gun. Rich shoots a 16" 6X6.8 that is 100FPS faster than a 6X45 with a 20" tube using the same bullet (58 VMAX) It is according to him the most accurate AR he owns and he is not even trying to push it hard compared to the 6X45 that is balls to the wall.

Ramble but my opinion is 20" on the 243 LBC and with standard dies available in either from CH4D they are equally easy to make in one pass.No harder than necking up 223 to 6X45 so I would not say that the wildcats are the least bit more labor intensive.

Greg

PS: Don't get me started on a 22X6.8 for killing. I get hot flashes thinking about it!!

Thasks for your reply. Considering a barrEl in 243LBC for deer. Since Indiana is 6mm or 308 cal only. Thinking 85 BarnesTSX or a Nosler BT. But in all reality 200-250 is the farthest I will ever shoot

The Nosler will get it done easily. The 90 grain Berger is also a god one. The 646 yard antelope that Ritch's son killed with a 6X6.8 was a good testament to that one and the 243 LBC would be a better platform with that bullet.

Greg
 
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Originally Posted By: CZ527I think you need to give your ballistic calculator a good slap with a hammer.

They're both fine cartridges, but the 6x6.8 will outrun the 6x45 by an easy 250 fps. Some bullets as much as 325 fps.

I've got them in bolt actions, if that matters. The 6x45 doesn't come out much. I'm saving it for my daughter. The 6x6.8 (actually a 6 WOA) is my favorite rifle by a landslide.

Yes, that is exactly right.

Greg
 
I built both on Savage actions.
6x45 20" bbl, 55g bullets at 3255fps, 85g bullet at 2956 fps
6x6.8 22" bbl, 55g bullet at 3590 fps, 90g bullet at 3105 fps
Fair difference in speeds, both print sub moas = very accurate.
Both are easy to make brass for & load.
My 6x45 stays home as a back up rig while the 6x6.8 is my full on coyote/antelope rig now.
 
Originally Posted By: BOBTAILSThe 6x6.8 is like a 6x45 on steriods!

That's a good way to put it. I believe the guy that designed it said pretty much the same thing when he was developing it.

Greg
 
Originally Posted By: GLShooter The 6X6.8 doesn't have to work as hard. I look on the 6X6.8 as superior to the 6X45 as the 243 Winchester is to the 6X6.8. I also believe the 243 LBC is better for the top end stuff at 90 grains and up.
Greg

100% Agreed.
Just got my 243 LBC from Ritch,and cant wait to get it running.I also have a 6X45 rig, and while its an easy reloading/tack driver,I would not put it in the same class as the 6x6.8,6 WOA,6 Gren,243 LBC,6mm AR etc..ALL great setups..Talked to Ritch for 20 min on why these aren't the "hoppin" thing for predator guys.
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