Any experience or opinions on this upper?

[ColoFarmer]

Quick background, new to AR's, have a mini14 that's getting sold to build an AR to carry for coyote, and would like something to take after antelope and deer (the 7mm Rem Mag is a bit much...but effective). I do reload.

Looking at the 6x45 upppers from New Frontier. Anybody have one? I've read through here, and it looks like the 6x45 will do what I want. Any opinions on 18 vs 20 inch barrel?

http://newfrontierarmory.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=93_100_158_175

Thanks guys, great site, I've learned a lot just reading and searching for info.

[patrick0685]

looks to me like the difference is $15, and i know alot of people that would pay $15 buck for an extra two inches, but that might not be entirely gun related[ROFL1][ROFL2][ROFL3]

on a more serious note, weight if your lugging it around all day might come into factor

[ColoFarmer]

looks to me like the difference is $15, and i know alot of people that would pay $15 buck for an extra two inches, but that might not be entirely gun related[ROFL1][ROFL2][ROFL3]

on a more serious note, weight if your lugging it around all day might come into factor

lol, yeah, I know a few people like that too...and better leave it at that so this doesn't get censored...[ROFL2]

I was looking more for whether the 6x45 performs better out of the longer barrel... And if anybody has any experience with the New Frontier uppers in general.

[jerrymrc]

Instead of 6X45 in a AR-15 I would lean to an AR-10 in .243 if one wanted to go that direction but that is just my thought on the issue.

Even then in an autoloader I found the whole .243/.308 issue to be one of "Ok, I am shooting a smaller bullet so what?"

Only when one gets to the end of the envelope do I see a difference in the .223 vs 6X45.

You mentioned the Hunting issue and that is why I brought up the .243

Just some thoughts.

[ColoFarmer]

Instead of 6X45 in a AR-15 I would lean to an AR-10 in .243 if one wanted to go that direction but that is just my thought on the issue.

Yeah, thought about that, but the doubling of price kind of puts an AR10 out of my budget range.



Even then in an autoloader I found the whole .243/.308 issue to be one of "Ok, I am shooting a smaller bullet so what?"

Only when one gets to the end of the envelope do I see a difference in the .223 vs 6X45.

You mentioned the Hunting issue and that is why I brought up the .243

Just some thoughts.

Not much difference in performance I'm sure, but one big one here in Colorado, a .223 isn't legal for hunting deer and antelope... Farthest I've ever shot a deer or antelope is about 125 yards, so I'm comfortable that a .223 would be enough, if it was legal...thus the 6x45.

I've got the upper ordered, I'll update when I get it and get some shooting through it. Hearing good things on the PM forum about the upper.

[tenthumbs]

Not to hijack thread, but have you considered the 6.5 Grendel. You said you handload so the biggest problem is out of the way. Hornady is putting out loaded ammo and components, and it will kill anything from gophers to elk. All on an AR 15 platform.[Swim] I have no idea what this means but I like it.

[ColoFarmer]

Not to hijack thread, but have you considered the 6.5 Grendel. You said you handload so the biggest problem is out of the way. Hornady is putting out loaded ammo and components, and it will kill anything from gophers to elk. All on an AR 15 platform.[Swim] I have no idea what this means but I like it.

Yes, I had thought about that too, that may be my next build...or then, maybe I just need one AR...[ROFL2]

[DSB OUTDOORS]

If you want to stick to the AR platform go with the longer barrel. You can work up loads and I forget the exact formula, but with every inch you gain X amount of muzzle velosity for a faster load.

Also just a thought? Look at Oly arms .243 WSSM upper's. A little bit expensive but a kick ASS round!!! Praire dogs to Elk Smokin round! [Tooth]

I'm going to build another for a back up.

[John Jett]

...have read elsewhere from people that hunt with it that compared to 223/556, 6x45 just seems to hit harder and the hit target does not go anywhere or certainly not as far. I am considering this caliber as a someday purchase, but need to get into reloading first. For loaders is easy to make and the only change to rifle needed is barrel. I looked at the Frontier site and that seems like some excellent pricing for a complete upper and with a BHW barrel? They are highly regarded as far as I have seen. And, I'd go with the 20 inch for the higher MV. I do not work for or represent anyone in the firearms or any related industry.

Just my $.02 worth.

John.

[Colorado Osprey]

Having 6x45 in both 16" and 20" versions:
I can attest that they indeed do hit harder than a 223.
They have about 30% more energy on target over the 223. From the muzzle all the was out to longer distances. Not only do you gain more energy, but and increase in velocity in the same bullet weight when compared to the 223.... usually 2-300ft/sec. They larger diameter bullet also seems to dump more energy on target quicker in small body targets like the coyote.
I have not tried it on antelope as I have a 243 I built just for that.

Some questions about the upper mentioned in the 1st post:
Who makes the barrel? What weight profile? Barrel material?
These should answer some accuracy and life questions.

Both of mine are from Mike Milli from Minn. www.dtechsuperstore.com He uses a broach cut stainless barrel or a Shilen. Mine are both Boach Cut Stainless Ultra-Match Barrels Mine will easily shoot under 1" at 100 yards.
For those that shoot out in the prairie dog and coyote fields... I can shoot the nubs off the fence t-posts that hold barb wire at a certain level. The nub is about the size of a pea.

My 16" is a light weight, which is an easy carry gun. My 20" is a bull barrel with no taper and weighs in at 15# with a weighted butt stock to balance. That 15# gun is NOT a carry gun! I gain on average about 300ft/sec with the same rounds in the 20" over the 16".

When I 1st looked into the 6x45 I like many saw it as a round that did nothing or was of so little improvement over the 223 it was not worth my time. I have turned full circle since then. It fill as a big hole left between the 223 and the 243. I don't want to burn that much powder or buy a big $$ gun like the AR-10. The 6x45 is an accurate cartridge and still hold some shooting accuracy records out to 300 yards. AA2015BR is my go to powder. It likes near max loads.

Having also a 243WSSM I can attest that it is a Kick butt round out performing the 243 Win. It is expensive to shoot and the WSSM cartridges can be a little difficult to reload. (like you almost have to learn all over how to reload).

Another cartridge you might look into if you plan to shoot antelope too is the 6.5mm Patriot Combat Cartridge (6.5PCC) Essentially a 6.5mmTCU with a shoulder change and trimmed. It is a ballistic twin as far as energy and velocity as the 7.62x39, but with lots greater BC from the 6.5mm bullets. Black Hole Weaponry is developing the cartridge. Still uses cheap and plentiful 223 brass and the only weapon change in a standard AR is just a barrel like the 6x45. This still allows great mag capacity like the 6x45 and 223, unlike the Grendel, SPC and WSSM. You can follow it's developement here:
http://www.ar15armory.com/forums/65mm-Patriot-Combat-Car-t95187.html&st=80

Just more food for thought....

[ColoFarmer]

Just a follow up for posterity (just a bit delayed)... I got the 18 inch 6x45 from NFA. Has a Black Hole Weaponry heavy stainless barrel and free float handgaurd.. I put a Nikon scop on it, loaded up some rounds and headed to the range. This thing SHOOTS! Found a load it likes and normal groups are 2 holes touching and one about .5 to .75 off at 100 yards. The flyer is probably me not being familiar with the AR (my first here). Since then I have shot it on coyotes (DRT if I do my part) but haven't punched paper much, so I don't know if I've improved enough to make a difference in groups... Well recommended!