Post by 6x45nut on Apr 19, 2019 14:31:17 GMT -8
A few months ago, I contacted Rob and pitched the idea of building a barrel for the Ruger American platform. He seemed intrigued and a month later, at my request, I had a TO 6x45 23" bull profile 1:8 twist affixed to my Donor Ruger American 5.56 ranch rifle. I then placed the barreled action into an Indian Creek Design chasis. I had 2 goals with this build.
#1 To compare the velocity and accuracy from a TO barrel to the current 6x45 blackhole weaponary barrel I had in my possession. FYI the bhw barrel had done me justice and had produced some velocity numbers that I presented to Greg Lamb aka GLShooter, whom I view as the guy who made the 6x45 caliber famous. He was also intrigued and was the main connection between Rob and myself. Without him I do not think this would have happened.
#2 Give the Ruger American owners an accurate and affordable option to replace their worn out barrels.
Upon recieving the TO barrel, I was impressed by the machine work and finish. I had zero complaints and I can be known to be picky. But it was time for the true test, would this barrel outperform my current bhw barrel. So let's find out.
I began a load with the Nosler 105 rdf due to their high bc and my goal of shooting this caliber at distances that most would not. After around 150 rounds down the barrel the best I could suffice was a 5 shot group of around .6 inches which was not up to par for me. I then tried the rdf in the bhw, it also would not group to my liking. However i did get to check the velocity between the 2 with this load.
TO 23" hit 2765 fps
BHW 20" 2725
At this point velocity seemed to be similar between both barrels when factoring in the 3" advantage the TO barrel had.
I then ditched the rdf and went to the Sierra 90 gr Gamechangers. At this point something magical happened, i was running my magnetospeed and shooting both barrels with the exact same load of imr 8208, the trend broke and the TO barrel was goin 80 fps faster with the identical load as the bhw barrel. In my case this TO barrel must have had a break in period of around 150 rounds and then magic. At 100 yards I shot a .899 inch 25 shot group with the following load
23" TO barrel 1:8
Hornady brass
Sierra 90 gr gamechanger
26.4gr Imr 8208
Cci 41 primers
Col 2.507
Avg 2928 fps
Sd 8
Es17
25 shots
I deemed this a viable load to try out and a longer distance. I waited for the weather to clear up but it was not cooperating. I found a break and hit a farmers field that I use for ringing steel. I was able to place my target at 534 yards, I wanted more but the farmer was mowing the adjoining field and I did not have access. The above load produced a 2.438 inch 8 shot group @534 yards. This was laying prone and using my jacket as a rear rest. Not ideal conditions but it is what im used to shooting in. I was very impressed and the gun was more capable than I was. This became my go to load and once the rains clears out, I will take it to 1000 and see if these gamechangers can hold up to the hype.
In summary, the Tactical Ordnance barrel outperformed my bhw barrel in velocity and accuracy. Not taking anything away from the bhw barrel, but the TO is a step above it. I was also able to push the 6x45 well beyond book max with no pressure signs and I attribute this to the rifling design that TO has. I would strongly encourage anyone out there to give these barrels a try. For the Ruger American guys, there is not another barrel that will give you this performance for anywhere near the price. Also for you guys reading, the Ruger American rifle uses a barrel nut and thus the barrels can be swapped very easily. I did both of mine in my garage using only common tools. If you have a Ruger American that you want to take to another level or you see a cheap one laying around at the local pawn shop, grab it and order a barrel from Tactical Ordnance. You will not be disappointed.
You can contact me for pictures, load data, or any questions. But as always with any rifle work your load up safely.
#1 To compare the velocity and accuracy from a TO barrel to the current 6x45 blackhole weaponary barrel I had in my possession. FYI the bhw barrel had done me justice and had produced some velocity numbers that I presented to Greg Lamb aka GLShooter, whom I view as the guy who made the 6x45 caliber famous. He was also intrigued and was the main connection between Rob and myself. Without him I do not think this would have happened.
#2 Give the Ruger American owners an accurate and affordable option to replace their worn out barrels.
Upon recieving the TO barrel, I was impressed by the machine work and finish. I had zero complaints and I can be known to be picky. But it was time for the true test, would this barrel outperform my current bhw barrel. So let's find out.
I began a load with the Nosler 105 rdf due to their high bc and my goal of shooting this caliber at distances that most would not. After around 150 rounds down the barrel the best I could suffice was a 5 shot group of around .6 inches which was not up to par for me. I then tried the rdf in the bhw, it also would not group to my liking. However i did get to check the velocity between the 2 with this load.
TO 23" hit 2765 fps
BHW 20" 2725
At this point velocity seemed to be similar between both barrels when factoring in the 3" advantage the TO barrel had.
I then ditched the rdf and went to the Sierra 90 gr Gamechangers. At this point something magical happened, i was running my magnetospeed and shooting both barrels with the exact same load of imr 8208, the trend broke and the TO barrel was goin 80 fps faster with the identical load as the bhw barrel. In my case this TO barrel must have had a break in period of around 150 rounds and then magic. At 100 yards I shot a .899 inch 25 shot group with the following load
23" TO barrel 1:8
Hornady brass
Sierra 90 gr gamechanger
26.4gr Imr 8208
Cci 41 primers
Col 2.507
Avg 2928 fps
Sd 8
Es17
25 shots
I deemed this a viable load to try out and a longer distance. I waited for the weather to clear up but it was not cooperating. I found a break and hit a farmers field that I use for ringing steel. I was able to place my target at 534 yards, I wanted more but the farmer was mowing the adjoining field and I did not have access. The above load produced a 2.438 inch 8 shot group @534 yards. This was laying prone and using my jacket as a rear rest. Not ideal conditions but it is what im used to shooting in. I was very impressed and the gun was more capable than I was. This became my go to load and once the rains clears out, I will take it to 1000 and see if these gamechangers can hold up to the hype.
In summary, the Tactical Ordnance barrel outperformed my bhw barrel in velocity and accuracy. Not taking anything away from the bhw barrel, but the TO is a step above it. I was also able to push the 6x45 well beyond book max with no pressure signs and I attribute this to the rifling design that TO has. I would strongly encourage anyone out there to give these barrels a try. For the Ruger American guys, there is not another barrel that will give you this performance for anywhere near the price. Also for you guys reading, the Ruger American rifle uses a barrel nut and thus the barrels can be swapped very easily. I did both of mine in my garage using only common tools. If you have a Ruger American that you want to take to another level or you see a cheap one laying around at the local pawn shop, grab it and order a barrel from Tactical Ordnance. You will not be disappointed.
You can contact me for pictures, load data, or any questions. But as always with any rifle work your load up safely.