Stevens inline mag modification

[Con]

Guys,
I'm converting a Stevens with inline box from 223Rem to 6x45mm. Achieving a greater COL would be advantageous.

Any thoughts on how the rear block could be removed or modified for a longer COL. Current is about 2.245" ... if I could get closer to 2.5" it'd be very handy for certain projectiles.
Cheers...
Con

[bootsmcguire]

I would say remove your 223 mag box and install a box from a 22-250/308 family cartridge and just tweak the feed lips in a bit to grab the 6x45 cartridge.

[GaCop]

You might be better off finding a 204 mag and follower. I don't know if a 308 size mag box would take that kind of bending down to 223 dimensions.

[375Win]

Have you tried it with longer ammo. I just ran some 25-204 test rounds through a Stevens 200 223 CF. The 25-204s are at 2.39-2.40 and work fine.

Some of the early SF had short boxes untill they added the 204 to the Sav. line. I had to pull the block when I built my first 25-204 but later ones work just fine.

I can't see loading anything much over 80gr in the 6x45 do to the limited powder capacity, mine really works best from 55-70grbullets.

375Win

[bootsmcguire]

Didn't realize there was a difference in the length of mag boxes between the 223 and 204. I had a 12FV 204 and have a 12FV 223. Still have the mag setup from the 204, and just checked the 223 box, same size. Mine must be older or something.

[375Win]

as far as I can tell only the early short action 223's had the shorter box once they added the 204 they both used the same box. I've bought 4 Sav/Stev. 223's and only the first one had the short box and all the replacement boxes I've bought have been the longer one.

375Win

[bootsmcguire]

Solves that mystery, Whew. :D :D :D

[Con]

I can't see loading anything much over 80gr in the 6x45 do to the limited powder capacity, mine really works best from 55-70grbullets.

375Win


375Win,
On second thoughts your probably correct. The 80gr Nosler BT is a long projectile and seated to fit the box its base is at the shoulder/neck junction of the case. A conventional 85gr Sierra HPBT is half way up the neck in comparison!

I'll probably use 68gr benchrest pills and these are also seated halfway up the neck with plenty of clearance in the magazine remaining. The rifle will predominantly be used as a varminter so projectiles heavier than 70gr will only be used very occasionally.

Out of interest ... what length barrel have you used on yours? I have a psychological need to maintain 3000fps with 68gr projectile and am unsure how much barrel length will be required.
Cheers...
Con

[375Win]

I'm running a 22" Pac-Nor 3 groove 1-10 on mine. I'm running 55gr NBT's and BK's at 3300 and 3350fps so 3K sound in the ballpark.

375Win

Here's a link to a bunch of 6x45 load data.

http://buckammo.com/Images/6x45_loaddata_1_1.pdf