Need a foolproof way to identify 6x45mm cartridges

[timetofly]

I am in the process of building a 6x45mm upper for an AR.  For the most part a 6x45 is a 223 casing with the neck opened up to accept a 6mm .243 bullet.  It is a wildcat cartridge.  I’m pretty much complete except for getting the barrel. Six to ten more weeks of waiting.  The other day I was thinking about a kaboom I heard of involving 300 Blackout in a 556 chambered rifle when 300 BO ammo was chambered and fired..  Needless to say I wanted to see what would happen if a 6x45 cartridge were loaded into a 556 chambered rifle.  To my surprise the cartridge went in and the rifle went into battery, I was able to pull the trigger on the dummy round, no powder no primer obviously.  That got me thinking about how to prevent an ammo mixup and a kaboom. 

So far I’ve came up with dipping the bullet tip in floresent paint, using felt tip markers, dedicated ammo boxes, a felt tip on the primers. 
any other ideas or methods for preventing an ammo mixup will be greatly appreciated

Thankyou in advance

[Grendel]

Put the completed rounds in a box boldly marked '6x45mm' in red paint.

[Das Hugh!]

Have you tried layout fluid yet? Neat thing about it is you can possibly fashion a rubber stamp and be able to quickly mark each one if ya want in a professional.. repeatable manner maybe. Or just paint the tips etc.

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[timetofly]

I haven’t tried layout fluid but that could be doable along with a ammo box with big letters as suggested also. This probably will be a multiparty solution.

[M1A4ME]

Wow, I would never have expected the larger neck (with the 6MM bullet seated) would fit into the chamber.

The .300 BO folks usually use a different size/brand/style of magazine for their .300 BO ammo.  And some also mark the caliber on the magazine.

Red magic marker on the base of the cartridge??  It might last through two or three reloadings.

I've wondered if a 6X45 would be worth it.  One of the few wildcats for an AR15 that I'd be willing to work with, I think.

If you do it, it would be neat to see more reports on group size.  Nice groups are nice.

[Wobbly]

I haven’t tried layout fluid but that could be doable along with a ammo box with big letters as suggested also. This probably will be a multiparty solution.

Find it on the web under the trade name of "DYKEM". They offer it in 7 or 8 colors, offered in pens, sprays, and brush-in-can application methods. You proabably will find the brush-in-can product to be the easiest to work with. With that you could dip or brush completed cartridges, individually or in lots.

https://www.itwprobrands.com/category-list/layout-fluids   (Check all the boxes on LH side)

[timetofly]

I ordered some red dy-kem last night after I talked to a machinist gunsmith friend who also has a 6x45. He thought it was an excellent idea.  I’m thinking that I’ll dip the casing base then let it dry.  After loading then dip the bullet so it’s marked at both ends.  I’m not that worried about me since I only keep ammo for what I’m shooting on the bench.

I’m thankful for the ideas, and after the barrel comes in, I’ll post some range results. 

[timetofly]

M1Ai’s post got me thinking and sure enough like he thought in a bolt gun it was a total no go.  But on two semiautomatic rifles chambered in 5.56 NATO, the bolt was held back about 3/8”. But in both, I could pull the trigger shockingly.  This needs to be investigated further with a casing no bullet, and only a primer to see if the rifle will truly fire.  I’ll teport back with the results..

[Das Hugh!]

Oh and I've noticed on some rounds they use what's called a primer sealer. It's usually bright red. But it's lacquer based I belive. If you want to mark the rear of the round it may be wise to use something that's made for it so you don't encounter misfires due to fluids getting in and compromising the primer. It should do what you want done plus waterproof the rounds a bit more perhaps.

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[timetofly]

You just gave me an idea. Nail polish on the base of the casing. I’m sure I can find something bright and not so pretty at Walmart.  I knew This was going to be multipart solution.  But safety is everything.  nothing we do is so important that we can’t do it safely. 

Oh and I've noticed on some rounds they use what's called a primer sealer. It's usually bright red. But it's lacquer based I belive. If you want to mark the rear of the round it may be wise to use something that's made for it so you don't encounter misfires due to fluids getting in and compromising the primer. It should do what you want done plus waterproof the rounds a bit more perhaps.

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[Das Hugh!]

You just gave me an idea. Nail polish on the base of the casing. I’m sure I can find something bright and not so pretty at Walmart.  I knew This was going to be multipart solution.  But safety is everything.  nothing we do is so important that we can’t do it safely. 

Oh and I've noticed on some rounds they use what's called a primer sealer. It's usually bright red. But it's lacquer based I belive. If you want to mark the rear of the round it may be wise to use something that's made for it so you don't encounter misfires due to fluids getting in and compromising the primer. It should do what you want done plus waterproof the rounds a bit more perhaps.

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Yeah it's likely the same thing. So long as it's lacquer based. The ammo I've seen that has it on the primer a few times I have seen it... was very bright and distinctly red. May just be right what ya need. Plus make the rounds u create last longer perhaps at the same time. Kind of a win-win. Glad I was able to help. Good luck[emoji41]

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[Bret]

timetofly, if you don't already have a set of dies, I have a new set of Hornady 6x45 dies.  I got them in a deal, but never got around to buying a rifle so chambered.  I'll make you a deal you can't refuse. 

[newageroman]

I love Dykem and have recently used it to mark Shock Case 9mm rounds to see if they are easier to spot in gravel (range)
if you get fancy, you could get a stamp made from Vista print for $10. I bet that with dychem would be legit.
Here's and example of the dark blue dychem on aluminum
http://acedigitaldesign.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ARB_v05_sm.jpg

[eastman]

on one of the forums, somebody posted about an error in their brass cleaning mix that turned all of the brass purple. Similar use of color was done for the purple case government contract training ammo made by Winchester.

[timetofly]

My solution was using Dykem. Layout fluid brushed on the base and bullet. Almost impossible to miss the red Dykem.  Then the cartridges are placed in plastic ammo boxes painted with Dykem.  To me it is very apparent that these cartridges were marked and not by accident.

Thank you for all of the suggestions that contributed to this solution.