6x47 using 222 Magnum case

[Greyfox]

Rather than use Rem 222Mag brass, I'd do a 6/204. A better case to begin with........30* shoulder that's further forward, more case capacity, and a much better selection of brass.

I'll be interested in hearing how the 204 brass works for this project. I tried using Hornady 204 for the same thing and it ended up much too thin when expanded. In fact, several were so thin they just split. I'm thinking Nosler brass may be better but wasn't ready to spend that kind of $$ and get the same result. Right now I'm using Remington brass with somewhat better results. I do have some old nickel plated Federal 6x47, but haven't used it as I really don't care for nickel brass.

While I'm on the subject....I haven't set up a chrono for this, but the velocities are surprising me. I don't doubt the OP's honestly, but I'm wondering about the accuracy of his chrono. Can anyone else verify similar results?

Rick

 

[lpreddick]

My gunsmith told me to look for Norma 204 brass as it will take the 60,000 psi I may have inflicted on the rem brass whose primer pockets cannot take. My oldest very light rem brass has very loose primer pockets as new. I searched and there in front of me, midway had Norma 204 brass and at very nice price. Got my package sat and got to work on them today. The primer pockets are so tight i can not get my rcbs primer pocket uniformer into them and primers seat very tightly! Annealed, lube, exp to 22cal, lube, exp to 6mm, FL sized with my whidden type s bushing die ( no bushing) , repeat with a .263 bushing. No splits after 100 pieces. Measured bump to be same as with rem brass. Fireformed a few with hp38 and cow. Inserted a flat based bullet and it stopped exactly at the point where the 204 ruger neck/shoulder became neck for the 6x47. Makes sense as shoulder brass is thicker than neck brass. Neck expanded and I could see this area buldging. Turned neck with exact settings as used with other brass and this material was removed and neck looks good. I will have to turn more as this area's diameter with bullet is same as my chamber's neck diameter. No brass is taken before getting to neck that was shoulder. With a .263 bushed neck I have .2655 loaded neck except at the buldge. A lot more work than I expected, but will be worth it as I have very accurate loads with 62 euwins at 3500 fps and speed is desired when hunting varmints.

 

[Greyfox]

My gunsmith told me to look for Norma 204 brass as it will take the 60,000 psi I may have inflicted on the rem brass whose primer pockets cannot take. My oldest very light rem brass has very loose primer pockets as new. I searched and there in front of me, midway had Norma 204 brass and at very nice price. Got my package sat and got to work on them today. The primer pockets are so tight i can not get my rcbs primer pocket uniformer into them and primers seat very tightly! Annealed, lube, exp to 22cal, lube, exp to 6mm, FL sized with my whidden type s bushing die ( no bushing) , repeat with a .263 bushing. No splits after 100 pieces. Measured bump to be same as with rem brass. Fireformed a few with hp38 and cow. Inserted a flat based bullet and it stopped exactly at the point where the 204 ruger neck/shoulder became neck for the 6x47. Makes sense as shoulder brass is thicker than neck brass. Neck expanded and I could see this area buldging. Turned neck with exact settings as used with other brass and this material was removed and neck looks good. I will have to turn more as this area's diameter with bullet is same as my chamber's neck diameter. No brass is taken before getting to neck that was shoulder. With a .263 bushed neck I have .2655 loaded neck except at the buldge. A lot more work than I expected, but will be worth it as I have very accurate loads with 62 euwins at 3500 fps and speed is desired when hunting varmints.

Thanks for sharing the Norma brass info. I have found it both at Midway and Midsouth at a price that's affordable enough to give it a try. Could be an answer to a brass problem.
Rick

 

[lpreddick]

Bought 450, 58 gr vmax bullets off the marketplace thinking they might shoot in my 6x47R. I was not disappointed! Used the twice turned Norma brass and shot two loads(.2 gr dif) and the groups measure in the ones! Same point of impact so I believe this is real. Mvs are 3500+ fps and the primer pockets are still tight, so I am happy. Not sure they will stay tight with repeated loads at these speeds. LT 30 is performing nicely with all bullets except 64 Berger columns...not sure why. I don't like turning necks, so I will turn less off some and repeat good loads. If bullet's pressure ring doesn't reach bottom half of the neck, diameter stays less than chamber neck diameter.

 

[lpreddick]

here are the two groups...3 shots.

 

[Beruisis]

lpreddick, I tried your load with the LT30 & Euwins & I'm getting the same size groups.
Thanks for sharing. Good stuff.
Regards,
Beruisis

 

[lpreddick]

Beruisis: glad the combo is working for you. I sized a number of the Norma 204 ruger and very lightly turned the lower half of the neck such that a pressure ring of a bullet keeps the diameter just under my chamber's neck diameter. Most of the light bullets are just barely seating into this area, so I'm not having a prob with loaded neck clearance. A heavier bullet will seat well into the lower neck and I would have to turn more. How are your primer pockets holding up? I ruined a few when using 27.1 gr of the LT 30.

 

[Beruisis]

lpreddick, I haven't yet deprimed any cases yet as all I have is a full length decapping/resizing die & I'd like to find a neck sizer instead. Are you neck sizing? What do you recommend? I hope I haven't expanded primer pockets as I've loaded 30 more rounds.
B.

 

[lpreddick]

Beruisis: I really treated myself on this project in that I sent a reamer copy to whidden gunworks and they made a type s fl bushing die. I removed the expander ball from the decapping stem so I size my neck about 3/4 down the neck. The body is sized very little and shoulder pushed back .001. I'm using a .263 Redding bushing and get .0015 neck tension using the twice neck turned .204 ruger brass. Once turned ruger brass gives me .002 tension as I barely remove material from the lower half of the neck. Currently I'm testing some herter's 222 rem mag brass that I was fortunate to find. I'm testing it as a no turn neck. Primer pockets are staying tight with stout loads. The fun continues...

 

[vtmarmot]

lpreddick, your luck with the 58 V-max inspired me. I ordered some, plus some 55 Sierra Blitzkings and some Sierra 60 Varmint HP. I am shooting a Remington 40 XBR with a decent barrel in 14 twist. I have not been impressed with the accuracy with 68 Bergers or the Columns. I have some 65 Berger flat base match to try also, but I am expecting big things from the lighter bullets. I also have a bunch of LT-30. I was thinking of using LT-32, but again, your results have moved me in your direction.

 

[lpreddick]

Took two ghogs with the 58 vmax bullets...100 yds, small(7-8#), standing. Mv is 3500+ and they went down without a quiver! There was NO exit wound in either and had trouble finding entrance wound. 1000+ ft-lbs of energy dumped immediately!!! I was never a fan of vmax bullets, but I really like these 58s. They have repeadly grouped under .2 in, occ in the ones. LT 30(26.4 gr), .015 into lands. Next test is to see how they perform at distance.

 

[metalmole]

So what seems to b the best barrel twist for the 6x47 ??

 

[bheadboy]

most of the 6x47R I am aware of used a 14 or no faster than 13 twist.

Bob

 

[lpreddick]

My kreiger is a13.5 so I could probably stabilize 75 gr but since I shoot ghogs in windy conditions, I use lighter bullets...58-65. My 6 x45(223 parent) will shoot 66 cheeks really well, but mv only 3100-3200. A 12 tw will stabilize 80 gr.

 

[teddy67]

my 6x47 R 26" 3 groove 12 twist LILJA BBL loves 58 v max

 

[lpreddick]

drilled one at 260 yds. hit center chest with the 58 vmax and no exit. his chest exploded.

 

[XBBR Shooter]

Question:

I have ordered a redding S Type full length resizing die for the 6x47. Its gunna cost me about $240 delivered.

I just had a thought........ the 222 and 222 mag case dimensions are identical apart from the mag being a few millimeters longer.
For the odd chance i may get tight cases, would i be better off buying a Redding 222 shoulder bump die and reaming the neck opening to 6mm?

That should take care of tight head spacing if i experience it, and i could then just neck size as normal

Thoughts?

I have a 222 Mag bench rifle that I bought new in 1975, and I use Redding and Foster 222 and 223 competition dies for it - it is easy peasy.
If you need to control headspace, get a Forster 223 Bump die - it "bumps" the shoulder but does not touch the body.

 

[XBBR Shooter]

my gun is born!! shot it on sunday and am VERY happy. shots number 2,3,4,5 and 6 printed the .3 in group. the .25 group is likely to be bettered as i try faster powders. n133, 27 gr fills just into the neck but not compressed...could do this but i have an aversion to compressing powder. since i had the reamer made with a 30 degree shoulder the fireformed cases have a little more volume so i will see if 27.5+ will fit. also will try h4198 which is a bit faster. LT 32 shot well and i have some LT30. i would like to get 3500 fps with 60-62 gr bulllets without pressure. the 60 bergers went 3400+ fps so i"ll work on this. all mvs are exceeding what i got in the 6x45 which was my goal with the 6x47. the whidden dies are fantastic! interestingly, the brass i'm using is very old remington. i neck turned them and noted a lot of runout in the neck but it was all gone after fireforming and i did not have to bump the shoulder on cases shot yesterday. hotter loads will probably need bumping. whidden also provided a bump gauge with the dies...first class! this one is fun.

What stock is that??

 

[lpreddick]

What stock is that??

The stock is a Shirley Bros. Number 11, I believe. Mine was inletted for a rem clone single shot. The Finnish was beautiful, but I smoothed it more and finished it with Deft, as suggested by Tommy Shueley.

 

[GT Accuracy]

The stock is a Shirley Bros. Number 11, I believe. Mine was inletted for a rem clone single shot. The Finnish was beautiful, but I smoothed it more and finished it with Deft, as suggested by Tommy Shueley.

The Model 11 is now the Thumbhole with Various Forearms. This looks like it would be a Thumbhole with 2.5" rounded Sporter forearm