Optimal Accuracy Barrel Length - 6.5 x 47 Lapua?

[Phil3]

I am building a 6.5 x 47 Lapua that will most likely be fired at 100, 300, 600, and 1000 yards. I wonder if there is a particular barrel length that suits achieving top accuracy at those distances. Accuracy is more important here vs velocity.

I ask because of barrel resonance, nodes, resultant powder choice and charge weight, etc. Perhaps there is some barrel length that seems to suit the 6.5 x 47 particularly well when it comes to tight groups. Just wondering as I am going to have a barrel chambered and of course, need to spec a length.

Thanks,

Phil

 

[DennisH]

600 Yards and under, I prefer 28"'s, 8 twist barrel.

1,000 yards, I prefer 30"s, same twist.

Medium Palma, or Bull's.

Bullet preferences: 123 Lapua Scenars, 36.2 grains.

I am not recommending this load to anyone, but it has been proven many times. ALWAYS start 2.0 grains lower, and work up.

Target is 100 yards, it's sub MOA @ 600


Another Picture, 5 shot group. NOTE: Target X circle is the size of a #2 pencil eraser.


139 grain Scenars, amazing how .1 tenth of a grain makes such a difference. FYI, 123's work best for me, just showing a heavy grain bullet, I had similiar results with 130 bullets.

 

[Carolina Hillbilly]

I don't think you could make a bad choice. I've had several 28" and a couple 30". Accuracy was never an issue with anything I've had chambered in this caliber. Velocity was the only difference.

 

[Longrange57]

I don't think you could make a bad choice. I've had several 28" and a couple 30". Accuracy was never an issue with anything I've had chambered in this caliber. Velocity was the only difference.

Phil, I agree with every response. Great caliber. I have 2 rifles...28 and 26 inch...both shoot great with esp 3 bullets 140vld, 147 eldm, and 130 vld. 130's with Varget and others with H4350. Lighter bullets probably better short range...heavy for long. If I could only have one rifle, 6.5 x 47 would probably be it! Good luck!

 

[dsculley]

My barrel is 28", bull barrel. Shoots well to 1,050 yds (the longest I have taken it).

 

[FatBoy]

I have a 26" and a 28". The 26" Krieger shoots H4350 and is 75fps faster than the 28" with Varget. Both shoot exceptional, super easy to find a great load and easy to keep it shootings.

 

[Beeman]

I have two 6.5x47’s as well. One has a 26” Broughton MTU contour that shoots 130 Bergers at 2950 fps (RBros build). The other wears a #3 benchmark fluted 25”. Shoots 130 gr Accubond at 2800 fps. This one is my light carry rifle. Finished at 8 lbs with a Swarovski Z5 5-25x52 BT. I run H4350 in both guns.

 

[ShootDots]

Over the years, I have had 5 / 6.5 x 47 Lapuas. The MOST accurate ones were 26" and 28" w/ 1-8 twists. One (the 26") was a Rock Creek and the other a Krieger 4 groove. For the job I have for them (Mid-Range F-Open) getting the MOST speed is not a concern. However, getting the most accuracy is! The 26" barrel was a "Hunter Class" barrel and the 28" one was a 1.25 straight tube taper..

 

[Phil3]

OK, thanks to all. I think I will most likely go for a 26". Probably a Brux, but perhaps any name brand cut-rifled barrel with correct profile (still working on that). - Phil

 

[DennisH]

Interesting to read very similar comments. I didn't post any pictures with my 130 Berger's, so I will post the pictures below. FWIW, I had the most trouble dialing in the 130's with my 6.5x47. The 139 Scenars were much easier to dial in. I tried several 130 bullets.

My preference is the 123's pictures above.

I know a person who loves 120 smk's, and wins! The 120 smk's shoot just as good as the 123 Scenars for me. My groups are much tighter with the 120's, 123 Scenars, and the 139 Scenars.

 

[Phil3]

Because my distances are relatively close more often than not, I appreciate your comments on the lighter bullets. I will say that the near cult like worship over the 6.5 Creedmoor has made me given second thought to the 6.5 x 47, but I always liked it over the Creedmoor, and have stubbornly clung to it. Maybe it is a bit of "rebel" in me!

Phil

 

[snakepit]

My 6.5x47 Lapua is a Brux 30"x1.25" 8 twist. Here is my best 100 yd, 5 shot load testing group. I am using Berger 140 gr Hybrid, 40.5 gr H4350, Jump .030", CCI 450 Primer, Lapua Brass and Speed is 2840 FPS.

 

[DennisH]

Because my distances are relatively close more often than not, I appreciate your comments on the lighter bullets. I will say that the near cult like worship over the 6.5 Creedmoor has made me given second thought to the 6.5 x 47, but I always liked it over the Creedmoor, and have stubbornly clung to it. Maybe it is a bit of "rebel" in me!

Phil

6.5 creedmoor is popular due the abundance of factory ammo.

IMO, stick with the 6.5x47 Lapua! It's a widely used caliber for competition vs. the Creedmoor.

 

[DennisH]

View attachment 1076416 My 6.5x47 Lapua is a Brux 30"x1.25" 8 twist. Here is my best 100 yd, 5 shot load testing group.

GREAT Looking group. Which bullet are you using?

 

[snakepit]

GREAT Looking group. Which bullet are you using?

I am using the Berger 140 gr Hybrid, 40.5 gr H4350, Jump .030", CCI 450 Primer, Lapua Brass and Speed is 2840 FPS.

 

[Bart B.]

Any barrel length will do well if it's got a tuner on its muzzle you can set for each range.

Otherwise, you'll probably have to adjust loads for each range

 

[DennisH]

I am using the Berger 140 gr Hybrid, 40.5 gr H4350, Jump .030", CCI 450 Primer, Lapua Brass and Speed is 2840 FPS.

Great! I don't have the answer on my rifle. I worked with the 139 Scenars extensively and only produced the groups above. I tried several brands bullets, 140 range. And probably put 100 rounds down the tube. Same with the 130 grain range bullets.

However, my rifle shooting 120 and 130 grain bullets, including NBT's, It absolutely is super accurate, even @ 600 yards.

One of the recipe came from an article on the "gun reviews" on Accurate Shooters. The 123's won my class several times, no problem, and it's a popular bullet in my area with others shooting the same set up. My twist is 1/8.

IN FACT, I copied the 120 load "exactly", and it was on the money with the very first shot! I never touched this load. The 123's, same way, I read a few articles and started from there. It did take a few recipe adjustments, but it's dead on. In Fact the load is better than I can shoot it!

Here is the URL for the Article. "Darrel Jones" prefered the 120 to 130 grain bullet. I read this article several times, loaded up a few with his recipe, and it worked! Thanks "Forum Boss" for publishing this article.

http://www.accurateshooter.com/guns-of-week/gunweek072/

"Erik Cortina" worked with me also. His 6.5x47 love the 139's. Erik shipped several of his bullets to try, and I used his load info. NADA! He saw my 120 & 130 groups and didn't have an explanation.

FWIW, Dennis

PS: This is my favorite "Prairie Dog" rifle. With the 120 grain bullet range, Nosler Ballistic Tip's, plus the speed these bullets produce, they don't have a chance! And the NBT's are beyond belief. Very damaging.

Above mentioned they shoot 140's out of a 30" barrel, Bull Contour, 1.25 chamber to muzzle. It may have been you, I didn't backtrack to see who made this comment. I am pretty sure it was you, I am answering a lot of PM's right now, so I didn't backtrack.

 

[mikegaiz]

30 in 1-8. 140 gr. top = 5 at 300 yds. second = 10 at 1000 yds.
1000 yds.

 

[JackT]

I set up a hunting rifle in this caliber with a 22" barrel using a Kreiger LV contour on a Richards laminate stock and a Haverkamp action. Still heavy at 11 lbs, but does the job from an accurarcy standpoint. It will consistently deliver sub .25" groups with Sierra and Nosler 120s (and I am still new at this precision shooting thing). I speculate that the short length may have reduced barrel whip enough to offset any minimal loss in velocity.

Like this caliber enough have another barrel set up for an Atlas action on a old Remington walnut stock with another Kreiger barrel cut to 22". I am now addicted to the whole reloadng for accurarcy bug.

 

[Iowa Fox]

I've watched 15" shoot some pretty impressive groups at 750 and 1000