Not interested in velocity

[rmkey]

I am not interested in which cartridge has a little more velocity. I am a paper puncher and the paper dont care about velocity but velocity seems to be the dominate topic in most forums. I am interested in pure accuracy on paper. I have a 260 but am wondering about switching to 6.5x47. Is there any real difference in potential accuracy for one cartridge over the other?? I dont mean theoretical differences but real world groups.
Someone must have data to compare these two cartridges. Im well aware the 6br will likely beat any 6.5. Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[FrankG]

Let’s go this route to start....what is your accuracy requirement?

Good brass is available for both. So I’ll rule out brass.

The 6.5x47 will probably be more efficient/have a more uniform burn. So from that stand point I’d pick that one.

Both though can build a very accurate rifle.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

 

[Drop Port]

They are both fine cartridges, but for "pure accuracy" I'll take a 47L any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

 

[JFrank]

They are both fine cartridges, but for "pure accuracy" I'll take a 47L any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Me Too,

Damn that hurt

 

[Ledd Slinger]

At what range do you want this accuracy?...

Might as well go with a 6 PPC if you want top accuracy at shorter ranges.

Maybe a 6 BRA or 6 Dasher for targets out to 1K.

I think a 6.5X47L would struggle a bit against those two 6mm rounds at the respective ranges where they shine simply because the custom manufacturers that produce the best bullets tailor to the 6mm cartridges. Not a ton out there for 6.5mm from custom bullet makers.

 

[fyrewall]

Very knowledgeable shooters have told me the 6.5X47 Lapua is the result of much development effort to develop a 1st rate 300 meter paper punching round having many desirable attributes such as adequate velocity, high ballistic coefficient bullets, relatively low recoil, and good barrel life. All this for serious rifle guys. The 6.5X47L uses a small rifle primer and has a sub diameter flash hole (I can see this). Loading data gives about 63 K psi pressures. Brass is first rate Lapua but costs about $1.15 per piece; the brass has a long life (many reloads) and is well annealed (at source).

I absorbed all this good stuff and re-barreled using a McGowen 8 twist 26 inch barrel - I usually heed valid recommendations. No regrets, rodents with 100's & 120-123's, targets with 130's & 140's. At $1.15 per piece don't lose brass. Shoots fast enough for me. I have casually compared my 6.5X47L with my 6.5-.308 and the latter's only big advantage is cheap brass.

In some desperate accuracy contest, various 6mms would probably prevail.

 

[mikeeg02]

The 2018 Williamsport world open was won with a 6.5x47. And by quite a bit. Dave had a really good weekend, and shot extremely well.

I think a more important thing is learning your case, and making perfect bullets and putting them into perfect loaded rounds.

Another friend of mines son shoots a 260 at steel silhouettes competitively at 850-1k. He does extremely well, and that barrel has way too many rounds through it, but it's still humming right along.

If you have a 260, and you're comfortable with it and its load development and powder selection, I'd keep working with it. After that question, you'll have to decide whether your gunsmith (or you if you do it yourself) have a reamer(and if its setup for the bullet you desire), then whether you want to make or buy new dies, and so on.

Clear as mud right ?

 

[linebaugh]

theoretically 6.5x47.

reality, who knows? Either could potentially be bad to the bone.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have never seen a 260 that would shoot as good as any 6.5x47 for whatever reason. I did give up on them many years before good brass was available though. I also havent seen anybody use a 260 in a real accuracy contest where a 6.5x47 is used successfully.

 

[garandman]

Velocity determines trajectory, which determine accuracy at distance (group size)

If gravity wasn't a "thing," and bullets didn't drop over distance, then 28 fpswould be the same as 2800 fps.

But.... it is and they do.

Now... once you determine velocity and can predict trajectory over distance, then no, it doesn't really matter. If all you do is shoot exactly 600 yards, then ...right....who cares? But... Velocity is *very* important in PRS matches, which fires over numerous known and unknown distances in a single match. It drives match scores.

Alot of the velocity conversation is just "bigger johnson" stuff.... bragging rights over how fast my bullets go, and how often I get to replace barrels, making me one of the cool kids. Some of it is the preference of a flatter shooter over longer distance.

Or am I missing something in the question here?

 

[BIG D]

I’ve had many barrels in both 260 Remington and 6.5x47. Started f class and earned highmaster with the good ole trusty 260. 8 different barrels and all started to fall off around 2700-3000 rounds. Lapua brass and Winchester 308 brass necked down. Darn thing would just plain shoot. Had 2 powders and 2 loads work excellent in every barrel I had and maybe move +- .2 grains max with any 140 class match bullet. The 6.5x47 on the other hand was tough to beat in matches so I got in my head and talked myself into going balls deep in the 47. 1000 pieces neck turned brass and then started with load developing. I’ve lost more hair because of the 47 than any cartridge I’ve reloaded. Fussy lil bastard! I know others find it easy to tune, but not my case. I finally got my first barrel to hammer and then it was shot out “2750 rounds”. I’m committed to getting things to work and I’m working with my 5th barrel and still not getting accuracy I did with the 260. I do have a shilen 1-9 27” in 6.5x47 that hammers with 140 eldm and it’s my hunting rifle. Same reamer for all barrels. Shilen was last to be cut. I like the overall length of the 47 over the 260 because of short action long seating Bullets vs 260 in same situation. The 47 is a great round. But if I knew what I know now I’d never have gone this route. JMHO

 

[jr600yd]

Can’t tell you much about the 6.5-47 but I’ve been shooting the 260 for 20 years thru several barrels. I shoot “F” Class (yeah, I’m an old guy) and this is what I’ve found. Seems everyone wants their 140gr bullets flying around 3,000fps, not going to happen with a 260. Slow them down to around 27-2800 FPS. You’ll be surprised. In all the barrels I’ve had accuracy has improved using slower powders. Although one of the 4350’s is today’s rage with the heavy bullets I’ve found better accuracy with one of the 4831’s.

Since your already set up for the 260 I’d keep it. All of the 6.5’s are accurate and you may not be able to tell the difference between them depending on your shooting ability.

 

[Sniper338]

I have a 260 that hammers, but I would still go with a x47 for what your wanting.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I have never seen a 260 that would shoot as good as any 6.5x47 for whatever reason. I did give up on them many years before good brass was available though. I also havent seen anybody use a 260 in a real accuracy contest where a 6.5x47 is used successfully.

Agreed. I've only had one 260 and one 6.5x47L in the past, but it seemed like the 6.5x47 would shoot well with pretty much anything I put in it and really well with a select few loads. The 260 shot very well but was harder to tune and not as forgiving. Granted the two rifles had different actions, barrels, and stocks, but that's all i have to go by.

 

[Evan]

I don't know what level you are shooting to, but you will almost certainly not be able to tell the difference between a "Hummer barrel" chambered in 260 or 6.5x47. If you're just wanting a change and looking to move into a more consistent cartridge at the same time, it's hard to find fault with a 6BR or variant.

 

[Rdlningcltchdmpr]

6.5 all day.

 

[muleman69]

They are both fine cartridges, but for "pure accuracy" I'll take a 47L any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Accurate and super forgiving to reload for. No headaches and lots of fun

 

[Longrange57]

I am not interested in which cartridge has a little more velocity. I am a paper puncher and the paper dont care about velocity but velocity seems to be the dominate topic in most forums. I am interested in pure accuracy on paper. I have a 260 but am wondering about switching to 6.5x47. Is there any real difference in potential accuracy for one cartridge over the other?? I dont mean theoretical differences but real world groups.
Someone must have data to compare these two cartridges. Im well aware the 6br will likely beat any 6.5. Any help greatly appreciated.

6.5 x 47 is a great round. I shoot many different cartridges. 6PPC and 6 BR for 100/200, its a toss up for accuracy at 300 between 6BR and 6.5 x 47. At 500 the 6.5 x 47 has clear advantage over 6BR in the wind. I shoot mostly 147 ELDM at 2750 fps, but also shoots 140 hyb very well. If you are not going past 500-600 the 47 is a great round. Out to 1,000 I use my 6.5 x 284 or 7mm rsaum. I actually shot some decent groups at 1400 with 6.5 x 47, but don't recommend it! Really depends on distance you are shooting.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

6.5 x 47 is a great round. I shoot many different cartridges. 6PPC and 6 BR for 100/200, its a toss up for accuracy at 300 between 6BR and 6.5 x 47. At 500 the 6.5 x 47 has clear advantage over 6BR in the wind. I shoot mostly 147 ELDM at 2750 fps, but also shoots 140 hyb very well. If you are not going past 500-600 the 47 is a great round. Out to 1,000 I use my 6.5 x 284 or 7mm rsaum. I actually shot some decent groups at 1400 with 6.5 x 47, but don't recommend it! Really depends on distance you are shooting.

wonder why nobody has discovered those rounds in long range benchrest over the BR and its variants?

 

[Longrange57]

wonder why nobody has discovered those rounds in long range benchrest over the BR and its variants?

I follow you! 6BR is a very good round! The switching 20 mph winds we often shoot in...the 6.5 x 47 has been much more friendly to me! I have a 6BR that I occasionally shoot on calm days and vertical is great, but does not take much wind for things to get out of hand at 5-600 yds. I love the 6's, esp 6XC, Dasher, etc....but haven't had much luck shooting against the heavies where we shoot.