22" barreled 6.5x47L where to start

[RonS]

I'm almost finish with this build, just have to bed the action. I'm looking for a starting load, I have Varget, H4350, RL-15 and RL-17 powders, bullets ranging from 95-130gr. and virgin brass. Appreciate all help.
Rifle is a Savage 10 with blind mag, 22" SS McGowen heavy bull contour with a 11 degree crown and a two piece Nathan Wright muzzle brake and a factory laminated Savage stock. And a Weaver Classic V 6-24x42 varmint scope.

 

[alf]

Varget with 130 VLD's in the lands.

Most end up around 37-37.5 grains, & should be around 2800 or so in 22".

 

[tac284]

22" Brux barrel on mine. 37.7 grains varget with 130 Bergers, .010 off @ 2835 avg

 

[RonS]

If these are your go to loads, I will start 10% less and work up, thanks guys. I'll start with using 120gr, Sierra's first, I bought a bunch of them. With Varget getting harder to find these days, my gunsmith recommended Reloder 15. Is anyone using RL-15 as a substitue for Varget?

 

[mao0720]

I'm using 37gr of reloader 15 and 123gr scenars with cci br-4 primers. Getting me 2825 fps from a 22" barrel with suppressor.

 

[alf]

If these are your go to loads, I will start 10% less and work up

I shoot 37.5 grains of Varget with moly plated 130 VLD's at 2820 in a 22" tube. I found the next node at 39.5 at 2950, but got a tattoo on one of three shots.

R-15 is typically a hair faster than Varget.

 

[hogpatrol]

RL 15 and Berger 130 HVLDS getting 2850 in a #3 Brux 8.5, 24" hunting rifle. Very good accuracy.

 

[Preacher]

I've had the best luck with H-4350 and the 130's....
Target for the 123's...........

 

[hogpatrol]

Should have asked what twist, 8 or 8.5?

 

[RonS]

I have a 1:8T...

 

[CavReconScout]

I have had great luck with Berger 130 AR Hybrids, H4350, and CCI 450 primers. I seat them .015 off the lands, and for my barrel (26" Criterion 1/8 twist) I found a node around 40.5grs, and another at 41.7grs. I use the higher node for local PRS type matches, and with new Lapua brass it runs 2976 fps over my magnetospeed, 2937 fps with once fired. My primers look great, no pressure signs on the brass, and I am using a T&T'd Stevens 200 receiver with the stock firing pin and bolt (no bushing). Of course start with a lower load for your rifle.

 

[RonS]

Well it seems the consensus is Varget [which is almost nonexistent at the moment] is the number one choice followed by Reloder 15, which I have about three pounds and then H4350. Is it safe to assume charge weight for Varget and RL-15 are close to being the same? And a good starting load would be 35.5gr of either powder? Should I work up my loads in increments of .3gr or .5gr? thanks so far with all your help guys...

 

[tac284]

If these are your go to loads, I will start 10% less and work up, thanks guys. I'll start with using 120gr, Sierra's first, I bought a bunch of them. With Varget getting harder to find these days, my gunsmith recommended Reloder 15. Is anyone using RL-15 as a substitue for Varget?

Yes, that is my go to load for mine (37.7) and yes I would start 10% lower and work up. I should have added that in the original post.

Well it seems the consensus is Varget [which is almost nonexistent at the moment] is the number one choice followed by Reloder 15, which I have about three pounds and then H4350. Is it safe to assume charge weight for Varget and RL-15 are close to being the same? And a good starting load would be 35.5gr of either powder? Should I work up my loads in increments of .3gr or .5gr? thanks so far with all your help guys...

If it was me and i couldn't get my hands on any varget my next powder would be H-4350 personally. Reloaded 15 on the Hodgdon burn chart is 2 steps above varget in burn speed, so fairly comparable. I would start like you stated and go with 34.5 - 35.0 and work up in .3 increments on either powder you start with. Good luck, hope you find some varget!

 

[DHuffman]

I just went through 150 Rounds of 140 hpbt trying to get the target to work. Got a few nice groups here and there at 37.2 - 37.5 but could never get anything to repeat. Played with seating Depth and used 3 different primers.

Switched to h 4350 and 142 smk's today and feel like I'm already ahead of where I was at with Varget. 39 grains h4350 looks promising.

 

[RonS]

6.5creed, I'm looking to run 120gr Sierra out to 300 yards and 130gr Berger out to 600yards. With this short of a barrel I don't feel the accuracy would be there at 1000 yards.

 

[mao0720]

6.5creed, I'm looking to run 120gr Sierra out to 300 yards and 130gr Berger out to 600yards. With this short of a barrel I don't feel the accuracy would be there at 1000 yards.

I've shot the the 123 gr scenars to 800yds and would have no issues taking them to 1000, don't sell those 130gr bergers short. They'll do just fine at 1000 yds.

 

[RonS]

mao0720, what length is your barrel?

 

[Boxcar77]

28" barrel on mine with 1:8 twist, 130VLD's jammed .010 net me 2882 with 41.6gr of H4350 in my 6.5x47.

 

[RonS]

mao0720, I forgot the Grendel can push a 123gr bullet 1000 yards with accuracy out of a barrel under 24". Hopefully I can get out to the range on this coming Monday to test this puppy....

 

[RonS]

I made it to the range today, just my luck they were working on the 200 yard line so I settled on the 100 yard line. I was doing a ladder test with Sie 100gr HP and Sie 120gr SP both with RL-15. I found my best test resullts with the 120gr's with 36.8gr up to 38.0gr in 0.3gr increments. Five shots into one very small group...that's a 1" target dot.