6.5 or 6-6.5x47 for 1000yds

[KevinPhipps]

Which is a the better cartridge for 1000yds, the 6.5x47 or 6x47 Lapau?
Thanks
Kevin

 

[rhino]

I think they both have their merits. Of the two I think the 6.5 pushing the 130 class bullet would have less problems and more bore life.

However I would suggest a 6.5x55 se.

A 6x47 lapua and the 115 heavy bullets is tempting...but the caliber seems to be plagued with problems. Some people have no problems...others can't seem to get it to shoot.

RHINOUT!

 

[Kabang]

Kevin, In general, both variants can be engineered to shoot well, how well, is in the details and prevailing conditions. I spent a fair amount of time studying this, but found the 6.5x47 cartridge didn't have enough capacity to shoot the 130 grainers to thier optomal wind resistant capability compared to other cartridges like the 6.5/08, but that depends on what barrel length you can live with. With a long enough barrel, I'm sure they can get there. I ended up choosing the 6xc for the little extra case capacity/insurance and because Norma is making brass and ammo for the cartridge. It's doing very well in European 300m competitions. If my Smith had a 6x47 reamer and not an xc, I'd probably go with that as there is very little difference. Good Luck

 

[constructor]

Rhino, what problems with the 6x47L?

 

[mysticplayer]

For me, it boiled down to bullets. The new 115/117gr 6mm are hard for me to find in Canada. Some report they can also be tough to tune. The lighter 107/105gr are more vulnerable to wind drift in gusty conditions which I seem to always compete in. Also, there are questions about sorting, trimming, etc.

The choice for my and LR F class is a 6.5 Mystic,my 260AI variant) and the 139gr Lapua Scenar. Higher BC then any production 6mm bullet. Consistent bullet quality and availability. A very long running and proven bullet that shoots incredibly well in my rifles.

I can push this Lapua to 3000fps in my wildcat but find 2900fps to be ideal with great brass and barrel life,1600rds and counting). I don't think the 6.5X47L is large enough to reach this level of performance without some extreme pressures - can lead to very fussy rifles.

The 6.5 Swede has similar case volume if you don't want to wildcat. The 260R is usually 100fps slower although some rifles have matched the improved case performance. YMMV.

Jerry

 

[Klong]

For a rifle used exclusively at 1,000 yards, I would not choose either of these, unless I was just trying to sharpen my wind reading skills. For 600 yards and down, these would be great with good barrel life. For the true 1,000 yard light gun I would choose the 6.5X284.