6.5 x 47 Project

[RMagee]

Decided to have a 6.5 x 47 barrel made up to swap with my 6BR. Gun will be used to shoot in some local 600 yard matches and mostly paper punch and coyote hunt. I want to shoot Berger 130 VLD or similar bullets. The gun currently has a 14 twist Shilen #7LV 6BR barrel on a 700 short action. What barrel manufacturer and contour do you guys recommend to match the contour of my current barrel? 8 twist recommended? How about reamer specs? Any other recommendations and advice would be appreciated.

 

[500 meter ram]

I've been shooting 8" twist barrels on my 6.5x47 Lapua silhouette rifles with bullets up to 142 sierras and 141 cartariccios. Lately I tested the 142's in my DPMS 260 with a 8.5 twist and had no problems stabilizing them down to 2600 fps...kind of surprised me. I just ordered a Krieger 8.5 twist. You will love the 6.5x47.

 

[therifler]

i am shooting 6.5X47 as for reamer specs make sure you have enough free bore. some guys shooting the 140 have as much as .200 to obtain the velosity near 2900 fps and beyond . i have not been able to produce those speeds . The Rifler

 

[RMagee]

So am I on the right track with:

Kreiger 8.5 twist finished at 26"
.293 neck with .125 freebore (for a "no turn" chamber, but can turn just to clean up the neck)
130 grain Berger or JLK

 

[deadlyswift]

Not to start a war here, but just to give you something else to think about. As far as reamer spec's. If you are looking into getting your own reamer? I have to say PT&G are one of the best. I'm sure you are aware of that. If it was me I would send PT&G a dummy round with the bullet you plan to shoot the most, and seat the bullet approximately .050 above the shoulder/neck junction with the bullet touching the lands at this depth. This will allow you to start at the lands with the bullet no where near the dounut that forms in the shoulder/neck junction. You can still jump the bullet .040 and still not be touching the dounut. Also you can jam the bullet and still keep plenty of bullet in the neck. As well this will give you great barrel life as erosion accurs you will have plenty of case neck to chase the lands. Like I said to start with. I'm not trying to start a debate. This is only my opinion and not facts. Just what has worked well for me in the past.
Mark

 

[RMagee]

I had come to understand the .125 freebore reamer spec was Dave Kiff's design for the 130 VLD's?

 

[therifler]

i did not mention that my reamer is dave kiff design . sorry .No turn neck .TR

 

[DJ111]

The 130 JLK's need less free bore than the 130 berger vlds. If you are going to shoot 130 bergers or 123's I would go with atleast a .160 FB. I have a .165 and it seats 130 vlds, 123 senars, 123 A-max very nice, but it is a little long for the 130 jlks. If you plan to shoot the 140 class bullets go with a .200.
After 700 rounds on my Barlein 5R barrel my seating is the same as the stub that was cut with my reamer for seating depth.

Dallas

 

[deadlyswift]

I had come to understand the .125 freebore reamer spec was Dave Kiff's design for the 130 VLD's?

I'll try and fill in the blanks from my last post. Sorry for that. Seating your bullet of choice to your desired depth in the case neck for a dummy round. Call Dave Kiff and talk with him. Ask lots of questions. Dave is a super nice guy! Maybe I was lucky the times I have called and ask to speak with him, and he wasn't busy. He answered all my questions with a great amount of details and explanation. What I like most about having my own reamer is I get to choose chamber length, neck Dia. and free bore. I let Dave figure out the free bore. I seat my bullet approximately .050 above the shoulder/neck junction. (bearing surface) not the bottom of the boat tail. I lay my peace of brass down on the bench with the bullet right beside it. I meassure .050 with my capliers from the shoulder/neck junction. I make a small mark with a phelp tip pen at that point. Then I line up the bearing surface of the bullet with this mark on the case neck, making another mark on the bullet at the mouth of the neck. Then seat the bullet in the neck to the point of the mark on the bullet. When I send this dummy round to Dave Kiff I specify that I want the bullet to touch the lands at this seating depth. Dave will meassure the seating depth of your dummy round with a comparator, and grind the reamer with the correct free bore for that bullet seated to that depth to touch the lands. You will be able to shoot other bullets, and they will most likely shoot well but the free bore will be set for your bullet of choice. You don't have to seat the bullet .050 above the shoulder/neck junction. That is just what I like and believe to be a good spot to be as far as seating depth. Again this is why I like to send a dummy round. It allows you to seat the bullet where you want it, and get the right free bore for that bullet.
Mark