6.5 x 47 vs 6mm GT

[Phil3]

I was looking for a slightly higher end factory rifle ($2000 tops) in 6.5 x 47, and found one, but it is $2500. I then stumbled across the 6mmGT, which is available in a very nice $2000 rifle. The 6mm GT seems to offer similar ballistic performance to the 6.5 x 47, offers less recoil, and with the small case capacity and smaller bullets, reduced costs to shoot, while still hopefully providing decent barrel life and reliable mag feeding. Wondered what shooters here think about these two cartridges vs one another.

I am just shooting paper, maybe steel, out to a max of 1200 yards, almost always at a 4700 feet altitude. Sometimes windy, but often not. This is for casual, off the bench shooting. No competition. I reload already. I can lay my hands on all components for either cartridge.

Thanks for comments.

 

[DLH_]

I would look out for a custom rifle at that money. Find a configuration you like and swap the barrel on it to which ever of the 2 you decide. You’ll retain more of your investment that way then you would spending $2,500 on a factory rifle. One thing I will say about the 6.5x47, despite how much I adore the cartridge, Lapua have ceased production of the brass- it will likely become very hard to find since Lapua are one of the very few manufacturers of the brass. It can be formed from creedmoor brass or 22-250 brass however, I would not advice it. There are numerous other 6.5’ and 6’s with similar performance to the cartridges you mentioned that are almost ubiquitous amongst ranges and reloading vendors; perhaps consider one of those?

With all that being said, go for whatever you desire! I would still look out for a custom, or perhaps a semi custom though.

 

[Kurz]

Fresh 6 GT loads, topped with 110-grain A-Tips and 109-grain Berger Hybrids

I would look out for a custom rifle at that money.

I see no sense in spending that kind of money on a factory rifle. I would go so far as to say buy separate components if necessary to avoid wasting money on a factory rifle. Then have a top flight gunsmith make it all work for you. Immediacy of possession should not override quality.

I will say about the 6.5x47, Lapua has ceased production of the brass

While this may present a problem for our British shooters, there is still Peterson brass available here in the U.S. It is as good as Lapua so there isn't any hesitation in my mind. This is what I bought, Peterson brass.

The 6GT is a thread the needle cartridge as one writer described it. It is some very small refinements used to create a better competition cartridge. Read the background story, it's interesting. Slightly longer than the 6 Dasher (0.150") and with a little more case capacity, the 6GT seeks to get the most from a smaller case using the highly popular VarGet powder. Hornady was the first onboard with brass but Alpha has joined in and makes better brass if longevity matters. Alpha is more expensive while Hornady is affordable and in stock. Please do some reading about any of these cartridges.

I built the 6GT using a 30" Bartlein barrel on a Borden single shot action. I use it at 600 and 1,000 yards mostly.

Enjoy the process!

 

[Phil3]

Thanks for the replies.

For the sake of clarity, I would like to understand what is meant by a “factory”, “custom”, or even “semi-custom” rifle. My understanding is as follows. Please correct if I am incorrect.

Factory - Off-the-shelf Remington, Savage, Tikka, Howa, Ruger, etc. with few configuration options. Caliber choice may be only option.

Semi-Custom – Rifle manufactured by a higher end company, using proprietary and/or commonly available components, and with limited configuration options (a few caliber options, trigger choice, etc.). MasterPiece ARMs, Seekins, are two that come to mind.

Custom – Rifle designed from the ground up using owner’s own specified components and services (specific action, reamer, bedding, etc.), and built by a gunsmith.

I do not see how the economics work out for building a custom rifle in the $2000 - $2500 range (no glass). For instance a MasterPiece Arms complete PMR II rifle is $2500. It uses a Curtis action and MPA BA chassis, which if purchased separately, are over $2200 by themselves. And I still need a barrel, muzzle brake, trigger, and maybe some gunsmith work.

A used custom might be a good alternative, but not found anything…yet. I saw some that were a possibility, but often with near shot-out barrels, making these no economic sense to buy given the asking price. Will keep looking.

I understand Lapua suspending 6.5 x 47 brass manufacturing…indefinitely. I do have 200 unused cases here and with some care, I think these could last me quite a while. I may buy more…if I go with this cartridge. I have read up on the 6mm GT and while it is “threading the needle” among similar cartridges, I feel the GT gets a lot of things about as right as they ever will be. I guess we will see, but the fact that it is available on production rifles is a good sign. As is the decent availability of brass and ammo.

 

[Rtheurer]

so your looking at a Semi Custom rifle and not a Factory rifle?

Both Cartridges will most likley do everything you want to do as the performace is very close to each other. If I had to start from scratch i might go the 6mm GT. its really up to you though. I just finished shooting my 6.5X47 Lapua at 1000 yard less than 30 minutes ago. Love it.

 

[Clancy]

I have/had/love both of them. You just can’t beat the shootability of a 6mm, not to mention 6.5 bullet prices are soaring.

I’ve had 3 6.5x47 rifles, currently none.

Have 2 GTs right now, well, as soon as the second one is assembled I have two.

I hunt with them, shoot steel and punch very small groups at 100/200. It’ll outshoot anything I’ve ever had that doesn’t start with BR.

 

[Phil3]

so your looking at a Semi Custom rifle and not a Factory rifle?

Both Cartridges will most likley do everything you want to do as the performace is very close to each other. If I had to start from scratch i might go the 6mm GT. its really up to you though. I just finished shooting my 6.5X47 Lapua at 1000 yard less than 30 minutes ago. Love it.

If my Semi-Custom description is correct, and it can be had for new under $2500, then YES, I am looking for semi-custom. I'd prefer closer to $2000, but would go to $2500 if it had some things on it I valued (i.e., comes with scope rail vs a cheaper rifle without it, etc). I do not think $2k - $2.5k can buy a full custom, maybe not even used.

I do not think I will shoot so much as to make meaningful differences in reloading components costs. The differences in performance, recoil, brass quality, brass life, mag feeding, etc. will impact what rifle build route I will take. The situation is this.

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Build a 6.5 x 47 rifle on a Howa action and KRG Bravo stock, both bought years ago and unused. LRI fits their barrel for $900. Scope rail is $100. Spend $1000 and rifle is done, in 6.5 x 47 or 6GT. Could spend even less with a prefit barrel and no muzzle work.

OR

Buy a semi-custom (Seekins) for $2100. It comes with a scope rail. Sell Howa action and Bravo stock for $600. Effective cost of the semi-custom $1500. No 6.5 x 47 Lapua chambering. I would choose 6mm GT.

OR

Buy a semi-custom (MPA) for $2500. It comes with a scope rail. Sell Howa action and Bravo stock for $600. Effective cost of the semi-custom $1900. But, no 6.5 x 47 Lapua chambering. I would choose 6mm GT.

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Knowing the pros and cons of the two cartridges will help decide the best path for me, as well as comments on factory based rifles and the custom world.

 

[Rtheurer]

The cons of the 6.5x47 right now are Lapua putting a hold on brass while they fill some rather Large Military contracts. There are other good brass options however. 6.5 bullets are a TAD higher price. a little more recoil than the 6mm's The Pro's are ... single digit ES and SD's, big wide nodes, some really good High BC 140 class bullets. Ability to see impacts for follow up shots. Feeds from a magazine perfectly.
6 GT. Cons. not as well established yet, i wonder about availablity of brass down the road, ( maybe not a problem) There are times of the 105 class bullets seeing impacts beyond 1000yds. no Lapua Brass.
the pro's. also single digit SD's, LOADED ammo from the manufacture, Feeds well which is what it was designed to fix from the Dasher. 6mm Bullets can be ever so slightly cheaper.
i think we are splitting hairs here... they are so dang close to each other, you could win and perform well with either cartridge.. you wont go wrong with either.

Nothing wrong with either platform either... but it is cool to have a custom actioned match rifle. so there is that. But its also cool to kick some big dogs butt with a budget build...so there is that...

 

[barefooter56]

I would look out for a custom rifle at that money. Find a configuration you like and swap the barrel on it to which ever of the 2 you decide. You’ll retain more of your investment that way then you would spending $2,500 on a factory rifle. One thing I will say about the 6.5x47, despite how much I adore the cartridge, Lapua have ceased production of the brass- it will likely become very hard to find since Lapua are one of the very few manufacturers of the brass. It can be formed from creedmoor brass or 22-250 brass however, I would not advice it. There are numerous other 6.5’ and 6’s with similar performance to the cartridges you mentioned that are almost ubiquitous amongst ranges and reloading vendors; perhaps consider one of those?

With all that being said, go for whatever you desire! I would still look out for a custom, or perhaps a semi custom though.

LAPUA has TEMPORARILY HALTED PRODUCTION of the 6.5x47 and other brass cartridge cases.

 

[Sandstorm]

So the final take on the two choices..all things being equal is barrel life...
all else is a wash as far as I see it...
The 6.5x47 will live a lot longer from my experience...but you never know.

 

[xswanted]

The 6mm GT is the only way to go.

It will shoot 6mm bullets faster than any other cartridge there is. Period.

Also more accurate.

My advice.....buy one that you have more "stuff" for right now, then get the other one down the road. I think both will serve very well.

On the other side...if you're looking at 6.5 and 6 anything why not just get a 6x47?

 

[Phil3]

The 6mm GT is the only way to go.

It will shoot 6mm bullets faster than any other cartridge there is. Period.

Also more accurate.

My advice.....buy one that you have more "stuff" for right now, then get the other one down the road. I think both will serve very well.

On the other side...if you're looking at 6.5 and 6 anything why not just get a 6x47?

I have read more than once, that the 6 x 47 is somewhat finicky to tune while I never hear that about the 6.5 x 47. Just what I have read, multiple times from different sources, but cannot speak to credibility of that info.

I do have 6.5 x 47 stuff, as in the form of 200 cases, but no dies or other cartridge specific tools, equipment, etc. I figure I can see the cases easily and buy other brass in another cartridge for about the same $$$.

If I have a FL die honed so it pushes the neck down to fit my chamber for 6.5 x 47, how many reloads do you think I can get out of the Lapua cases? I do not run my reloads hot. If annealing will help extend life, I will get that done.

One thing that is making a factory rifle somewhat appealing is the cost of custom barrels. Except for one $2500 rifle (MPA BA PMR II), there is no factory rifle in 6.5 x 47. I got a quote today for a 6.5 x 47 barrel, with threaded muzzle, chambered, standard polished finish, fitted to my Howa action. $870 w/shipping. Gulp. I have been out of shooting for a while, and guess inflation has not spared gunsmith work.

 

[HardwoodPro]

The 6mm GT is the only way to go.

It will shoot 6mm bullets faster than any other cartridge there is. Period.

Also more accurate.

This is hilarious!

 

[Sandstorm]

Im on 14 reloads with my 6.5x47 and they will go many more.

 

[moondog]

As to barrel life, My 6.5x47 had a bit over 3000 rounds, 140s exclusively. I stopped bringing it to matches because I was sure it was going to give up, never did. Throat didn't look great, got harder to clean, but still shot great. I just pulled the barrel because I want to switch to 130s, have a tube ready. Brass life is right up there with BR. I have enough new brass to get me through my lifetime. 2 of my buddies shoot the Gay Tiger, great round but I've seen them fight brass issues and no way are they getting over 2000 rounds barrel life.
If I were choosing now, the brass would be somewhat of a concern for the 47.

 

[Dgd6mm]

KRG BRAVO CHASSIS, Nucleus action, prefit barrel. Whichever cartridge you pick will serve you.
American Rifle Company had the Nucleus on sale at Black Friday for $799.99, heck of a deal.
There is the Mack Bros EVO for $675 also.

 

[xswanted]

I have read more than once, that the 6 x 47 is somewhat finicky to tune while I never hear that about the 6.5 x 47. Just what I have read, multiple times from different sources, but cannot speak to credibility of that info.

I do have 6.5 x 47 stuff, as in the form of 200 cases, but no dies or other cartridge specific tools, equipment, etc. I figure I can see the cases easily and buy other brass in another cartridge for about the same $$$.

If I have a FL die honed so it pushes the neck down to fit my chamber for 6.5 x 47, how many reloads do you think I can get out of the Lapua cases? I do not run my reloads hot. If annealing will help extend life, I will get that done.

One thing that is making a factory rifle somewhat appealing is the cost of custom barrels. Except for one $2500 rifle (MPA BA PMR II), there is no factory rifle in 6.5 x 47. I got a quote today for a 6.5 x 47 barrel, with threaded muzzle, chambered, standard polished finish, fitted to my Howa action. $870 w/shipping. Gulp. I have been out of shooting for a while, and guess inflation has not spared gunsmith work.

I’ve read it was hard to tune as well but haven’t experienced it. I’m not shooting paper though. This is a dedicated PRS rifle where a guy can be less picky with extreme accuracy. That being said it shoots consistently under 1/2 MOA from a good rest/bag/bipod setup.

I used Lapua brass and have had good luck. 2600 rounds through the rifle and I’ve used the same 160 pieces of brass.

I’ve got a new tube coming and will go with Peterson brass now to avoid one step in the loading process.

 

[distinguished]

My Sid Goodling built 6.5-47 Lapua will put 5 shots into less than 1/4 inch @ 100yds, using 130gr Bergers. Fortunately, I have plenty of brass. Bullets are getting tough to find but, I did score some this week.
Been giving some thought to building a 6 GT at some point.

 

[Phil3]

KRG BRAVO CHASSIS, Nucleus action, prefit barrel. Whichever cartridge you pick will serve you.
American Rifle Company had the Nucleus on sale at Black Friday for $799.99, heck of a deal.
There is the Mack Bros EVO for $675 also.

KRG Bravo ($360), Nucleus action ($1,000), Criterion prefit w/threaded muzzle ($475) = $1835. Not including mags, muzzle brake. $1835, or almost same amount for Seekins Havak Bravo. The Nucleus build does give plenty of options for barrel specs, and arguably a better action. I will look at this option. I still have a soft spot in my heart for the 6.5 x 47, and Criterion can chamber for that cartridge. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[POMPIERE]

www.sabatti.it