6.5x47 123 Ogive

[topher136]

Just got my new 6.5x47 from the smith. It has a .123 freebore. When I measure the OAL to the Ogive I get 2.1055 with a 123 scenar. That sounds awfully short. In fact, I have some factory Lapus 123 sendar ammo and it measures 2.165. It was extreamly tough to chamber and when I ejected it, it pulled the bullet out of the loaded case.

My smith says that I need to load much shorter than the factory ammo and I sould just reseat the factory ammo shorter and use it. This is the first time I have heard of factory ammo being too long. Usually it is way to short to play it safe. (And I am not too sure what kind of pressure spike I will have seating the factory ammo shorter).

What OAL Ogive measurements do you all have for a 123 scenar?

 

[CharlieNC]

My jamb length is 2.725"; not likely our comparators are the same.

 

[TimP]

I am in the process ordering a reamer for a 6.5X47 build myself. Talking with my gunsmith he's telling me to go with .170 or .175 freebore. I plan as well to shoot the 123 scenar as well. Sounds like your freebore may be a little short especially if your pulling bullets from factory ammo.
I would talk to your smith and probably lean toward having it throated and/or ask him what his reamer was designed for.

 

[potatoe]

My smith tried talking me into .100 freebore, I'm glad I went a longer throat and I can fit the 123's in there without issue just fyi. My oal at jam with 123 Amax's are 2.755

 

[X-Caveman]

I've had 6 barrels done by S&S in Argyle with the same .123 freebore. When new, they all measure right at 2.09" CBTO with a 130 VLD and about 2.105" with a 140 hybrid. This is using my comparator, modified case, hornady gage and touch on the calipers, so I wouldn't expect the exact same numbers from someone else. They should be close, though. I've shot factory 123 and 139 in a few of them and it's a bit tight, but never as you describe. I suspect it's a long lot of ammo.

Don't despair. The freebore WILL only get longer with every round sent down the tube. If you want to get 2,000 Rnds plus on the barrel, do not lengthen the throat. Unless you only want to shoot 140 class bullets from the very beginning, I think .123 is about ideal.

 

[topher136]

Yep, Stick at S&S did this barrel as well. I trust him because he has a damn good reputation but I wanted to find others that have a throat that is this short and see what kind of loads people are using.

 

[X-Caveman]

Yep, Stick at S&S did this barrel as well. I trust him because he has a damn good reputation but I wanted to find others that have a throat that is this short and see what kind of loads people are using.

Between 40 & 41 gr of H4350 and a Berger 130 is pretty standard.

 

[Mega]

Down under on the other side of the world the most accurate, most popular load is around 37.5gr Varget with 130gr Berger VLD's.....being sub 0.2 MOA.

But we are weird shooting at 500 Metres not 550 Yards.....

BTW....The 123gr Lapua Scenar has a longer base to ogive that the now later batches of Berger 130gr VLD's.

 

[topher136]

Thanks Alloy. I have both Varget and H4350. So you did not see extra pressure with the short OAL?

Mega, that Varget load (37 - 37.5) seems to be very popular. I will be working my loads up to that to see how it shoots form my new rifle.

 

[X-Caveman]

Honestly, I don't know what pressure looks like in a 6.5x47. All of my bolts have very little clearance around the firing pin. I've never pierced a primer. Never had a loose primer pocket (10 plus firings on some brass). Never had ejector marks. Only had slightly sticky bolt lift when mixing brass between chambers without FL sizing. I tend not to push things too hard, but have had the 130s north of 3,000 FPS looking for pressure on new barrels. I've always just settled on loads with the 130 between 2,850 & 2,920 FPS. That's where the seem to shoot best.

Obviously, your results may vary and you need to take proper precautions, but the tank-like brass durability is one of the chambering's best attributes.