6.5x47 & 123 SMK Testing

[JamesnTN]

I’ve been testing the Sierra 123 SMK (pointed) in my 6.5x47 using H4350 and S&B small rifle primers. I began my tests at 100 yards hoping to find a load it like then stretch it to 500 later.
The photo below is my 100 yard tests starting at 40.0 40.5 and 41.0 of H4350 at .005 off the lands, the initial test was 3 shots.



Once I saw that 41.0 was going to work I load up 5 more to verify the 3 shot testing.



Now that I’m happy at 41.0 at .005 off the lands, I loaded 5 of 40.8 41.0 and 41.2 and took this to 500 yards to verify any 100 yard results.
Here’s the 500 yard tests.
This test was done at 35*




So now I’ve decided to settle on 40.8 and begin testing seating depth. So my next test which was early this morning began with 40.8 at -.005 then -.010 -.015 and -.020
I like to note today’s test had a 8-12mph head wind.



Based on 2 500 yard testing with this bullet I will split the difference of -.005 and -.010 and go with that. Also the first 500 yard test of powder charge the temps were 35* and temps this morning were 65*. Notice there wasn’t much differences in group sizes with a 30* temp change. Although velocity was at the 2900 FPS mark today vs 2870 at 35*
Also today’s results with all 20 shots of testing seating depth I had an agg of 1.739 that’s not too shabby for this cartridge.

 

[steve123]

Pics of rifle, rest, and bags just as you used it!

Thanks

 

[JamesnTN]

Pics of rifle, rest, and bags just as you used it!

Thanks

That’s a bit hard todo now since I’m done and packed up and at the house.
But here’s a different photo of the rifle with same setup used today.

 

[shoot4fun]

Are S&B primers hotter than CCI450? What is your barrel length and how did you fair with extreme spread?

 

[steve123]

That just fine! It's neat to see other peoples set ups and rifles.

 

[JamesnTN]

Are S&B primers hotter than CCI450? What is your barrel length and how did you fair with extreme spread?

I don’t know if hotter or not. I did test them at 100 but they didn’t shoot as well as the S&B primers so I stayed with them.
The barrel is 30”
The first 500 yard target posted was at 35* and today’s was at 65* with only about .040 in group size.

 

[davek]

I use 123s with 36.1 or 37.1 g of varget , cci 450m , they shoot great for prone at 600yds, davek

 

[Bogusname]

I always felt the 123 gr bullets were ideal for that cartridge. I had great results with 123 SMK’s and Lapua scenars, h4350 or varget.

 

[Eric Leonard]

I ain't tried 123s in my recent barrel yet but the last one I had shot the 123 scenars and just about all the 4350 that would fit really well....

I got it apart rebedding it and plan on trying the 123 and 130s next couple weeks

 

[rkittine]

What free bore do you have? I just order 500 of these.

Bob

 

[tclaunch]

What free bore do you have? I just order 500 of these.

Bob

.167"

 

[Laurie]

What free bore do you have? I just order 500 of these.

Bob

Note that according to Bryan Litz's measurements and tested ballistics, the 'pointed' 123 6.5 MK isn't the old before-pointing 123 SMK with a reduced meplat diameter. It has a significant reduction in bearing length allied to a longer nose section compared to the older model changing both FB requirements and seater die settings.

(It also has a significant reduction in its drag as shown in its 'form factor' value, hence increased BC.)

 

[geraldgee]

36.7gr of R15 has worked for me very well with the 123's. 5 shots in .062

 

[tclaunch]

36.7gr of R15 has worked for me very well with the 123's. 5 shots in .062

RL15 has so far in my limited testing with the 130 Berger VLD Target, been my favorite powder. I will however try H4895 with these 123 gr bullets just to see!!

 

[rkittine]

I have a .165 free bore and am looking forward to working up loads with these projectiles. Not sure if I have any RL-15 but I have plenty of Varget, 4895 and H4350

Bob

 

[JamesnTN]

I have a .165 free bore and am looking forward to working up loads with these projectiles. Not sure if I have any RL-15 but I have plenty of Varget, 4895 and H4350

Bob

You can’t go wrong using H4350. Just ask the boys down in Birmingham how they keep getting beat by the combo.