6.5x47 barrel length

[Biglad]

Hi all just had my RPA rebarreld in 6.5x47 it's a 26 inch barrel it for deer stalking. And I have found it to heavy . Been thinking of chopping it down . It's doing 2/850 fps at the minute do you think I will lose accuracy and velocity if i cut it down to 20 inch ??? Any help please cheers Neil

 

[mikecr]

Yes & yes
I'm sure you will lose in both velocity and accuracy.

 

[Chuckhunter]

Neil, I doubt that you will lose much if any accuracy, since the barrel will be shorter and stiffer, however I'm guessing you'll lose approximately 120 fps. in velocity.

 

[Erik Cortina]

You will lose speed but not accuracy. You will have to rework your load though.

 

[mikecr]

The reason I think you'll lose accuracy is greatly increased muzzle pressures, slapping the back of boat tail bullets, and with increased SD, because much of your powder will be burning outside the bore. Pretty hard to cause consistency with that.

There are prices for everything, including barrel length choices. Otherwise we'd all be using ~22" barrels regardless of cartridge. And it isn't just velocity(as often over focused on).

 

[Erik Cortina]

The reason I think you'll lose accuracy is greatly increased muzzle pressures, slapping the back of boat tail bullets, and with increased SD, because much of your powder will be burning outside the bore. Pretty hard to cause consistency with that.

There are prices for everything, including barrel length choices. Otherwise we'd all be using ~22" barrels regardless of cartridge. And it isn't just velocity(as often over focused on).

I disagree. By your theory, 34" barrels would be unbeatable.

100 yard BR shooters use short barrels and they shoot lights out.

 

[mikecr]

"100 yard BR shooters shoot lights out" -at 100yds, and with tiny 6PPCs, or way underbore 30BRs.
Nobody uses 6.5x47s for 100yds

 

[Erik Cortina]

"100 yard BR shooters shoot lights out" -at 100yds, and with tiny 6PPCs, or way underbore 30BRs.
Nobody uses 6.5x47s for 100yds

They run their PPC's at higher pressures than most run their 47's.

Your logic makes no sense.

 

[mikecr]

I'm talking about muzzle pressure(not chamber pressures), powder burn, SD, local BC, etc.
There is absolutely nothing in common between 6.5x47L, 6PPC, or PB BR w/resp to LR BR.

Way different:
capacities
powders
peak pressures
bullet weights and type

 

[Erik Cortina]

So I guess this guy is wasting his time? (6.5-284)

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2014/05/radical-wide-benchrest-pistol/

And this guy also (7mm WSM)
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2011/07/new-seb-max-rest-handles-8-wide-forearms-size-matters/


So, how do these guys hit anything? Can you believe some even compete in Pistol Benchrest? Their groups must be measured with a yard stick huh?

 

[Nomad47]

I'm talking about muzzle pressure(not chamber pressures), powder burn, SD, local BC, etc.
There is absolutely nothing in common between 6.5x47L, 6PPC, or PB BR w/resp to LR BR.

Way different:
capacities
powders
peak pressures
bullet weights and type

mike, the OP never mentioned LR BR. He wants to hunt deer. He can and should switch to a faster burning powder when he goes to a 20" barrel so that most if not all the powder is burnt before the bullet leaves the muzzle. QuickLoad can tell him that.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I'm talking about muzzle pressure(not chamber pressures), powder burn, SD, local BC, etc.
There is absolutely nothing in common between 6.5x47L, 6PPC, or PB BR w/resp to LR BR.

Way different:
capacities
powders
peak pressures
bullet weights and type

mike, the OP never mentioned LR BR. He wants to hunt deer. He can and should switch to a faster burning powder when he goes to a 20" barrel so that most if not all the powder is burnt before the bullet leaves the muzzle. QuickLoad can tell him that.

Thank you Bill, for stating the OBVIOUS....

 

[mikecr]

Op didn't say what ranges he'll be shooting at. Someone used BR in basis and I countered in context.
Maybe I should not have

The question is do you think I will lose accuracy and velocity(in going to 20" barrel).
Hunting deer with a 6.5x47L should mean using a bullet heavy enough to do so(I'll assume this). In this capacity that means mid-speed powder/good fill, or fast powder/poor fill, or if using a light bullet for cal -more fast powder/good fill.

I don't know what his twist is or what bullet he's using, but the question implies use of the same bullet weight from different barrel lengths.
Given this, and the amount of barrel length change, I still say he will likely lose both velocity and accuracy.
I'm not saying this will be a problem for OP, just answering the question.

 

[Drop Port]

I was just reading about a 16.5" 6.5x47L shooting 136's at 2720fps with Varget. Should be around 37-37.5 grains

 

[Drop Port]

I was just reading about a 16.5" 6.5x47L shooting 136's at 2720fps with Varget. Should be around 30-30.5 grains

That ain't right.....

Typo 37-37.5

 

[qbert]

I was just reading about a 16.5" 6.5x47L shooting 136's at 2720fps with Varget. Should be around 37-37.5 grains

Have a link?

 

[DP003]

http://www.predatormastersforums.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2566909

I've seen several guys on the forums shooting short barrel 6.5x47s… they all seem to be accurate with surprisingly decent velocity.

 

[qbert]

WOW!

Thanks for the link.