6.5x47 Lapua Freebore length?

[Hondo64d]

Going to have a barrel chambered for 6.5x47 Lapua. The plan is to seat 130gr Berger Hunting VLDs so that the angle of the bullet heel is even with the neck/shoulder junction in the case. My brass isn't in yet, so haven't been able to make up a dummy round and so a couple of questions:

Will such a round work in a factory Remington 2.8" magazine box?

How much freeborn should I have with a round loaded as described so that I can reach the lands and chase them for as the throat progresses?

Thanks,



John

 

[jelrod1]

This is what I get with a JGS .163 CIP reamer.

 

[Hondo64d]

Thanks for the useful info. Wondering if I should go with a little less freeborn just in case I want to run the 140 hybrids through the magazine…

John

 

[jelrod1]

Personally I would just set up for the 130's if restricted to 2.800. This is really hit or miss with this freebore on the 140 hybrids whether they'll shoot good or not, or at least has been for me. I don't think going shorter on freebore would help that any either. I feel they need longer. It works very well with the 130's though.

 

[alf]

.123" freebore with a 130 VLD in the lands....

 

[Drop Port]

The new run of 140 hybrids came in shorter by 20 thou than what I was running. The bullet OAL is exactly the same the ogive is just pushed forward 20thou.

.198" free bore seated on the lands was 2.850"

With three of the new lots of Hybrids it is now 2.830"

 

[alf]

Either way, he's screwed with a 2.800" mag box...

The .123" freebore is perfect for what the OP wants to achieve with 130 VLD's.

However, you don't want the boatail/body juncture of the bullet right at the neck/shoulder juncture. The bullet will be in the donut (potential) area, and the bushing die won't size the neck down that far.

 

[Hondo64d]

Alf,

Since I don't use bushing dies (I use neck honed foresters), do I still have to worry about the donut?

John

 

[alf]

Since I don't use bushing dies (I use neck honed foresters), do I still have to worry about the donut?

Kinda probably not really, but there's no reason to seat them any deeper, as you'll be well under 2.800" OAL with the .123" freebore. Powder capacity could be an issue, depending on use, but Varget works the best for me with 130's, and there's a lot of room to play.

My opinion, in 22-23" hunting length barrels, I don't think the 6.5x47 has enough azz to push 140 class bullets to a safe speed (pressure) that isn't better served with the 130's.

 

[JimSee]

I run the 140 hybrids with the same freebore your asking about at 2.780" and they will shoot in the .100" at 100 yards. You can always run an extended box mag.

 

[Hondo64d]

Well, with numbers suggested being all over the map, I decided on a .100 freebore. Even if the heel is a little above the neck/shoulder junction, it should still let me chase the lands a little bit and work in a 2.8" Remington box.

I think I screwed up on the neck diameter though. I let the guy at JGS talk me into their standard neck diameter. They assured me their print was to CIP specs and would not require turning. Their neck specs are .293 tapering to .292. Well, my dummy rounds with virgin Lapua brass are measuring .2909. I'm afraid that's too tight. What are your thoughts?


John

 

[alf]

Looks a little snug to me......

Mine's .2945", with my loaded rounds, the few I just measured, a hair smaller then yours, .2902-.2907".

 

[Hondo64d]

that's what I was afraid of. Well, I have a couple of options:

1. Use the reamer as is and run a .295 neck reamer in to open up the neck a little, or…

2. See if JGS will take a return on the reamer and have anther ground.

If JGS will do the exchange, I'll go that route, if not, I guess I'll be forced to use option 1. I'll give them a call tomorrow.

John

 

[alf]

Or plan 3...... skim cut the necks.....

 

[Patch700]

that's what I was afraid of. Well, I have a couple of options:

1. Use the reamer as is and run a .295 neck reamer in to open up the neck a little, or…

2. See if JGS will take a return on the reamer and have anther ground.

If JGS will do the exchange, I'll go that route, if not, I guess I'll be forced to use option 1. I'll give them a call tomorrow.

John

Interesting scenario , my last one was a.2930" NK reamer and only as a personal preference thing I still turned the necks as I prefer .003+ neck clearance with this round if I plan on stepping on the gas.

The reality is that provided you use Lapua 6.5x47 brass you should still be fine not turning necks , unless you are of the same opinion where you like a little more clearance .

Were it me in your shoes and I did want a little more clearance I would either sell the reamer and spec a new one @.2945" or simply turn necks on the brass , it only need doing the once.

Personally I would not put anymore money into reamers buy purchasing a neck reamer just for this purpose.

 

[Hondo64d]

Patch,

My 'smith has a .295 neck reamer.

John

 

[Patch700]

Patch,

My 'smith has a .295 neck reamer.

John

Perfect , in that case you may want to ask your smith for his opinion whether it be best off to try fire forming a few cases a couple times to confirm the actual finished neck diameter or just get rite to the cutting before he finishes the project. You really aren't dealing with a large amount of cutting so he may tell you to wait and try it to confirm.

Good luck

 

[Hondo64d]

The folks at JGS are going to allow me to return the reamer to be replaced with one that has a .294 neck. I am VERY impressed with their customer service.



John