6.5X47 Lapua in a 16” Barrel

[MClark]

I need a second opinion before getting too far.

I am working on a project of a full stock rifle with a 16” barrel for deer and hog size beasts at short range. I am a fan of 6.5 calibers and have a 260 Remington and a 6.5/284 if I need to reach out to long range.

Looking at the cartridges available, the Lapua is a smaller capacity case than the 260, Creedmoor or 284 and this should make it a better choice for the short barrel. The 6.5X47 is quite similar to the 7mm IHMSA (7mm International) and a lot of time was put into that cartridge to optimize it for a 15” pistol barrel.

I am not looking at the 6.5 Grendel due to the bolt face size, I have a couple of actions with a standard face I can use, and it does not handle 140 grain bullets well. And the extra 10,000+ psi of the Lapua vs. Grendel will make up some velocity.

I am looking for this to be a 200 yard and under gun, loss of velocity due to the short tube in not that much of a concern. It will still hit faster at 200 than the big ones at 500.

Is my thinking here sound?

Mark

 

[rockcreek1]

MClark,

I do not have any experience with the 6.5x47 but I built a 20" 260rem for my daughter and it works great. As a matter of fact, I am building another 20" 260rem for myself. I didn't find information on a 16-18" 260 or I would have built my daughters a little shorter.

I did build a 16-1/4" 308win that performs just like I wanted it to.

Good luck with your 6.5x47 build and please keep us informed, I am curious how it works out.


Good luck,
Jim

 

[MClark]

I have a Remington 700 action, a barrel blank and a box of brass.
It's is a start.

Mark

 

[Chuckw]

There was a guy at snipershide who did a 16" lapua and was getting 2600fps or more with the 136 scenar if i remember correctly. I am betting you will be able to get 2700fps with the 123 amax. What more could you need???

 

[MClark]

I guess slow progress is better than none
I drew the line on the blank where I am going to cut it.
That is about the minimum possible.

Mark

 

[billbonser]

The 6.5x47 should be a fine choice for a short barrel. I shot the 6.5mm IHMSA for a while in a XP-100 in composition
as well as the 7 IHMSA, (which my close friend John Adams designed), and 30 IHMSA. My son and I currently shoot a 6x47 Lapua in long range matches. The brass is a little costly, but they should reload a large number of times. H4350 seems to be the ticket for that size cartridge, but my 7mm IHMSA rifle likes 748 powder, with 4895 a close second.

 

[Kjones9]

Keep us posted. I'm about to pick up my 18.5 6.5x47. Hoping to get between 2700-2750 with 123 amax, 123 scenar or 130 vld hunting.

 

[Chuckw]

As an update, i have started developing a load for my newly finished 20" hunting rifle. 3000fps is very possible with the 123amax and re15 though accuracy suffers if i go beyond 2850fps. I am using brass formed from 22-250 with the large primer pocket. Loads it likes are 1/2moa or slightly better which i think is good for a 6.5# hunting rifle with a #2 contour pencil barrel!

 

[65BR]

I'd go 17 or 19, so many 18.5s out there like M7s I want to be different

FWIW, about to have my 22.5 chopped 2-2.5" - the round is efficient in short tubes.

Bob Swagger has a Gradous built 16.5" runs 2700 w/130s, dumped a buck near or over 500 yds, a nice buck, with a 136. Might chat with him on the hide.

Grendel will work fine, but I'd do a 47 if me.

 

[MClark]

I got some time today to work on the barrel. I threaded and cut the bolt recessed. The barrel is going to be octagon and I did some of the mill.
Another gunsmith in the area says he has a chamber reamer.

Mark