6.5x47 loads 120 BT and 135 Classic Hunter

[CTK]

Out of a 23' barrel, I was able to shoot a couple of groups in the .2's with the 135 Classic Hunter and 40.5gr RL 16. Thrilled other than fact that they were only going 2720 fps. Per Berger, I have .2 gr left until max. RL 16 also seems to be less dense than other powders of it's class. I can possibly live with the speed but wonder if trying a different powder would be worth the effort? Varget or H4350? Not interested in anything that is temp sensitive as am loading for hunting. Others have pointed this out but to reiterate, the Berger Classic Hunter is the easiest bullet to load for that I have ever encountered.

I also showed some promise with 120 Ballistic Tips in RL 16. I have no book loads for this combo. Stopped w/o pressure signs at 41gr. Only 2750 fps. I shot a .25" group at 39gr. Groups opened after that and started to close at 41gr. I may have another gr. or so of room left. Not sure how much more would make sense? Am I headed off the pressure reservation? Going to give Varget and H4350 a try. If I can not get the 120 BT around 2850 fps. I will stick with the slower 135 Classic Hunter load.

 

[JBT47]

I like Varget because i don't have compressed loads with it. I use 38gr with 130's. With the 135 start around 36gr and work up.

 

[CTK]

I like Varget because i don't have compressed loads with it. I use 38gr with 130's. With the 135 start around 36gr and work up.

I will give Varget a try. That case is quite full with 40+ gr of RL 16. Found RL 16 to be very dirty but copper fouling was particularly light.

 

[Yote Hunter]

My 26" Krieger 8.5 twist barrel 6.5x47 Lapua shot the 135 gr Berger Classic Hunter and CCI 450 into 1.1" 5 shot group at 500 yards. Velocity was 2775 fps, probably no faster than your load though.

 

[Yote Hunter]

Sorry, powder was Varget at 37.2 gr.

 

[JBT47]

I realize you stated you did not want to use double based powders...but, my favorite load for my 6.5x47 is 40gr Vihtavuori N550 under a 140 Hybrid. Accuracy is outstanding...MV 2915 from 28" barrel.

 

[Clancy]

I still wish you would try the 130 hybrid!

I also feel that Varget would be better for the 120 NBT, YMMV.

 

[CTK]

I still wish you would try the 130 hybrid!

I also feel that Varget would be better for the 120 NBT, YMMV.

130 Hybrid performs well on deer?

 

[Clancy]

Heck yea!

 

[Santee116]

I have a 6.5x47 with an 18" Brux 1-8, shooting suppressed.

I worked up a couple good loads for the 120 BT.

36.2 grains of Varget got me 2750 fps. Worked up to 37.4 at 2800 fps but showed some pressure.

I would think with a 23" barrel and Varget you could probably get close to 2850.

I know you may not want to try RL-17, but it shoots great in my gun with the 120 BT.

41.4 grains of RL-17 gets me 2870 fps and great accuracy, which is smoking from an 18" barrel.

 

[CTK]

Let's say both loads equally accurate.

I have a 6.5x47 with an 18" Brux 1-8, shooting suppressed.

I worked up a couple good loads for the 120 BT.

36.2 grains of Varget got me 2750 fps. Worked up to 37.4 at 2800 fps but showed some pressure.

I would think with a 23" barrel and Varget you could probably get close to 2850.

I know you may not want to try RL-17, but it shoots great in my gun with the 120 BT.

41.4 grains of RL-17 gets me 2870 fps and great accuracy, which is smoking from an 18" barrel.

I am going to try a few with Varget. I looked at my notes and was getting 2800 fps with the 130 VLD and 37.5gr Varget. Should at least equal this with the 120 BT.

 

[North Fork]

I also like VV 550 With the 140gr berger elite hunter

 

[JBT47]

I also like VV 550 With the 140gr berger elite hunter

I use the same load (40gr N550) with the Elite Hunter bullet and it shoots identical to the 140 Hybrid in my rifle.

How many grains of N550 are you using?

 

[gotcha]

26" 1 in 8 Criterion shoots under an inch @ 400 w/ 123 scenar. 37.5 gr. RL-15, BR-4, Avg. 2935 fps, jammed .015". YMMV I've never shot a deer with a scenar so can't speak to its effectiveness.

 

[JBT47]

26" 1 in 8 Criterion shoots under an inch @ 400 w/ 123 scenar. 37.5 gr. RL-15, BR-4, Avg. 2935 fps, jammed .015". YMMV I've never shot a deer with a scenar so can't speak to its effectiveness.

Damn

 

[Clancy]

I just got some 123s in today. I won't jam them for love or money, but hopefully I can get them to jump.

 

[JBT47]

They should jump just fine

 

[jsthntn247]

130 Hybrids tear a whitetail up. Shot a couple last year, never had one move. Inside 300 yards they are explosive.

 

[CTK]

I have a 6.5x47 with an 18" Brux 1-8, shooting suppressed.

I worked up a couple good loads for the 120 BT.

36.2 grains of Varget got me 2750 fps. Worked up to 37.4 at 2800 fps but showed some pressure.

I would think with a 23" barrel and Varget you could probably get close to 2850.

I know you may not want to try RL-17, but it shoots great in my gun with the 120 BT.

41.4 grains of RL-17 gets me 2870 fps and great accuracy, which is smoking from an 18" barrel.

I was without pressure signs with the 120 BT and 37.5 gr Varget. Gave me 2860 fps and a slightly ragged one hole group. I worked up from 36gr. All prior groups were in the +- .5" range. Going to shoot it again just to make sure was not coincidence. Should I try 38 gr Varget for grins or is that getting real warm?

 

[Santee116]

I was without pressure signs with the 120 BT and 37.5 gr Varget. Gave me 2860 fps and a slightly ragged one hole group. I worked up from 36gr. All prior groups were in the +- .5" range. Going to shoot it again just to make sure was not coincidence. Should I try 38 gr Varget for grins or is that getting real warm?

If you aren't seeing pressure sure, every gun/chamber/barrel/powder lot is different. Hard to argue with a ragged hole group at a respectable speed though, let us know how it goes. Just keep an eye on it!