6.5x47 or 6.5CM for BR discussion

[jvshiver]

Ok to start with, Yes I know this has been discussed before, But.. nothing recent.
I have read through several post and all of them seem to be pretty old, most discussions on the subject are before Lapua CM brass, and most discussions before abundant data on both cartridges. I will be hand loading all ammo so choice for factory loaded ammo is not a factor.
I’m looking to build a new rifle in a 6.5 for 300-1000 benchrest, but can’t decide on which one is the best all around or if they are so close in performance that it doesn’t matter? Would love to hear your thoughts, especially if you have experience with both.

 

[mgdietrich]

6.5/47, it was designed for accuracy and has been very effective at 300m ISSF shooting.

 

[Evan]

Neither in my opinion. I couldn’t get a 6.5mm anything to shoot as tight as 22 or 6mm seem to shoot right out of the gate. I tried for 4 barrels with all kinds of bullets, both custom and factory, before I moved on from 6.5mm.

 

[ChrisNZ]

Plenty of people to prove you wrong in the mid/long range game the OP indicated he needs. Short range is very different.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

If I had to pick one rifle... - I have seen a 6.5x47 shoot clean at 500,600 and 1000 often and I see no reason why 300 would be an issue - but I have seen more 7mm high scores at the longer distances. Creedmoor - I have a friend that shoots one in F-Open successfully. , but they are not common on the range at my clubs, other than in factory rifles.

 

[Chaotik]

I have a 6.5x47 and it is very accurate and has shot clean targets at 600 yard F class. I have not shot this rifle at a 600 yard Benchrest match, but I know of people that have, although I have never seen one win any matches. In my experience the 6mm is more popular at 600 yards. My only experience at 1000 yard Benchrest is with 6mm.

 

[ChrisNZ]

.. Creedmoor - I have a friend that shoots one in F-Open successfully. , ..

Well I've not seen it happen at national level. One of my team mates used his 6.5x47 to win a provincial title recently but it wasn't past 600yd. Conditions weren't good either. He was using 140 Bergers apparently.

 

[Cochran]

I’ve got one 6.5x47 barrel but wouldn’t do it again. Could not find any speed or accuracy with any 140 class bullet. The 123-130 grain bullets were ok but my 6BR’s with with 105-107 bullets shoot way better

 

[Evan]

Many people advised me to go a different direction and I decided I wanted to try making a 6.5 work because I was attracted to its middle of the road proportions. It resulted in an emotional rollercoaster of “it shoots awesome” one day to “well this is mediocre” the next. Mediocre being 2” at 600yds in practice and awesome being under an inch. This was with Lapua and Peterson brass and Berger, Lapua, Sierra, Vapor Trail, and a private custom bullet ranging from 130 up to 153gns. RL16 was best. The Berger 153 was the most consistent shooter of all the bullets I tried.

BR is different than F-class. The course of fire prioritizes and penalizes different attributes. I don’t think any 6.5 is a good starting place for a benchrest (or f-class) shooter if they’re building something new to go compete with.

 

[marchx]

Many people advised me to go a different direction and I decided I wanted to try making a 6.5 work because I was attracted to its middle of the road proportions. It resulted in an emotional rollercoaster of “it shoots awesome” one day to “well this is mediocre” the next. Mediocre being 2” at 600yds in practice and awesome being under an inch. This was with Lapua and Peterson brass and Berger, Lapua, Sierra, Vapor Trail, and a private custom bullet ranging from 130 up to 153gns. RL16 was best. The Berger 153 was the most consistent shooter of all the bullets I tried.

BR is different than F-class. The course of fire prioritizes and penalizes different attributes. I don’t think any 6.5 is a good starting place for a benchrest (or f-class) shooter if they’re building something new to go compete with.

"mediocre".

 

[Evan]

"mediocre".

Perspective is important. On a range I am intimately familiar with, shooting at a preferred time of day in conditions of my choosing with no match pressures, a BR system that only shoots 2” groups at 600yds is not competitive.

 

[Steveb]

I choose the 6.5 CM over the 6.5 x 47 strictly due to the fact that it is available in both small and large primers so I will never be out of primers (I hope). It took me a lot of trials but I did find a load that shoots extremely accurate and is better than the 6mm BR IMHO. I use this from 300 to 1000 yards. In the winds, the 284's are slightly better but in low wind conditions the 6.5 give the 284's a real run for their money right out to 1000. I don't shoot BR though. I shoot it in F-Open.