6.5x47 questions finding max load

[Lefty Trigger]

Seems like you've been trying H4350 & slower burn rates. Have you tried Varget or RE-15? Or, since speed isn't your concern, maybe H4895. Likewise, the bullets. You're trying the heavies, but maybe the 123-130gr would shoot better. I also seem to have better luck with very little neck tension in the 6.5x47 - like right at, or slightly less than, .001".

I feel your pain, though. I just gave up on a 6.5x47 barrel with only 550 or so rounds on it. It showed a lot of promise early, but I haven't been able to do anything with it lately. Having another one chambered up at the moment. Just not worth the frustration. Life (and range time) is too short!

I know, I have a back-up barrel already made sitting here but just hate to give up on this one without exhausting all ideas even though I fell like I'm just throwing away supplies sometimes. This barrel has just over 1100 rounds now and still looks new in the bore and has only had .009 throat wear in those 1100 rounds.
I have a great load with RL-15 and the 123's but this long barrel does shoot better with the 140gr bullets.

 

[Evan]

I also seem to have better luck with very little neck tension in the 6.5x47 - like right at, or slightly less than, .001".

I feel your pain, though. I just gave up on a 6.5x47 barrel with only 550 or so rounds on it. It showed a lot of promise early, but I haven't been able to do anything with it lately. Having another one chambered up at the moment. Just not worth the frustration. Life (and range time) is too short!

I run about 0.001" of tension too and have the most success with that so far.

And I kind of agree, though I haven't given up yet on mine - many things to try still! This barrel has showed me repeatable 0.75" at 300 yards and 4" groups at 1000 which isn't bad, it's just not making me excited. My 22BR very quickly showed me 0.5" groups at 300, so I'm feeling like this 6.5x47 is just a bit pickier or something. I'm being kind of stubborn right now about running the big heavy bullets. If I can't get some magic to happen in the next 2-300 rounds, I'm going to get some Berger 130VLD and some BIB, JLK or other custom 130 class bullet and see what shakes out.

 

[newbieshooter]

..........Having said that, one of my fav loads was 40.0grs of H4350 with a Berger 140 LRBT seated 6-7thou INTO the lands. It was that very load one summer at Bayou Rifles that earned me a "High Master" classification at 1000 yards in F-Open...

I was not getting small/consistent groups with different bullets/powder combo in my 6.5x47. In the same range session, I had loaded some Berger 140 LRBT samples a friend gave me to try - for a quick comparison. Without any load development - the Berger 140 LRBT shot groups that were 1/2 the size of any of my other bullets/loads... This barrel just liked the Berger 140 LRBT better than anything else I tried.
ymmv

 

[ShootDots]

I was not getting small/consistent groups with different bullets/powder combo in my 6.5x47. In the same range session, I had loaded some Berger 140 LRBT samples a friend gave me to try - for a quick comparison. Without any load development - the Berger 140 LRBT shot groups that were 1/2 the size of any of my other bullets/loads... This barrel just liked the Berger 140 LRBT better than anything else I tried.
ymmv

My own personal opinion is, is that the Berger 6.5 / 140 LRBT is THEE FINEST 6.5 bullet made>>>period!

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I have the next batch of test loads loaded up at 39.6, 39.8, 40.2 and going to run seating depth on the Hornady bullets to see if that group will close up, it had nice horizontal except those two crazy ones? I have over a 1000 of those bullets so I kinda want them to work. Cant find any of the Noslers anywhere right now.

Brownell’s has got the Nosler CC in stock.

 

[RallyFan]

I’m running 140 Hybrids at 3113fps using 42.5 grains RS60 (same as Reloader17).

 

[Sandstorm]

That's smokin them Paul............sizzle

 

[RallyFan]

That's smokin them Paul............sizzle

That’s the primer on the full house load.

 

[Old Navy]

140 VLD over 40.4 H-4350 and CCI-450s with no pressure signs. Clocked it at 2850-2865 several times. 28" Shilen 1-8 twist. This same charge works well with the 142 also.

 

[North Fork]

Try the 140 gr Berger elite hunter

 

[ChrisNZ]

Seems like you've been trying H4350 & slower burn rates. Have you tried Varget or RE-15? Or, since speed isn't your concern, maybe H4895. Likewise, the bullets. You're trying the heavies, but maybe the 123-130gr would shoot better. ..

I've just swapped stocks on my 6.5L and thought I'd recheck the load while I was at it. I'd been jumping the 123 Scenars a touch so went with a jam for comparison. The screenshot is off an Oehler 43 system. I can live with the lighter projectiles as it'll only be used on targets up to 600yds.

BTW, AR2208 = Varget. This is only a 27" bbl but it's showing no pressure signs despite the decent velocity.