6.5x47 Rifle Build

[rkittine]

Hi All,

I am new to long range shooting and do not intend to get into any serious competition. Locally I have 100, 200 and 300 yard ranges available to me and have 400 through 1,000 yard ranges available if I want to drive a considerable distance. Will probably shoot mostly 200 and 300 as I learn.

In talking to a number of rifle builders, the 6.5x47 has been recommended based on my want to shoot out to 1,000 yards and the better barrel life over say a 6.5x284.

My question is though, will this caliber be a good potential (if I can reload correctly and shoot a well built rifle close to its potential) for only 200 / 300 yard shooting? I read that some calibers are not as good close in as they are out at long ranges due to bullet stabilization in flight? This does not seem logical to me as I would think once the group spreads it is only going to spread more, but I might be wrong, hence looking for some insight.

Thanks, Bob

 

[Buzz]

The less accurate at shorter distance thing is a bit of a misconception. A better way to think of it is that some cartridges hold their accuracy over distance better than others. The 6ppc and 6br are a good example. The ppc is more accurate than the br at 100 and 200, but the br holds its accuracy better than the ppc out to 600.

The 6.5x47 lapua was designed for 300m competition so I'd say it would work quite well for what you're using it for.

 

[Mega]

Nothing wrong with a 6.5x47L at shorter ranges. I have one custom competition rifle that has often shot at 0.1 MOA out to 200 yards then my wind / mirage skills get in the way and it blows out a tad to about 0.2 MOA at 550 yards group shooting. 130gr pointed Berger VLD Target and a very tight reloading regime.

It's also a 30BR Switch Barrel so I prefer to use that at shorter range score as I consider it a waste of barrel wear unless it's longer ranges. 6mmBR for group. If I had the extra funds I'd include a PPC Bolt and use 6PPC instead. All one Action, Stock and Scope, Barrel depending on the competition shoot.

 

[X-Caveman]

I'm well invested in 6.5x47 and like the caliber very much. It will shoot 200-300 yards extremely well. You can do well at 1,000 with it, but you'll need to be a better shooter than those with the big .30's and 7mm's if you're in a competition against them. In my case, the guys with the better ballistics are also better at reading & adjusting for conditions, so it doesn't work out for me. I know you stated you weren't concerned about LR competition, but once bitten, you don't know where this hobby is going to take you...

If I were to start over for 100-300 paper target/ clay shooting only (not worried about terminal ballistics/ hunting/ ringing a gong/ magazine feeding/ factory ammo availability, etc), I'd go with the 6BR. If you want better ballistics and aren't afraid of forming brass, then I'd say the Dasher is a great choice. Just my $.02, you really can't go wrong with any of the 3.

 

[rkittine]

Thanks Guys,

I think I get the accuracy vs. yardage thing. I have seen .22 rim fires that shoot better groups at 50 yards then .17 HMR, but then the .22 rim fire groups degrade quicker than the .17 at 100 and though not as tight a group, still may tighter than the .22. I have considered the Dasher and have fire formed cases in the past, but would prefer something I can shot with some factory loads to get a supply of brass.

I also get the "you might get bitten by the bug to compete" then I would have a reason to get another rifle.

After hanging up my shotguns (and selling them all) I got the bug last April to start shooting Skeet only again. 11 Shotguns later, I am shooting a lot of Skeet, some trap, some 5 stand and some Sporting Clays. Fortunately I have a job that allows me a lot of free time during daylight.

I am setting up my Remington 700 VLS in .22-250 to start to learn and practice more, which will give me time to keep getting input and then to finally order and wait for a rifle.

My plan is to visit PC in North Carolina in November and Hammonds next week.

Bob

 

[hdbiker1]

I've found the 6.5x47 a very good round. Mine is shooting .2-.3 moa out to 400yds. The one time I took it out to 625yds, I was shooting one of those small fire extinguishers (3.5"x12"). Shooting across a canyon, the time I did miss was by a couple of inches one side or the other because of the wind. Also, ask Bob Swager what he thinks. He's posted many groups on the old Hide and has about 5 of them built by Bob Gradous.

 

[GSPV]

I have considered the Dasher and have fire formed cases in the past, but would prefer something I can shot with some factory loads to get a supply of brass.

IMHO, this is a waste of time and resources. It's not like a shotgun where reloads hope to be as good as factories. In a precision rifle, tuning the load (powder charge, seating depth and, to lesser degree, neck tension) is the all of it. Shooting factory loads in a precision rifle to get brass is like doing practice laps with your race-day engine in the car.

Buy a box of brass and go. Save time and money. Most importantly, save your barrel. It has a finite life.

As to the cartridge, a straight 6 BR, any of the improved 6 BRs, or a 6.5x47L would serve you well. A little more pedestrian, but a 7-08 or 308 would not be hateful. If you wanted to focus on longer ranges and a heavier rifle, a 284 Winchester or its improveds, a, 7 RSAUM or, at the extreme upper end, a 300 WSM would work.

Everything is a compromise. It's all about finding what makes you happy.

There is lots of good help here. You'll get a lot of different slants, but you will rarely get flat out bad advice.

My personal bias is toward target-capable cartridges. I'm also very fond of Lapua brass and won't invest in a cartridge that doesn't let me use it.

 

[Bogusname]

I am completely satisfied with my 6.5x47. Keep the pressure down in your loads and practice your environmental conditions reading and you will be very satisfied too. Good barrel life also.

 

[stubbicatt]

I built an F Open rifle in 6.5x47. Have only put about 35 rounds through it in load development so far. I bought it thinking I would compete, but haven't done so yet. I like it a whole lot, and I think you will too.

 

[rkittine]

Thanks again all. I only thought since Lapua makes match grade ammo and seems to be the preferred brass, that starting with their stuff would be a good way to build up a supply of good brass. I will have to see how long it will take to get a set of Dies. What is recommended as the best supplier for dies for this cartridge?

My .22-250 700 VLS has a blued receiver. Is there a vast difference in that compared to a Stainless Steel Receiver if I end up having it accurized and a new SS Barrel installed in another caliber when the current barrel is shot out?

Bob

 

[rkittine]

Precision Rifle and Tool or Hammonds? Others?

Also, is there an advantage to a medium length action over a long action? I saw someone post that they were doing a build (single shot) with a long action, but for a medium cartridge, so that if they re-barreled in the future they would have the ability to re-barrel for a long length cartridge.

Bob

 

[Jason Boersma]

Get Redding or whidden dies, blued or stainless action is just personal preference, they'll both be just as good, stainless will just cost more.

 

[rkittine]

Thanks. You guys are great. I did not know if the steel in the Blued receiver was softer than SS? Long or short action matter? Once I pick the builder, I am sure I will have a bunch more questions and then need to start on the scope. I have a 4-12X VX-3 for my Remington VLS, which I know is pretty mediocre and not high enough power for out to 600 and beyond. Anyone familiar with Jeff Hankin's rifles?

Bob

 

[stubbicatt]

I have been pleased with Whidden dies. High quality for the price that you pay. I started with bushing dies, but at some point I'm contemplating the standard FL die once I arrive at a definite neck tension. Whidden offers a service to hone out the neck portion to customer specification. So much more work to do in arriving at the load the rifle likes. :'(

 

[rkittine]

Thanks - I looked up the die sets and it looked like the Widden was only available in a two die set. Redding offers 2 and three die sets. If I am only going to shoot this caliber in one rifle, I was always under the impression that I should not full length resize as the fired brass will be fire formed to the exact dimensions of the chamber. Has this theory changed? If I am going to load from day one, I guess I need to start getting set up.

Also, if I am going to shoot 100, 200, 300 and occasionally 600 and 1000 yards with this gun, what scope range should I get? Assume I will be better off with a variable rather than fixed BR scope.

Bob

 

[GSPV]

I have several Whidden dies. OTOH, there are great commercial dies available for the 6.5x47L. Redding dies are good, Forster are good, RCBS Gold are good. If you choose to go custom, Harrells also makes a great custom die.

I would highly recommend that you get a bushing FL sizer die and a seater rather than neck sizing only.

There are some hold outs, bout the majority of people are doing a minimal full length resize now rather than neck size only. The key is getting a good die to chamber match.

There are lots of reasons for the FL preference. Since I'm typing with my thumbs, I don't want to drag you into that detail right now.

There are a couple of different options for your seater. One type screws into your press. The other is the Wilson inline seater. You use their with a separate mini press called an arbor press... Some people prefer the former, some the latter.

If you are wanting to shoot small things at long ranges, you need magnification. I don't want to get into scope wars. I'll just tell you that I have a bunch of NightForce scopes and like them a lot. My favorite is the NF Competition. Some people don't like them, others rave. I'm in the rave camp.

 

[Eric Leonard]

I am using the Redding FL bushing die and a .288 bushing my seater is the Forester micrometer adjust and they roll some good ammo,,

 

[Steve3]

First off, been doing my reading and talking to shooters - I want a 6.5x47 in my future.

But what you tell us about your shooting I would start with a good 308 to acquire lots of trigger time. Maybe a Rem 700 5R. You can always use that latter for a build. But chances are you won't, chances are you will keep shooting it.

I shot skeet for many years, trap etc... Love it but rifle is very different. Go slow, keep it real simple. Have yet to fire my 6BR. Been using other stuff to acquire trigger time. If I had to do it again, I would have bought a 308 as components, even reasonably accurate loaded rounds are available.

 

[GSPV]

Bob, you are an electrical engineer. This stuff isnt going to be complicated to you.

Just go to a good long range rifle smith and have them build you a nice rifle. You will be happy that you did and avoided stifling yourself with a factory rifle.

If you need a complete list of stuff, call me again and I'll conference in my shooting partner who shoots a 6.5x47 Lapua and we'll give you a detailed check list.

 

[rkittine]

Thanks Greg,

Hammonds is going to build me a 6.5x47. I think it will fit for what I am trying to do in my first true long range target rifle. I figure for what I can buy this low round count 40XB 260 Remington for, it will just be a good addition to the safe.

I do have plenty of "Trigger Time" in a .308 Long (.30-06). A .22-250, 7mm Rem Mag and a .25-06. Also 221 Fireball in my XP-100 etc., but all to Hunting Tolerances. Thanks for spending so much time on the phone with me.

Bob