6.5x47 velocity help

[favload]

I am perplexed about the velocity I am getting out of my new 6.5x47 and would like some help.
I loaded the following

123 lapua with 38.0gr of 4350 and was getting around 2700fps
I then tried 40.0 grains and even 41.0 (compressed load in my case)
Here is where it gets wierd. I was getting the same point of impact at 100yds despit the powder difference and velocities in the 2780fpss range which was perplexing me because my father told me he gets close to 2900fps with 41.3 gr. (26" barrel) I wanted to be around 2900 if possible with that powder. I also tried 36.5gr of XBR and was getting 2670fps. Again i was told that load produced close to 2900fps in yet another gun (24" barrel).
Either my chrony is bad or something else is up?? So, I ran two seperate balistics programs to get my come up clicks for 600yds. Program told me about 104 clicks up (1/8th clicks). I used 2800 fps as a vel. Went to the range and needed a total 124 up clicks to get on target. Went home and re-ran the numbers to see my vel. data and came up with you guessed it, around 2600fps to need 124 clicks of evel. The load was 40.0gr 4350. I have a 24" krieger 5R barrel. My dad shoots a 26". I under stand i am losing about 50fps but cant see why i cant get more vel.?? I have very light neck tension. Should i use a tighter bushing? I want to be able to use either 4350 or XBR because i have 2 8 lb jugs of it. I also have some varget.
Please help.
thanks
Jer

 

[40X Guy]

I am most definately no expert as to an answer to your problem, but my 6.5X47L Rock Creek 29 inch barrel shooting 41.2 grains of H4350 under a 123 MK is giving me 2931 fps on my Oehler chrony. If possible try another chrony and maybe a different lot of 4350. But the 24 inch barrel may be handicapping you, but I would think not that much.

Frank

 

[DJ111]

You might want to try some Reloader 15 to get the most out of it.

The 6.5x47 I had with a 30'' bartlein 5r 8.5 twist would do the following.

130 vld 38.6 Varget 2980 fps (600 yard load)

130 vld 41.5 compresed h4350 2920 fps (shot fine but stuck with Varget)

123 a-max 39.3 Reloader 15 3080 fps (not as good as the 130 vld and Varget)

Balistic charts backed up the numbers.

Good Luck,
Dallas

 

[Erik Cortina]

What primers are you using?

Are you experiencing any pressure signs?

One last thing, do you actually sit there and count clicks? Try doing drops in MOA's, much more efficient!

 

[favload]

Thanks, keep sharing info. My barrel is an 8twist by the way and I use cci 450 mags. (200rds new)
I am impressed how the 130s get close to 3000! Wish I could get my 123's there. I may need to try the RL15 but would really like to see the 4350 work out.

 

[jhord]

Try Varget or RL15. I have pushed 120SMK, 120Amax, 123gr versions of the same, and 130VLD all over 3000 fps using Varget or RL15. No pressure signs. One thing I have consistently seen in my particular rifle, (Stiller Predator V w/Brux) is that BR4 primers give more velocity than 450's, despite data here to the contrary. So that might be worth trying too. Or you could just have a slow barrel. I have two 6BR's with identical spec barrels, different makers. One is ~50fps slower than the other with the same loads.

 

[favload]

CAn I use the same weight of Varget as RL15? I have a few lbs of varget. What would be a good starting to get to 2900+ Would 38gr be too little?
thanks
jer

 

[270guy]

Hi,
don't know if this is much help, but I'm getting 2850fps with 38.4g of Varget, out of a 22" barrel with sierra 120grain (hunting load), and still could go with more powder. Thats as far as I've got so far due to bad weather.
Good luck

 

[jhord]

I haven't shot any of the 123 Scenars but with Sierra 123's out of my 29" OAL barrel, 37.8grns of Varget with a BR4 primer and .030" jump will run about 2910fps according to my notes. My best load so far is 38.0 of RL15, Berger 130VLD's jumped .040". Those run about 2905. I get better accuracy with RL15, which stinks because I have 7lbs of Varget sitting here. They are basically interchangeable as far as charge weights, but of course "start low."

 

[favload]

All good info, thanks. I have 8lbs of 4350 and was under the impression I could use it to get to approximately 2900 with the 123. I guess with my gun I may be wrong? When I put 41r in I feel the "crunch" as i seat bullets which I don't like doing. I have a few lbs of varget from my old 6br days I could use but they are all different lots etc. I will try 38gr to check for groups and work up from there. Anyone have good results with XBR? I have access to 8lbs of it and my brothers gun shot lights out with it around 36.5gr, but again not the speed I am looking for.
I want to be able to have the MOA and flight characteristics in wind for 1000 yd shots hense the need to get the velocity. If I was not shooting so far I would make due because the 4350 is very accurate for me just slow as hell.
thanks
Jer

 

[DennisH]

For some reason my 6.5x47L loves 120 SMK's with RL15!

It also likes 123 Lapua's with varget. The below picture gives all info.

28" McGowen 8 twist barrel

I have tried 130's and have the best results with Varget, 34.9grns, on lands. Speed is not there with this load, but look at the group below!

4350 Might be a load to continue working with!

 

[lmorrison17]

Some Barrels are just slower than others. My 6.5x47 Kreiger 8T was one but it shot very well. My match load was 42.1 H4350, Berg. 130 VLD and cci 450's. It only got me 2860 FPS RL15 was faster but my barrel hated it, Varget was better but nothing was as good as H4350. I was worried about velocity too as others were reporting much more than I ever got but as it turned out it didn't matter. I had to pour it in slow with long Forster funnel and on few rounds I still got a crunch but my neck tension was such that it didn't affect my seating depth. I only seated the bullets the night before the match. I say find what shoots best and velocity be damned. Accuracy trumps all and I got the wood to prove it.
Larry