6.5X47L For One Mile

[Old Navy]

I want to try a mile when the weather breaks. The biggest shooter I have is a 6.5X47. I have two good loads. One is a Berger 140 VLD and the other is the 142 SMK. Both are safely running in the 2860 range. Is there a better bullet out there for this?

 

[SweaterDood]

If you have good dope, it will work. The x47L case really won’t be able to push a heavier bullet to any advantage over the 140-142 class. The only other option would be a lighter more efficient monolithic bullet for faster speed. But then you would likely need a faster twist rate (1:7). Good luck and let us know how it goes

 

[Old Navy]

I have good dope on both. I shot both of them one time at 1200 last summer. Both 5 shot groups. 6.4" for the VLD and 7.3" for SMK. I didn't think the case size would be better with a bigger bullet. Doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[shoot4fun]

I want to try a mile when the weather breaks. The biggest shooter I have is a 6.5X47. I have two good loads. One is a Berger 140 VLD and the other is the 142 SMK. Both are safely running in the 2860 range. Is there a better bullet out there for this?

With the details you provided JBM shows your 140VLD @ 2,860 will need right at 67 MOA dial up to get to 1 mile. The bullet will need to be able to transition into subsonic flight a bit before it makes the entire journey so you should hope that 140VLD will handle the transition well enough not to totally go out of control.
I made my calculations based on your Utah location and an average altitude of 6,100 feet ASL so the results could be better or worse. BTW, does your scope allow for 67 MOA real world dialing above the 100 yard zero?
Not saying you cannot do it but it will be a definite challenge of man, machine and laws of physics.
Good Luck!

 

[Old Navy]

Your JBM numbers are close to mine. Elevation is 4550. I have a Golden Eagle that will work. I have a 8X32 NXS I just mounted so I am not sure about it. I have a big target and a Longshot LR-3. Should be fun. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Evan]

I want to try a mile when the weather breaks. The biggest shooter I have is a 6.5X47. I have two good loads. One is a Berger 140 VLD and the other is the 142 SMK. Both are safely running in the 2860 range. Is there a better bullet out there for this?

I can drive the 153 Berger at 2820 with my 6.5x47 and RL16, and 140s right about your 2860. The numbers on the 153 @ 2820 should put you at 1700 yards with an extra 100fps over the 140. Could be a big difference. The gun shoots better at 2780, but it doesn't shoot bad at 2820 although it is hard on the brass.

 

[dstoenner]

Your JBM numbers are close to mine. Elevation is 4550. I have a Golden Eagle that will work. I have a 8X32 NXS I just mounted so I am not sure about it. I have a big target and a Longshot LR-3. Should be fun. Thanks for the reply.

If your nxs is .25 moa clicks you only have 65 moa total.

 

[284winner]

I can drive the 153 Berger at 2820 with my 6.5x47 and RL16, and 140s right about your 2860. The numbers on the 153 @ 2820 should put you at 1700 yards with an extra 100fps over the 140. Could be a big difference. The gun shoots better at 2780, but it doesn't shoot bad at 2820 although it is hard on the brass.

I'd go 153. No questions asked. If it shoots great, park the 140/142s.

 

[Old Navy]

Yes on the .25 MOA clicks. I do have a 20 MOA base mounted and a 40 on the shelf but I would rather not use it. The last time I had it mounted the rifle was 16" high at 100 with the scope bottomed out. Not good for shooting under 600 or so.
Is the 2780 hard on brass also? I am only shooting with 100 Lapua cases and don't want to overpressure them.

 

[shoot4fun]

The 153 A-Tip in my 6.5PRC is a great combination. I don't even run it faster than 3,000 from a 28" barrel but it is really flat and accurate.
I would think the 153/6.5-47 combination could still run in a AICS mag and give you plenty enough powder volume to make it a good choice. Even if you need to single load them it would be my choice.

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

Elevation is your friend for this, and being a Utah resident will help with that. The highest G7 bullet you can load in that case is probably the Berger 144, but make sure your in the correct twist rate range. Should be fun.

 

[Evan]

Yes on the .25 MOA clicks. I do have a 20 MOA base mounted and a 40 on the shelf but I would rather not use it. The last time I had it mounted the rifle was 16" high at 100 with the scope bottomed out. Not good for shooting under 600 or so.
Is the 2780 hard on brass also? I am only shooting with 100 Lapua cases and don't want to overpressure them.

Not in my gun. That was the first node I hit backing down from the high point. My rifle has no ejector plunger (it's a drop port) but it was smearing brass on the face of the bolt at 2820. It isn't at 2780. 6 reloads in and no signs of distress.

I have a 0.166 freebore, so not terribly long. The 153 sits down in the case some. If your chamber has more freebore, you may have even more speed available.

 

[alf]

I want to try a mile when the weather breaks. The biggest shooter I have is a 6.5X47. I have two good loads. One is a Berger 140 VLD and the other is the 142 SMK. Both are safely running in the 2860 range. Is there a better bullet out there for this?

I had a 6.5x47 put together for a long range plinker 3-4 years ago. 140 VLD's were had to get at the time, but I found a good load with pointed 130 VLD's at a hair over 3000.

I did take it out to 1800 plus a couple times. It went subsonic at 1550, but transitioned just fine. I ran out of adjustment on the NF 5.5-20 due to the Bat having only a 20 MOA integral rail, but had no problem holding the reticle for the last 10 MOA I needed.

 

[Old Navy]

My rifle is a Savage 12 Benchrest. Shilen SSM at 28". Don't know the free bore but with the Hornady comparator I am at 2.080" to the lands with the 140 VLD. Shooting a heavier bullet might be a moot point. Can't find any 153s. I was surprised at a couple prices I found from well know vendors. Like $65 a box. Thanks to all for your input. I do have 4350, #16 and 450s if I find some bullets. Hope to get out in the morning to see how high I can get at 50 yards with the NXS. That should tell me if I am even in the ball park.

 

[Jarhead6870]

No need to overthink this...I went to 1860 yards with Berger 140 Hybrids leaving the barrel at 2739 fps without difficulty. Shooting at longer ranges is all about the bullet and it’s ability to go transonic to subsonic.

 

[Old Navy]

No need to overthink this...I went to 1860 yards with Berger 140 Hybrids leaving the barrel at 2739 fps without difficulty. Shooting at longer ranges is all about the bullet and it’s ability to go transonic to subsonic.

Found out today that I have just enough elevation in my scope/rail to get to a mile. I am good to go as soon as it warms up just a little. Cool avatar Jarhead.