6.5x47L Info Page?

[ThunderDownUnder]

I agree with your comments (dont I always) Laurie!

Firstly, the AI version of the 6.5x47L should have some serious grunt in a long barrel with a strong target bolt action. I get the Scenar 139gr bullets to exit at 2920fps out of a 32.5" barrel with 38.5 grains of Varget. I would expect maybe 2950fps (6.5-284 territory) with the AI version.
When launched at 2920fps the velocity drops to 1602fps at 1000 yards with 66 inches drift in a 10 mph crosswind. When you point up the 139gr Lapua Scenars you end up with a G7 BC of approx 0.300 which is pretty damn good for a bullet as well priced and dimensionally consistent as these bullets are.

Now having said all that, I get to the bit where I agree with Laurie. The 6.5x47L is a truly accurate, tight grouping machine out to 600 yards and then the wind gives it a difficult time. Maybe if you can run extreme velocities and get 2950fps you will do better than I have been able to do regularly at long range. I shot against a 7mm SAUM at 1000 yards in the wind last weekend and was beaten convincingly. On calm days I'm competitive on the longer ranges but in the wind I struggle to keep up with the 7mm guns.

My solution is to do as Laurie recommends and shoot the 6.5x47L on the shorter ranges out to 600 yards. I have ordered a 7mm barrel and just taken delivery of a 284 Shehane reamer so I will have the long ranges covered with 180gr Berger VLDs launched at 2950fps very soon.

Final comment on this superb cartridge is when will the "6.5x47L Info Page" become a reality on this great website?

Ian

 

[RallyFan]

Laurie & Ian,

Thanks to both of you for your observations and advice, it certainly has given me food for thought.

This is my first full-bore rifle, having spent the last several years borrowing the 'club' gun. As such, it was always intended to be a long lived learning tool, the rifle equivalent of a Swiss Army Knife - multipurpose, hence the 6.5x47L chambering. From the start I knew that it couldn't be as competitive as the big 7mm canons at extended ranges. Not that it needs to be mind you, I think it will be a season or three before I have developed my marksmanship and reloading skills to the point where I can explore the rifles true potential.

For info, it is chambered on a 29" Bartlien blank I found for sale at £290 - a bargin, but probably too short in reality
I had origionaly intended to steer clear from the VLD projectiles until I have more reloading experience, but am now considering grasping the nettle and tackling them from the start.

Thanks again, and best regards,

Paul

 

[Laurie]

For info, it is chambered on a 29" Bartlien blank I found for sale at £290 - a bargin, but probably too short in reality
I had origionaly intended to steer clear from the VLD projectiles until I have more reloading experience, but am now considering grasping the nettle and tackling them from the start.

Paul,

that was a bargain - lucky you! Give the VLDs a try. Sometimes they shoot very well without too much trouble. Berger Bullets is producing so many new 'long-range' models too with tangent ogives that are close to (sometimes even better than) VLD BCs that there is a tremendous choice of recently introduced high-performance 6.5mm bullets to try. Bergers are now available in the UK from Fox Firearms in Stockport, Norman Clark Gunsmiths in Rugby, and Tim Hannam in North Yorkshire (all have websites, so you can get contact details there if you don't have phone numbers).

The 29" barrel gives you a bit more velocity which helps too. It isn't too short - going for greater length would give you very little extra with this little cartridge. You should have a very competitive rig with the AI action and chassis - until last Sunday Darrel Evans held the UKBRA 600yd BR 'Factory Sporter Class' small group record with a 25.5" barrel 6.5X47L Accuracy International AW (just snatched off him by Phil Gibbon with a Savage 12F 6.5-284). It won't embarrass you out to 1,000yd either if you fancy trying it in long-range F either - as long as you don't expect a top ten place in a national round against the 7mmWSMs!

Good shooting,

Laurie

 

[RallyFan]

All,

Given the thoughts and recommendations above, does anyone have load data for the 6.5x47L running Berger 140gn VLD projectiles?

Thanks in advance,

Paul
Northamptonshire, England

Update :
Following Laurie's advice, I've got a couple of boxes of Berger 6.5mm 140gn VLD (type 26401) bullets on the way.
I'd also like to thank Walt Berger of Berger Bullets for helping with load data.

 

[DennisH]

Looking for 130gr load data for my 6.5x47L

McGowen 28" barrel, 8 twist

 

[blowemup]

Looking for 130gr load data for my 6.5x47L

McGowen 28" barrel, 8 twist

im now using the Berger 130 vld with 37.5 gr Varget also with a 8 twist

 

[JabaliHunter]

When this page becomes reality, it would also be great if some consideration could be given to loads with hunting type bullets and shorter 22-24in barrels...
Definitely looking forward to it...

 

[Erik Cortina]

When this page becomes reality, it would also be great if some consideration could be given to loads with hunting type bullets and shorter 22-24in barrels...
Definitely looking forward to it...

130 Berger VLD is a hunting type bullet!

I'll try to post some info on that, I'm developing loads for 129 SST, 120 Nosler BT, 129 Interbond, etc.

Work up to this load!
As a matter of fact, the 129 SST loaded to 2.700" COAL loaded with CCI 450 primers and 40.0 grains of Reloader 17 shoots extremely well, 1/4" 5 shot groups at 100 yards!

 

[HORSEMEN]

Its been a while. Are we still working on a info page?

 

[paulnyc]

+1 on an info page

 

[M14AMU]

Looking for 130gr load data for my 6.5x47L

McGowen 28" barrel, 8 twist

DennisH

This is what my Jon Beanland built 6.5x47L will do using the Sierra 123 gr. HPMK delivers on a regular basis from 1000 yds.



There are 17 rounds on this target...the inner plate being 20" diameter; same size as the NRA HP LR bull used in Palma comp. My first two sighter shots are at the extreme 9 o/clock position...the others all made the 10" X ring excluding one I saw go slightly below the first two sighter shots as shown. This was using 38.5 Varget w/BR-4 primers...bullet touching the lands in my Krieger barrel which is 1-8.5 ROT. This was shot in a fairly stiff crosswind coming in from 3 o/clock position. I have tried the Berger and Norma 130 gr. VLDs also and they shoot just as well if not slightly better using 40 grs. Varget. The 38.5 load of Varget is max in this rifle during times of 90F temp and the 40.0 Varget load works well when temps are in the 60F range or lower! Barrel length is 25".

 

[GSSP]

Looking for 130gr load data for my 6.5x47L

McGowen 28" barrel, 8 twist

130 Berger VLD Hunting, 40.25-40.8 (depending upon lot #) gr H4350, CCI 450. Seated 10 thou into lands. Redding Type-S FL bushing die with .289 bushing. 26" Krieger, 1:8.5, 2800 to 2860 fps. Single digit SD's. Always sub .75 MOA with many, many sub 1/2 MOA.

Alan

 

[ktoney]

20" Broughton 5C
OAL 2.750
123 scenar
42.8 RE17
Wolf SRM primer
2900 fps guessing
actual range data 250 -500yds 5.75MOA

updated input wrong charge weight

 

[GSSP]

20" Broughton 5C
OAL 2.750
123 scenar
41.7 new brass
41.9 fire formed brass
2900 fps

What powder? :

 

[shooter65]

What is your fps?

Looking for 130gr load data for my 6.5x47L

McGowen 28" barrel, 8 twist

DennisH

This is what my Jon Beanland built 6.5x47L will do using the Sierra 123 gr. HPMK delivers on a regular basis from 1000 yds.



There are 17 rounds on this target...the inner plate being 20" diameter; same size as the NRA HP LR bull used in Palma comp. My first two sighter shots are at the extreme 9 o/clock position...the others all made the 10" X ring excluding one I saw go slightly below the first two sighter shots as shown. This was using 38.5 Varget w/BR-4 primers...bullet touching the lands in my Krieger barrel which is 1-8.5 ROT. This was shot in a fairly stiff crosswind coming in from 3 o/clock position. I have tried the Berger and Norma 130 gr. VLDs also and they shoot just as well if not slightly better using 40 grs. Varget. The 38.5 load of Varget is max in this rifle during times of 90F temp and the 40.0 Varget load works well when temps are in the 60F range or lower! Barrel length is 25".

 

[M14AMU]

shooter65

Speed?? Don't know as my 35P is being over-hauled at present! I'm guessing probably about 2950 fps...maybe slightly better!

 

[shooter65]

That is exactly what I am getting with my 6.5x47 using 37.2 gr of Varget with the 123 Scenar. 26'' Brux.

shooter65

Speed?? Don't know as my 35P is being over-hauled at present! I'm guessing probably about 2950 fps...maybe slightly better!

 

[ktoney]

My bad
RE17
updated post to reflect info

 

[DennisH]

That is exactly what I am getting with my 6.5x47 using 37.2 gr of Varget with the 123 Scenar. 26'' Brux.

36.2 Varget, CCI primers, set on lands, works best for my rifle with 123 Scenar's! Every gun is different

McGownen, 8 twist, 28"

 

[DennisH]

There are 17 rounds on this target...the inner plate being 20" diameter; same size as the NRA HP LR bull used in Palma comp. My first two sighter shots are at the extreme 9 o/clock position...the others all made the 10" X ring excluding one I saw go slightly below the first two sighter shots as shown. This was using 38.5 Varget w/BR-4 primers...bullet touching the lands in my Krieger barrel which is 1-8.5 ROT.

38.5 is TOO hot for my gun! Don't ask me why, but I ruined several Lapua cases with this load, again, every gun is different!

Matter of fact, my best load is 35.0 Vargert, pushing 130 Bergers, cci primers, avg speed 2,850! Figure this out for me! Most other people I talk to use at least 37.0 grns Varget.