6.5x47L reloading questions

[reubenski]

I am shooting a 26" #6 contour chambered in 6.5x47L. I have experimented with H4350, Varget, RL17, and RL15 shooting 130gr Bgr VLDs, 120 SMKs, and 123gr SMKs. The SMKs are high pressure at 2920fps using 37.3grs of Varget. The Bgrs are high pressure at 2890fps using 41.5grs of H4350, 41grs RL17, 38grs of RL15, and 37.5grs of Varget.

I am identifying high pressure signs by hard bolt lift and ejector marks. My rifle,trued 700 action) has an oddly large firing pin hole. This causes primers to protrude at any velocity, even starting loads. I cannot use this as a pressure sign. The loads I have developed are accurate at the max velocity, just below hard bolt lift. Sometimes sticky bolt lift. I am told this cartridge runs at high pressure.

My brass is now on it's 5 or 6th reload and I'm noticing some primers seat very easily. Some of the case rims have also obviously expanded as they are a tight fit in the shellholder. I have read some posts about leaking primer pockets on soft brass. The "post-ers" are using this a sign of unacceptable pressure. They are stating this will kill the brass.

My question is; How are you identifying a loose primer pocket? Is Lapua brass getting worn out at 5 reloads unacceptable, should I expect more? If so, I probably will not be able to get desired velocity from this gun even from 120SMKs.

 

[Dubya]

Get that bolt an firing pin checked out! Even if they are OK, I'd have the bolt bushed and fitted with a smaller firing pin.
Check with "Gre-Tan" in Colorado he does great work.
Gary.

 

[reubenski]

Thanks for the reference! Checked out their site, they look good.

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

I am running quite a bit hotter loads with no pressure signs, and my brass has 6-7 firings and primer pockets are still tight.

Do you know the specs on your chamber/reamer?

Also, as noted, sounds like you need that pin bushed.

 

[reubenski]

Everywhere I look someone is running 150fps faster in my 6.5x47 and 284. I don't know they do it, but they do.

 

[johara1]

Did you open the flash holes larger than .0625? What is your chamber neck size? what is your loaded round neck measure? .........jim

 

[reubenski]

I have not opened up the flash holes, only deburred. My loaded round measures .291 and I'm using a .289 bushing. I do not know the chamber neck size. I have the reamer print from the gunsmith, I'll have to look it up. I did ask for a no turn neck.

 

[Rem06]

i'm on my 7th loading using 130bergers at,2925fps ES=9 x10shots,yesterdays data).
i am having no primer pocket problems.
i do know pressure will show up if i go up but i am working on hitting 2915-2920range so i am going to reduce.
i believe my current loading is using H-4350@41.3gr in a 26"bbl-peredator action.

 

[reubenski]

That load would definately be high pressure in my gun. 40.8gr of 4350 is my max at 2880fps. I have shot 41 and 41.5, but I get sticky and hard bolt lift. I know that by the time that happens the brass is already getting beat up.

 

[JRinCo]

I have a rifle similar to yours, only my barrel is 24" 8.5 twist sporter weight.

It's my theory that this brass doesn't show you pressure signs as easily as domestic brass does. So in the course of your load development, you probably go beyond max pressure and not really realize it. So by the time that you decide what load that you really like, you find that you have some enlarged primer pockets.

I've been working with this barrel for a couple of years now. I find that with H4350, Reloader 15 and N203B, 2725 to 2750 fps. is about all that I can get using 140 gr. weight bullets. I've just started working with Reloader 17 and I can get up to 2825 with the 140 bullets. If I back it down 1/2 a grain I get 2800 fps. with great extreme spread numbers.

Using 130 gr. bullets I'm getting 2850 fps with great accuracy, I've even taken some critters with this load. I haven't yet tried the Reloader 17 with these bullets.