6.5x47l with 110 freebore

[Nude nut]

Hi folks,
new member first post.
Im looking for oal and cbto measurements for 110 freebore in this cartridge with berger 130 vld target just for comparison to my own measurements.
Berger lists 2.800 oal and 39.7gr of H4350 with a 103% fill ratio I cant even close the bolt at this measurement my case measurements fore my chamber are,
OAL-2.740
CBTO-2.085 5thou in the lands
130 berger vld target
the boat tail bearing surface junction is approx 60 thou past shoulder, neck junction.
Im at 40.3gr of ar2209/h4350 without any pressure sighns ,
velocity is 2842fps.
Al info I have seen all the freebore numbers have been much more than mine Im starting to wonder how much higher I can go up in charge weight some numbers from folks with same freebore would be good for cross refrence I know all rifles are different .
Also if not 130 berger I have 123 scenar,136l scenar and berger 140 hybrids I wont write measurements for these I be here all night.
rifle specss are
stiller ss viper s/a single shot
barell is truflite hvy palma ultra match 8 twist 32in
Stock grs F/TR
scope 15x55x52 night force comp.

Cheers Trev

 

[Eric Leonard]

your freebore is about .075 short I think,

 

[X-Caveman]

My reamer has a .123" freebore. With my measuring tools, techniques, lot of bullets, etc my CBTO at lands with a Berger 130VLD is 2.09" on a new chamber. I seat at 2.07" when doing load development and can get about 41.5gr of H4350 before the bullet touches the powder. No pressure signs at 41.5gr, but I usually end up around 40.5gr for about 2,850 fps in a 26" barrel. Quite frankly, it really doesn't seem to matter much between about 40.2gr to 41.0gr. There seems to be a nice wide accuracy node there.

Our freebores are shorter than most, but they grow. I'd stick with 130 & 123 class bullets for the first several hundred rounds anyway. I think you'll need to be able to get 39gr + powder under the 140 class bullets to get enough V to take advantage of the better BC. I've got one with about 2,000 rounds on it, and through improper cleaning, odd barrel steel lot, shooting too fast, something (I don't know) - I HAD to switch to the 140 Hybrid at about 1,750 if I wanted to seat anywhere near the lands. Starting at .123", it's grown about .10", but it's still a hammer!

 

[Nude nut]

Thanks for the reply chaps,
This is a new barrel I thought the velocity would be better im sure it will speed up some with more rounds through it only has about 50 down it at the moment.
Alloy Targets thanks for the info I will be sticking with 123 and 130 gr I knew the freebore was to short for 140s I have anotherbarrel I may have that chambered with longer freebore. Your 2.090 at the lands confirms my freebore as im 2.080 at the lands it may not be gospal but its a good reference.

Cheers Trev.

 

[avidflyer]

your freebore is about .075 short I think,

Best 6.5 Ive ever owned had a 109 FB and was always on the 1's. Stillers guys chambered it. H4350 with 123 scenars....

 

[Mega]

Trev, how old are your Berger 130gr VLD's (Lot #). Don't believe any measurements from Berger, they can't get their facts right.

Over the past years Berger have changed the dimensions of these bullets.

Back with Lot #3262 the OAL was 1.400" BTO 0.604"...then
Lot #5196 the OAL was 1.400" BTO 0.622" ...then and pretty much the current one's
Lot # 6563 the OAL was 1.316" BTO 0.552" .

Other lot#'s may have also varied but these were the only one's I had for measurements.

The bearing surface length has also shortened and the pressure ring on all my latest Lot#'s has gone. I have had to adjust neck tension to compensate also.

Comparing with my gauges the 123gr Scenar Bullets I have are longer by 0.060" BTO than the current 130gr Berger.

140gr Berger VLD's have also been reduced in length from what they were in the past when I had a barrel chambered specifically for them. Now with a little throat wear I can't even seat a bullet on the lands or it nearly falls out of the neck.

If I seat a current Lot# 130gr VLD to a COAL of 2.800" the bullet boat tail / bearing surface junction is about half way up the case neck. I'd say my freebore is a little longer than yours, don't know a specific length as my Smith uses a seperate reamer to do the throat to suit the seating depth I require.

My problem is different to yours in that two of my other chambers I have to get the freebore shortened in order to use the Berger Bullets. I'll be switching to 123gr Scenar if I can and save all the extra expense if they will shoot as accurately.

My target range is 500 metres (Fly) and I could never get 140gr VLD's to perform anywhere near as accurate or consistant as the 130's with AR2208. A number of other competitors using this calibre have all come to the same conclusion although our seating depth varies slightly.

 

[Nude nut]

Mega,
my lot No for the berger 130 vld target is the same 6563 but mine measure different BTO is 0.654 and OAL is 1.313,
the 123 scenars are
lot No P00706602
BTO-0.730
OAL-1.298

Lot No P00706601
BTO-0.730
OAL-1.296
Seems the scenars would be more consistant tnan the bergers Im all new to this side of reloading so I would assume it best to check each new batch and make adjustments if required.
I would also take it by your info that it would be more practical to stick with 123 to 130 range projectiles and Im okay with that I shall note down about the neck tension for future reference if that issue pops up.
I have loaded my ammo for several years now mainly for hunting so im just now going through the finer points for making precision ammo
and concentrate on target shooting as I cant hunt no more and my younger brother just started comp shooting and is eager to get me in on it im loading his ammo for him so it will benefit him also.

Cheers Trev.

 

[Mega]

Trev,

I think the difference in our measurements is what comparator is being used. Mine are the two types of Sinclair.

My 123gr Scenar are the same Lot # P00706601 (bulk 1,000) and the same length 1.296". Your BTO measurements are consistantly the same but longer than mine so it's the gauge that's different not the bullets. My Scenar BTO is .605" which is 0.125" shorter than you measure. The other difference I will take as to where on the ogive the measurement is made and hence that difference.

I'd say your Berger and Lapua bullets are the same as mine.

Sounds like my freebore is longer, slightly and was actually cut for the Scenar 123gr.

I wonder where in Australia you are, near Bathurst NSW here. I compete in 200 Yard Rimfire Fly, 300m Fly and 500m Fly National Comps. Just aquired 2 x 6mmPPC's so will be shooting Sporter, Light Varmint and Heavy Varmint Benchrest as soon as I get load development completed. Mostly March Scopes and a couple of Leupolds.

For the Berger 130gr in the shorter freebore chamber my CBTO is 2.010" COAL is 2.784" but these bullets have been Meplat trimmed and pointed then Moly coated. So, the way I see it is that my freebore is longer than yours. My bullets are where I want them about half way down the neck.

I wonder if your Smith has a Throating Reamer, might pay to ask and extend the throat a tad to suit you. That will keep you away from the shoulder / neck junction and any possible donut.

If I order another Reamer to do my other rifles it will be either a .150" or .175" but Zero is more on the cards and cut a throat to suit a seating depth. I'm trying to get back the accuracy I had before all these bullet changes and that was 0.2-0.25" consistantly at 200 yards or about 0.1 MOA. My abilities to read conditions lets me down over distance and I shoot about 0.700" at 300m and 1.180" at 500m best groups so far. Lots of work to do.

 

[Nude nut]

Mega,
Im using hornady comparator and im with you that different gauges read different Im in S.A in the flinders ranges.
I have been to a club near by and sniffed it out a couple of times but from the information I got ai cant use the range for load data work until I have been a member for 12 months unless its an orginised day.
So at the moment I can drive a couple of minutes down the road and shoot up to 700yrd and do load work until im familar with this rifle and happy with the load rather than drive 60 klometers with a load that is not consistent.
I did ask for my chamber to be longer but smith talked me out of it he will extend it if I want but I will just go with it for now I do have another barrel sitting here so I will see how things go.
My next steps for now is to master annealing and neck turning my chamber is .293 no turn but I think a clean up of the necks may stop the odd flier im getting.
Also you mentioned donut area im approx 60 thou above that with the 130 berger the load im shooting at the moment seems okay but not confirmed until I finish new mount for chrony tomorrow.
Last time out testing other loads when finished I had 2 rounds of the load that has showen promise so before I packed up I decided to shoot then into a 1/2 inch sticky label at 200yrds they made 1hole smack in the middle I know its only 200yrd but made me smile.
anyway thanks for your info and time.

Cheers Trev.

 

[Mega]

Trev, I am blessed in that my test range is at home from in front of my garage/workshop on a rural property and can test out to 800 metres. However, all my load testing of ammo is done at 200 yards and then use further for sighting in and match prep. Anything shorter would only be for setting up scopes or a single test round to get on target. It is great to be able to duck into the house and make adjustments on the run.

I wonder if the Gunsmith is Ziersch. Interesting if so as a mate has just ordered a new custom build in 6.5x47 Lapua. He will be waiting 12 mths or so.

If you are interested in travelling there is a 200/500 Fly Weekend happening down at Monarto in September and they are looking for shooters to their first event.

Please feel free to PM me anytime. Over the next few weeks I'll be a little busy though tuning loads for three people for a competition weekend end of next month.

All the very best.
Lindsay

 

[Nude nut]

Lindsay.
Thanks for the invite but its hard for me to commit as my partner is a nurse and travels alot weekends included but I shall ask her nxt week when she returns from QLD.
Ziersch is the smith I use he has done plenty of work for me over a period of time I waited for over a year and I had all the parts hes just busy busy and a nice bloke always willing to give you his time and Im very happy with this new rifle.
Yes your a lucky bugger doing all your load data at home thats the ticket, myself I have shooting bench in my ute and press to seat bullets I pre load powder and put foil over the case and put those colored elastic bands the kids use to make wrist bands with different color for different charge weight that way I dont have to pull bullets.

Cheers Trev.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I sent in a dummy to JGS with a 140 hybrid seated to 2.8" oal. That put the pressure ring in the sized part of the neck above the area the bushing does not get down to. They measured it .143" I trust their measurements as they have always been spot on the numbers I order.