6x47 vs 6.5x47 Lapua

[rcw3]

I just received some 6.5x47 Lapua brass and I cannot seem to make up my mind whether to leave it 6.5 mm or go to 6mm. It seems like most people in the US immediately want to take it to 6mm, but I am not sure why. When I do some quick measuring, it seems a quick and easy way to make a 6mm die for the brass would be to cut off the bottom of one of my 6XC sizing dies by .050" and put a small decapping pin into the die, and that would do it. But, as I look around at the chambered 6mm barrels I have, I am thinking what would this 6mm do that the others I have don't,243 Win, 6mm/22-250, 6XC, 6mmAR)?

Maybe I am missing something here but why is everyone so eager to pass this up in its 6.5 mm form and go to 6mm?

Robert Whitley
6mmAR.com

 

[jb1000br]

Robert,

In my mind, the 6mm will do better for a dedicated 1K rifle...for anything less and some 1K use, the 6.5 would serve well.

Both will make a great mag-feeding tactical round too I think.

We can just let the case alone...c'mon now

YMMV,
JB

 

[StephenPerry]

RCW
The 6X47 is a proven cartridge. For 25 years it served benchrest shooters very well. Not knowing the 6.5X47 I would say that the 6mm has the best bullet selection of the small to midsize cartridges. Depends what you want if you want a varmint cartridge the 6.5 would be fine. Target and varmint the 6X47 fills both bills. The only limitation on the 6X47 was obtaining good brass. I had Remington, Federal, RWS, Herters. Herters is probably the best for the 6X47. But if you have the time and ability to mike cases and make lots any of the .222Mag brass will make fine 6X47 cases.
Stephen Perry

 

[457ciSBC]

RCW
The 6X47 is a proven cartridge. For 25 years it served benchrest shooters very well. Not knowing the 6.5X47 I would say that the 6mm has the best bullet selection of the small to midsize cartridges. Depends what you want if you want a varmint cartridge the 6.5 would be fine. Target and varmint the 6X47 fills both bills.
Stephen Perry

Not to be confused with the 6x47SM, the 6x47 than was used in benchrest was based on the 222 Rem Mag case.

 

[StephenPerry]

That is correct. I don't know what a 6X47 SM is. Another alphabet soup cartridge.
Stephen Perry

 

[Cheechako]

Stephen

This is the 21st Century man. The 6x47 SM is a new Swiss Match cartridge similar to the old 6 x 250 wildcat. The 6.5 x 47 Lapua is almost the same thing only 6.5mm. Both are cutting edge long range cartridges. You know long range. It's that part of NBRSA that you don't like.

Ray

 

[StephenPerry]

Ray
The guy that started the Thread asked about the 6X47. The other guy made reference to the 6X47SM. I was only talking about the 6X47 which I figure you know. Answer his comparison with the 6.5X47. Some of you guys have a way of twisting the original question to what you want to talk about. Gee sounds like another Forum I used to know.
Stephen Perry

 

[AlanPF]

Mr Perry,

With respect, I believe the original question was comparing the 6.5x47 with its necked down equivalent,using the same new case).

Alan

 

[expiper]

I dont know if this is an answer to the original ??? but ...I am necking down the 6.5 brass to 6mm because I have several 6mm bbls and NO 6.5 bbls.....also I think the case is just rite as Goldielocks would say ....for the 6mm bore....Im not saying it wont work as a 6.5,,,,just got several bbls and lotsa bullets in 6mm....gona use em up before I try the 6.5...Roger

 

[StephenPerry]

Alan
OK.
But when someone says 6X47 that is the .222 Mag with a 6mm mandrel opening it to 6X47. Any other thing like a 6X47 SM made off another case is another story. I am definately not confused on what a 6X47 is I own a couple.
Stephen Perry

 

[6Dasher]

SM = Swiss Match, been around for a few years though.

I ordered 6.5x47Lapua reamers and almost got your 6x47 necked up to 6.5. Good thing I checked So you're not the only one.

 

[Forum Boss]

I dont know if this is an answer to the original ??? but ...I am necking down the 6.5 brass to 6mm because I have several 6mm bbls and NO 6.5 bbls.....also I think the case is just rite as Goldielocks would say ....for the 6mm bore....Im not saying it wont work as a 6.5,,,,just got several bbls and lotsa bullets in 6mm....gona use em up before I try the 6.5...Roger

Roger, I here what you're saying. I have an unchambered Broughton 6mm barrel that's been waiting a long time for this brass. However, seeing what Darrell Jones has been able to do with the Cauterucio 120s and RL15, I think "just right" may apply to the 6.5mm as well.

One note of caution. The brass Darrel did initial testing had 49.0 capacity. The stuff he just got from Grafs was 47.0 un-fireformed. I don't know why the difference, except perhaps the very early Euro stuff was not full assembly-line stuff.

Either way,6mm or 6.5) it looks like the case will reliably run .58 BC bullets at 3030-3100,even at 47.0gr capacity). That's a significant advantage over a 6BR running a Berger 105 at 2900-2950.

 

[Buzzbee]

Ok, I'm totally confused. Is 6X47 and 6x47SM 2 different cartrige? If I was to tell a gunsmith to chamber it for Lapua brass, which would it be ? Or can I turn the brass to fit the other ?

 

[jb1000br]

Buzzbee

6x47 = 222mag case necked up
6x47SM = Swiss Match, looks like a big 6mmBR,308 bolt face)
6x47 Lapua = new 6.5x47 Lapua case necked down to 6mm

JB

 

[Forum Boss]

Ok, I'm totally confused. Is 6X47 and 6x47SM 2 different cartrige? If I was to tell a gunsmith to chamber it for Lapua brass, which would it be ? Or can I turn the brass to fit the other ?

We're talking about FOUR different cartridges in fact:

'Old' 6x47,.222 Magnum necked up to 6mm)

RUAG 6x47 SWISS MATCH,Similar to a 6XC but shorter; used in 300m competition; brass very difficult to obtain in the USA)

6mm/6.5x47 Lapua,6mm necked-down wildcat version using the NEW Lapua 6.5x47 case which is a "long BR" with 47.0gr H20 capacity, small flash hole, small primer pocket). Robert Whitley calls his wildcat the 6mmHOT,See www.6mmHOT.com )

6.5x47 Lapua,NEW parent case for 6mm wildcats)

 

[Buzzbee]

I see, so if I tell my gunsmith I want a 6x47 Lapua chamber, does that make any sense?

 

[jb1000br]

yea, but he probably won't know what it is...unless he reads off this site

JB

 

[Cheechako]

Buzz

Man, if I was you I'd get a 6x47 LAPUA empty from somebody who has already gone down that road and show it to your gunsmith. If he starts scratching his head get in your pickup and leave. Or, find out who has been doing the chambers for the other guys and if they recommend their gunsmith go that route. The x47 brass is so new that guys on other Forums are still asking to see pictures of it.

Ray

 

[Buzzbee]

Ray,
please.... all I want to know is the proper name for this new chamber.

 

[shcal]

Follow Moderator's link to the 6mmHOT, there's a reamer design link for a reamer designed by Pacific Tool for various bullet weights. Why not buy a reamer and have your smith use it to chamber your barrel?

Has anyone done extensive testing on the 6X47 Lapua yet? I would like to read some real world experience with this cartridge.
Barrel twist, bullets, powder, velocity, etc. I think this would make a great little varmint cartridge with a repeater action.
shcal.