6XC vs. 6,5x47 vs. 6,5x55 vs. 308 Win. ....help please !

[Gunner66]

Hi Folks, first post here, so...be gentle ! ;D

I am a Hunter, a "recreational" target shooter ;D and a reloader...very passionate about hunting and shooting alike.
I am in the process of buying a "modular" rifle for shooting long range and occasional hunting as well (Deer sized game mainly).

Already set on the rifle, but I am now in pain for choosing the "right" caliber.
I was previously quite happy by going with the evergreen good 'ol .308 Winchester, but then someone started putting "bugs" in my head.

As you've already notice from the subject, I have four options, as follows :

6XC - 26" Barrel length - 1:8" twist rate

6,5x47 Lapua - 26" Barrel length - 1:8,6" twist rate

6,5x55 SE - 24" Barrel length - 1:8,6" twist rate

308 Winchester - 24" Barrel length - 1:11" twist rate

Same barrel contour (0,86" muzzle OD - Fluted).



Again, most of the shooting will be at Long Range paper targets, 300, 500 and some out to a thousand....

I have no problem for handloading, nor I have to provide the components (Norma or Lapua brass) for all calibers and final price for the rifle will be the same...

I'd say that "running costs" of rounds won't differ much...while there may be a concern on barrel wear for some vs. others...

Please help me make the right choice.

Looking forward to your valuable comments.

Thanks a bunch !
G66

 

[Scott Harris]

6.5x47 Lapua with an 8.0-twist barrel and 140 hybrids gets my vote. Good barrel life, superb brass that will last forever, excellent 1K performance in the wind. Everything the 6XC can do, the 6.5x47 can do better. It will have much less recoil than the 308WIN

 

[mao0720]

+1 for 6.5x47. I put one together as a fun, compact LR gun with a 22 inch barrel. It's performance even at 1000 yds with 123gr Lapua scenars is impressive. The 140 hybrids are awesome, and I think the new 130gr berger hybrids are a match made in heaven for this cartridge.

 

[284winner]

It's a threefer. Hard to beat the wind bucking BC's of the 6.5. Less recoil as well. Great deer round and if it's like my 260 or 6.5-284s, it's a winner on paper too. My personal 2nd choice is the 308. Tough to beat for bullet selection and brass availability.

 

[gilmillan1]

it gets somewhat hard to decide on an all purpose caliber.

my question to you is, what kind of game are you planning on hunting and what is your max distance for hunting said game?

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Hi Folks, first post here, so...be gentle ! ;D

I am a Hunter, a "recreational" target shooter ;D and a reloader....

I have very similar interests and I currently have:

6XC,
2 x 260 Rem
.308 Win

Were I starting from scratch today I suspect the list would read:

6XC
6.5 x 47 Lap
.308 Win

and I'd get a .308 Win first.

Have fun.

JCS

 

[Grimstod]

I am having fun with my 6.5x47. I recommend it. The gun had a 308 on it originally. Selling that eventually as I probably wont be looking back.

 

[HTSmith]

First off--Welcome aboard! What a great problem to have. I'd recommend one of the 6.5 mm rounds. I have a couple of 260 Remingtons that do right well on targets and deer. Either of your choices should match or better the 260. I've been wanting to try the 6.5x47. There's no flies on the Swede either, but make sure your bolt face works on its rim.

 

[FatBoy]

If the bolt is set up for small firing pin, 6.5x47 would be my choice. 26" is a little tough in the eastern woods but doable. Excellent round from 10 yards to 1000.

If not, 6.5x55, throated properly for today's bullets.

 

[C. Collins]

For long range I would choose the swede. It has more room for powder, which can lead to an increased velocity which then creates less horizontal drift. I have a 6.5x47 and I shoot with guys that have a swede. I see my 6.5x47 has about a 150 fps disadvantage to the swede. However in caliber choices for long range I would choose 7mm, then 6.5, then 6, then 30. I hope this helps.

 

[Gunner66]

it gets somewhat hard to decide on an all purpose caliber.

my question to you is, what kind of game are you planning on hunting and what is your max distance for hunting said game?

I know. A "theorethically" multi-purpose is always a "give and take" kind of game....

I normally hunt Roe Deer and Chamois at moderate range and I know this caliber would be plenty for these two critters, even at long range.
However, in a near (or far) future there might arise the possibility to hunt Red Stag....
My concern is only for the latter, as I know the first two won't be a problem.

TY

 

[Gunner66]

Thanks for your input Guys !

I have narrowed it down to 6,5x47 vs. 308 Win.

Still running some figures, but so far the 6,5 Lapua (on paper) wins hands down past 500 yds.....

What V/0 can you get out of the 130ish and 140ish, without stretching it out too much ?

TY
G66

 

[FatBoy]

2650-2750 fps depending on barrel length and powder. You will need a rifle set up for small primers or one that has a tight firing pin on to prevent pierced primers. My AI Coopermatch works with the big pin but there is heavy cratering and I can't push the round to it's potential because if that.

 

[Gunner66]

2650-2750 fps depending on barrel length and powder. You will need a rifle set up for small primers or one that has a tight firing pin on to prevent pierced primers. My AI Coopermatch works with the big pin but there is heavy cratering and I can't push the round to it's potential because if that.

No problems for the small firing pin...

Barrel length would be 26"....do you think I can "wisely" get 2800 ?

 

[Patch700]

2650-2750 fps depending on barrel length and powder. You will need a rifle set up for small primers or one that has a tight firing pin on to prevent pierced primers. My AI Coopermatch works with the big pin but there is heavy cratering and I can't push the round to it's potential because if that.

No problems for the small firing pin...

Barrel length would be 26"....do you think I can "wisely" get 2800 ?

Being that you're considering the swede I would assume you are working with a long action and will be magazine feeding?

If it is on a long action platform and you plan to feed via magazine then the 6.5x47 would work , however I would ensure that the freebore is in the vicinity of .170" in order to get you into that 2800fps region.

Others have had no problems acheiving that velocity with less freebore but remember that those are top end nodes.

Off the top of my head a 6.5x47L with a 130-140 class bullet will need to be in that 2.750" area to keep the pressure ring above neck shoulder junction. Now if the freebore was too short (less than .120") then you may start to run into problems where you are either jamming bullets or having them seated too deep into the case to get into that 2800+ zone.

Good luck

 

[Sniper338]

6.5 lapua all the way to home base!

 

[FatBoy]

41.5gr of H4350 is getting me 2785 fps with a 142 or 2750 with a 140 hybrid. 28.5" Border 5R 8.5 twist . I could push it harder but I think I'd blow the primers.

37.gr Varget was netting me 2740 fps and 2750 fps, all else the same. Same deal with the primers.

137 Scenar L with 37.0 Varget was 2775 fps. .

I haven't tried the 130 AR Hybrids yet, but plan is to try them on a current PRS style build. That action has a small pin and 26" Krieger 4 groove 8 twist. I bet 2750 is doable, maybe 2800 if it's cold out, but I don't run at max MV as I find its rarely the most accurate load. .2 moa trumps 30fps to me.

EDIT : changed MV and added Lapua bullets.

2650-2750 fps depending on barrel length and powder. You will need a rifle set up for small primers or one that has a tight firing pin on to prevent pierced primers. My AI Coopermatch works with the big pin but there is heavy cratering and I can't push the round to it's potential because if that.

No problems for the small firing pin...

Barrel length would be 26"....do you think I can "wisely" get 2800 ?

 

[Puzzaz01]

Have you entertained the idea of the 6.5 Creedmor? I just pulled a .308 Hart barrel off a Remington 700 and chambered a 6.5 creedmoor on to a Krieger 1:8 twist and fell in love with it. The recoil is way less than the .308. I do reload but if you ever get in a pinch... loaded ammo can be purchased at your local sporting goods store. Just My 2 Cents!

 

[madderg]

... one more for 260 for all around cartridge.

 

[khallmark]

Just my opinion, but a 6.5x55 is hard to beat for hunting and long range steel. The cheapest Lapua brass of those mentioned, at equal pressure it gives the highest velocity and the 3 I've built over the years have all been extremely accurate.