Anyone has 6.5x47 Lapua in short barrel hunting rifle setup?

[w123driver]

I think I am obsessed with all iterations of 6.5x47L. I have 22x47L heavy hunter rifle specifically chambered for 75gr Amax., that took two dear this season, both past 300 yards. Both bang-flop, barely made few steps. The rifle is based on Savage 10 action, completely stock, I only polished the sear with jeweler's rouge and shortened the spring, which made accutrigger even better. Anyways, back to the question. I have 1909 Peruvian Mauser based 243win, which I want to retire. It is old sporter with 1-10 ROT, with what I think signs of throat erosion. I want to stick with this action, as it has sentimental value for me, and with fast spring and dayton tristar trigger (much better than timney, IMHO) it has reasonably short lock time. So I want to put another Lapua on it, but i am not sure whether to go for 6 or 6.5mm. I already have 6x47 dies, which I use for 22x47 (I have 6x47 forster full sizer and 6.x47 Redding S die with bushing for .22). So for 6-6.5x47 i would not need another set of dies. On the other hand I have 6.5mm 20 1/4" long McGowan blank in 1.-8.5" ROT, so that could make 6.5x47L that could stabilize 120 grainers? But is the is long enough to generate the round's potential? I would also need dies. So I can't decide. What you folk would suggest? Thank you

 

[Chuckhunter]

I currently have a 24" 6.5X47 Lapua, which I use to hunt deer in Pa. and Antelope out west. I shoot 130 Berger VLD's at a muzzle velocity of 2875. I have been well over 2900fps but my best accuracy is where I'm at. According to my Quick Load program, you would loose approx. 100fps with a barrel that is 3 1/2" shorter. That being said I'm thinking 2800 fps would be attainable with 130 gr. bullets and 2900fps is a probability with the 120's. I can tell you that the 130 Berger's, even at a M.V of 2700 are devastating on thin skinned game like our Pa whitetails. Good Luck with whichever you decide.

 

[ktoney]

Short barrel 6.5x47 works like a champ
i shoot a 20" 6.5x47 and easily hit 2900fps with 123gr bullets
Still if you already have dies for 6x47 i would just do that and run 105gr bullets.

Either would make a great short barreled rig, do which ever is easiest to complete based on what you already have on hand

My 20" rig is setup primarily to be shot suppressed and it is without a doubt my fav gun to shoot

 

[coupalr]

I shoot a 24" 6-6.5X47 with 95gr Bergers for hunting. I find that the 95 works a lttle better than a 105 as a hunting bullet and ballisticly is better do to velocity gain when used at practical ranges. (500 yards max on deer)

 

[flatlander]

I tend to lean towards going with the 6.5x47 (am only slightly prejudiced - I have four 6.5x47s vs. only two 6x47s). The larger dia. & heavier 6.5 bullets will do more for you (in hunting applications) at the lower velocities you're going to get with a 20" bbl. than could be expected from 6mms. My 6.5x47s have bbls. ranging from 30" down to 26"; I love 'em all!

 

[JabaliHunter]

All being well, I should be having my first meeting with my gunsmith next week about building a 20" 6.5x47 with suppressor on a Predator action From our phone calls so far I get the impression he favours 140gr in a barrel that short. Will keep you posted!

 

[Samlisi1]

I have a 6.5x47 that I use in both hunting and long distance shooting. Its a pretty cool setup. For competition she uses the 130gr vld's using RE 17. Here is the Kicker for hunting she uses the Hornady 129gr interlock using reloader 17. The best part is I use the exact same powder charge. Ablsoutley one of the coolest rounds.

 

[ktoney]

Thinking ya smith has not run ballistics on 140 vs 123 in a short barrel
I have, thru various software
The 123 class bullet works better in a short barrel period
Hence i shoot a 123 class bullet in my 20" suppressed pig gun

 

[JabaliHunter]

Thanks for that. Talking to others, the 120gr ProHunter gets some good reports and I have been wondering about the 125gr Nosler Partition. Anybody have any experience of those?

 

[DennisH]

I know 2 people who hunt with a 6.5 Grendel with a 22" barrel! This is not a bad round!

I also have a 6.5x47L that's awesome!

 

[270guy]

Thanks for that. Talking to others, the 120gr ProHunter gets some good reports and I have been wondering about the 125gr Nosler Partition. Anybody have any experience of those?

I have a recently completed 6.5x47L, with a 22" barrel, only broken in the barrel. Looking pretty good so far. If the weathers good here, in the weekend, I'll be working up some loads with the 120gr Sierra Prohunters. Will be used for Fallow deer,and close range reds. Have also heard some good things about the Speer 120gr Hotcore, for hunting. If the weather is good, I'll post some results. One day I'll suppress mine with an over barrel suppressor, from here in NZ.
Good Luck

 

[270guy]

So after an aborted hunting trip, weather that has been less than co-operative (during the weekends), and a few other small problems, I did some more testing. It was quick, and damp, as the weather didn't do its part again .

The object of this testing, as there was not going to be time to do any developement loading (too damp anyway), was to come up with an acceptable hunting load for deer out to 400 yards. I preloaded 20 rounds, with 120g Sierra Pro hunter projectiles, with 4 different amounts of powder. I had intended to try 2 powders, but I wasn't able to get hold of the other powder in time, so stuck to ADI2208 (Varget) - 37.5g, 37.8g, 38.1g, 38.4g. This was in already fired and neck sized cases. I managed to sort out my chronograph issues, and get some velocities too, which was a bonus, even though it was drizzling. I haven't added any photos of the targets, as the drizzle turned them to a mushy mess . All 4 loads shot well, being an inch or less @100 yards ( and stayed the same size back at 150 yards). Which was fine, for this trip. I'll load up the quickest, being 2845 fps, out of my 22" barrel. I'm pleased with the velocity, as I still haven't gotten any pressure signs. I'm estimating 39g would get close to 2900, but not quite. The other powder I wanted to try is Reloader 15, which should give me some more fps. The real test is when an animal is on the ground. In case anyone is interested the velocities were (ave): 2750, 2780, 2810, 2845.
Had a nephew shoot a couple of rounds from 100 and 150yards. The first 2 at 100yds, were 12" apart, and no where near where he said he was aiming. After some "interrogation", and coaching. The next 2 shots at 100yds were approx 1" apart (on target), and the 2 at 150yds were 1/2", and on target. Fingers crossed, he will put the first deer on the ground with this rifle . I'll let you know, if the prediction comes true, after next weekend.
cheers