Barrel length for a 6.5x47

[Red Dawg 34]

I’m considering having a 6.5x47 caliber barrel cut for my present rifle. The rifle has a Defiance action and a Manners stock. I already have .308, 6BR and .223 barrels for this rifle. I’m tired of the recoil of the .308 so I thought about the 6.5x47 for my 1,000 yard barrel. I had a RPR in 6.5 Creedmoor with a 26” Krieger barrel which shot well but was not as accurate as my Defiance rifle.

I have access to a 31” Krieger blank to use to make the 6.5x47 which has an 8:1 twist. I would most likely shoot the Berger Hybrid Target 140 grain bullet and will test the Berger 144 grain Long Range Hybrid Target bullet. My question to the forum is how long would you recommend cutting the barrel? My .223 and 6BR barrels are Krieger barrels and cut to 29.5”. The .308 is a Hawk Hill barrel and cut to 29”. All 3 barrels shoot lights out in my F Class matches. I shoot F Class matches at 200, 600 and 1,000 yards. If it matters, I’m shooting these matches with a JoyPod bipod but do have a new SEB NEO that I could use for FO class.

Would greatly appreciate your input.

Thanks!

 

[Evan]

Go as heavy/long as your chosen competition class will allow.

 

[338 dude]

I’m not sure about rules for your discipline but keep in mind if you don’t like it you can cut some more off but you cannot put it back on

 

[ShootDots]

I have had 5 / 6.5 x 47 Lapuas for F-Class. I had 1 / 26" (used for F-Open but built BEFORE I knew about F-Class), 2 that were 28" and 2 that were 30".. MY EXPERIENCE has taught me that a 1-8 twist Krieger 4 groove "conventional rifling, in a 28" barrel and a "straight" tube barrel was the most accurate. If I did it over again, strictly for F-Open, that is the barrel I would use>>>I would also get a reamer with a .295 neck and a .165 freebore for use with almost all 140 class bullets..

 

[LCazador]

I will agree with what shoot dots says above but I don't think you can hang a straight tube over 28" on a Defiance action. What barrel taper are you talking about when you say it's a 31"?

 

[ShootDots]

I will agree with what shoot dots says above but I don't thing you can hang a straight tube over 28" on a Defiance action. What barrel taper are you talking about?

I have a Defiance Deviant action with a 7mm 32" 1.25 straight tube barrel chambered in a 7mm Sherman Short Mag, with zero problems..

 

[Red Dawg 34]

Thanks guys! This is great information. I forgot to mention that my barrels for the particular stock I have are heavy Palma contours.

For the F-TR Class I shoot, the weight max is around 18.18 pounds and the F-O Class is around 22 pounds. I have some room because my current rifle with attachments is under 15 pounds. I know some who shoot our matches with 6.5x47 rifles have 28” as well.

I’ll post a follow up once I have the barrel cut and chambered. Hopefully, I will also be able to post some good match results as well!

 

[Red Dawg 34]

It’s taken awhile but I finally had the 6.5x47 barrel cut but had the problem of finding Berger 140 Hybrids to shoot. Finally got some and used a load of 36.0 grains of Varget seated at 24,000ths off. Could not get the heavier loads to group very well but shot the attached two 10-shot groups with winds of 5-6 mph with gusts of 10-12, left to right. Got some developing to do but pretty good scores for F-Class. As shown on the Shotmarker targets, the distance was 600 yards.

Again, thank you for your input.

 

[bbarber25]

28” seems to be magic for me, I’ve had three barrels that all shot extremely well, two HV contours, Krieger and Brux, 1-8, and 1-8.5 twist. Shot 130-140’s great, I also have a rem Sendero 27” long barrel that absolutely hammers as well, it’s an 8 twist Krieger. I’m with @ShootDots with reamer, mine is slightly different with a .296” neck and .170” freebore, I had JGS cut my reamer. The 47 is my favorite cartridge of all time

 

[Laurie]

Old post! The OP had his barrel fitted and shot his first range session over 3 years ago (post #8). He's likely shot the barrel out by now.

I don't think he said what the finished length that he settled on was, but assume it's the 28-inches he favoured.