Defending the 6.5 x 47 Lapua

[Hotrod6.5]

This year out at the BSWN the mid range event was won with a 6.5x47 shooting a 140 hybrid at 2886 fps with score of 600-49X. I'm sure there were all kinds of Creedmoors up and down the line and more than a few .284s of all flavors. I personally believe the little 6.5x47 will hang with anything at 600 until winds get tough and even then the better shooter might prevail. For me the recoil from the larger calibers makes it harder for me to shoot and although i started shooting F-Class with a Creedmoor it sets in the vault and i'm now on my 3rd 6.5x47. Years ago I even formed 308 Palma brass into Creedmoor to get the benifits of the small primers and that helped but the little 47 comes to the party ready to go and no matter how much i fiddled with the CM it just wouldn't group with the 6.5x47. To each his own I guess.....

 

[david kieffer]

STOP NOW!!! , What our we thinking , If word gets out we will have many issues to deal with ,shortages of brass bullets powder primers and 8tw barrels . competitions will be very tough , Hunting will end (no misses ) every thing will be dead . It will snowball ,wardens unemployed , all suppliers of scent blocker, game calls hunting clothing boots, tree stands ect. all belly up. no need for guides 4x4 trucks .The list gos on and on. lets shift gears . the 6.5x47 is a pos you can,t hit the broad side of a barn with it . have fun . dave

 

[eddief]

In 2007 when i chambered my first 6.5x47 Lapua, i was hooked. It was the first cartridge that was like the straight 6BR in ease of loading and stupid consistent accuracy.

Hunting rifle....creed all the way because of factory availability of ammo. Pure comp rifle, IMHO 6.5x47 Lapua is still better.

 

[newbieshooter]

I own and shoot both , that being said my love is the 6.5 x 47 . my testing shows the 47 will normally shoot inside the creed (450 -1000 yds ) The problem is , I call this case idiot proof you will find many very good loads . you will think yes this is the one , when in reality the ………… 2s and 3s could be 0s . Don't stop testing you will be amazed. I have had very very lucky days with the 6.5 x 47 and hope the same for you .dave

Someone named david kieffer dominated the 2018 world open with a 6.5x47....

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2018/07/williamsport-world-open-championship/

 

[Evan]

Every way you cut it the 6.5x47 is better then the creedmoor. That said it amazes me that the main stream industry has turned a blind eye to this. Guess its planned obsolescence. Someday someone in the big industry will discover the 47 and say it better then the CM and everyone will be switching. More $$$

Like anything, designing something great is of little use without the marketing and business side backing it up. Lapua has done nothing to advance the 6.5x47 in the market. It's quite surprising it is as well known as it is when you think about it: no factory rifles, no factory ammo, no marketing campaign, and a single source of boutique brass that is absurdly expensive when compared to domestic brass (from the perspective of most people who haven't fallen down the rabbit hole like us lot )

The big American companies released the Creedmoor, and for the first time ever, they properly supported and marketed it, and you can see the outcome. It's everywhere. Certainly helps that the Creedmoor is a great design that works well.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Like anything, designing something great is of little use without the marketing and business side backing it up. Lapua has done nothing to advance the 6.5x47 in the market. It's quite surprising it is as well known as it is when you think about it: no factory rifles, no factory ammo, no marketing campaign, and a single source of boutique brass that is absurdly expensive when compared to domestic brass (from the perspective of most people who haven't fallen down the rabbit hole like us lot )

The big American companies released the Creedmoor, and for the first time ever, they properly supported and marketed it, and you can see the outcome. It's everywhere. Certainly helps that the Creedmoor is a great design that works well.

Even, Remington developed the 6BR never chambered it in their rifles other than 40X.

 

[Evan]

Even, Remington developed the 6BR never chambered it in their rifles other than 40X.

Prime example of a design languishing due to really bad support and marketing. Remington has a long history of bungling up otherwise brilliant cartridges. The 6BR has survived for the same reason the 6.5x47 has; a brilliant design that has a lot to love. Both would have been much bigger much sooner had their parent companies actually promoted them and supported them correctly.

 

[bullzeyenj]

I have both and would take the 6.5x47 over the 6.5 CM any day. I think its a more efficient cartridge and its so easy to work up a load. The 6.5 CM takes a little more work IMHO.

I also think that the 6.5 CM is more popular because of all the marketing hornady has done in the last few years and the availability of off the shelf match grade ammo. For the newbie who wants a super accurate rifle off the shelf then look no further. That doesnt make it better then the 6.5x47L, just more hype around it.

 

[david kieffer]

Someone named david kieffer dominated the 2018 world open with a 6.5x47....

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2018/07/williamsport-world-open-championship/

That was just good luck , The wind gods blessed me . dave

 

[Joe Salt]

David You and I need to be in the same relay every time this year! There is nothing like shooting against top competitors in 1000 yard, then you know your rifle is competitive.
I'm going to try and keep up this year.

Joe Salt

 

[Hotrod6.5]

Like anything, designing something great is of little use without the marketing and business side backing it up. Lapua has done nothing to advance the 6.5x47 in the market. It's quite surprising it is as well known as it is when you think about it: no factory rifles, no factory ammo, no marketing campaign, and a single source of boutique brass that is absurdly expensive when compared to domestic brass (from the perspective of most people who haven't fallen down the rabbit hole like us lot )

The big American companies released the Creedmoor, and for the first time ever, they properly supported and marketed it, and you can see the outcome. It's everywhere. Certainly helps that the Creedmoor is a great design that works well.

Another good example of the power of marketing and the press is the 270 Winchester. Jack O'Connor sang the praises of the 270 back when this round came out and killed just about everything on the planet with one so it became the hand of Gods death ray.

Years later the 280 Remington came out but never caught on. they even changed the name to 7mm-06 for a while and then 7mm Express Remington but finally in 1981 just went back to the 280 Remington. The momentum for the mighty 270 Winchester was to much to overcome. The real ballistic differences are probable slight but for bullet selection alone the 280 is a better choice. Marketing is king in the general shooting industry but for what we do, scores matter.

I'm very happy with the results i get with my little 6.5X47 and my f-Class Creedmoor is staying in the vault and will probably get a new barrel someday. BTW my hunting rifle is a Cooper model 22 in you guessed it --6.5 Creedmoor. I don't feel the need to defend either one but i do like having more choices as each chamber is very good.

 

[hogpatrol]

 

[1K6BRA]

I figured this thread was going to go on and on and on! I am glad we live in a country that we can beat a dead horse! Wish I could figure out how to put those neat little animated deals on here!

 

[Joe Salt]

Don't know if beating a dead horse is legal anymore!

Joe Salt

 

[1K6BRA]

I hope so if not it I’m in trouble I just figured out how to do it ,i’ll blame it on the Creedmoor!

 

[Evan]

I just want to make sure it's clear: I love the 6.5x47. I think it superior to the creedmoor. I'm just tired and a bit depressed about the history of negligent marketing and support behind the best cartidges. Remington is at the top of my list for bad companies that deserve what's been coming to them for a long time:

221 Fireball
It's spawn, the 17 Fireball
223 Remington Magnum
6mm BR Remington
6mm Remington
280 Remington
260 Remington

All excellent designs and all of them entirely mismanaged or neglected.

I sometimes have wondered if Lapua wouldn't license the 6.5x47 to anyone, effectively hamstringing it's adoption and use. It's odd that NO one has picked it up anywhere...

 

[mac86951]

It isn't anywhere close to the 6br and variants, 6ppc, 6.5x284, etc. for proven history of accuracy across many guns is my point. It's really not been sussed out like the older stuff yet and the 6.5 creedmoor really hasn't been. Honestly, I think they are both too big for the limited benefits they give and that's why they're being dropped in all disciplines, including PRS. Not as good as a 7 or a 30, but not better than a 6.

I'm not going to be getting another 6.5. Mine will be rebarreled to a 6 or 22. For me, it simply gives no improvement over the 6BR variants to justify the extra powder, heat, recoil, and materials (copper, brass, lead, etc).

I'm in agreement, and not to diss the 6.5x47L, I chose the creedmoor for different reasons (factory ammo cough cough); but seriously; where's the dead horse GIF on the RCBS sizing the 6.5x47 to 6BR?

 

[Scott Harris]

why does this cartridge need defending??? It rocks, like a 6 Dasher with better wind drift and better barrel life.

 

[Grimstod]

Just change the name from 6.5x47 Lapua to .265 Cobra. That should do it.

I have to agree that the name for the 6.5x47mm Lapua is a bad one. It is actually painful to say. Its an accurate name sure and describes exactly what it is but it does not role off the tongue very well at all. Creedmoors name is the only thing that is better when comparing the two. I give it its name as a large part of its success.

 

[Evan]

I have to agree that the name for the 6.5x47mm Lapua is a bad one. It is actually painful to say. Its an accurate name sure and describes exactly what it is but it does not role off the tongue very well at all. Creedmoors name is the only thing that is better when comparing the two. I give it its name as a large part of its success.

Names are incredibly important. They affect your perception on a subconscious level and the military style moniker of 6.5x47 did it no favors.

I think the 6.5 Grendel owes a good bit of its success to the great name!

I wish the absolutely exceptional 20 Vartarg had a nicer name too, but maybe that is just my affinity for the parent's name: fireball!