Help, powder choice for 6.5X47 Lapua

[40X Guy]

My brain is on info overload since about last September reading about loads and powders for 6.5X47, I have my new build back, .293 no turn neck, barrel length of 29.25 inches in 8 twist, scope mounted, Lapua brass primed with CCI 450 primers, and bullet picked out which is a 123 Sierra MK. I have 5 powders on my bench:

1.Varget
2. N550
3. H4350
4. RL-17
5. RL-15

I am hoping to grab just one and charge up some rounds for an OCW test. And hopefully the powder I grab is going to get it done. Which one should I test first and why with my combo. Thanks guys!

Frank

 

[Babin708]

The only powders I have experience with is Varget and H4350. The only bullets I used were Berger 130 and 123 Lapua. In my 8.5 twist 30in Bartlein I found 38.6 of
varget behind the 123 Lapua gave 2980 fps. YMMV.

 

[robinhood]

Varget worked best for me in a 1 in 8 and a 1 in 9 twist barrel. I haven't tried rl 17 however. The Varget shot well in all conditions in both guns so I stuck with it. This is a very easy round to get to shoot well.
Hope this helps. Enjoy.

 

[280man]

Varget

 

[ChrisNZ]

Ditto.
38 behind the 123 Scenar gets me 2945 out of a 27" Shilen.
It seems to be an accuracy point in this rifle and I could go to 38.6 with no significant pressure signs

Chris-NZ

 

[DennisH]

Sometimes a picture will speak louder than words!

Well, below is a picture with "120 smk's" and RL15 . . . FYI

28" McGowen 8 twist heavy barrel, Savage action. Deadly accurate at 100 yds and 600yds as well.

I have some 123 SMK's, I am getting ready to load, just might try a few of these!

Also, I tried some 123 Lapua's, see picture below! Amazing what a couple of grains will do to a group!

Good Luck!

 

[DennisH]

PS: I am looking for a good 1,000 yd load out of this gun! So far, I have not been able to produce the groups with anything heavier than the 123 Lapua.

I did get Berger 130's to group like the above, but only with 34.9grns of Varget! Avg speed was 2,720fps which is "not" enough for 1,000 yds!

SUGGESTIONS!

 

[HillbillySniper]

Can't go wrong with Varget seems to be the best all around powder!


Hillbilly

 

[40X Guy]

Everyone, thanks for the replys so far, Dennis, looks like you got your rifle tuned with the 120 SMK's and Lapua 123's. Is that a OCW test on the 2nd pic you posted? And did you shoot it round robin? Thats exactly what I am shooting for. Keep the suggestions coming. Initially I was leaning towards H4350 and RL-17, but am rethinking Varget and RL-15 now. I have also studied N540 as per Vihtavouri manual. Pretty much halfway between RL-15/ Varget burn rate and H4350/ RL-17 burn rate.

Frank

 

[DennisH]

Is that a OCW test on the 2nd pic you posted? And did you shoot it round robin?

Hate to even ask this question, but explain "OCW" & "round robin"!

Second pic I was doing a ladder test to find the right load! I was using a bi-pod when shooting.

PS: I have been looking through several post trying to come up with a load for 130's! I am going to try some BR-4 primers and see if this makes a difference!

I ran across a lot of post that pushes the 123 Lapua's! And it's good for 1,000 yds!

 

[40X Guy]

Dennis, Optimum Charge Weight which IMO will find your load more accurately than the ladder test. And round robin means shooting 1 bullet from one charge weight and then shooting next heavier charge weight incrementally. Go here

http://www.optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/#

Frank

 

[DennisH]

Just got back from Bass Pro with some BR-4 primers! I am going to see what "happens"!

I never thought primers would make a difference, but I tried some REMMY 7 1/2 and it did make a difference on some loads in other guns!

 

[DennisH]

Dennis, Optimum Charge Weight which IMO will find your load more accurately than the ladder test. And round robin means shooting 1 bullet from one charge weight and then shooting next heavier charge weight incrementally. Go here

I checked it out, very interesting site and procedure!

 

[AusFclass]

123gr SMK's like around 38.5gr of Re15 with BR4's

my gun loves 130gr bergers. try 40.5-41.5gr of H4350 .010" jam with BR4's

ive put over 1000 rounds down my broughton 1-8. after testing and re-testing when i start different batches of powder/primers and bullets i allways come back to exactly the same load every time. the combonation just seems to be very reliable at 40.5gr getting 2960fps.

ps: just make shure you check your seating depth when you start a new batch of bullets as the ogive can vary slightly. you just need to maintain the same jam.

 

[40X Guy]

Again everyone, thanks for all the help and load data. I am going to start with RL-15 at 37.0 with 123 Lapua's and another OCW test with N540 start point of 38.0 under 123 Sierra MK's. Will post results a week from now with pics. If neither of these work out like expected then Varget will get the nod.

Frank

 

[Rem06]

Amazing what a couple of grains will do to a group!

i see that! rock on!

 

[MDM]

Mine likes 37.8 Varget with the 123 Lapuas. I've got some 123 Amax to try as well as some 140 Amax's.

I've got some H4350 and R17 on the way to try with the 140 amax. My throat is a little short and I'm worried I won't have enough powder room to get the 140's to 2800+. With the 123 Scenars, my col is 2.723 to the lands.

Anyone know how 4350 and R17 compare to Varget as far as powder size? i.e Would I be able to get more 4350 or R17 into as case as compared to Varget of the same charge weight.

Sorry OP, look like a bit of a hijack.

 

[DennisH]

Just go back from shooting my 6.5x47 Lapua

I can't believe the group changes by just switching to BR-4 primers and jamming the VLD's in .010!!!!!!!

If I would have known BR-4's made this big of a difference, I would have gotten them a long time ago!

I cloverleafed several with 123L and 130 Berger/JLK's, still can't believe the difference!

I think I am going to stick with the 123 Lapua's, just a personal perference!

 

[AusFclass]

Just go back from shooting my 6.5x47 Lapua

I can't believe the group changes by just switching to BR-4 primers and jamming the VLD's in .010!!!!!!!

If I would have known BR-4's made this big of a difference, I would have gotten them a long time ago!

I cloverleafed several with 123L and 130 Berger/JLK's, still can't believe the difference!

I think I am going to stick with the 123 Lapua's, just a personal perference!

thats great! ;D the 6.5x47 seems to be a little fussy with primers depending on what powder you use

 

[40X Guy]

Mine likes 37.8 Varget with the 123 Lapuas. I've got some 123 Amax to try as well as some 140 Amax's.

I've got some H4350 and R17 on the way to try with the 140 amax. My throat is a little short and I'm worried I won't have enough powder room to get the 140's to 2800+. With the 123 Scenars, my col is 2.723 to the lands.

Anyone know how 4350 and R17 compare to Varget as far as powder size? i.e Would I be able to get more 4350 or R17 into as case as compared to Varget of the same charge weight.

Sorry OP, look like a bit of a hijack.

No, not at all MDM, as to your question I looked at both H4350 and Varget powder kernals side by side and they appear identical as far as kernel size and shape. But Varget's max is somewhere ~around 38.5 in 6.5 case where as H4350 guys are running up over 40 grains. Someone may chime in as to powder density's and other pertaining factors.

Frank