Lapua 6.5mm 108gr bullets

[skeetlee]

Is anyone shooting these 6.5mm 108gr Lapua bullets? I am kinda curious about them. I cant find much info on them except that they are kinda price eee!! Were they made for the Grendel? I am curious as to how they would do at 600 yards. Thanks Lee

 

[jb1000br]

All I can tell you is that they are the same profile as the 123 but less lead. Did pressure tests with them, but never shot them for accuracy.

 

[TX65]

I have been shooting the Lapua 108 for years. It was not made for the "6.5 Grendel" or "264 LBC-AR", it predates the cartridge by years.

Exterior dimensions are identical to the 123 Lapua Scenar, but the 108 has less core weight. In my own shooting, I find the Lapua 108 to group tighter than the 123.

 

[skeetlee]

if they have the same profile as the 123gr, how does that translate into the BC of the 108? I dont know how to ask this but here goes. Will they have a similar BC or is the weight difference determine the difference in BC? I didnt ask that right, but i hope you understand what i am asking. What determines the BC of a bullet? Weight or profile and speed or all the above? Just wondering if i should try them for 600 yard shooting in my 6.5x47L. I personally dont think the 6.5x47L has enough horse power to drive the 140's. I was going to shoot some 123's and maybe some 130's. I may try these 108's out as well. just curious on all this fellas. I love to read and learn about all this!! Thanks Lee

 

[TX65]

if they have the same profile as the 123gr, how does that translate into the BC of the 108? I dont know how to ask this but here goes. Will they have a similar BC or is the weight difference determine the difference in BC? I didnt ask that right, but i hope you understand what i am asking. What determines the BC of a bullet? Weight or profile and speed or all the above? Just wondering if i should try them for 600 yard shooting in my 6.5x47L. I personally dont think the 6.5x47L has enough horse power to drive the 140's. I was going to shoot some 123's and maybe some 130's. I may try these 108's out as well. just curious on all this fellas. I love to read and learn about all this!! Thanks Lee

Here is a light summary of BC and details the various components that are used to calculate http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballistic_coefficient

If you are wanting more in depth reading on ballistics, Brian Litz has an excellent book that applies to long distance shooting.

http://www.appliedballisticsllc.com/index_files/Book.htm

In my old rifle with a 26 inch barrel, the 108 was running 3250 fps on top of 39.3 grains of RL-15. My new rifle is being finished up now and I will be refining that load with a 30 inch barrel.

The Berger 130 VLD is a definite match with the 6.5x47L using H4350, RL15 or Varget to name but a few. Performance runs 2800-3000fps depending on exact load and barrel length.

 

[js223]

Lee, I do not have a 6.5x47, but I do have Bryan Litz's book, and recommend that you also purchase it. In a nutshell, the 108 Scenar is not in the same class as the 130 for BC. If I were working with a 6.5x47, I'd start with the 130 Berger and also check out the 140s to see if their velocity is enough to make them worth it.
To illustrate why, I ran the numbers in this post of the 108 Scenar@3250fps, and the 130 Berger@2800fps (worst-case). Result was, even if giving up a 450fps advantage in MV, the 130 still has less wind drift at 600yds. Obviously accuracy and consistency needs to be considered as well. But since you are looking at 600 yards, ballistic efficiency is a good thing to have.

 

[GoNavy3]

Great Question,
Been shooting the 6.5X47 now 2 years.
300 meters: 123 lapua 38.5 varget
600 yards: 123 Lapua 38.5 varget, 130 berger 41.5 H4350
1000 yards: Shot tighter group with the 123 Lapua over the 130 berger. ???
Once I use up the bergers its the 123 Lapua all the way.

Will try the 139 Lapua at 1000 at Camp Butner in April. They say heavier is better but in a 6.5X47? We'll see.
Ben

 

[ThunderDownUnder]

The BC of the Berger VLD 130s and Scenar 139s (better again) is superior to the Scenar 123s and that is straight from the manufacturer's data. Like what has been said already in this thread, providing you can attain a reasonable velocity with the heavies they are the way to go.

If your chamber allows enough free bore for the longer and heavier bullets the I recommend that you give them a go. I have found them (130s and 139s) to be be very accurate but I have settled on the Scenar 139gr bullets as best in my rifle. I point them up and and am running 2920fps from my 32" 8T barrel with 38.5gr of Varget. I have shot this load for the last year with great results and in my only 1000yd match I top scored.

The 32" barrel is new and I will up the load a little just to see what velocity is possible in this rifle. If 2940+fps is possible (I think it is) then the humble 6.5x47L starts to knock on the door of 6.5x284 territory without the nasty barrel burning side effects. If your chamber can use these heavier high BC bullets then use them otherwise use the 123gr Scenars and enjoy good shooting.

Ian