Newbie Question on 6.5x47 Freebore

[JerryRVA]

I don't shoot competition and don't live in an area where they do to get tips from other shooters. Looking to replace the Savage 6BR I have with a 6.5x47 to punch paper and steel shooting the 130 to 140 bullets. Looking at the various custom barrel sellers, I only see one offering a choice of throats.

My question is what is the "standard" freebore that I can expect from a match grade barrel? I am guessing just shooting for fun I want see any difference having a throat that I can move the bullets out as I am not steady enough to get below .25 consistently with the 6BR I have now. Probably wont shoot it enough to need to chase barrel wear. Just want the most accurate barrel to start with and see what I can do with it.

Thanks

 

[ShootDots]

I don't shoot competition and don't live in an area where they do to get tips from other shooters. Looking to replace the Savage 6BR I have with a 6.5x47 to punch paper and steel shooting the 130 to 140 bullets. Looking at the various custom barrel sellers, I only see one offering a choice of throats.

My question is what is the "standard" freebore that I can expect from a match grade barrel? I am guessing just shooting for fun I want see any difference having a throat that I can move the bullets out as I am not steady enough to get below .25 consistently with the 6BR I have now. Probably wont shoot it enough to need to chase barrel wear. Just want the most accurate barrel to start with and see what I can do with it.

Thanks

Well that's actually a bit more complicated than you might expect. The 130 class bullets, i.e. Berger 130 VLD, would prefer a .140 freebore. However, once you get to the 136 Scenar, and 139 Scenar you enter the realm of LONG bearing surface bullets. A .170 should be considered minimum, with a .200 even better. I also know that the very new Hornady ELDMs have bearing surfaces long enough to negate ANY other bullets' use in that freebore! I bought a 500 pack of 147 ELDMs with the idea of shooting them in a 6.5 x 284, along with the 150SMKs. WHOA did I ever underestimate the length of the bearing surface of those Hornadys! In order to get the 147s bearing surface ABOVE the neck shoulder junction, I would have needed a .300 freebore>>>for a 6.5! Now if you go with a Berger 140LRBT, a .145-.150 is spot on, most other 140 class bullets will be served by a .170.. I hope all this helps you..

 

[JerryRVA]

I figure if I can still shoot a worn out factory Savage 12 Target around .25 then a new pre-fit should easily do that and better. Like I should its just for fun and I will see what the freebore is when my barrel arrives. I ended up ordering an X-Caliber. I'll be 80 by the time I shoot that one out.