Ok, I've been shooting my first 6.5x47 Lapua on a Surgeon action and a 1:8.5 twist Krieger barrel for a year now. I run the 130 Berger VLD and 40.8 gr of H4350. I have 950-1000 rds through it. Love it!
Last spring I decided to have another, lighter, hunting rifle built in the same caliber. Pierce short action, Broughton #3.1 26" 5C, 1:8 twist. McMillan Rem Sporter with Edge fill.
But I did not order it until I had tested the 140 VLD with Rel 17 to see what velocities I could get. I used Erik Cortina's suggested data (thanks Erik!). I got what I was looking for; and recently, more than I thought possible.
I've been testing the 140 Partition, Accubond and VLD. The VLD, having the shortest bearing surface, has given the fastest velocities. I'm not saying how fast. yet!
I can't say enough good things about the Pierce action http://www.pierceengineeringltd.com/products.php?item=2 and Chris Matthews gunsmithing work (He built both 6.5x47's) http://www.longshotriflesllc.com/. This action is built so well, I can't get any pressure signs until I get ridiculous velocities. No super flattened primers, some cratering but that to me is not a pure sign. No ejector marks or smears on the case head. No sticky bolt lift. No case rim expansion (usually negative expansion) until I'm getting ridiculous speeds. Each time I'd leave the range with zero pressure signs, I'd shake my head thinking I can go a little bit more, a little bit more, just a little bit more.
Now, I'm not saying I plan on hunting these ridiculous speeds but I'm happy with 2875 to 2925 fps. Yes, I've gotten a good amount faster (with the VLD). Just two days ago, I did some definitive testing with the 140 PT and shot three 5-shot groups running .58, .62 and .7 MOA @ 371 yds. Velocity was 2867 fps with the fastest, tightest group with a 4 SD.
I've pushed the 140 Accubond upto 2910 fps, in both rifles, with a 12 SD. I had .0002" rim expansion with the Pierce and ejector marks with the Surgeon. I've now pushed the 140 AB up to 2986 fps in the Pierce with a hint of hard bolt lift.
My best friend wants what I have and more. He wants 2950 fps, every day of the week, with a 140 gr. I'm kind of being his guinea pig to see where this can go.
I took a peek at Alliants web site; specifically the 260 Rem data for Rel 17. They are topping out at 41 gr with the Speer 140 hot core getting 2645 fps in a 24" barrel. I'm running a 26" barrel. Obviously I'm getting more pressure with my 41.6 gr & the 140 PT. But, again, zero pressure signs. I talked at length with John Pierce today and an email with Chris Matthews. John thinks the 260 AI, 6.5x55 or 6.5x284 should be the ticket but my friend, also a 6.5x47 owner, is enamored with my results. This is a bit of what Chris had to say.
"As far as pressure, the signs on a well made action like the Pierce or a
BAT, Nesika, etc...are a bit harder to "read" than a sloppy Savage action.
What I mean by that is: better fit of firing pin to hole, ejector to hole,
a true helix on the primary extraction cam for easier extraction (but
doen't effect bolt lift except for the very end of it) will show less
cratering, less ejector marks and somewhat easier bolt lift than the lower
quality factory actions."
Now, I respect the heck out of Chris and his opinions. I wanted to see if any one else out there has any opinions to add to this. And please, share your experiences with pressure signs, or more particularly, the lack of them.
Thanks,
Alan
Last spring I decided to have another, lighter, hunting rifle built in the same caliber. Pierce short action, Broughton #3.1 26" 5C, 1:8 twist. McMillan Rem Sporter with Edge fill.
But I did not order it until I had tested the 140 VLD with Rel 17 to see what velocities I could get. I used Erik Cortina's suggested data (thanks Erik!). I got what I was looking for; and recently, more than I thought possible.
I've been testing the 140 Partition, Accubond and VLD. The VLD, having the shortest bearing surface, has given the fastest velocities. I'm not saying how fast. yet!
I can't say enough good things about the Pierce action http://www.pierceengineeringltd.com/products.php?item=2 and Chris Matthews gunsmithing work (He built both 6.5x47's) http://www.longshotriflesllc.com/. This action is built so well, I can't get any pressure signs until I get ridiculous velocities. No super flattened primers, some cratering but that to me is not a pure sign. No ejector marks or smears on the case head. No sticky bolt lift. No case rim expansion (usually negative expansion) until I'm getting ridiculous speeds. Each time I'd leave the range with zero pressure signs, I'd shake my head thinking I can go a little bit more, a little bit more, just a little bit more.
Now, I'm not saying I plan on hunting these ridiculous speeds but I'm happy with 2875 to 2925 fps. Yes, I've gotten a good amount faster (with the VLD). Just two days ago, I did some definitive testing with the 140 PT and shot three 5-shot groups running .58, .62 and .7 MOA @ 371 yds. Velocity was 2867 fps with the fastest, tightest group with a 4 SD.
I've pushed the 140 Accubond upto 2910 fps, in both rifles, with a 12 SD. I had .0002" rim expansion with the Pierce and ejector marks with the Surgeon. I've now pushed the 140 AB up to 2986 fps in the Pierce with a hint of hard bolt lift.
My best friend wants what I have and more. He wants 2950 fps, every day of the week, with a 140 gr. I'm kind of being his guinea pig to see where this can go.
I took a peek at Alliants web site; specifically the 260 Rem data for Rel 17. They are topping out at 41 gr with the Speer 140 hot core getting 2645 fps in a 24" barrel. I'm running a 26" barrel. Obviously I'm getting more pressure with my 41.6 gr & the 140 PT. But, again, zero pressure signs. I talked at length with John Pierce today and an email with Chris Matthews. John thinks the 260 AI, 6.5x55 or 6.5x284 should be the ticket but my friend, also a 6.5x47 owner, is enamored with my results. This is a bit of what Chris had to say.
"As far as pressure, the signs on a well made action like the Pierce or a
BAT, Nesika, etc...are a bit harder to "read" than a sloppy Savage action.
What I mean by that is: better fit of firing pin to hole, ejector to hole,
a true helix on the primary extraction cam for easier extraction (but
doen't effect bolt lift except for the very end of it) will show less
cratering, less ejector marks and somewhat easier bolt lift than the lower
quality factory actions."
Now, I respect the heck out of Chris and his opinions. I wanted to see if any one else out there has any opinions to add to this. And please, share your experiences with pressure signs, or more particularly, the lack of them.
Thanks,
Alan
