Report: 6.5x47 Lapua, 140 gr bullets, Rel 17

[GSSP]

Ran a little test today. I'm having a Lt weight hunting rifle built by Chris Matthews of Longshot Rifles http://www.longshotriflesllc.com/ , possibly in 6.5x47 Lapua or 260 Rem AI and wanted to see what a 140 gr bullet with Rel 17 would do. So, I took my tactical rifle, also built by Chris, and ran a pressure ladder with it.

Surgeon 591 short action
Krieger 26" 1:8.5 twist, SS, MTU contour
1.5 AICS stock
NF NXS 5.5-22x50 w/ NP-R1 reticle
Shilen 2lb trigger

6.5x47 Lapua brass w/ 5x firings
Berger 140 VLD Hunting
Nosler 140 Accubond

37 gr to 43 gr in .5 gr increments (42.5 gr w/ Accubond due to mucho compression)
CCI 450 primer
Throat started life @ .105" long but after 700+ rounds is now .161" long.

Temp 57 deg F
Baro 24.6
Chrono = CED M2 set 15' from muzzle

140 VLD's were seated .010" into the lands with OAL being 2.797".

140 Accubond's were seated @ the lands with OAL being 2.698". Had to turn down my Redding comp seater about .005" for each successive round after 39.5 gr.

37 2521
37.5 2533
38 2587
38.5 2614
39 2647
39.5 2682
40 2707
40.5 2770
41 2814 ? ejector mark
41.5 2863 Light ejec
42 2910 Light ejec
42.5 2922 ejec
43 2962 ejec/bolt lift

Pressure ladder test for Rel 17
Nosler 140 Accubond
37 2513
37.5 2537
38 2569
38.5 2612
39 2634
39.5 2682
40 2716 ?ejec
40.5 2760
41 2770
41.5 2834 Lt ejec
42 2863 ejec
42.5 2910 ejec

I was pleasantly surprised @ the vel obtained in the little x47mm case with Rel 17. I think I'll hunt with it instead of going 260 Rem AI.

Enjoy!

Alan

 

[model 12 toby]

Iknow so far rl 17 HAS been wonderful in my lapua. 1 hole groups with 95 v max and 140 a-max. I have accubonds cause im supposed to hunt with em. Do reccommend into lands? Im well into thm with hornadys offering.

 

[stubbicatt]

Just my 2 cents, but if it is a hunting cartridge, I think you would do better to not have it jammed into the lands in the event that you would need to open the breech and remove a live round. As it is, the bullet may pull from the case and dump powder everywhere thus rendering your rifle hors de combat.

yMMV.

 

[model 12 toby]

I hunt with other two rounds too. What neck tension do u run. I've been running .002 with no problems.

 

[jsthntn247]

This thread is 3 years old. I sure hope he got his rifle because Chris Mathews is known to have screwed a bunch of folks over the last couple years.

 

[dooley]

gssp, if you get a chance to look at quickload you will see it gives a max charge weight of 39.5/6 of R17 at 70 degrees F with the 140gr VLD's and vel of 2840/50 fps with a 26 inch barrel, I have a 26 inch barreled 6.5x47 8.5 twist and could not the 140gr berger VLD's to stabilise properly, so went on to the 139gr Scenars which is a shorter bullet check out
the twist rate calculator on the berger website
Regards, dooley

 

[GSSP]

Chris was a talented 'smith; horrible businessman.

In my heavy 6.5x47 I'm now running the 140 Hybrid, 40.8 gr H4350 and CCI 450's just touching the lands for 2776 from a 26" 1:8.5 Krieger. Getting .26 to .3 moa, 5-shot groups and barrel has over 1500 rounds. Hasn't been cleaned since round 300. ES is 14. .002" neck tension using Redding FL Type-S die and their BR seater. Shooting it over a mile now.

On the hunt to find a great 140 VLD or Nosler LR Accubond load for my light Pierce 6.5x47. Any suggestions?

Alan

 

[jnyfeler]

Hasn't been cleaned since round 300.

Interesting. I'm curious, what's with the no-cleaning regimen?

Jeff

 

[GSSP]

Hasn't been cleaned since round 300.

Interesting. I'm curious, what's with the no-cleaning regimen?

Jeff

Jeff,

I shoot sniper/tactical rifle matches; First round/cold bore shots. That's with my heavy 6.5x47. I also hunt with another, lighter, 6.5x47 and so, again, first round/cold bore shots. I can't afford to have my POI moving after the barrel fouls. So, I keep the barrel fouled. It's a "sniper thing". We don't clean our barrels unless accuracy falls off. Then we clean and start shooting again until the accuracy returns; then we don't clean. Also, I live in Utah. Technically, a desert state with low humidity so I'm not worried about rust. Another "Also", I treat my bores with Dyna Core Coat (DBC). I don't get powder or copper fouling build up. I know it fly's in the face of traditional wisdom and for many, pure anal personal traits. But hey, it works for me and I don't throw it in people faces about it either.

Alan

 

[Rem06]

On the hunt to find a great 140 VLD or Nosler LR Accubond load for my light Pierce 6.5x47. Any suggestions?

140Amax,

I f the story i heard is correct, our own Jason baney here shot it is ASC this spring and did veryvery well and i am currently looking for a box myself!

I hear ya on Chris as my 6.5x47L is made by him

 

[jnyfeler]

Interesting, Alan. Thanks.

Jeff

 

[wildchild]

Just my 2 cents, but if it is a hunting cartridge, I think you would do better to not have it jammed into the lands in the event that you would need to open the breech and remove a live round. As it is, the bullet may pull from the case and dump powder everywhere thus rendering your rifle hors de combat.

yMMV.

this made me chuckle as it happened to me once! ;D
went to unload my rifle and dumped powder all over, then a buck comes out at 554yds! so I cleaned the gun of powder to the best of abilities, grabbed another round bent the bullet till it come out pointed the gun straight up used that round to reload!! ;D YUP.... shot that buck!

 

[mr45man]

Bent the bullet till it come out pointed the gun straight up used that round to reload!! ;D YUP.... shot that buck! LOL

And we worry about neck tension
John H