Scenars & 6.5X47L

[gotcha]

Hi Guys! I just picked up some 123gr Scenars. I'm wondering if these bullets like to be Jammed or jumped? I'm guessing they like to be Jammed. Was hoping to get input from those who are experienced. TIA

 

[ShootDots]

Start your load development with the Scenars seated 7-8K INTO the lands. It will be a good starting place and you may very well find out it will be your ending place too! If you have any RL-15 on hand, start at 36.0 and increase slowly to 38.0grs using a CCI 450 primer... You SHOULD find a REALLY good accuracy node in there... You can then "tweak" it if you find it necessary.. However, if you do not have a "tight bore" you will find that you will get GREATER accuracy once about 25+ rounds have passed thru the bore. If you have a tight bore, 10 or so will suffice.. I hope this helps..

 

[gotcha]

Thanks Shootdots, I have the components you mentioned. I've been shooting 123 gr Sierra's and they came together at 37.5 gr RL-15 & Br-4's, touching lands. Never really tried them jammed. You seem to indicate the bullet, in your experience, prefers to be jammed. Or are you just leaving all options open?........ Also have a supply of 130 Bergers should you care to comment on same issue. Thanks again!

 

[ShootDots]

GOTCHA, usually I start SMK's just about 3K off the lands. They are a "Tangent" ogive bullet. "Generally" they are not too terribly picky about where to be seated. However, in the last few years, I have found that very "sleek" for caliber bullets, that have a tangent ogive like,not necessarily a "jam", it is more of a "set" if you will just into the rifling. Obviously this is not EVERY case, however, I have found it to be that way more often than not. I have a friend, who is also a Forum Member here, who has found the same thing!

Every rifle has it's own "nature" as it were, and, as you state, "all options open".. However, those "sleek for caliber" projectiles SEEM to have an affinity for that 7-8K into the lands. Even with 1.5K neck tension, you can draw them out and not lose a bullet to being "stuck in the lands" at only 7k in.. At least I have never and I do it all the time waiting for wind changes...

Now the 130's are a "Secant" ogive bullet, integral with ALL V.L.D.'s... They "appear" to like a good "jam", 10+K into the lands. However, true to form, I have seen them (VLD's) like a HUGE 50+K jump too! But, you would be well served to start them about 12K in on your first outing or 2 with the 130's, you may not change from there either.

 

[AR Shooter]

Am running 37.2gr of RE15 & Rem 7 1/2 primers with the Berger 130 VLDs jammed 10thou. However, my rifle prefers the 140gr or the 123gr bullets for some reason.With less than 300rds thru the barrel, have more work to do with the VLDs am guessing.

 

[Erik Cortina]

I don't believe bullets like to be jammed or jumped, I believe it has more to do with the shooters method of developing loads. I have shot VLD's, Hybrids, and Scenars, and have always seated them in the lands and found great accuracy with all of them regardless of ogive profile. I don't ever jump bullets as I find a load more tolerant when I seat in the lands (not the same as jam) because everything self aligns when setup this way.

 

[stgw77]

I am loading 123 Scenars 0.010" jammed (get beter ES/SD numbers this way), but from my expieriences this bullet do not care much... got same results on target 10 tho. in or 10 tho. from the lands...in my rifle is very tolerant.

 

[gotcha]

Thanks to all for the insightful answers. I've been leaning in your direction regarding my Question. Nice to have guys with experience I feel comfortable with ... I'll be trying the OCW method for the first time. (old dog learning new tricks) In your experience, can any meaningful data from crono results be used to prove optimum charge weight? TIA

 

[JCardenas]

Shot docs,
I just received my 6.5L two weeks ago and found some 123amax. What would you recommend with the amax...jump or jam and how much?

 

[ShootDots]

I will be VERY honest with you... I have tried A-Max's in .308 (178gr) in .22 Cal (52 and 105) and one of them in a 7mmRem Mag>>I can't remember which one>>>But it has been MY experience that it is either difficult to "tune" them or whatever, I have NEVER found them to be consistently accurate.. I quit using them quite some time ago. Then I was told about the "AMP Jacket" on the A-Max's, it was supposed to be pretty accurate. I tried them in my .22-250 (1-8 twist) to no avail... I have given up on them... So I said all this to answer your question that I have NO CLUE what to do with an A-Max. I KNOW they are good bullets, I have been frustrated with them and won't go back to them..

 

[Erik Cortina]

Shot docs,
I just received my 6.5L two weeks ago and found some 123amax. What would you recommend with the amax...jump or jam and how much?

I'm not shootdots, but you have to experiment with your rifle. What works in one rifle does not necessarily work in another. Do a complete load work up with them and find the sweet spot.

123 AMax bullets do well, I use them in my hunting rifle. I load mine in the lands.

 

[JCardenas]

So doc,

What bullet/weight would you say is the easiest to tune for a novice 6.5L user knowing ahead of time that every rifle is different. I have a .
1:8 26" bartline

 

[Erik Cortina]

So doc,

What bullet/weight would you say is the easiest to tune for a novice 6.5L user knowing ahead of time that every rifle is different. I have a .
1:8 26" bartline

Who is "doc"? Am I "doc"?

 

[ShootDots]

Erik, I believe he has DOTS mixed up with Doc... It is ok... Personally, I think the 123's (Berger / Lapua / Sierra) are the easiest to tune... The Berger 130's, ONCE TUNED, may very well be the "bullet by which others are judged".. However, the new 136Lapua may be the "next ticket" as it were. I have never even seen them much less shot them! But they are on my list for sure! However, once you get into the "near 140 realm" of bullet weight, a slower powder should be looked at closely.. VV N550 would be TOPS on my list, with H4350 right there with it..

 

[Erik Cortina]

Ben, I'll introduce you to the 136's this weekend!

 

[ShootDots]

Erik, I would GREATLY appreciate that! I would have loved to have them PRIOR to this weekend>>>BUT hey, they just came out.. I got BOTH my 6.5 x 284 and my 6.5 x 47 all ready and waiting for the show to begin!! See you there my friend!

 

[JCardenas]

My apologies dot, I got doc stuck in my head and went with it. I do appreciate you not busting my a$$ about it. And thanks for the advice. I know every rifle is a different beast and it will let you know what it likes, but its guys like you that help speed up the learning curve.

 

[ShootDots]

Thanks Colo... I am on my 3rd 6.5 x 47 barrel... I have enough experience with it to help people get started down the road... When I got my first 6.5 x 47, it was SO NEW I had a difficult time getting brass and a set of dies. However, if that was not bad enough, there was almost no info on loading>>> I was literally flying by the seat of my pants. So, if I can help some people learn from some of my findings, as well as my mistakes, then I have done what I believe this forum is best at>>>everyone helping one another!

 

[AR Shooter]

Ben, I'll introduce you to the 136's this weekend!

Erik - Any results to talk about?

 

[guidom]

i use 123 gr. scenars in my 6.5x47. my groups were not that great when jammed. i'm .002 off lands and my 5 shot group has shrunk to .197.