What Cartridge for F-Open

[WEL]

Great thread. Just curious why the creedmoor has not gained some traction in the short game given it equates if not slightly exceeds the 6.5x47 velocity?

 

[BP1]

Great thread. Just curious why the creedmoor has not gained some traction in the short game given it equates if not slightly exceeds the 6.5x47 velocity?

The name lol!! I bet it will catch on in this sport too given time I know for a fact the 6.5 creedmoor will shoot.I wouldn’t hesitate to use it if the accuracy was there.

 

[rkittine]

At this past years 1,000 Yard Bench Rest School at Williamsport, the 30 Magnum, Dasher and 6x47L seemed to be the most popular.

Bob

 

[ShootDots]

Great thread. Just curious why the creedmoor has not gained some traction in the short game given it equates if not slightly exceeds the 6.5x47 velocity?

Give it some time my friend, give it some time..

 

[Steveb]

I been working on the same thought process. I shoot a 6.5 x 47 and 284 Shehane. During the last long range match in October I shot the entire match using my 6.5 x 47 using the new 152 Matrix VLD and competed right alongside the 284's. After the end of the second day of shooting I was only 1 point down from the group of 284's then had to withdraw do to a family emergency on the last relay. These 152's with a BC over .700 when pointed will compete against the 180's!! A lot less recoil to absorb, barrels should last longer, and the cost to operate is lower!! My velocity was 2722 fps from the 6.5 x 47 Lapua.

 

[johnnyi]

I'd suggest that beginners avoid reinventing the wheel. There is plenty of good, solid knowledge in these forums on how to get a 284 or Dasher to shoot well. Going bigger or faster than what most of us do right now invites problems with recoil control and fatigue. Going smaller (at long range) hasn't worked out to the point of seeing them in the winner's circle.

If reinventing the wheel is your thing, save yourself some money, get a copy of Quickload and do some research on OBT. With those two, you shouldHow many are still shooting the 7mm 195 EOL?

I'd suggest that beginners avoid reinventing the wheel. There is plenty of good, solid knowledge in these forums on how to get a 284 or Dasher to shoot well. Going bigger or faster than what most of us do right now invites problems with recoil control and fatigue. Going smaller (at long range) hasn't worked out to the point of seeing them in the winner's circle.

If reinventing the wheel is your thing, save yourself some money, get a copy of Quickload and do some research on OBT. With those two, you should be able to generally predict the accuracy node velocities for a new bullet or bullet/cartridge combination. Armed with that knowledge, you can re-run your ballistic comparisons to see if your new super-bullet will be worth the barrel life to test and load develop. Point in case: How many are still shooting the 7mm 195 EOL?

I’m still shooting the 195’s in my SAUM. It’s not even close to the best choice for a new shooter or even any for that matter. You need 8.25 twist to shoot them well. It has long bearing surface and torques like crazy... you can shoot some super good 3-5 shot groups with it. With my current Barrel when it was Newley Chambered, during load development I have shot some of my best 3 shot groups at 300 than any cartridge I have shot... also some of the best groups shot at 1000. But it WILL eventually twist out the the front rest enough to become squirrelly. If managed properly you can shoot good scores with it in Fclass. I have shot the last 4 or 5 matches at high Master scores. Yes I’m still shooting it, well I’m hard headed and not enough time to make a change. And this barrel is throated to ~.300 freebore so the 180’s would not work. No time to spin up new barrel. So I’m rolling with it . Oh you also cannot run them at the OBT / QL speeds or will risk popping bullets. Tuning them between nodes is also very tricky to stay in a good velocity speed to keep good vertical. So thats another bit of fun to keep up with climate changes to keep the vertical flat. But yes to your point going big is not the best decision. 2 shoots back I attempted to change my shooting position and suffered a week with trapezoid and neck pain from the SAUM Slam’a’lamma! By the Wednesday that following week I wanted to pull the barrel and melt it down so I wouldn’t be tempted to shoot it again...!

So any new shooters do not pick any MAGNUM cartridge is my advice! 284 or (284 variant) has so much info and there will be 8 out of 10 on the line that can get you dialed in within 2 or 3 outings! If recoil sensitive, I would suggest looking at the 6.5’s. 6.5 is also super accurate and many will be 2850-2950 shooting the 140’s with good BC. Will be within a minute of wind hold with a good bit less recoil.

 

[rardoin]

Great thread. Just curious why the creedmoor has not gained some traction in the short game given it equates if not slightly exceeds the 6.5x47 velocity?

I have shot some good scores and earned my 600yd HM with a 6.5 Creedmoor and 141.5gr bullet at 2720+- fps in a lowly Ruger PR....it is an easy cartridge to tune and very capable. I switched to a 6mm Creedmoor for the class I was shooting but when I burn that barrel I think I will have another 6.5 Creed chambered. I think it is a fine cartridge and slandered a bit by insecure 6.5 x47L fanboys. (I had to write that!!!). Yes...mine is currently in a SBR (scary black rifle) configuration to fit the perceived Creedmoor stereotype so often maligned on this forum.

However, I am really a 6.5 (imp) Swede fanboy.

Happy New Years!

 

[ShootDots]

I been working on the same thought process. I shoot a 6.5 x 47 and 284 Shehane. During the last long range match in October I shot the entire match using my 6.5 x 47 using the new 152 Matrix VLD and competed right alongside the 284's. After the end of the second day of shooting I was only 1 point down from the group of 284's then had to withdraw do to a family emergency on the last relay. These 152's with a BC over .700 when pointed will compete against the 180's!! A lot less recoil to absorb, barrels should last longer, and the cost to operate is lower!! My velocity was 2722 fps from the 6.5 x 47 Lapua.

Think about this.. Couple that 152 Matrix with a .260A.I., 6.5 x 55 IMP Swede OR, what I am going for, a 6.5 x 284 pushing that bullet well OVER 2900! Methinks that the Matrix, 147 Hornady A-Max and the 150 SMk's will do exceedingly well at 1000. Just give them some time to catch on..

 

[dminn1]

Interesting discussion and I, too, agree with your thinking on mid-range.

For the group's consideration . . . The long range game seems open to more options, given the powders and the excellent bullets that we have available these days. I'm eagerly awaiting a return to sane temperatures so I can start evaluating the 150 gr. Sierra 6.5 in my 6.5-284. That combination may prove to be a game changer, as ShootDots has said. On the other hand, some of the larger 6mm chamberings can produce some very interesting numbers. For example, a .243 AI can easily achieve 3,300 fps+ with a 105 Hybrid using RL-26. Assuming one can develop a load of sufficient accuracy around this velocity figure, that 6mm 105 actually outperforms a 6.5mm Hybrid at 3,075 fps. A 115 at a modestly lower velocity also produces trajectory and wind drift numbers that are better than the 6.5 140 gr. Hybrid.

The .243 AI is a pussycat on the shoulder in a 15 lb. rifle. The same can be said for the 6mm Rem AI, and the 6 AI will produce even more velocity with today's powders.

Just throwing this out for consideration. I love my .260 AIs and my 6.5-284, but I think I would be making a mistake if I didn't think long and hard about the larger capacity 6mms for F Open. I have a .243 AI rig that happens to shoot the 105 Hybrids extremely well with 48.8 gr. of RL-26 (3,307 fps avg.) and I wouldn't consider myself handicapped at all with this combination at 1,000.

Great times we live in, eh?

Happy New Year!

I did a good deal of shooting with RL-26 in the .243win with the 105g Hybrids in some converted Lapua Palma brass this past summer. I found two good velocity nodes at 3250fps and one at 3360fps. The problem I had with this powder was staying on the node with increases in temperature. Once it got above the mid 70's you could say goodbye to any kind of week to week consistency in the hotter temps. After about 2 pounds and much barrel life I finally gave up on this combo in the summer temps in Tennessee. Having said that I have revisited it this fall and winter and have gotten much more consistent performance week to week. If you can keep this powder bullet combo on your accuracy node it is a viable 1000 yd contender with very gentle recoil.

 

[Sniper338]

I want a new barrel for 2018... I havent decided on a caliber though 100%

Im about 60% sold on running a straight 284. Been shooting a 6XC for 500 yard F class since I started last year.

At our club FTR is more competitive than open. Thought about a 308 for 200 20x berger too since I shoot f open - FTR style with a bipod.

Other ideas floating around in my head though too...

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Its always my opinion when a new aspiring competitor asks this type of question, dont try to buck the trend until you can set the trend. Shoot whats winning, when you are winning then you can experiment.

 

[ShootDots]

I want a new barrel for 2018... I havent decided on a caliber though 100%

Im about 60% sold on running a straight 284. Been shooting a 6XC for 500 yard F class since I started last year.

At our club FTR is more competitive than open. Thought about a 308 for 200 20x berger too since I shoot f open - FTR style with a bipod.

Other ideas floating around in my head though too...

Well line out all your thinking about F-Open or F-T/R and how far you shoot etc..etc.. and see what replies you get! It may help you decide!

 

[Scott Harris]

Has either the 6.5x47 or the 260AI set any national records in any of the long range sports?
CW

My son set a junior record at 1000 yards of 200-16X with the 6.5x47L, still stands. In low winds, the 6.5 cartridges are awesome...

 

[BP1]

I want a new barrel for 2018... I havent decided on a caliber though 100%

Im about 60% sold on running a straight 284. Been shooting a 6XC for 500 yard F class since I started last year.

At our club FTR is more competitive than open. Thought about a 308 for 200 20x berger too since I shoot f open - FTR style with a bipod.

Other ideas floating around in my head though too...

Build that 308TR rifle we need more tr shooters.

 

[BP1]

My son set a junior record at 1000 yards of 200-16X with the 6.5x47L, still stands. In low winds, the 6.5 cartridges are awesome...

Scott that is plain BadAss congrats to your son and to you for keeping him interested in the sport.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

Ask Scott what his wife shoots . The point is that unless you have an inability to shoot what wins most of the time, it might be a good idea to copy them.

I agree with the lighter cartridges in lighter or consistent winds. They are easier to get to shoot really pretty, small groups.

 

[Scott Harris]

Ask Scott what his wife shoots . The point is that unless you have an inability to shoot what wins most of the time, it might be a good idea to copy them.

I agree with the lighter cartridges in lighter or consistent winds. They are easier to get to shoot really pretty, small groups.

284 Shehane, but she has a 7mm-300WSM itch ...pretty sure that is going to end in failure and for the record, Adrian is now shooting a straight 284 WIN and is MUCH more competitive at long range.

 

[B Nettesheim]

284 Winchester works well for both nuff said.

 

[jr600yd]

I've played around with most of the calibers mentioned above. This is what I came up with.
F-Open mid range:
I started with a 6BR, did real well then the bug bit. Looking at my scores I noticed every once in a while I leaked a 9 out the side. By this time the nano-nites had invaded my brain and came up with " if I only had another 100 fps that 9 would have been a 10!" Hence, 6BRX. Did real well making High Master in mid range but again the nano-nites were busy working on the old noggen. If I had another 100 fps? Ta-Da....6XC. Still shooting this in mid range competition.
F-Open long range:
When the 6.5/284 rage hit I wanted to be different so I spun up a 6.5/06. Well, I did OK I guess. I would have done much better if I Could read the wind better. My 6mm's did well if the the wind wasn't to bad. The nano-nites weren't done yet. They forced me, against my will, to call Alex Wheeler. Shazam......a straight 284 set up for 180 Berger Hybrids. Now I'm cooking.
Hummmmm.....if I could have had better wind reading skill with the 6BR?

 

[Nature Boy]

So is it the general consensus that the new 150g SMKs won't work well in the 6.5x47 case?