6x47 vs 6.5x45 Lapua

[shoots_5]

Have some ideas for a custom build I'm going to try and do this summer and currently hung up on a caliber decision. I was settled on the 6.5x47 but after doing a bit of research and running some ballistics the 6x47 seems to be right up there with downrange performance with the heavier bullets. Rifle would be used for long range target shooting as well as a deer, antelope, coyote rifle. I've decided I need a rifle that is cheaper to reload for for long range practice than my 338 LM.... Would be built on a Rem 700 action, leaning towards an Obermeyer or Rock Creek barrel in Rem varmint contour finished at 26", Manners T5A stock.

So, my question is, anyone have any insightful +/-'s on one verses the other? My initial thoughts were to still go with the 6.5 for the heavier bullet weight for hunting but realistically I'm sure the 6mm rounds would perform just as adequately on mule deer sized game and smaller. And yes, I know I can get similar performance out of a 243AI or similar cartridge, but for some bizarre reason I'm stuck on this Lapua case....who knows why, just am.

 

[BK]

This is the kind of thing that sometimes annoys me... we had a 6x45, on a .223 case, a 6x47, on a .222 Mag case, then Lapua comes out with a 6.5x47 Lapua, on a completely different case. Of course, people are going to neck down the Lapua case, to a 6x47 Lapua. How the heck are we supposed to keep this crap straight?

Other than a rant, I'm no help.

 

[Desert Fox]

Until Lapua start making the 6-47 brass, I'll stick to 6.5-47. I like both and you can't go wrong with either one but I'm not too crazy about reforming brass.

Let me help you. Build one like this. :wink:

Result from my range work this afternoon. Tried different load starting at 40.9, 41.2, 41.5 and 41.7 of H-4350 and Berger 130 VLD.

5 shot at 100 meters. I'm not in my best today, pulled one out of the group. My mistake not the rifle

4 shot I pulled 1 out my mistake

3 shot group each

 

[DrMike]

Very nice, Rommel. Very nice, indeed.

 

[6mm Remington]

DF man that thing shoots.

 

[Desert Fox]

Very nice, Rommel. Very nice, indeed.

Thanks DrMike. Just helping Shoot_5 make up his mind. :grin:

DF man that thing shoots.

Thanks Dave,

The rifle shoot really well. I'll be shooting this rifle at our 1K competition on the 27th of this month. Hope it will be ready by then.

 

[DrMike]

Rommel,

We're all pulling for you at your 1K shoot. It looks as if you are getting dialed in.

 

[BK]

Let me help you. Build one like this. :wink:

Man, I'd love to build something like that... probably skip the brake (I hate brakes with a passion) and drop it in a Mickey A3/A4/A5, as I don't like thumbhole stocks (or, more properly, thumbhole stocks don't like me). But that's a sweet rig, DF!

 

[Desert Fox]

I don't like thumbhole stocks (or, more properly, thumbhole stocks don't like me).

I was not crazy about them either until I saw the first AI a couple of years ago... 15 years to be exact. It's like love at first sight. :wink: Took me that long though to finally get around acquiring one. Now there's no turning back.

 

[BK]

Maybe... I'm guessing that we are not built very much alike. I have some pretty good sized hands and haven't really found a thumbhole stock that accommodates my mitts. Or LOP, for that matter.

 

[SJB358]

DF, how do you decide on a load. They are all TINY!

Jeeze, what a problem to have!

As for the 6 vs 6.5, yeah, I am a 264/6.5mm fan after getting to know mine a little better. Great BC, bullet weights that really allow them to drill deep into game and they are just made to shoot long! I love them.. Neither is a bad choice, but the 6.5's are just sweet!

 

[shoots_5]

DF, it's pictures just like those that started my fascination with that round! Seems like every one I've seen shoots little bug hole groups if we do our part. I would venture a guess that rifle barely wiggles with that brake on there. What kind of velocity are you getting with those loads? I'm trying to get some real world performance data to plug into my ballistic program. While it would be nice to not have to form brass, if there is a significant performance gain by necking down to 6mm then I'd probably do it. Any idea if there is any significant difference in barrel life between the 2?

 

[russ808]

Good shooting DF. Good luck and go getum at the match.
Russ

 

[Desert Fox]

Shoots, I don't know anyone that shoots the 6-47 but I have a friend who has a 243 AI. As a matter of fact I just run some numbers for him last week, doing side by side comparison with his 105 grain VLD against the 130 from my 6.5-47. Trajectory wise when all else being equal, his 105 has a slight edge over my 130 in the tune of 1.5 MOA at 1K. As far as barrel life is concern however, the 6.5 barrel will probably last longer than the 6-47 since the 130 bullet has less bearing surface than the 105 and burns less powder.

I'm still working on my loads so I'm not settled on velocity yet. My goal is to get to 2850 or 2875 with no pressure issue. I finally found the source of erratic pressure spike on my reloads after talking to my smith. Jim forgot to tell me that my rifle has a tight neck that measured .291". My reloaded round all measured .292". I went ahead and neck turned the rest of the virgin brass, removing .001' off the neck wall and voila!!! pressures were gone. I got to 41.7 grain yesterday with no signs of pressure whatsoever. But once again, I left my chrono at home so no idea what the velocity was. But I think I'm around 2850 to 2875 already. One more range session and off to practice for the May 27th shoot.

 

[Desert Fox]

DF, how do you decide on a load. They are all TINY!

Jeeze, what a problem to have!

LOL, Velocity Scotty velocity.

 

[257 Ackley]

While it would be nice to not have to form brass, if there is a significant performance gain by necking down to 6mm then I'd probably do it. Any idea if there is any significant difference in barrel life between the 2?

The gunsmith doing my rifle in 6.5 has done 4 rifles in 6X47 (he tried to convince me to go that route so he didn't have to buy a new reamer :lol: ). The guys he is building them for are mainly using them in p-dog towns, not F-class or across the course matches. Necking down to 6 from 6.5 isn't a big deal from what I have heard. The barrel will last longer in the 6.5 unless you are really hot-rodding it, but that is not where most guys are finding their accuracy nodes.

 

[usmc 89]

i have a 6.5x47 and love it, i shot my first f class match today with it i used my 6.5-284 for two strings and fired the last string with with the 6.5x47 lapua at 600. the conditions were 12-15 mph alternating winds and sporatic rain, using a bipod rear bag and a 5.5-22 nightforce nxs i ended up shooting a 194 6x with it. i dont think you will have any complaints with whatever you decide to use. dont worry about necking them down just grease them and run them through the 6x47 full lenghth die. i have necked them down to 22 for my 22x47 without a problem other than having to neck turn them, you probably wont have to do that going from 6.5 to 6 though. both are extremely accurate and efficient.

 

[joelkdouglas]

I'm quite enamored with the 6.5 Creedmoor myself, but I think it's going to die a slow death. Very few companies chamber it, hard to find brass, Lapua doesn't make brass for it.

I believe the 6.5 x 47 a fine choice.

 

[BK]

I hope not, but I'm covering my bets and stocking up on brass...

 

[shoots_5]

Well, after running some more numbers with more accurate data and getting some advice I think I'm going to stick with the 6.5x47.

Found a place that has quite a few barrels in stock so no waiting....I hate waiting.
(in no particular order)
Option #1: Rock Creek 6.5mm 8 twist SS Remington Varmint 27" fluted for 24"
Option #2: Obermeyer 6.5mm 8.4 twist SS Remington Varmint 27"
Option #3: Brux 6.5mm 8.5 twist SS Remington Varmint 27" fluted for 24" finish

I'm pretty certain that I'd like to have it fluted to shed a little weight and help with cooling. Of those barrels anyone have any experience with the makers, good or bad? Shilen is the only brand of custom barrel I have any personal experience with. Any tangible difference in 8 twist vs 8.5? Initially I'm thinking I'll be shooting 130VLD's and Accubonds depending on the intended target.