6.5x47 Lapua Max Load Advice

[loneranger]

Playing around with a new 6.5x47 Lapua tactical gun that Matt P made for me - beautiful rifle. Recently tried 135gn Berger Classic Hunter with 37gn,37.3gn & 37.5gn 2208 and BR4 and 450 primers. 37.3gn 2208 produced a very nice waterline yesterday, but was easily blown around with the wind which wasn't that strong. Used the Chrony and they were only going 2750-2760fps, but I understand that they should be doing around 2900, so I was wondering how high I could go with 2208 to get to that velocity.

Does anyone have any thoughts as to max loads with 2208 in 6.5x47 Lapua ?

Also does anyone have any experience with the 130 Berger Hybrids using 2208, as I hear that they shoot well too ?

[loneranger]

Sorry with the first question I mean does anyone have thoughts as to max loads with 135gn Berger Classic Hunters with 2208 in 6.5x47.

[L461]

In my limited experience I found AR 2208 too fast in the 6.5x47L

Bbetter with a slightly slower powder such as 2209 etc

[disb]

I gave up worrying about speed in mine and just focused on accuracy and pressure.
I was about 37gr with 130vld an 2208
Switched to 09 for a while but ended up going back to 08.
Now run 140s with 08
World record was set with 140hybrids and H4895 (06H)

[loneranger]

Thanks L461 - I do know guys who use 2208 well and was hoping to use that powder (as I have a fair bit of it) but do you have any favourite loads using 2209 ?

[loneranger]

Thanks disb, but problem with too low a velocity is the projectiles are too affected by wind if they aren't going quick enough. The load I shot on the weekend had perfect elevation, but with only slight wind pick ups, moved quite a lot. I understand the slippery 6.5 going 2,900 fps should handle the wind much better than that. My FS in 308 Win had way less wind drift and that is saying something.
So I was thinking of trying to find the next accuracy node with 135gn CHs in 2208 - maybe 37.7gn or 37.8gn, but I am a little concerned about that being too hot a load. Also I was using BR4 primers instead of 450s, so I think if I use 450s, I might pick up an extra 8-10fps or so?

[disb]

Yep understand what your saying.
I’m running a R700 with 30” Krieger, with that 450s and 37-37.2 of 08 I was getting into the 29xx’s

https://precisionrifleblog.com/2019/09/ ... load-data/
Table there shows a guy using 38.5 with 130gr

[ben_g]

I only ever ran 130 VLD’s in mine for F-open.
2208 was the best performer for me, couldn’t get 2209 to group better (two barrels)

37.5gr would achieve 2950fps pretty easily.

If your not hunting with it you would be better off with either 130 or 140VLD’s or 140hybrid.

Lapua 123’s are a nice bullet, but are noticeably more affected by wind even at around 3000fps. But the lapua 123’s and 2208 are a very easy combo to make work and would still be shooting inside an F-standard bullet.

[Fatty1990]

Hi mate I am running 41.4 gns of 09 with a 130 and this leaves the barrel just shy of 3000fps. 2208 is too fast to get top velocity in this size case. I am using BR4’s. 26 inch barrel

[loneranger]

Thanks guys - my barrel is only 26'' so partly why velocity is down a bit. I think I might try 130s Berger hybrids with 37.3gn - 37.5gn of 08 and 450 primers - this might get me closer to 2900fps

[loneranger]

Thanks Fatty1990. I didn't see your post until after I sent my last one - I hear what you are saying about 08, but I have a lot of it so I'd rather persevere for a while rather than buying new powder. I know a lot of people who use 08 (or as is known in the US, Varget) and they seem to be getting great results.

[HamonetMM]

130 VLD Berger 38X2208 Zero jump. 140 Berger VLD 41X2209 Zero Jump. Good results from both.

[loneranger]

Thanks HamonetMM - what velocities are you getting with the 130VLD Bergers with 38gn 2208 and how long is your barrel ?

[HamonetMM]

Hi, I use the Shotmarker ET which gives FPS readout at the TARGET. As I only shoot long range with this caliber @ 800 mtrs the the projectiles pass the mic pickups @ 1840 FPS. I gave a 14 YO shooter a shoot with this rifle, great conditions, group size 6.37" @ 800. if you send me your email I will send you the target result.