6 x 47 Lapua

[bobeager]

Could anyone who has a 6 x 47 Lapua up and going please relate their experiences / results e.g., velocity achieved with 105 / 107 's. Is it as accurate and consistent as the 6mm BR? What Loads are being used? Is this cartridge the "one gun" for 300 metres to 1000 yds.

[Cameron Mc]

I have had a 6x47L going for a few weeks now. Really pleased with results. Conditions have been bad at our range except for one weekend before Christmas. Shot 99 and 100 at 300yds.

Have not put it over the chrono yet, but it shoots a fair bit flatter than the 6br.

Have only shot 300 and 500 yds so far so cannot comment on the longer ranges.

I have only tried 105g Lapua's. Just a little fussier than the 6br. But then the 6br will shoot with almost anything you throw at it. I am using a stiff load of 2209. Best not show load, start at 37 and go up. I plan to try Sierra's soon.

Cameron

[Cameron Mc]

This site has some relevant info

http://www.6mmhot.com/

Regards, Cameron

[Cameron Mc]

Anyone using the 6.5x47 ? I will have one going by next weekend.

Cameron

[AlanF]

Cameron,

I'm not using one, but am very interested to see how yours goes. Will you be trying the 140gn class projectiles, or doing what Darrell Jones has done with 120gn class? I guess the twist rate will need to be fast to do the 140s.

Alan

[Cameron Mc]

Alan, my main intension with this cartridge is to use the 120g range of projectiles.
I do intend to give the 140's a go as well.

Will keep you posted

Cameron

[XCALIBRE]

For anyone interested, I developed my own version two years ago of a 6X50 and a 6.5X50. Hellcat and Bobcat. Being a tight bastard they were based on Lapua .243 brass or any other .243 brass lying around. Easy to make and indestructable in use with 40 firings. The Hellcat utilises the full length of the .243 Rem case in the form of extra long neck as does the Bobcat which shortens slightly in expanding to 6.5.
The Lapua 6.5X47 follows the same dimensions as mine to within a few thou differnce overall with the following exceptions. The shoulder angle is 40" instead of 30". Large Primer pocket. H2O capacity is 49.9grn a diff of over two grns to the Lap 47.
40" shoulder angle was chosen as it was the only available in common sized dies ( AI ) here in Australia. The large primer pocket came with the case. ( Note: Lapua originally wanted Large, the Yanks wanted small, U.S.A. market won! Yanks now lament small and are using Magnum primers to compensate. ) The larger volume capacity is needed for ADI powders.
Pressures peak faster with the sharper shoulder angle so care must be taken in working up loads. I have found the following to work well with my set up Rem 700 and Omark actions behind 8:1 krieger barrels.
6mm:Lapua 105 X 36grnsX2209 for 2913 fps.
6.5mm: Sierra 120 X 38grnsX2208 for 3017 fps.
6.5mm: Sierra 142 X 40grnsX2209 for 2785 fps.
These were found to be the best, under the case life threshold.
Higher accuracy nodes were found in greater velocities but the cost would be too great.
Both cases are excellant for long range. although the 142's are to be put to the test very shortly. I think the 6.5X47 120's will make a lot of people happy as did the BR.

[Cameron Mc]

Thanks for the info. A mate tried something similar about 20 years ago with great success for field rifle comps.
I am "running in" my 6.5x47 at present. Have tried up to 40g 2209 with 123g lapua's. Will try some with 2208 today.


Cameron

[XCALIBRE]

Cameron,
Let me know how you got on. I found 2209 needs back pressure to burn clean. The heavy pill (142 ) does the job as does the constraint of the steep shoulder angle and small bore of the 6mm.When overloaded, I liken 2209 in most calibres to deisel and petrol exhaust pipes. Another major disadvantage of 2209 is that it is very abrasive. Tumbled for 4 hours in half inch ball bearings and even mixed with water, it will not break down. It has to achieve complete combustion within the chamber.

[Cameron Mc]

Interesting about the 2209 and needing back pressure. I have also found 2209 to be a very "dirty powder". I have had good results with 6.5-284 and 2209.
I only use the ADI powders as they are not sensitive to the temperature extremes we experience.
While talking of the weather, I was all ready for 2 days of testing last weekend untill we got hit with a bad storm Australia Day afternoon. Had to work through to Sunday night.
All being well, I will be able to try again this Saturday.
Will let you know.

Cameron

[daj]

Cameron,

I just received my 6.5x47 barrel from Neville last week. The chamber is short throated and more suited to 120gn SMKs so I'll have to take the throat out an extra 0.060" for the scenars etc.

Powder selection, I've discovered, is not nearly as easy as it is for a .308.

Running QuickLoad shows VV N550 as the theoretical stand-out performer followed by H380 and W760. Pity, I'm still wary of temperature effects on double base and ball powders. (although I haven't personally experienced any problems when using W760 in the past)

In comparison, velocities are well down for 2208 (50-100fps) and 2209 needs compressed loads to perform. (and Xcalibre reckons 2209 is abrasive)

Best theoretical performer is the 130gn JLK with VV N550 but even with 2208 it looks like a great performer.

Anyone sourced the JLK?

Daj

[Cameron Mc]

Dave,

I would have the same chamber as you. I tried 139g Lapua's this morning, yes a little short but I am not going to worry about it. I got a good load with 2208 for 2900fps with low SD and ES. Looks promising.
My main hope is with the lighter projectiles. Will be trying 123 Lapua's tomorrow. 2208 and mag primers.

Cameron

[Tom Lowndes]

XCalibre

I am interested in this Back Pressure,can you pls enlighten me.


Tom Lowndes

[daj]

Cameron,

139 over 2208 for 2900fps!!! Now you've got my mouth watering. Care to share your load details and barrel length?

I'm also interested in why you, and many others, are looking to the lighter pills rather than the heavies. Do you feel the shootability of the light pills outweighs the better BC of the heavies?

Good luck with the 123s tomorrow.

Dave

[Guest]

Yes Tom, I am also interested in what " Back Pressure " is as applied to internal ballistics.
Back in my pump designing days we would introduce a back pressure into pumping systems for control reasons by artificial means ie a control valve or orifice.
Never heard of Back pressure in a rifle chamber. Obviously you need it for total combustion of 2209---how do you achieve it?
Barry