Need Re-Barrel Decision Help - 6mm or 6.5mm x 47 Lapua

[IndianaRem5r]

I am going to re-barrel my semi custom Rem 700 SPS Varmint (in XLR Element Chassis) with a Bartlein in 6 or 6.5 x 47 Lapua. It currently has the original Rem .243 barrel with a brake installed. Never was better than 1 MOA and almost 1,000 handloaded rounds through it. Yes, I do reload for multiple calibers. I shoot local PRS-style matches and casual target to 1,000 yards. I do not hunt. My first step in committing to this change was to order 100 pcs. of 6.5 x 47 Lapua brass. I need to get the barrel going next along with dies, etc.. I know the 6mm will have less recoil and feel like my .243. Barrel life will be 2,000 rounds max.. The 6.5 will have more recoil, but barrel life of 3,000 or more. The 6.5 will show splash better. I am not concerned with forming 6mm from 6.5mm brass. I can do that. I will not purchase factory ammo. It will be all handloads. I will have the barrel threaded and a brake installed either way. Help me make this decision. Thanks.

 

[KWilson]

I would do the 6.5 variant for the fact it's arguably easier to tune than the 6x47 lapua, and barrel life is far superior. Stick a brake on the 6.5 and your recoil will disappear, not that the 6.5 kicks much anyway, it's pretty mild. I think you would be hard pressed getting 2000 rounds out of the 6mm, my gunsmith frequently re-chambers them around 900 rounds.

 

[Supersubes]

What he said ^

 

[Backspace]

26" 6.5x47 with 140s and Varget or H4350. Don't forget to plan on bushing the bolt and turning down the firing pin. I highly recommend GreTan for that. They have done a few for me. Fast turn around, fair price, and great work.

 

[JBM_DC]

I would do the 6.5 variant for the fact it's arguably easier to tune than the 6x47 lapua, and barrel life is far superior. Stick a brake on the 6.5 and your recoil will disappear, not that the 6.5 kicks much anyway, it's pretty mild. I think you would be hard pressed getting 2000 rounds out of the 6mm, my gunsmith frequently re-chambers them around 900 rounds.

I disagree, yes putting a brake on the 6.5 will reduce the recoil quite a lot, but it does the same to the 6mm as well. I have several close friends who have well over 1000 rounds on their 6mm barrels, one of which is shooting 115 DTAC bullets at 3150fps and has over 2000 rounds on his barrel. The velocity will fall off pretty quick, but there are things to remedy this to an extent.

To the point, where I would steer you is to just chamber up a new barrel in .243 and keep shooting. There is no reason a .243 wont work just as well as the 6x47 or 6.5x47 of which I have both and are both extremely easy to find a load for. My 6x47 is nearing 1000 rounds and has not dropped speed YET and still shoots 105 hybrids at 3065fps. The 6.5x47 is still maintaining speed at 3400 rounds, it has taken a bit of tweaking to maintain the speed, but you should always be making changes as your barrel wears. I fully expect to reach 4000 rounds with it and may even set the barrel back just to see how long I can keep it alive.

All 3 of the cartridges mentioned are great and would serve well for competitions. There is no wrong or right answer between them, but IMO there is a cheaper and just as effective route to go which is stick with the .243.

 

[demolitionman]

Wont you have to trim alot more often with 243 vs 6 x47?

 

[JBM_DC]

Wont you have to trim alot more often with 243 vs 6 x47?

I trim every other firing anyways. Only takes about 5 minutes for a few hundred cases, unless doing it manually. I could not answer for certain, but can say I have let my 6.5 cases go as long as 4 - 7 firings before running into issues with case length at 1 match. That alone was enough to make me trim every other firing.

 

[steve123]

Yep both have their merits. I run the 6 version.

All out speed with high BC = 6x47. Like having the capability to push 110 SMK's/.62BC at 3100 fps in a longer barrel. Might need R-16, R17 or N540 but the option is there. The only time I have a gripe is around the 1200 round mark when velocity is diving. Current barrel is 3125 fps with 105 hybrids at 1000 rounds, was 3150 fps when run in.

A friend has a 6.5x47L which sends 140 hybrids at 2740 fps, I'm pretty sure that's the low node and I think there's another 75 fps to be had if he re did his load. Right now too me it's just not as impressive as my 6 at that speed but still holds it's own for the most part. That's more of an impression as it seems I have better luck in the wind.

When I was winning and at the top of my game in 2011 I would have to give credit to 6x47 for giving me that extra little edge as far as lower recoil for self spotting and .2 mil less wind hold at the longer shots. Back then it was pointed 115 DTACS at 3000 fps which did really well.

I don't practice or shoot matches near as much as I used to so this barrel will have lasted me about 1.5 years. Not bad but not good either. I'm often conflicted, lol, man I love 6x47 but I do wish for better barrel life. I'm trying to talk myself into trying a Dasher maybe even a 6.5 Dasher but it's hard to change over because I've had such good times with the old reliable.

 

[supercorndogs]

The barrel life claims of the 6 comp match are very interesting.

 

[jbailey]

having owned both, I would say 6x47 hands down. Recoil advantage is huge in tough positions and with the latest gen bullets (110gr SMK and the new Tubb 115s), 6mm is fierce. Reduced barrel life is a consideration, but pay to play right? Reduced splash is important, but if you are <1000yds, this shouldn't be a deciding factor.

With all this said, there is no wrong answer here. Both are outstanding choices. Don't sweat the decision too much either way. Best of luck, enjoy the new build.

 

[IndianaRem5r]

Thanks for all of the great responses! I really appreciate it.