6.5 x 47 Load help

[parkerg31]

I am load developing for my buddies 6.5x47 for him because he has zero time between work and a baby on the way. He's wanting to get speeds around 2700 fps, but he only has an 18.5 inch barrel. Problem is, I do not own that caliber (I shoot 6.5CM), so im not that familiar with common loads. I was wondering what powder charges you guys think will get him there. Just trying to get a general idea going into a ladder test. I know how to read and have looked at book stuff, but I want peoples views. He has Varget and H4350 and will be shooting 130 VLD's.

 

[emann1022]

I use 37.5 grains of varget with a Berger 130 VLD. 37.5 seems to be a common accuracy load for many people in this cartridge. I get 2880 from a 26in barrel.

 

[LA260]

I'm assuming you meant H4350. Im getting 2963 with 42.3gr H4350 and 130ELDs, and 2900 with 37.8 gr Varget and 130ELDs. He should be able to get 2700 with either powder.

 

[wilson1911]

When shooting 130's it will be better to run varget. H4350 has too much case fill to get any speed out of it. Run it up to 2880-3020 and look for a node.

37 ish is going to be where you end up.

 

[molzarella]

I've ran 26" and 28" 4 groove 8 twist barrels. Ran 39gr H4350 in both with 140 hybrids. 2750fps and 2780 fps respectively.

 

[joel65]

I agree. Use Varget and start at 37.0 and then work up to 37.7

 

[Batemanb12]

I use 37.5 grains of varget with a Berger 130 VLD. 37.5 seems to be a common accuracy load for many people in this cartridge. I get 2880 from a 26in barrel.

This load has worked in (3) different rifles with 130-140 vld’s

 

[towerofpower93]

When shooting 130's it will be better to run varget. H4350 has too much case fill to get any speed out of it. Run it up to 2880-3020 and look for a node.

37 ish is going to be where you end up.

Wouldn't say you can't get any speed out of H4350 with 130s.

I get ~3,000fps (ES/SD of 29/9.0fps) with a Berger 130gr AR Hybrid sitting on top of 42.7gr of H4350 jumping them 20thou in a suppressed 26" Remage with 1:8 twist

I will concede I'm burning a few more grains of powder to get nearly identical velocities, but it's not a complete slouch.

Thought I'd read that H4350 would give a bit more velocity than Varget, but perhaps that was in the 6.5 Creed with the 140gr class of bullets vice the x47L with 130s.

Always something new to learn in this game.

ETA: reading the wrong part of my load data spreadsheet. Updated the velocity and ES/SD info.

 

[bjay]

I wouldnt run heavier than 130s on set up like that.and lighter pills normally works better with faster burning varget vs h4350..it only make sense using varget your barrel length

 

[towerofpower93]

I wouldnt run heavier than 130s on set up like that.and lighter pills normally works better with faster burning varget vs h4350..it only make sense using varget your barrel length

For the OP's 18.5" barrel that makes a lot of sense.

Might spin up a few with Varget myself to see what gains can be made,

 

[emann1022]

The problem I run into with H4350 is that to reach the higher speeds I'm at 42 grains which is a compressed load. Varget gets the same speeds with less case fill and no compressed powder.

 

[LA260]

The problem I run into with H4350 is that to reach the higher speeds I'm at 42 grains which is a compressed load. Varget gets the same speeds with less case fill and no compressed powder.

Yup. I'm not too thrilled about the compressed load either at 42.3gr but I get better groups and lower ES with H4350 and 130ELDs. With 140ELDs its the opposite. Varget gets lower ES and better groups.

 

[wilson1911]

This is the reason I recommended against H4350, you need a drop tube and vibrate to keep compression down. Varget is just the better option. I shoot berger hvld 130's out of mine.

 

[Mhut]

I'm assuming you meant H4350. Im getting 2963 with 42.3gr H4350 and 130ELDs, and 2900 with 37.8 gr Varget and 130ELDs. He should be able to get 2700 with either powder.

I'm interested in trying the 130 elds are they finicky?

 

[parkerg31]

I'm interested in trying the 130 elds are they finicky?

So far, some what. I have been getting really good S.D's but am finding it hard to get a great group. I finished load development and am about to post full results.

 

[padom]

Zero issues here with 130 ELD. My x47's have shot lights out with EVERY bullet I've tested EXCEPT RDF's.. This is with H4350 from a while back before I started using Varget. I now only use Varget in my x47L shooting 140 Hybrids.

130 ELD-M / H4350









130 Hyrbids / Varget







140 Hybrids / Varget

 

[parkerg31]

So I finished my load development and here are the results...

-I started with a ladder type test with five round groups, from 36-38 grains of Varget increasing in .2 grain increments. I tested with a magneto speed. Picture of results is posted below. I ended up finding a node between 36.8-37 and another smaller one between 37.2-37.4.

- So the next day I went back and shot those nodes in five round groups again to re confirm the node, this time loading in between the other charges to see. I ended up settling on 36.8 because over the two days, it had the most consistent speeds despite the temp change, and the S.D stayed the same. It also shot very good groups with a magneto on. Below are the results of the second tests

- Finally, yesterday I did a seating depth test with 36.8 grains without the magneto on the end. Im torn between .005 off the lands and .010 off. .005 off has a smaller group and I think the horizontal dispersion is me because im not the best group shooter, but .010 off shot the same looking group two days before with a magneto on so I feel like it is a consistent load. Im settled on 38.8 grains .010 off of the lands. Below is the results (just .005 and .010 off) of the seating depth testing. Ive not included the four other groups just to save post length.

-By the way, the .005 off is .67MOA and the .010 off is .69MOA. Also attached below is a picture of the groups from the initial ladder with a magneto in case anyone is interested.

 

[LA260]

I'm interested in trying the 130 elds are they finicky?

Not anymore finicky than the 123/139Scenars and 140ELDs that I tried. Only issue with 130ELDS that I have faced is availability. It comes in waves then dries up so stack up if it works for you.