6.5X47 Barrel Life??

[Nostradumbass]

I did use the search function........anybody shot a 6.5X47 Lapua barrel out???
If so please let me know the round count
I just bought one and been looking at the errornet for some Facts.....thanks for your time!
Phillip

 

[A10XRIFLE]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

The Sad fact of life is that barrels rarley get shot out. Most guys dont ever shoot enough to accomplish that feat. My edjucated guess is 4000-4500 rounds

 

[Captain Moroni]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

My edjucated guess is that if George says something you better listen.

 

[bm11]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

I certainly will not disagree with George. However, the gentleman in this thread: http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2212434#Post2212434 264 Charlie indicates the barrel life at closer to 1800-2000, with his definition of "barrel life" as being accurate enough to win a tactical comp.

Consider this- if you are competing in tactical comps and shooting some 20 round strings of fire in a minute or two, you will have far more throat damage than the F-class shooter shooting 1 round every couple of minutes.

I am no expert at all on this thread, in fact, I have yet to use my own 6.5x47 barrel. This is only from what I have read from people more knowledgeable than me. I would estimate that a good 6.5x47 barrel will still be sub-moa at 4500 rounds, but sub .5 moa it will not be, at least not on any consistent basis.

 

[BOLTRIPPER]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

yeah.....send it to me boltripper......i'll recycle it for you......& send the brass also....primers too.......powder would be nice.......................

 

[Nostradumbass]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

Thanks for the "good" info! I appreciate your help.

 

[Captain Moroni]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

I read that thread the other day and I think his numbers a bit shallow.

 

[raptor99]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

I would agree however it would depend on how much you abuse one. Most of my 260 barrels went at around the 2300 to 2400rd range using them in comps.

I think mine would have even went longer than that if I didn't have to shoot the damn man on man matches. Which are stupid in my opinion for sniper comps. All they do is ruin rifle barrels.

My current 260 has close to 2900rds through it and I had it set back at 1800rds and its still shooting better than I can. Last time out duing load testing with my new 260 (I use it as a standard of what I can shoot for the day) It shot a .75, 1.1 and a 1.25" three shot groups at 400yds.

I then dialed it in for 1000yds before I left and dinged the 1000yd plate 3 out of 3 times. I figue it will go to at least 4000rds if I don't abuse it.

 

[vprtoad]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: A10XRIFLE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Sad fact of life is that barrels rarley get shot out. Most guys dont ever shoot enough to accomplish that feat. My edjucated guess is 4000-4500 rounds </div></div>

I think that the OP needs to remember, is you could maybe do this AFTER a cut and set back only, so a cut and set back on the original barrel needs to happen... and yes I agree

 

[raptor99]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

Mine was still shooting great at 1800rds and I probably could have waited longer but I wanted to catch it before it got bad. I have had some barrels set back when they were going south and it really wasn't worth the time or money.

I usually got less than a 1000rds out of them before accuracy started to fall off again. My one 260 was black for 8"s up the barrel and looked like a dried up lake bed at 2000rds. I had 4"s taken off the ass end and cut down to 21.5"s to see how a short barrel would shoot to 1000yds. It shot great for awhile but I pulled it with a little over 500rds because I knew it was junk starting off.

Once a barrel is abused I don't think there is much you can do to save it. If you don't get them real hot you can extend the usable life with a set back. Iam sure that George would be able to tell you more about that than I could.

 

[wadebrown]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

My first 6.5 x 47L barrel was a SS HV contour 28 inch 1-8" twist rate it was on my F-class rig. The accuracy went to hell in the middle of the first relay in a match right around 1,700 rounds. I was not just having a bad day as I tested at my favorite 300 meter range the next week and the 40 shot group was about 2.5 times the size of the group under same conditions the week before the match.

F-class shooting can be rapid as there are times when you want to shoot as soon as the target is scored and a good puller can do this in 7 seconds. After shooting 22 rounds rapidly even single feed can make the barrel extremely hot to the touch.

I had the shoulder set back on the barrel and got 500 rounds through before it went to hell again. The X-ring in F-class is 1/2 MOA so once the barrel can not hold better than 0.5 MOA it really is not competitive anymore.

wade

 

[raptor99]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

Wade,
Well you sure shot the hell out of a lot of 6.5x47 guys fantacies of 4000 to 5000rds before having to rebarrel. Your set back info is about what I found with my 260s also. One was still shooting well at around 800 but I knew it was on borrowed time so I pulled.

I get tired of listening to these guys with the 6.5x47s saying how they are pushing them as fast as 260s but will still get better barrel life.

There is no free lunch in the shooting sports. If you want to push bullets fast, plan on rebarreling. Its just that simple.

If you shoot a 6.5x55 at 2650fps with 140s it WILL last for 4000 to 5000rds but if you push it up to 2650+ with the 6.5x284 then it will last about as long as a 6.5x284.

 

[264Charlie]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

The number will grow or shrink in my post on powder temp, style of shooting, and load. Regardless the relationship from round to round should be accurate.

If you have to set back or use a throating reamer to get back accuracy that does not count.


My 6.5x47L comp rig shooting at 2850 is starting to open up now at 1850. Still shooting 1/2 MOA but not getting the 3/8 like at 1600 and below. I am going to drag it out to 2000 it's time for a new barrel.

Hey George, Hope to see you at TBRC in 2011, I will buy you a beer this time. Ryan is loving his new .243. My I request a LH rifle this year

 

[DemarayRifleWorks]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

Have been shooting Precision Field/Tactical Matches for the last two seasons with my 6.5x47L. 27in Brux 8T Barrel pushing 142smk's @ 2800 fps over Varget. The barrel now has over 2400 rounds down it and the last paper test @ 100 was still a 3/8 in hole. I am always testing my rifles in different conditions to maintain confidence in their ability to perform consistently under match conditions. As a guess I would say the barrel will go at least 3000 rounds staying under 1/2 MOA.

 

[jbailey]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

How about brass life? Does anyone have any data on # of reloads in those beautiful Lapuas? Mine are still on their first loads, but I hope to get MANY, MANY loads out of them given the cost of each. Thanks.

 

[RADcustom]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

Cigarcop mentioned that he had 14 reloadings on some of his brass and still going. I think he anneals every 4th reloading if I remember correctly.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...718#Post1939718

 

[ryanjay11]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

I have reloaded brass 9-10 times with no issues. I only neck size, so you might have different results if you full length size.

 

[raptor99]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

500rds of Lapua brass has wore out two 260 barrels and I am starting on my 3rd with the same brass. I am getting some loose primer pockets now with some split necks starting to show up. I have probably had to cull around 50 or so rounds with that many more marked for one last firing.

I am sure this will start showing up more now but the brass owes me nothing!!!

 

[Cigarcop]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RADcustom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Cigarcop mentioned that he had 14 reloadings on some of his brass and still going. I think he anneals every 4th reloading if I remember correctly.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...718#Post1939718 </div></div>

That is correct

 

[DemarayRifleWorks]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

Started with 300 pcs Lapua brass. I full length size with redding type S bushing dies. Bump shoulder .001-.003 and anneal every 3rd firing. Also tumble every firing. I have 8 firings on all 300 pcs and brass is still like new with the exception being the few hot batches I ran early on. Those pcs still shoot fine just the pockets are a bit loose.

 

[crumpmd]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: vprtoad</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: A10XRIFLE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Sad fact of life is that barrels rarley get shot out. Most guys dont ever shoot enough to accomplish that feat. My edjucated guess is 4000-4500 rounds </div></div>

I think that the OP needs to remember, is you could maybe do this AFTER a cut and set back only, so a cut and set back on the original barrel needs to happen... and yes I agree </div></div>

I disagree.
For most shooters of the 6.5X47Lapua if they are running less than the hottest loads and not shooting scorching strings of fire all the time they can easily get 4000 rounds with accuracy. For people shooting hot rounds and strings that heat the barrel smoking hot I am sure accuracy will degrade much more quickly. I am well over 2K on my Scalpel and it shoots bug holes all day. I do not shoot comps. My load is 139gr scenar with 37gr RL-15. Not the fastest but not a gallery load either. Surgeon made it with a Kreiger barrel and that may be a factor in the barrel lasting longer.

 

[michael_aos]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: A10XRIFLE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Sad fact of life is that barrels rarley get shot out.</div></div>

That's what I keep thinking too. At most I maybe shoot 100rds/month. Average is probably closer to 50 or less.

 

[ERA]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

I do know some Finnish Benchrest shooters who claim that they have had to replace their 6.5X47Lapua barrel at 1500rds due lost of accuracy. However I have understood that these barrels would still have been perfectly good for sniping comps etc. At the same time I do know cases where 6.5x55 match guns have been shot 8000rds before barrel replacement. These people have been mostly using Lapua factory match ammo. Lapua factory representatives say that in general 6.5x55 barrel last for 4000rds in average and 6mm BR 3000rds in average and 308win 6000rds in average. Therefore I presume that the 6.5X47 "barrel life" varies between 1500 to 4000rds depending on use and demands + barrel quality.

In general I believe what really wears out match barrels is.

1. Testing handloads and shooting long strings rapidly trough chronometer.

2. Too much abrehesive cleaning, due wanting to subdue the carbon residues etc. Many people use slow high energy powders that foul easily the throat. While cleaning to much they actually scrape some of the metal away.

3. Amount of powder burned compared to inside diameter of barrel.

4. Pressure

After burning two 338LM barrels in 3years of time(4000rds), my conclusion is that in future I will be testing loads eaven less than to this point. I will be achieving this by using factory ammo for all my long range shooting. Handloads will be restricted to short range use (up to 700m). Last two years I have been using Lapua factory match ammo in competitions, but in training I have used handloads.

 

[dar1246]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

I would think you could get around 4 to 5000 out of the lapua. In my one of my 260s I had rebarrel at 3500 rounds. It open up some but was still a shooter. I mostly rebarrel it to have the barrel borescope and had an extra laying around. The throat was worn but not gone.
The 6.5 lapua should hold a better throat life than the 260 (i would think).

 

[Jim the Plumber]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

I re barreled my Lilja 3 groove 8 twist 6.5x47L at 3000 rounds. 99% of those rounds were 139's pushed with Hunter.It was still holding it's accuracy but I was at the start of a new match season, so I re barreled. Brass life has been very good as well, but I have been annealing the necks every 4-5 reloads. I full length resize and only discard a case due to enlarged primer pockets

 

[Curnow26]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

Can this round really go to 1000 yds. I am new to this caliber and have given it some thought, a friend told me he saw a show on the military channel that had a rifle chamberd for this cartrige and and it could go to 1000 with a flat tragectory.
Sounded like a good round.

 

[Jim the Plumber]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

It makes it to 1000 supersonic with ease with most of the higher BC 6.5 bullets.

 

[Wolf22]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

been pondering a 260 as a secondary to the 6.5x. thanks for the info

 

[Flyingbullseye]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Curnow26</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can this round really go to 1000 yds. I am new to this caliber and have given it some thought, a friend told me he saw a show on the military channel that had a rifle chamberd for this cartrige and and it could go to 1000 with a flat tragectory.
Sounded like a good round. </div></div>

If I remember correctly that show was mentioning the M40A5 being chambered in the 6.5L. I don't believe the Marines decided on it though (anyone know for sure?). At 1000yrds the 6.5L using a 139gr round will smack a target harder than the 175gr SMK .308 with less drop and wind drift so, yep good to go for 1000.

Flyingbullseye

 

[Hawk45]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

After reading this thread it seems barrel life depends on the purpose of the rifle. A benchrest shooter that needs to get sub .5 MOA will obviously have a shorter barrel life than someone using for tactical purposes where MOA may sufficient. Heck.. if the 6.5x47 is buring up barrels in 1800 rounds.. that's not far off a 300WM.

 

[Nostradumbass]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

The military channel show was called "ultimate weapons". Tactical Rifles.net proposed a rifle calling it a M40, but not a M40A5. It has a custom stock, that's reminiscent of the M40A1, and it's chambered in 6.5X47 Lapua. They were shooting steel targets suppressed at distance.......but not 1000yds I don't think.
I'm sure it's capable of 1000yd accuracy though. FYI, I shot a boar @786yds two days ago.
Phillip

 

[69icarus]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

Nice Shot!

 

[jbailey]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nostradumbass</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The military channel show was called "ultimate weapons". Tactical Rifles.net proposed a rifle calling it a M40, but not a M40A5. It has a custom stock, that's reminiscent of the M40A1, and it's chambered in 6.5X47 Lapua. They were shooting steel targets suppressed at distance.......but not 1000yds I don't think.
I'm sure it's capable of 1000yd accuracy though. FYI, I shot a boar @786yds two days ago.
Phillip </div></div>

Do you have a link on this article? Thanks.

 

[Captain Kirk]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

Barrel life? Here is your answer

I ran 4K through my last 6.5x47L, still shot good, hits out to 1100-1200 depending on conditions.

Kirk R

 

[Trevor300wsm]

Re: 6.5X47 Barrel Life??

The 6.5x47 is very capable of/at 1000yds. Even the smallest amount of research will show you this. Run a 139 scenar at 2875-2950 fps and you will be doing fine when you hit the target at 1000yds.