6x47 Lapua

[steve123]

How much wind drift am I losing between 2880 vs 3040 FPS? 10 mph full value at 1000 yards is only .15 mil difference. At 600 yards the difference is not even a tenth.

As far as advantages goes, the 2880 FPS load has less recoil which means less time cleaning up sight picture between shots and an improvement in spotting shots. Also less barrel wear and tear by running a mild load and cooler powder results in more consistency from match to match as barrel erosion is much slower.

Someday I hope to hear how long this barrel lasts. I often thought of doing the same thing but never did.

It's fun thinking about all this stuff! Like how much better barrel life a 25x47L would get with 131BJ's slowed down?! High BC and low-ish recoil with less drift. Maybe a future project for me. Small shank savage prefit?!

I'm at 1000 rounds down my 6mmBR barrel. Normally I'd be thinking about another barrel about now with my old 6x47. Wipes brow - Relieved....

 

[just browsing]

Someday I hope to hear how long this barrel lasts. I often thought of doing the same thing but never did.

It's fun thinking about all this stuff! Like how much better barrel life a 25x47L would get with 131BJ's slowed down?! High BC and low-ish recoil with less drift. Maybe a future project for me. Small shank savage prefit?!

I'm at 1000 rounds down my 6mmBR barrel. Normally I'd be thinking about another barrel about now with my old 6x47. Wipes brow - Relieved....

I have a 25 Creed to compare my 6x47 to and it’s not even close. 131 is a good bullet and recoil is not bad by any means but even at 2800fps, you definitely know you’re shooting a heavier bullet.

 

[DIBBS]

@steve123 was reading back through this and almost posted to ask you about barrel life. I am trying to M O D E R A T E on my current barrel and see if 100fps less makes a difference on barrel life. Currently I am experimenting with RDF's/450/H4350 40.1 @ 3050. I shot some nice groups last weekend, but based on my experience with 130 RDF's inconsistentcy in the 6.5x47, I only loaded 100 rounds . Add to the fact that I ran 400 cases through the FL sizing die without a bushing... arg. You really can get dragster performance out of the caliber but there's not a free lunch there either.

 

[lte82]

109 hybrids @ 3000 w/ RL16. 38.3gr. 6 shots in 2-4 mph left to right wind, 1.5” vertical. It stacked them up at 800. The 109s are for sure one of the most consistent bullets I’ve ever shot...

 

[steve123]

@steve123 was reading back through this and almost posted to ask you about barrel life. I am trying to M O D E R A T E on my current barrel and see if 100fps less makes a difference on barrel life. Currently I am experimenting with RDF's/450/H4350 40.1 @ 3050. I shot some nice groups last weekend, but based on my experience with 130 RDF's inconsistentcy in the 6.5x47, I only loaded 100 rounds . Add to the fact that I ran 400 cases through the FL sizing die without a bushing... arg. You really can get dragster performance out of the caliber but there's not a free lunch there either.

Hi Craig,

Sorry for the late reply, I missed this post til right now.

I never tried to slow my 6x47 down in any of my barrels so I couldn't tell you how slowing the velocity down will extend barrel life.

Running warm loads I averaged maybe 1700 ???

 

[just browsing]

109 hybrids @ 3000 w/ RL16. 38.3gr. 6 shots in 2-4 mph left to right wind, 1.5” vertical. It stacked them up at 800. The 109s are for sure one of the most consistent bullets I’ve ever shot...

Nice shooting!

How far off the lands did you end up?

 

[lte82]

Nice shooting!

How far off the lands did you end up?

.020 off. They behave virtually identical to the 105 hybrid.

 

[just browsing]

.020 off. They behave virtually identical to the 105 hybrid.

.020 worked for me as well. Also tested .040 and .060 with decent results, but .020 was the clear winner.

Ran them up to 3100 without pressure in my 29” Brux over RL16. I ended up at 3040 but it was only one of multiple nodes. Super easy to tune.

BC of .292 has seemed correct out to 700 but haven’t had a chance to verify beyond that. 238 rounds on this barrel so we will see how she does at Frontline this weekend.

 

[JM4590]

39.6 H4350
CCI 450
Berger 105 Hybrids
.030 jump
26” Hawk Hill w / ARC Archimedes
Chrono data to follow

 

[JM4590]

Getting 3057 avg MV with the H4350 but dbl digit SD

 

[samb300]

Has anybody been shooting Peterson 6x47L brass, and has a couple reloads on them?

 

[Ranger188]

Been running it pretty hard and on 4th reload. GTG so far.

26 inch RockCreek, 8tw. 40.0 RL16, CCI 450, custom 103g bullets @3140

 

[220wyo]

38.5 gr H4350 and 105 hybrids in Peterson brass. 5th reload with no issues. Annealed every time. Mild load in my rifle but single digits es and under 1/2 moa. Zero brass issues. Shoots the exact same velocity and point of impact as my necked down 6.5x47brass which has 11 reloads on it currently. I have 100 Rds of each in rotation right now.

 

[samb300]

38.5 gr H4350 and 105 hybrids in Peterson brass. 5th reload with no issues. Annealed every time. Mild load in my rifle but single digits es and under 1/2 moa. Zero brass issues. Shoots the exact same velocity and point of impact as my necked down 6.5x47brass which has 11 reloads on it currently. I have 100 Rds of each in rotation right now.

Awesome, thanks!

What barrel length and velocity are you getting with that load?

 

[220wyo]

I am getting 3035 fps. Trued 700, 26” bartlein 8 twist. I have 1700 rds through it right now. My kids have been shooting it the last couple months so I know it’s had rapid strings through it and been a lot hotter than I would like but I guess that’s my fault for using 10 rd mags. We have 3 large prairie dog towns on our place So no shortage of hot and heavy shooting for a couple of 12 yr old boys. I wanted a load just over 3000 FPS for them to run knowing they would run the gun hard. I also didn’t want to run it on the edge with them using it. I have the same barrel sitting here waiting for me to chamber when this one dies.

 

[samb300]

Back to you Peterson guys...

Anybody with new brass have REALLY thick necks? I'm measuring 0.015" wall thickness and a loaded neck diameter of 0.273". Even with a normal 0.275" chamber I'm going to have to neck turn to have adequate clearance.

Also, virgin brass is measuring 0.450" dia at the shoulder, which I thought seemed a bit small.

 

[samb300]

.020 worked for me as well. Also tested .040 and .060 with decent results, but .020 was the clear winner.

Ran them up to 3100 without pressure in my 29” Brux over RL16. I ended up at 3040 but it was only one of multiple nodes. Super easy to tune.

BC of .292 has seemed correct out to 700 but haven’t had a chance to verify beyond that. 238 rounds on this barrel so we will see how she does at Frontline this weekend.

How has this load been treating you this season? Have you chased the lands to maintain a 0.020" jump with the 109's, or have you let them jump as the throat wears?

I'm still debating 109's vs 110 A-Tips. The A-Tips are obviously significantly more expensive for a similar BC, but they have been shooting great from my GT and seem to tolerate a jump quite well. I haven't heard anything definitive that the 109s are better than the 105s, but I want the added BC and slightly slower velocity that the 109/110 provides (for PRS applications). And after reading all of the jump testing data from SAC/Precision Rifle Blog, the 0.060" + jump for 105 Hybrids has me very intrigued for how the 109's will act.

 

[just browsing]

How has this load been treating you this season? Have you chased the lands to maintain a 0.020" jump with the 109's, or have you let them jump as the throat wears?

I'm still debating 109's vs 110 A-Tips. The A-Tips are obviously significantly more expensive for a similar BC, but they have been shooting great from my GT and seem to tolerate a jump quite well. I haven't heard anything definitive that the 109s are better than the 105s, but I want the added BC and slightly slower velocity that the 109/110 provides (for PRS applications). And after reading all of the jump testing data from SAC/Precision Rifle Blog, the 0.060" + jump for 105 Hybrids has me very intrigued for how the 109's will act.

It did OK but I, like others, ended up ditching the 109s after some unexplainable elevation issues cropped up. I was having to adjust BC as much as .020+/- in some cases depending on the day and conditions, and this was after I confirmed load, speed, and retested .020 jump through .120.

I still have some 109s from the same lot that I’ve been shooting in my BRA and they have been doing great. .060-.070 is definitely a sweet spot. So maybe it was an isolated issue with the x47 or something to do with my loading process. It turned into a mental/confidence issue more-so than anything.

I ended up bailing on 6x47 altogether and going back to 6 Creed with factory Federal 105s if that tells you anything... YMMV.

 

[samb300]

It did OK but I, like others, ended up ditching the 109s after some unexplainable elevation issues cropped up. I was having to adjust BC as much as .020+/- in some cases depending on the day and conditions, and this was after I confirmed load, speed, and retested .020 jump through .120.

I still have some 109s from the same lot that I’ve been shooting in my BRA and they have been doing great. .060-.070 is definitely a sweet spot. So maybe it was an isolated issue with the x47 or something to do with my loading process. It turned into a mental/confidence issue more-so than anything.

I ended up bailing on 6x47 altogether and going back to 6 Creed with factory Federal 105s if that tells you anything... YMMV.

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

Still trying to make sense of it all in regards to 6x47L, it being "finicky," people bailing on it, etc. I believe I read that 6XC is basically 6x48, so I'm unsure as to why 6x47L would have issues when 6XC and 6 Creed don't. And even the small vs. large primer debate I've seen doesn't seem to hold much weight since Lapua SRP 6 Creed ammo appears to be accepted as being good.

I want to give it a shot more than I want to deal with mag kits in my AI, so I bought some Peterson brass. Too bad the necks are so thick I have to turn them...that factory 6 Creed ammo is sounding better every day haha

Sounds like I should decide on 105 Hybrids or 110 A-Tips and steer clear of the 109s for now.

 

[cdeiglmeier]

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

Still trying to make sense of it all in regards to 6x47L, it being "finicky," people bailing on it, etc. I believe I read that 6XC is basically 6x48, so I'm unsure as to why 6x47L would have issues when 6XC and 6 Creed don't. And even the small vs. large primer debate I've seen doesn't seem to hold much weight since Lapua SRP 6 Creed ammo appears to be accepted as being good.

I want to give it a shot more than I want to deal with mag kits in my AI, so I bought some Peterson brass. Too bad the necks are so thick I have to turn them...that factory 6 Creed ammo is sounding better every day haha

Sounds like I should decide on 105 Hybrids or 110 A-Tips and steer clear of the 109s for now.

I don't have a lot of experience running 6x47, but with my new barrel I've had good luck with 105's at 20 thou off loaded with 38.6 grains H4350. FGMM Small rifle primers. Lapua 6.5x47 brass necked down. Running fast in my new Benchmark at 3080. But it's a hammer.

 

[just browsing]

Honestly all of these rounds accomplish similar things. Doesn’t matter if you’re talking 6Creed, x47, GT, or any of the BR based variants. Fact of the matter is it boils down to what you shoot the best and what you’re most confident in (generally synonymous with each other).

For me, I figured out that it’s not worth my time to do the prep work, load development, and then get ready for matches on top of all that. I couldn’t shoot the difference anyway. But being able to grab a case and go, not worrying if you lose a couple pieces of brass, etc... that alone makes it worth the relative cost of loaded factory ammo and shorter barrel life for me.

BUT that’s not to say that everyone will share that same viewpoint. That’s why we have all these different options.

 

[outlawkyote]

Ive been having pretty good luck with the slow powders and heavy bullets.

 

[outlawkyote]

26" Shillen

 

[lte82]

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

Still trying to make sense of it all in regards to 6x47L, it being "finicky," people bailing on it, etc. I believe I read that 6XC is basically 6x48, so I'm unsure as to why 6x47L would have issues when 6XC and 6 Creed don't. And even the small vs. large primer debate I've seen doesn't seem to hold much weight since Lapua SRP 6 Creed ammo appears to be accepted as being good.

I want to give it a shot more than I want to deal with mag kits in my AI, so I bought some Peterson brass. Too bad the necks are so thick I have to turn them...that factory 6 Creed ammo is sounding better every day haha

Sounds like I should decide on 105 Hybrids or 110 A-Tips and steer clear of the 109s for now.

If you want, order this reamer from JGS. I designed it around Peterson brass & 109s but it would work fine for Lapua brass and most any 105-109gr bullet. No need to turn necks at all with it.

 

[samb300]

If you want, order this reamer from JGS. I designed it around Peterson brass & 109s but it would work fine for Lapua brass and most any 105-109gr bullet. No need to turn necks at all with it.

I don’t know what’s going on with Peterson, but I bought a new box of 50 from EuroOptic to measure and the neck thickness is 0.015” measured with a mic. Loaded round is 0.2730”. Stupid thick.

 

[lte82]

I don’t know what’s going on with Peterson, but I bought a new box of 50 from EuroOptic to measure and the neck thickness is 0.015” measured with a mic. Loaded round is 0.2730”. Stupid thick.

I did a .2750 neck to accommodate a .272 loaded round (which is what mine measures), but to also not be too crazy for lapua either. My lot of brass is a year old, sounds like the newer lots are in fact thicker.

 

[samb300]

I did a .2750 neck to accommodate a .272 loaded round (which is what mine measures), but to also not be too crazy for lapua either. My lot of brass is a year old, sounds like the newer lots are in fact thicker.

I prefer 0.004 - 0.005” neck clearance, so I’d either need a custom 0.278” neck that would only work for this thick Peterson, or Id have to neck turn to 0.0135”. Ugh.

 

[lte82]

I prefer 0.004 - 0.005” neck clearance, so I’d either need a custom 0.278” neck that would only work for this thick Peterson, or Id have to neck turn to 0.0135”. Ugh.

Sell it and just buy Lapua. I haven’t ever had issues doing that ha!

 

[lte82]

On a side note, I ran Peterson brass up to 3090 fps with Varget & 105's and had light bolt lift. Seems pretty stout at least on the initial firing. 60k+ psi and no issues.

 

[lte82]

37 37.5 and 38 gr RL16 & 105s group well.

Minus my own bad shot, I put 9/10 with varget into one hole though, with one straight up because I rushed setting my rear bag up.

Sweet spot for Varget looks like it’s around +/- 35gr, RL16 37-38 gr. If I had to pick outright accuracy, Varget is my choice. RL16 is a very close second and I don’t think you would know the difference in a match.

 

[Ranger188]

My barrel just keeps spitting these out at really fast speeds. 6x47
RockCreek 8tw. 26 inch, .236 bore, custom 103g bullets,
Peterson brass,RL16, CCI 450's Thought I'd see how well they run hot.
3@100 yds No pressure signs.
I shot the group and had 3 left to test with the Magnetospeed

 

[Dstoenner]

WOW!! Run with it

david

 

[millertime2]

Sitting at 1850 on my barrell how much longer do I run it? If I shoot the rest of my loaded ammo I’ll be a sitting at 1935, can I expect much more or should I go ahead and screw a new barrel on? i did have a little bit of unexplained velocity drop off I had to add .3 of powder to get back up to my load velocity.

 

[Dthomas3523]

Sitting at 1850 on my barrell how much longer do I run it? If I shoot the rest of my loaded ammo I’ll be a sitting at 1935, can I expect much more or should I go ahead and screw a new barrel on? i did have a little bit of unexplained velocity drop off I had to add .3 of powder to get back up to my load velocity.

The “unexplained velocity drop” is the first sign of the barrel declining in life. Some pull the barrel at this point. Reason being is it will take another velocity decline (and possibly just burn completely out). So they don’t want to have that happen during an important match.

So, if it isn’t a big deal if it goes during a match, run it. If it does matter, make it a practice barrel.

 

[Dstoenner]

I am pulling my barrel and spinning on a new one as i type this. I have 2472 rounds on this barrel. I don’t think it will make it another season at 1000 so i am retiring it. The velocity has decreased 39 fps since about 400 rounds when i got my load established. The throat has only worn .041 for 105 hybrids. That says this barrel has more life. I just shot a 3x600 f-class match yesterday and shot a personal best 576/600 and took 1st place on all 3 matches in my Expert classification.

If you were hunting or keeping things within 600 there is more life for sure.

For the record the barrel is a McGowen 1:7 30 inches and medium palma profile.

David

 

[lte82]

Someday I hope to hear how long this barrel lasts. I often thought of doing the same thing but never did.

It's fun thinking about all this stuff! Like how much better barrel life a 25x47L would get with 131BJ's slowed down?! High BC and low-ish recoil with less drift. Maybe a future project for me. Small shank savage prefit?!

I'm at 1000 rounds down my 6mmBR barrel. Normally I'd be thinking about another barrel about now with my old 6x47. Wipes brow - Relieved....

So far the barrel has ~1500 rounds and has not lost any speed and accuracy is still great. Judging by the lack of erosion I think it will go 2500+. I switched barrels this spring just to be safe but will see if I can shoot it out this winter.

 

[Dthomas3523]

So far the barrel has ~1500 rounds and has not lost any speed and accuracy is still great. Judging by the lack of erosion I think it will go 2500+. I switched barrels this spring just to be safe but will see if I can shoot it out this winter.

I have one at 1200. Been running 2950.

I’ll borescope it this week and see what it looks like.

 

[Dthomas3523]

Here is 6x47 with 1200 rounds. There’s mild fire cracking up to 2” past throat. Rest of barrel not showing much else.

Pics are of throat and barrel just after throat.

 

[Dthomas3523]

Pics above were after clr soak/clean. Hadn’t messed with copper.

Here is throat with copper cleaned out.

1200 rnds, Berger 109’s going 2950

 

[lte82]

The “unexplained velocity drop” is the first sign of the barrel declining in life. Some pull the barrel at this point. Reason being is it will take another velocity decline (and possibly just burn completely out). So they don’t want to have that happen during an important match.

So, if it isn’t a big deal if it goes during a match, run it. If it does matter, make it a practice barrel.

I lost almost 100 FPS from Friday through Sunday at the 2018 finale. Somewhere around the 1600-1800 round mark was when it started dying. It would still shoot 1/2 moa at short range but 500+ yards it was not very good. Fine for positional practice but not much else. I was running it hot it’s whole life though. Lots of varget and approaching 3100 FPS. I think if you ran it at 36-37gr h4350 / RL16 you could 2500-3000 rounds.

 

[millertime2]

Here is 6x47 with 1200 rounds. There’s mild fire cracking up to 2” past throat. Rest of barrel not showing much else.

Pics are of throat and barrel just after throat.

Just curious what powder have you been running?

 

[Dthomas3523]

Just curious what powder have you been running?

Varget

 

[Dthomas3523]

I lost almost 100 FPS from Friday through Sunday at the 2018 finale. Somewhere around the 1600-1800 round mark was when it started dying. It would still shoot 1/2 moa at short range but 500+ yards it was not very good. Fine for positional practice but not much else. I was running it hot it’s whole life though. Lots of varget and approaching 3100 FPS. I think if you ran it at 36-37gr h4350 / RL16 you could 2500-3000 rounds.

I’m thinking at 2950 with varget, from the looks of the barrel so far, probably 1800-2k rounds.

 

[lte82]

600/700/1000 yards with the latest lot of dtacs that just sold out. 700 yards was the size of a paint can lid. 1000 yard vertical for the best load was 3”. Worst was 6-7”. Trued up to .310 G7 in a 7 twist. This was shooting through the wind so the groups definitely have some room to shrink. This lot of dtacs is .038 shorter base to ogive than the last lot I got in 2017-2018, with about the same BC. Works fine in a .120 freebore chamber.

 

[DIBBS]

RBros rebarreled Stiller TAC 30
6x47 Lapua
8 twist Broughton suppressed
40.3 gr H4350
CCI 450

one each :
Nosler 105 Custom Competition
Hornady 105 Amax
Nosler 105 RDF

Distance 325 yards.

Travis builds lasers------------->

​

 

[220wyo]

Has anyone found a load with h4831sc and 105s in the 6x47? I am wanting to hoard my h4350 for now.
Thanks
Kyle

 

[Dstoenner]

I use h4831sc for my practice ammo. My load is 40 gn for 105 hornady hpbt

hth

David

 

[220wyo]

Thanks David. I ended up at 39.5 gr with a 105 match burner.

 

[Andrew2011]

I'm new to 6x47 Lapua and 6mm in general. I'm running a Terminus Zeus action with a 26in Proof steel barrel. My concern is around the brass after being fired for the first time, and if I'm getting high pressure signs or simply not doing something properly.

All of these loads are with brand new Lapua 6.5x47 brass necked down to 6x47 using a Forster full length sizing die. I am using 105gr Berger Hybrid Target bullets, starting with 37gr of H4350 and ran .5gr increments laddered up to 40gr. I am seeing the ejector marks and scuffing on the brass. The primers are showing some flattening and puckering around the firing pin, but the velocity and charge weights seem reasonable. These are all using CCI Small Rifle primers. Am I on the right track with this load development? Should the brand new brass be showing ejector marks and scuffing, or the level of primer flattening/cratering around the firing pin?

Here are some photos of the brass - 105gr Berger Hybrid Target - H4350 - Top Row 37gr @2836fps, bottom row 37.5gr @2886fps:

105gr Berger Hybrid Target - H4350 - Top Row 38gr @2931fps, bottom row 38.5gr @2989fps:

105gr Berger Hybrid Target - H4350 - Top Row 39gr @3030fps, middle row 39.5gr @3071fps, bottom 40gr @3113fps

 

[millertime2]

Are these the first rounds through the barrel? Its likely you will see it speed up after 100-150 rounds. I haven’t used 4350 but in my experience you should be able to run 3100 with 105’s safely.