6.5 x 47 lapua & 260 rem

[44 mag]

Looking for some loads using 123s and 140s. Also some 260 loads using the same bullets. Already have the 260 but may rechamber. Not quite sure what I want to do yet. Thanks Mike

[Mt_Medic31]

Check the thread "260 load data". I experimented and found some pretty good loads using Superformance. Another buddy uses 44.5gr of RL17 w good results pushing 140s, he doesnt use lighter loads tho.

[Jim Beckley]

Right around 36.0 gr of Varget is what everyone around here goes with, some a few grains less and there is at least 1 goes with one or so grains over that, but I haven't been over 36.0.

[RBriscoe]

Before you make the decision to rechamber to 6.5x47 Lapua, price the brass. You may be in for a surprise.

[Innocent]

Rick, Graf has 6.5 X 47 Laupa brass at $3 more per 100 than the 260 brass....not as bad as it used to be.

mary

[Bob259]

Bruno's used to have the best brass prices, including the 260 and 6.5x47. The Lapua brass is great and seems to last for many, many reloads.

[Innocent]

Well too late now but the price of Laupa 6.5X47 at the nationals was only $80 per 100, and as Bob says, it is good brass.

Mary

[RBriscoe]

As long as someone knows the cost of brass for a 6.5x47 Lapua going in to the project, all fine and well. That was the only point of my remark.

I just checked and Lester Bruno lists it at $505 for 500 pieces which is competitive with Grafs which lists it at $105 per hundred (online did not say if there was a price break for 500 pieces) and about what I have seen elsewhere.

I bought some of it when it was under $0.60 a piece and like the cartridge very much. I don't know that I would recommend it any more though simply because of the brass. Brass and bullets, heck, even barrels, are expendable. With care in selecting loads, the brass can last a while.

When people have been accustomed to buying Winchester 243 Win brass at $220 to $230 for 500 pieces, it can be a bit of a surprise to see the price of 6.5x47 brass.

All Lapua brass is pricey. The 260 Rem brass, as Mary points out, is only a few dollars less than the 6.4x47 Lapua brass.

Personally, I do not think that there is any worthwhile ballistic difference in the 260 Rem and the 6.5x47 Lapua. The only significant difference that I see on my own rifles is that the Lapua case has the bullet seated out so that the base of the bearing surface is above the juncture of the neck and shoulder, which I find desirable. The Lapua case takes a little bit less powder than the 260 Rem to achieve comparable velocities in my experience.

Cheers

[Innocent]

Point taken on costs but I feel that the cost of just about any of the non military calibers tend to run higher except those that have been around for a long time and there is a lot of surplus brass out there. The only reason the military calibers are cheaper is due to volume.
I also purchased some 6.5 at the below $60/100, but it is good brass.

Mary

[RBriscoe]

Oh, I did forget to mention one thing about the 6.5x47 Lapua.

I would strongly recommend getting the firing pin hole in the bolt bushed to a small size prior to having the new barrel installed so that there is no risk of the headspace getting changed in the process (after the barrel is installed). The small primers have a thinner cup than a large primer for reasons I have not been able to determine. Getting the firing pin hole bushed will reduce the likelihood of "blanking" a primer. Actually, I like the small pins no matter the size of the primer.

Having a snug fitting firing pin helps no matter the size, but having a small opening allows the primer to stand up to higher pressures without failing IMO.

[Jerry G]

I'd go with the Varget. It isn't very sensitive to temp changes. I'm using 37 gr of varget behind 142s and tthey are squirting out at 2650. I shoot 34.5 gr behind my 107s and they are going out at 2750. That is in a 6.5x47 Lapua. Both shoot around 1/2 minute. at 100 and the 142s group about 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 inches on the rams. Too bad my hold isn't anywhere close to that.

Note on the 6.5 x 47. The Lapus brass isn't cheep but you can make it out of 243 or 7-08 brass without much trouble. That way you end up with large primers and not the little magnum ones the Lapua uses.

[RBriscoe]

Jerry,

37 gr of Varget under a 142 MK in a 6.5x47?

36 gr of Varget under a 108 Scenar was on the warm side in my 6.5x47.

Is there anything unusual about the chamber you have?

Rick

P.S.

I shoot 35 gr Varget with 108 Scenars in mine, but will soon change to 123 Scenars.

I don't recall just how much H4350 I use with a 139 Scenar at around 2800 fps.

[44 mag]

The barrel and action were taken to the gun smith. Gonna go with the 6.5x47. This is being buildt for long range bench rest silhouette. Thanks for all the help. Mike

[Jerry G]

Rick, I guess you missed the part where I said I use 34.5 gr with the 107s. 36 to 37 gr seems to be what most are using on the heavier bullets with great success.

[RBriscoe]

I'd go with the Varget. It isn't very sensitive to temp changes. I'm using 37 gr of varget behind 142s (emphasis added) and tthey are squirting out at 2650. I shoot 34.5 gr behind my 107s and they are going out at 2750. That is in a 6.5x47 Lapua. Both shoot around 1/2 minute. at 100 and the 142s group about 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 inches on the rams. Too bad my hold isn't anywhere close to that.

Note on the 6.5 x 47. The Lapus brass isn't cheep but you can make it out of 243 or 7-08 brass without much trouble. That way you end up with large primers and not the little magnum ones the Lapua uses.

Jerry,

I have marked what I was asking about above. Is that part correct?

34.5 gr Varget under a 108 Scenar seems very reasonable, and probably fun to shoot. My Load of 35 gr with a 108 gr Scenar certainly is pleasant.

Cheers,

Rick