Hi all, I have been reading this forum for a few months and decided to get in on the fun. I live at the south end of San Francisco Bay and I am getting back into highpower and smallbore silhouette shooting after a 12 year hiatus. I have two 308’s, one is a model 700 and the other is a model 70. I am thinking of re-barreling the model 70 to a 6.5. Almost all of my shooting will be at 200 meters at reduced size animals. I also had shoulder surgery last year and back surgery earlier this year so recoil is an issue. It never bothered me in the past but now it hurts to shoot a 308. I am hoping this will improve with time and healing.

I am considering the 6.5 Creedmore or 6.5 X 47 Lapula and maybe the 6.5 BR. The nearest full course highpower range is about 135 miles from here and my shooting partner lives about 150 miles in the other direction so most of my shooting will be at the local 200 meter range. I am not familiar with any of these rounds and am soliciting any info you all might be able to throw my way. I was a AA shooter 12 years ago so I am familiar with the basics of the game. I am just looking for something easier on my shoulder. There is also a small bore match put on at a range nearby so small bore will not be a problem.

EQ

All three you suggested will work just fine. If you look at cost of brass the Creedmore is the cheapest to do of the three. I have a 6.5 X 47 built on a 700 short action that I use for standard and hunting rifle that was built in 2008. With all three you can load 107 grain bullets to shoot 200 meters and if you get to go to the full distance switch to 140 grain bullets for rams.

The 6.5x47L loaded with 32gr of Varget is a powder puff load that should be fine on the recoil. Guys are using that load with 107s and 123s all the way out to Turkeyville. I was shooting 35.7gr of Varget with 123s but I am going to reduce that to 32gr as the recoil is so light with that load. The 35.7gr isn't that bad but at 32gr I found I can maintain a sight picture on the target even after breaking the shot. With over 35gr loads that doesn't happen.

I'd say the recoil is only slightly more than my AR15 shooting 55gr .223 rounds.

Dee

Thanks stsbuyer and Dee, that is good information. I am thinking I will go with the 6.5BR as most,if not all of my shooting will be at 200 meters. What twist barrel? Which reloading dies? I really do appreciate the feedback.

If you plan on ever shooting out to 500 meters you will need to stick with an 8 twist barrel. With the 8 twist you can shoot anything in the 100-140 grain range. As far as dies go I like the deluxe bushing dies set from redding.

I have been using the 6.5 BR for many years for the silhouette game. It is fun to shoot and easy on recoil, brass and barrels. Lapua 6 br brass is the best and easy to size to the 6.5. I am at 5000 rounds thru the barrel with the original 300 pieces of brass with maybe only 5 lost to cracking or whatever. The following is the way I make them.

I AM USING A REDDING TYPE “S” BUSHING STYLE NECK SIZE DIE SET IN 6BR.NUMBER 78317 WITH NECK BUSHINGS OF .284 INCH AND .285 IHCH. THE BUSHINGS ARE SEPERATE FROM THE DIE SET. THE SET UNCLUDES A BODY DIE , A SEATING DIE ,AND A NECK SIZING DIE. I DON’T USE THE SEATING DIE AS I USE A RCBS COMPETITION SEATER CONVERTED TO 6,5 MM. You will want the bushing .002 to .003 smaller than the loaded round neck diameter.

FOR NECKING DOWN THE 7 BR BRASS
1. RUN THE BRASS THRU THE 6BR BODY DIE. THIS TAKES THE CASE NECK DOWN TO ABOUT .275 INCH DIAMETER.
2. NECK UP WITH A SINCLAIR EXPANDER DIE # NT-EX WITH A 6.5 EXPANDER MANDREL # E-26.

FOR NECKING UP THE 6BR BRASS
1. NECK UP WITH THE SINCLAIR EXPANDER-- AS #2 ABOVE
Then you are ready to load.
Yankee

8 twist barrel in case you want to shoot the 140 142 bullet. The 107 or 120 or 123 for the short ranges.