Thread: Seriously underrated 6.5x47 Lapua

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Whilst that rifle is very cool is it not a pain in the ass to shoot repeated rounds? Seems you would have to move away from the scope/take your elbow off the ground every time you work the bolt? Just curious.. I keep coming back to this thread to look at it haha

I found it very awkward to be honest, the bullpup design, having only over shot them on the odd occasional previously, like years ago. Once? Hard to remember. But gut feel is that it is like anything else, you would quickly get used to it... e.g. I went from a rear drive Beemer track day car to a front drive Golf and I truly hated that at first, but got used to it soon enough, I went from a old early 70s British motorcross bike with the gears on the left to a jap bike with gears on the right... that certainly took some getting used to (highly un-entertaining). Don't think it would be any different with a different configuration rifle.

What I found most difficult with the DTA was recoil control. The different configuration meant that I was putting too much pressure in the wrong places and the front end was leaping around a bit. I'm used to proper forend control but this rifle doesn't really have anywhere to hang onto that felt "right". Again just a question of getting used to it. I managed an inch group after a couple of "sighters" which didn't go particularly well, whereas Wingman was shooting half that and looks so much more comfortable on the rifle, and he was shooting at least twice as fast as me. So really just a question of familiarity and practice I think. I really liked the rear mono pod, that was cool. I'd be pretty confident that once I sort my shit out with position and control I'd be shooting that comfortably & reliably sub MOA in the field without bother.

It is still hard to get my head around the fact that such a short overall package has a 21 inch barrel and suppressor. It's not particularly light but it is super portable, and very very accurate, up there with the most accurate rifles I have ever handled. What you must remember is that as the photos above show, the shooting position is a pretty rough, sloping, pugged up dairy paddock, this isn't a benchrest shooting, so factor that in when you look at those sub half inch groups...

Originally Posted by Tahr

My 6.5x55 has a 21.5" barrel and with 140 Amax and N560 consistently chronos at 2840. So I guess it is rifle dependent. The first 6.5x47 I recall was @gimp 's, I think on a Sako75. He shot all sorts of stuff with it. Hell, the man himself might even come on and tell us about it.

The one I set up was tested with 2209 and 2213sc and maxed out at about 2750 from memory due to sticky bolt lifts.

My 20" creedmoor ran 2900fps with 139gr lapua scenrs with RL16 and I can tell you that this 6.5x47 eats that for breakfast.
I think with the right powder it could improve even more on my current loads.

I tested 2209 in it last week and it is fine for lighter accurate loads but you cant get good speed and spreads from it. Bm 8208 and 2208 works great with the lighter 123gr bullets but the RL16 and the 130 to 140gr bullets are next level fast and accurate!

Originally Posted by Flyblown

I found it very awkward to be honest, the bullpup design, having only over shot them on the odd occasional previously, like years ago. Once? Hard to remember. But gut feel is that it is like anything else, you would quickly get used to it... e.g. I went from a rear drive Beemer track day car to a front drive Golf and I truly hated that at first, but got used to it soon enough, I went from a old early 70s British motorcross bike with the gears on the left to a jap bike with gears on the right... that certainly took some getting used to (highly un-entertaining). Don't think it would be any different with a different configuration rifle.

What I found most difficult with the DTA was recoil control. The different configuration meant that I was putting too much pressure in the wrong places and the front end was leaping around a bit. I'm used to proper forend control but this rifle doesn't really have anywhere to hang onto that felt "right". Again just a question of getting used to it. I managed an inch group after a couple of "sighters" which didn't go particularly well, whereas Wingman was shooting half that and looks so much more comfortable on the rifle, and he was shooting at least twice as fast as me. So really just a question of familiarity and practice I think. I really liked the rear mono pod, that was cool. I'd be pretty confident that once I sort my shit out with position and control I'd be shooting that comfortably & reliably sub MOA in the field without bother.

It is still hard to get my head around the fact that such a short overall package has a 21 inch barrel and suppressor. It's not particularly light but it is super portable, and very very accurate, up there with the most accurate rifles I have ever handled. What you must remember is that as the photos above show, the shooting position is a pretty rough, sloping, pugged up dairy paddock, this isn't a benchrest shooting, so factor that in when you look at those sub half inch groups...

I have heard "forend control" a few times on here lately. What do you mean by proper forend control?

Originally Posted by Wingman

The one I set up was tested with 2209 and 2213sc and maxed out at about 2750 from memory due to sticky bolt lifts.

My 20" creedmoor ran 2900fps with 139gr lapua scenrs with RL16 and I can tell you that this 6.5x47 eats that for breakfast.
I think with the right powder it could improve even more on my current loads.

I tested 2209 in it last week and it is fine for lighter accurate loads but you cant get good speed and spreads from it. Bm 8208 and 2208 works great with the lighter 123gr bullets but the RL16 and the 130 to 140gr bullets are next level fast and accurate!

This is why I asked what powder. N560 for >2800 with 140s in x55

RL16 is your pick for 6.5x47? This may be why the gods incinerated my 2209 stockpile. Sounds like your RL16 load leaves my old 2209 load for dead and solves the spread problem.

Originally Posted by Tussock

This is why I asked what powder. N560 for >2800 with 140s in x55

RL16 is your pick for 6.5x47? This may be why the gods incinerated my 2209 stockpile. Sounds like your RL16 load leaves my old 2209 load for dead and solves the spread problem.

Interesting.. Ive never ventured into that powder.

Yes RL16 has proven itself so far and I have 200 rounds loaded for long range trials this week. I have 5 shot strings down to sub 5fps max spreads and will max out on velocity at about 3080fps with 130gr TMKs with no pressure signs like the 2209 shows at about 42gr.
The biggest problem with RL16 is its limited by its bulk in the small case. A powder of the same burn rate of RL16 but of smaller granules like 2208 or 2209 would probably exceed 3200fps.. I wonder is such a powder exists?
RL16 is also quite dirty leaving barrels black and sooty but I read if you run it hotter it will clean up.

6.5 x 47 everyday now for me over the Creedmoor & I've built a few of each now.

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....7-lapua-43552/

The range even had green grass then...

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....7-lapua-45237/

It lacks the outright grunt & velocity of its bigger 6.5 sisters, 6.5 CM, 260, 6.5 x 55 & 6.5-284 but is more inherently accurate in my experience

Originally Posted by Tussock

I thought you gave up shooting?

Why does more barrel for the same velocity make more sense? Are are you framing this within your own preferences? We have known you a while and which ever way your preferences are swinging, this is the advice you give, and these preferences are prone to extreme reversals.

What I've given up is arguing on forums

aside from that my preferences haven't significantly changed in over a decade (and I don't own a 6.5CM but think it makes the most sense if buying a new 6.5 due availability of everything & essentially same performance unless you like splitting hairs)

I have no doubt we could spend some time with you behind it this week @Flyblown and you will easily cut those groups in half. The x47 is much softer to shoot than the .308 is too. The .308 does jump around a bit when on the bipod. Ive never shot prone with a hand on the fore end so that is very foreign to me. I feel more control from holding the rear of the stock and apply downward and rearward pressure into your shoulder. Let the muzzle bounce.. as long as it bounces the same each time..
Yeah that paddocks 100y line is far from a comfortable shooting position but I am well used to shooting in less than stellar conditions and positions.. @Friwi may recall a very wet and muddy nationals day at Whatawhata 1000 yard range where my team were shooting off bipods rolling in the mud and sheep shit without mats like pigs while the old boys watched on and took the piss..

It seems to be a bit of a theme for me.. the last time I took a mate goat shooting, I was getting pecked by a bunch of chickens as I was laying prone and sending lead out to 200 yards.. while it was very entertaining for him it was mildly off putting for my concentration levels.. lol. @Mintie do you still have that vid?
Id probably shoot like crap in nice bench rest conditions.. lol.

plenty of people ran around 2900 in 6.5x55 with 140's. 22" barrels. I did... my 6.5x55AI ran 3050 and up to 3200 before pressure 24" barrel.. it was probably an exception to the average result in that version..

its no theory that loading manuals ran low pressure loads for 6.5x55... it was standard practice for years particularly in the time that modern rifles were not being chambered in 6.5x55. I would suggest that a lack of personal knowledge about stuff doesn't make it a theory.

I have run 6.5x47s and they tend to be 50fps-100fps light on the average modern 6.5x55... and well short of my AI version..

Small efficient modern cases get more bang for your buck not more bang in total...

Originally Posted by Tussock

I have heard "forend control" a few times on here lately. What do you mean by proper forend control?

Exactly what it sounds like, controlling the forend, by holding it.

Originally Posted by gimp

What I've given up is arguing on forums

aside from that my preferences haven't significantly changed in over a decade (and I don't own a 6.5CM but think it makes the most sense if buying a new 6.5 due availability of everything & essentially same performance unless you like splitting hairs)

I'm not arguing with you, but once apon a time you were the authority on how to split a hair.

"It's fine get a 6.5CM instead it makes more sense now" is an argument, so what you really mean is you have stopped discussing things on forums.

I stopped making arguments until someone tagged me in this thread would be accurate

Originally Posted by Wingman

I have no doubt we could spend some time with you behind it this week @Flyblown and you will easily cut those groups in half. The x47 is much softer to shoot than the .308 is too. The .308 does jump around a bit when on the bipod. Ive never shot prone with a hand on the fore end so that is very foreign to me. I feel more control from holding the rear of the stock and apply downward and rearward pressure into your shoulder. Let the muzzle bounce.. as long as it bounces the same each time..

.

This is why I asked. I too shoot as you describe and just let the muzzle do its thing.

Originally Posted by gimp

I stopped making arguments until someone tagged me in this thread would be accurate

You did pioneer 6.5x47L as a hunting round in this country. Go on, split a hair or two for old times sake. There is some good knowledge in there somewhere. Is there a zipper somewhere on your gimp suit that is stuck?

You can buy a factory rifle from almost any brand chambered in 6.5CM with a sensible twist rate, and a large selection of factory ammo with >.6g1 bc bullets at good speeds. To the handloader the difference is purely academic in terms of results for actually shooting things.