It’s “Cu -9” for the 6.5…

[Donkey Basher]

Down to 9 rounds of soft point ammunition for my 6.5x47 Lapua & no more Sierra Pro-hunter bullets on the shelf under the loading bench…

Which means that once the doe season is over I will be doing some load development with the Sako Powerhead Blade 120gn bullets ready for next doe season.

Bullet data still doesn’t appear to be available for these from Sako so I’ll be doing some careful measuring & then working up a load using QuickLoad.

Watch this space…

 

[Mike1979]

Good luck. Just done a bit of testing with the 6.5 Creed and settled on Fox 123 grain Work on paper (well chipboard) so hopefully will test them on some fallow in the next few days.

 

[Rutland lad]

Good luck. Just done a bit of testing with the 6.5 Creed and settled on Fox 123 grain Work on paper (well chipboard) so hopefully will test them on some fallow in the next few days.

I see SAKO have recently launched their own factory ammo in 123 grain. If they’re doing it there must be something about 123 grain that works well.

 

[Mike1979]

I see SAKO have recently launched their own factory ammo in 123 grain. If they’re doing it there must be something about 123 grain that works well.

I hate to think where we will be in 3 years time ... 101, 104, 107.25 etc etc

I like the fact that its limited choice at the mo.

Ive used blades and S&B blue both in factory 120 grain and nothing walks away if I do my bit

 

[Border]

.

 

[big ears]

Blades work in my 6.5 and not pushed at silly speeds (at about 2800). Should be attainable in your x47

 

[Apthorpe]

I see SAKO have recently launched their own factory ammo in 123 grain. If they’re doing it there must be something about 123 grain that works well.

It's 8 gtams....simply a round number

 

[Rutland lad]

It's 8 gtams....simply a round number

That appeals to my OCD - but I can’t see a company like SAKO changing from 120 to 123 grain bullet just because it’s a round number !

 

[Boomerang]

Out of curiosity what powder are planning to use? I am considering Viht N540 for 123gr bullets…

 

[Donkey Basher]

Out of curiosity what powder are planning to use? I am considering Viht N540 for 123gr bullets…

N140 - use it for all my 6.5x47 loads, from 120gn Sierra Pro-hunter to 142gn Sierra MatchKing

 

[Donkey Basher]

Another step closer…

Took advantage of a blustery & showery day & put this little lot together ready for group testing - 5 rounds each in of 5 powder weights. Bullets have been loaded to COAL thanks to @FISH BOY who sent me measurements & photos for factory 6.5CM ammo to give me an idea of how Sako load them.

Going to be a while before I can get out & spend a couple of hours using these to make holes in some paper but at least they’re ready whenever the time comes

 

[Klenchblaize]

They look cool and I note there are grooves to permit crimping!

Who is selling these bullets in 6.5?

Ta

K

 

[long_range_rob]

They look cool and I note there are grooves to permit crimping!

Who is selling these bullets in 6.5?

Ta

K

I think the grooves are to reduce the pressure whilst in the bore.

 

[FISH BOY]

Another step closer…

Took advantage of a blustery & showery day & put this little lot together ready for group testing - 5 rounds each in of 5 powder weights. Bullets have been loaded to COAL thanks to @FISH BOY who sent me measurements & photos for factory 6.5CM ammo to give me an idea of how Sako load them.

Going to be a while before I can get out & spend a couple of hours using these to make holes in some paper but at least they’re ready whenever the time comes

View attachment 467588

Looking good.

Shot 3 fallow yesterday with factory versions - they work well for non toxic/copper.

 

[Donkey Basher]

They look cool and I note there are grooves to permit crimping!

Who is selling these bullets in 6.5?

Ta

K

They are Sako Powerhead Blade 120gn (657H) bullets & can be purchased from a variety of online retailers - eg SAKO BLADE 6.5 CAL 120 GR TXM 50 PACK (657H)

I bought mine last summer from HPS who had them at a very good price, so good in fact I bought their entire stock at the time!

The grooves are not cannelures for crimping but as @long_range_rob says, they are to reduce pressure by reducing the friction caused by the larger surface area contacting the bore.

Have used the factory 308 versions on fallow in the past & they did as good, if not better, job than lead cored bullets. If QL is correct, these are being driven faster than the 120gn Pro-hunters I’ve been using the last two winters.

 

[6mmarc]

Interesting
I’ve got to sort out my lead free load for my x47 at some point soon

 

[Donkey Basher]

Out of curiosity what powder are planning to use? I am considering Viht N540 for 123gr bullets…

According to QL the load I’m testing for these bullets has a 100% burn & 32.9% ballistic effeciency with N140 - results maybe a bit different with a shorter barrel, mine is 26”.

 

[Donkey Basher]

Interesting
I’ve got to sort out my lead free load for my x47 at some point soon

I’ll let you know how I get on when I try them out on the range

 

[6mmarc]

I’m 27 inches and run N140 too cheers

 

[big ears]

Interesting
I’ve got to sort out my lead free load for my x47 at some point soon

They work at not silly speeds
2850fps from 6.5x55