New 6.5x47 Lapua

[jamross65]

Is that a V8 on the top ?
How do you like it ?

Only been at target and once out stalking with it so not in a position to really comment but it has a superb field of view and eye relief combination. Red dot very fine and unobtrusive. It's the 1.8-14x50 and for stalking it will cover all my needs on that particular rifle.

 

[jamross65]

Looks great but I can't see your groups yet

We were meant to be out today at a 500yd range my mate has but too much cross wind. I'll get some posted when next out or I could always just stick a pencil through the target and pretend......!

 

[jamross65]

Nice rifle Brian how's the stalking going mate
Cheers Tom

Had another really good spring on the bucks with guests Tom, thanks for asking. You been out much?

 

[jamross65]

Looks great but I can't see your groups yet

Well there is the grouping after a sighter top left (image has uploaded 90deg to left for some reason???). 3 shots at the 100m indoor range at Bisley at Braidwood. 120grn Nosler BT over 40grns of H4350 and CCI small rifle magnum primer. The day after zeroing shot this big old stag so it seems to work okay.

 

[User00030]

Lovely shooting Brian, that cartridge is a real joy to shoot

 

[jimmy milnes]

What speed ya getting Bri, my 47 is on an 18in barrel and with a 123 bullet I'm getting 2660 which is a bit slow really so thinking of swapping powder from N140 to try up the auntie a tad

 

[Reiver Boy]

What speed ya getting Bri, my 47 is on an 18in barrel and with a 123 bullet I'm getting 2660 which is a bit slow really so thinking of swapping powder from N140 to try up the auntie a tad

RS60/RL17 will sort that out, I'm using 41.5 RS60 producing 2950 with the 120BT's in a 22" barrel, was thinking of taking my barrel down to 20", would be interested to see what velocities you get if you try to 60/17 powder, I recon it might be around 2800 ish. I'm just about to work up a load with the 129 Accu LR's using the same powder.

 

[jamross65]

What speed ya getting Bri, my 47 is on an 18in barrel and with a 123 bullet I'm getting 2660 which is a bit slow really so thinking of swapping powder from N140 to try up the auntie a tad

Maybe gr1ffer will comment as he's had a lot of experience with this chambering and developed several loads as well. He's also given me some info off of Quickload. I've not chronoed this round yet but I'm sure Kris said I was around the 2700fps mark Jimmy according to my load, barrel etc on QL. TBH that stag I shot was 200yds away. The bullet went through both shoulder blades and left an exit hole the size of my pinky nail with lot's of damage to the top half of the lungs. In other words the performance was spot on. I've done a lot of research/reading on FPS and issues surrounding slow(ish) speeds, short barrels etc and out to 400-500yds 2700fps is plenty fast enough mate! Nothing is going to go , 'that tickled...' if it's hit! LOL

 

[jamross65]

RS60/RL17 will sort that out, I'm using 41.5 RS60 producing 2950 with the 120BT's in a 22" barrel, was thinking of taking my barrel down to 20", would be interested to see what velocities you get if you try to 60/17 powder, I recon it might be around 2800 ish. I'm just about to work up a load with the 129 Accu LR's using the same powder.

Kris was using RL17 and 19 and hit some very accurate loads. I also loaded RL17 in some of mine but they were just not quite as accurate as the H4350 which a lot of the target boys seem to like in the USA. If I'm getting 2700fps with a 120grn bullet for only stalking applications, I won't be chasing any further speed. My barrel was taken down to a smidgen under 20'...

 

[jimmy milnes]

RS60/RL17 will sort that out, I'm using 41.5 RS60 producing 2950 with the 120BT's in a 22" barrel, was thinking of taking my barrel down to 20", would be interested to see what velocities you get if you try to 60/17 powder, I recon it might be around 2800 ish. I'm just about to work up a load with the 129 Accu LR's using the same powder.

Thanks for the info matey much appreciated

 

[jimmy milnes]

Maybe gr1ffer will comment as he's had a lot of experience with this chambering and developed several loads as well. He's also given me some info off of Quickload. I've not chronoed this round yet but I'm sure Kris said I was around the 2700fps mark Jimmy according to my load, barrel etc on QL. TBH that stag I shot was 200yds away. The bullet went through both shoulder blades and left an exit hole the size of my pinky nail with lot's of damage to the top half of the lungs. In other words the performance was spot on. I've done a lot of research/reading on FPS and issues surrounding slow(ish) speeds, short barrels etc and out to 400-500yds 2700fps is plenty fast enough mate! Nothing is going to go , 'that tickled...' if it's hit! LOL

Cheers Bri
Looking at that then I'm tempted to stick where I am then as bugger me it's accurate
Cheers matey

 

[jamross65]

Cheers Bri
Looking at that then I'm tempted to stick where I am then as bugger me it's accurate
Cheers matey

I would Jimmy. Most bullets, especially the BT's perform well down to quite low impact velocities, think the box shows 2200fps as still very good. Stalking distances no probs Jimmy. An extra 200fps is going to give you what, 1/4" less drop at 200yds???? I've not checked but guessing, but that's also bugger all... Think there is too much chasing ultimate velocity at times when it's not necessary unless out to 600m plus....

 

[User00030]

Brian looks like you have found a great load there and seems more than fit for purpose. I know most cartridge types is more than adaquete for uk deer and everyone says there's is best but there is just something about this lovely little case that makes it just a pleasure to shoot. So good to the point many of my rifles have now taken a back seat in the cabinet and only used for specialist tasks. I developed 2 loads a stalking load of 36.7 grn rl-15 on a 120 Sierra ph and a distance load of 40.9 grn rl-17 under a 123 Amax. accuracy can only be described as outstanding and I've yet to see a 6.5x47 not shoot. Es and sd are low with almost every combination I've tried I think partly due to the superb quality of the Lapua brass and good practical velocitys are easily and safely achieved with sensible barrel lengths. Not really applicable to a stalking rifle but I tried several things which have certainly improved my shooting at long distance reducing those odd unexplained fliers, I now neck turn and use a bushing die with a .289 bushing and anneal every 3 firings this seems to keep neck tension consistent which I believe is a factor to low Es and sd. I really rate this little cartridge but it seems to get abuse from the old and bold as a bit of a boy racer, in truth it's just another choice which we should be thankful for certainly a choice myself, Brian and many other happy users will remain with much to the disgust of the rest of our rifles left sulking in the shadows.

 

[jamross65]

Brian looks like you have found a great load there and seems more than fit for purpose. I know most cartridge types is more than adaquete for uk deer and everyone says there's is best but there is just something about this lovely little case that makes it just a pleasure to shoot. So good to the point many of my rifles have now taken a back seat in the cabinet and only used for specialist tasks. I developed 2 loads a stalking load of 36.7 grn rl-15 on a 120 Sierra ph and a distance load of 40.9 grn rl-17 under a 123 Amax. accuracy can only be described as outstanding and I've yet to see a 6.5x47 not shoot. Es and sd are low with almost every combination I've tried I think partly due to the superb quality of the Lapua brass and good practical velocitys are easily and safely achieved with sensible barrel lengths. Not really applicable to a stalking rifle but I tried several things which have certainly improved my shooting at long distance reducing those odd unexplained fliers, I now neck turn and use a bushing die with a .289 bushing and anneal every 3 firings this seems to keep neck tension consistent which I believe is a factor to low Es and sd. I really rate this little cartridge but it seems to get abuse from the old and bold as a bit of a boy racer, in truth it's just another choice which we should be thankful for certainly a choice myself, Brian and many other happy users will remain with much to the disgust of the rest of our rifles left sulking in the shadows.

Great post and useful info mate!

 

[NigelM]

For what it's worth, and it might help someone, I have been shooting 6.5 Lapua for about 5 years now. I have experimented with all sorts of bullets and have shot all species bar Chinese with it.

My standard load was R15 with a 120g Nosler BT. It ran at 2960 fps. Great on Muntjac, Roe and Fallow, both sexes and Red and Sika hinds. The Red Stags, especially if they were rutting, took just a bit too long to go down for my liking and I was never too confident with anything other than a neck shot on a Sika Stag, the other option being through the shoulders and I was never quite sure the quickly fragmenting BT was the best choice of bullet for that job.

On Muntjac and Roe a chest shot regularly made a bit too much of a mess. On most occasions when I have shot beasts squarely through the heart fragmentation inside the carcass has made significant exit holes, destroyed the front end and on several occasions punctured the diaphragm and made a bit of a mess.

Accuracy was always inside 1/2 MOA which gave huge confidence in shot placement.

Last year I switched onto a 100g Barnes TTSX which goes down the road at 3250 fps. The objective was to reduce the mess left behind by the Nosler BT on the smaller species of deer and give more confidence shooting through bone on Sika.

The rifle is now much flatter over normal stalking distances, damage is significantly less than with the Nosler and the beasts drop on the spot far more often. Only shot Muntjac and Roe with it so far but I am much happier with the result.

The only thing that worries me is the lack of fragmentation on a neck shot leaving less margin for error than with the Noslers.

I need more time with the load to be really confident in it, but all the signs are very good at the moment and the fact that it is shooting much flatter is a real bonus. I have no plans to switch to anything different. Accuracy is as good, arguably a bit better.

I have however turned to a 280AI for the Red Stags. Another stunning chambering. That is certainly man enough for the job. 145 grain TTSX at 3150 fps puts them down quickly and efficiently.

Hope that's of interest to someone.