Thread: Seriously underrated 6.5x47 Lapua

I havent gone into my load development much on this thread and that was for a couple of reasons, the first being that I was rushing to get this barrel finished for this hunting trip and the other reason being that it seems to shoot everything I have run through it.
I have lots of various 6.5mm bullets to test if any of you guys are interested to see that process but Im pretty decided on the 130gr TMK as my hunting load as it has done all I have asked of it in this rifle and my Creedmoor.

I have also loaded 100x 123gr A-Max which also shoot surprisingly well, the BC is .510 which is almost that of the 130gr TMK at .518.
I picked up 500 of the A-Max's at $50 per 100x for the Grendel so they will be put to good use. Its a pity they were discontinued only to be re introduced with a fancy new name (123gr, 130gr and 140gr ELDM) with a $35-$40 price hike of course, nice one Hornady!'

Both of the TMK and A-Max loads shoot sub .4" at 100 yards between 2900fps and 3100fps so I just dropped back to 3000fps for the 123gr A-Max with 2208 which gives no pressure signs and 2950fps for the 130gr TMK with RL16 to combat a compressed load situation which cause ES to open up and made it a pain to seat bullets consistently.

When I get a bit of time and suitable weather Ill test the other bullets I have on hand, the 143gr ELDX further (only did a ladder test), the 130gr ELDM, the 130gr Berger VLD hunter the Lapua 123gr, 136gr L and 139gr Scenar bullets.

I will test some other powders too, BM8208 showed great speed (3000fps) and ES with the 123gr Amax so Ill have to put that on paper.
W760 and Hodgdon super performance also might be an interesting experiment along with RL17.













A big thanks to Robert at Workshop Innovations for the gentle nudge away from the Harrells bench rest powder thrower and supplying my new RCBS Loadmaster light automated powder measure.. it has been great! Yet to throw and heavy or light charges! It has been spot on every time.

The only real question here is why would anyone use 2209 in a .308?

Originally Posted by Wingman

The only real question here is why would anyone use 2209 in a .308?

Because they want to remind Tussock of the 6kg that he ruined by leaving it in the sun of course

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

Because they want to remind Tussock of the 6kg that he ruined by leaving it in the sun of course

I had forgotten about that. It might be perfect for .308 now.

Originally Posted by Wingman

The only real question here is why would anyone use 2209 in a .308?

Oh please lord dont let them introduce the .308 into 6.5 thread.

I have just come to terms with deep seating 155's into big round baked bean cans. I look at the the long throated 6.5's and think ... nah you cant do that!

the 150grn load WILL recoil more and pressure will be higher,you are shifting a heavier payload....back to that Newton fella again..equal and opposite and all that....oops sshhh we sidetracked AGAIN.... BEETER REPHRASE QUESTION to be a 6x47 case???

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

the 150grn load WILL recoil more and pressure will be higher,you are shifting a heavier payload....back to that Newton fella again..equal and opposite and all that....oops sshhh we sidetracked AGAIN.... BEETER REPHRASE QUESTION to be a 6x47 case???

Newton said for every action there would be an equal and opposite reaction. He did not specify what the reaction would be. In the case of gun powder turning into gas, stuff will move. The projectile will move, the barrel will get hot (atoms moving), the projectile will get hot, the gas will move and the rifle will move.

So in this case, the rifle will go backwards (recoil) but it is a reaction to several things. So you can't back calculate from the projectile energy because it is not the only variable.

It is a very good question this 150g vs 130g for equal powder. You say you are shifting a heavier payload, but the payload is moving slower. So recoil should be equal.

What about case pressure and its effect on powder burn? The 2209 will be burning at higher pressure. Does a powders burn rate change as the chamber pressure during the burn varies?

GENERALLY a hgiher projectile weight requires a lower powder weight somewhere around 2 grns powder for 10 grns projectile..so the 150 grn load will be a way hotter load than the 130..so it has TWO differences,or to flip it around the 150grn load so so and the 130 a piss weak/mild one.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

GENERALLY a hgiher projectile weight requires a lower powder weight somewhere around 2 grns powder for 10 grns projectile..so the 150 grn load will be a way hotter load than the 130..so it has TWO differences,or to flip it around the 150grn load so so and the 130 a piss weak/mild one.

Good point.

I guess we have no choice but to load these and strap an Iphone to the top?

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

GENERALLY a hgiher projectile weight requires a lower powder weight somewhere around 2 grns powder for 10 grns projectile..so the 150 grn load will be a way hotter load than the 130..so it has TWO differences,or to flip it around the 150grn load so so and the 130 a piss weak/mild one.

So if what you say is correct then recoil would increase at a linear rate with projectile weight if the powder charge stayed the same. However taking what Tussock has said about the different 'reactions', if the pressure/ heat/ vibration also increases then the recoil thrust may not actually increase as much as might be expected because the energy loss also increases ….
Can we have our cake and eat it too - a low recoiling but high performance superlight mountain rifle ??

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

Can we have our cake and eat it too - a low recoiling but high performance superlight mountain rifle ??

6.5x47L

Originally Posted by Tussock

6.5x47L

or if you want a little more poke, 6.5 SAUM or PRC

Im not sure where this convo is going or how it relates but I can shoot .260rem 6.5x47 Lap and 6.5 Creedmoor in this same chassis, if any of you can feel a difference in recoil you are doing better than me. All are light recoiling "kid friendly" cartridges. If you are scared of a little recoil its probably best you forget about hunting and take up cycling

Originally Posted by Wingman

Im not sure where this convo is going or how it relates but I can shoot .260rem 6.5x47 Lap and 6.5 Creedmoor in this same chassis, if any of you can feel a difference in recoil you are doing better than me. All are light recoiling "kid friendly" cartridges. If you are scared of a little recoil its probably best you forget about hunting and take up cycling

Well Wingman, by your own pen hand you have written (typed) that for the same powder charge / projectile in the 305.5 you have greater velocity than the CM … so I couldn't help wondering if this is at the expense of anything, including an increase in recoil ??

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

Well Wingman, by your own pen hand you have written (typed) that for the same powder charge / projectile in the 305.5 you have greater velocity than the CM … so I couldn't help wondering if this is at the expense of anything, including an increase in recoil ??

Yip all of about 100fps more.. but I bet there is no one that could tell the difference in recoil between those two cartridge loads in the same rifle.