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Load Info & Data |
The 6x47 Lapua vs the 6mm XC|
The 6 x 47 Lapua vs 6mm XC The 6 x 47 Lapua cartridge (i.e. a necked down 6.5 x 47 Lapua), based on initial chronograph results, seems to chrono right about the same as a 6XC with similar loadings. For example, the 6 x 47 Lapua was chronographed with a test "mild" load (for a mild 200-300 yard rapid fire highpower loading) and 35 gr of H4350 with a CCI #450 primer and a Sierra 6mm 107 MatchKing chronographed at 2739 fps. This compares with a recent 6XC chronograph test of 35.5 gr of H4350 in the 6XC, with a BR-2 primer and a Sierra 107, which had a velocity of 2733 fps. Both barrels were similar barrels purchased from the same supplier at the same time, and chambered at the same time, and both chambers were cut with the same reamer (i.e. the 6 x 47 Lapua cartridge was chambered with a 6XC reamer held back .0486" short). |
Basic Load and Chrono Info for the 6mm Version and the 6.5 x 47 Lapua
For The 6mm Version (6 x 47 Lapua) (See further below for load info on the 6.5 x47 Lapua)
The general consensus is that H4350 is a powder of choice for the 6mm version (i.e. the 6 x 47 Lapua cartridge) and the CCI #450 primer is also a primer of choice for some shooters, although this author found that he ultimately obtained great results with loads using N160 and a Rem 7/12 BR primer. The 6mm cartridge runs great with the 105 - 107 gr bullets (Berger 105 VLD's stuck in the lands have been giving great results) and the DTAC 115's can be shot as well.
Top end loadings vary (depending on the rilfe, barrel, lot of powder, etc.) but top end loadings with the 105-107 gr bullets are being reported in the range of 38 - 42 grains with H4350. One report indicated a shooter using 42.1 gr of H4350 with Berger 105 VLD's and achieving 3210 - 3230 fps with stellar accuracy, and without pressure issues.
Chronograph Testing(July 2, 2006) - The rifle for the testing is a Remington 700 (glued into an MAK Repeater Tube Gun Kit) with a 30" PacNor 1:7.5 twist 4 groove barrel with a 6 x 47 Lapua chamber similar to the reamer described on this website for the 85-107 gr bullets (i.e. .090" freebore and a one and a half degree throat angle). The firing pin was the standard large firing pin furnished with a Remington 700, and it has not been bushed down. The results were as follows:
Loadings used new Lapua Brass necked down to 6mm and CCI #450 primers with bare bullets (i.e. non-moly), and all results are for five shot strings:
35.9 gr. H4350 and a Sierra 107 MatchKing (.010" jump) - 2808 mean velocity, ES 36, SD 14
36 gr. H4350 and a Berger 105 VLD (.010" in the lands) - 2819 mean velocity, ES 24, SD 10
37 gr. H4350 and a Berger 105 VLD (.010" in the lands) - 2896 mean velocity, ES 20, SD 7
38 gr. H4350 and a Berger 105 VLD (.010" in the lands) - 2982 mean velocity, ES 24, SD 9
39 gr. H4350 and a Berger 105 VLD (.010" in the lands) - 3053 mean velocity. ES 23, SD 9
Chronograph Testing (August 11, 2006) - The rifle used was the same rifle in the July 2, 2006 testing noted above.
Loadings used new Lapua brass necked down to 6mm and Remington 7 1/2 BR primers with bare bullets (i.e. non-moly), and all results are for five shot strings with thrown charges.
36.0 gr N160 and a Berger 105BT bullet (.015" jump) - 2774 mean velocity, ES 20, SD 7
36.0 gr N160 and a Berger 105VLD bullet (.015" in the lands) - 2786 mean velocity, ES 30, SD 13
37.0 gr N160 and a Berger 105 BT bullet (.015" jump) - 2849 mean velocity, ES 28, SD 11
37.0 gr N160 and a Berger 105VLD bullet (.015" in the lands) - 2860 mean velocity, ES 32, SD 13
38.0 gr N160 and a Berger 105VLD bullet (.015" in the lands) - 2933 mean velocity, ES 19, SD 7
Note: The above loadings with N160 and Remington 7 1/2 BR primers were chronographed mainly because they proved to be extremely accurate in this author's highpower rifle. What was being sought for highpower use was a "short lines" loading for 200 and 300 yards that would be mild (around 2800 fps) and not too hard on the barrel, and a long line (600 yard) loading with the Berger 105 VLD's around 2950 - 3000 fps. A loading around 36-37 gr of N160 with a Rem 7 1/2 BR primer and a Berger 105 BT bullet jumping .015" proved to be very accurate and a great "short lines" load for highpower. The 38 gr load of N160 with a Remington 7 1/2 BR primer and a Berger 105 VLD (.010" in the lands) proved to be very accurate and runs just shy of 2950 fps. Further testing of long line loads with 39 gr and 40 grains remains to be done.
The
target on the left was shot on August 13, 2006 with the author's
highpower rifle (the
same rifle noted in the chrono tests). The target was shot prone
with a sling at 100 yards, and represents 10 shots. The load was
38.2 gr of N160 with a Remington 7 1/2 BR primer and Berger 105 VLD
bullets loaded .010" into the lands. At around 2950 fps, this has
promise to be a
great 600 yard highpower rifle loading, especially since there were no
pressure signs. The
disbursement of the group is mostly from the pulse and body movement of
the author, while shooting unsupported and prone with a sling.
The rifle, with this load, seemed as if the it wanted to put the
bullets all through the same hole if the author could hold still enough
to do it.
General Comment: With new necked down brass the extreme spreads and standard deviation numbers are generally a little higher than if previously fired brass was used. In addition, the Lapua brass, at 39 gr of H4350, was still showing no pressure signs or issues, and it appears, in the rifle used, the load could be boosted higher. The N160 load of 38 grains was no where near a max loading either in the rifle tested. With various previous chrono results so far, the chrono results with the above rifle show the Sierra 107 gr MatchKing velocities parallel the velocities obtained with the Berger 105 VLD with similar loadings.
For The 6.5 mm Version (6.5 x 47 Lapua)
The loads and testing was done in a 6.5mm 1:8.5 twist Brux barrel. The barrel is 31.5" (long for sight radius only) but this author is of the opinion, based upon other information obtained, that velocities will be very similar with barrrels down to 28".
Chronograph Testing (October 7, 2006)
Some chrono testing was done with the 6.5 x 47 in a Remington 700 MAK Tube Gun. Here are the results, all with Reloader 15, all with BR-4 primers and all with non-moly bullets:
37gr RL15, Sierra 120, .015" jump - 2907 mean velocity, ES 28, SD 10
38gr RL15, Sierra 120, .015" jump - 2988 mean velocity, ES 26, SD 10
37gr RL15, Berger 130VLD, .010" in lands - 2878 mean velocity, ES 20, SD 9
38gr RL15, Berger 130VLD, .010" in lands - 2956 mean velocity, ES 16, SD 8 - There
was sticky bolt lift on two of the rounds, so this is max in the rifle at this loading
37gr RL15, Sierra 142, .010" in lands - 2803 mean velocity, ES 31, SD 13
38gr RL15, Sierra 142, .010" in lands - 2869 mean velocity, ES 7, SD 2 - - There
was sticky bolt lift on three of the rounds so this is max in the rifle at this loading
The 37 gr load with the 120 Sierras was exceptionally accurate in the rifle.
Chronograph Testing (October 10, 2006)
Some additional chrono results with the 6.5 x 47 Lapua, all with H4350, all with BR-4 primers, and all with non-moly bullets:
39 gr H4350, BR-4 Primer, Sierra 120, .015” jump (2.650” OAL), 2790 fps mean velocity, E 15, S 6
40 gr H4350, BR-4 Primer, Sierra 120, .015” jump (2.650” OAL) , 2870 fps mean velocity, E 16, S 6
38 gr H4350, BR-4 Primer, Berger 130 VLD, .010” in lands (2.803” OAL), 2752 fps mean velocity, E 21, S 8
39 gr H4350, BR-4 Primer, Berger 130 VLD, .010” in lands (2.803” OAL), 2818 fps mean velocity, E 35, S 13 (one odd shot about 21 fps faster than next lower velocity and made E 35).
40 gr H4350, BR-4 Primer, Berger 130 VLD, .010” in lands (2.803” OAL), 2895 fps mean velocity, E 8, S 3 - No pressure signs, load probably has .5 gr. to 1.5 gr. more to go before pressure issues in the rifle.
38 gr H4350, BR-4 Primer, Sierra 142, .012” jump (2.747” OAL), 2681 fps mean velocity, E 19, S 8
39 gr H4350, BR-4 Primer, Sierra 142, .012” jump (2.747” OAL), 2747 fps mean velocity, E 37, S 13 (load under minor compression - can hear a slight crunch when you seat bullet).
40 gr H4350, BR-4 Primer, Sierra 142, .012” jump (2.747” OAL), 2812 fps mean velocity, E 22, S 8 (load under compression and maybe room to squeeze .5 to 1.5 grains more powder in there but that's about it). No pressure signs or issues, but it seemed the load was approaching max, although not yet there. 2850 fps is probably do-able, but probably, above that, pressure issues will be apparent, and whether good accuracy can be obtained at 2850 fps would need to be determined as well.
There were no pressure issues with any of the H4350 loadings but with the 142 Sierra at the top loading tested (40 gr of H4350), the load is under compression, and while there may be the ability to squeeze a little more powder in there and still have no issues seating the bullet, it seemed like it was getting pretty close. H4350 is about as bulky a powder as you would want to consider using in the case.
Chronograph Testing (October 13, 2006)
37.5 gr of RL 15, BR-4 Primer, Lapua 123, in lands .010 (about 2.753" OAL) - 2966 Mean Velocity, ES 4, SD 2. This loading was found to be exceptionally accurate in the rifle, and considering the Lapua 123 Scenar has a .547 stated B.C., it is clear that the 6.5 x 47 Lapua can match the wind drift numbers and performance of the best of the 6mm "across the course" type cartridges (i.e. 6XC, 6mm/22-250, 243 Win, etc.).
37.8 gr RL 15 (a different lot than above from a different 5 lb can, because author was running out of the other lot), BR-4 Primer, Lapua 123, in lands .010" (about 2.753" OAL) - 3023 Mean Velocity, ES 15, SD 5 - this load was a little hot and had a sticky bolt lift on a number of cases so it needs to be backed off a half grain or so.
General Comments on the 6.5 x 47 Lapua:
The cartridge seems to be extremely accurate for high power rifle shooting. After setting up the rifle and doing some quick chrono testing, this author shot the last 10 rounds prone at a 100 yard slow prone target, and came up with a 10x clean. The load was 37gr RL15, a BR-4 primer, with a Sierra 120 MatchKing and .015" jump (around 2.650" OAL). Trying out a 600 yard loading, another 10x clean was shot shooting the Lapua 123's at 2969 fps with 37.5 gr of RL15 with a CCI BR-4 primer and the Lapua 123 stuck in the lands .010" (around 2.753" OAL). The Lapua 123's shot also measure .2645" in diameter, and since they are a little "fat", they do run the pressures up over the 120 and 123 Sierras that run pretty true to .264" in diameter. For the short lines the 120 Sierras shoot with stellar accuracy whether you jump them or not, and they seem to shoot just as well if you shoot them at 2800 fps or up to 3000 fps. For 600 yards, the 123 Scenar offers a great B.C. (.547) with great accuracy and velocity as well. Definitely a cartridge worth looking into for across the course shooting as well as other types of shooting and competitions.
For The 6mm Version (6 x 47 Lapua) (See further below for load info on the 6.5 x47 Lapua)
The general consensus is that H4350 is a powder of choice for the 6mm version (i.e. the 6 x 47 Lapua cartridge) and the CCI #450 primer is also a primer of choice for some shooters, although this author found that he ultimately obtained great results with loads using N160 and a Rem 7/12 BR primer. The 6mm cartridge runs great with the 105 - 107 gr bullets (Berger 105 VLD's stuck in the lands have been giving great results) and the DTAC 115's can be shot as well.
Top end loadings vary (depending on the rilfe, barrel, lot of powder, etc.) but top end loadings with the 105-107 gr bullets are being reported in the range of 38 - 42 grains with H4350. One report indicated a shooter using 42.1 gr of H4350 with Berger 105 VLD's and achieving 3210 - 3230 fps with stellar accuracy, and without pressure issues.
Chronograph Testing(July 2, 2006) - The rifle for the testing is a Remington 700 (glued into an MAK Repeater Tube Gun Kit) with a 30" PacNor 1:7.5 twist 4 groove barrel with a 6 x 47 Lapua chamber similar to the reamer described on this website for the 85-107 gr bullets (i.e. .090" freebore and a one and a half degree throat angle). The firing pin was the standard large firing pin furnished with a Remington 700, and it has not been bushed down. The results were as follows:
Loadings used new Lapua Brass necked down to 6mm and CCI #450 primers with bare bullets (i.e. non-moly), and all results are for five shot strings:
35.9 gr. H4350 and a Sierra 107 MatchKing (.010" jump) - 2808 mean velocity, ES 36, SD 14
36 gr. H4350 and a Berger 105 VLD (.010" in the lands) - 2819 mean velocity, ES 24, SD 10
37 gr. H4350 and a Berger 105 VLD (.010" in the lands) - 2896 mean velocity, ES 20, SD 7
38 gr. H4350 and a Berger 105 VLD (.010" in the lands) - 2982 mean velocity, ES 24, SD 9
39 gr. H4350 and a Berger 105 VLD (.010" in the lands) - 3053 mean velocity. ES 23, SD 9
Chronograph Testing (August 11, 2006) - The rifle used was the same rifle in the July 2, 2006 testing noted above.
Loadings used new Lapua brass necked down to 6mm and Remington 7 1/2 BR primers with bare bullets (i.e. non-moly), and all results are for five shot strings with thrown charges.
36.0 gr N160 and a Berger 105BT bullet (.015" jump) - 2774 mean velocity, ES 20, SD 7
36.0 gr N160 and a Berger 105VLD bullet (.015" in the lands) - 2786 mean velocity, ES 30, SD 13
37.0 gr N160 and a Berger 105 BT bullet (.015" jump) - 2849 mean velocity, ES 28, SD 11
37.0 gr N160 and a Berger 105VLD bullet (.015" in the lands) - 2860 mean velocity, ES 32, SD 13
38.0 gr N160 and a Berger 105VLD bullet (.015" in the lands) - 2933 mean velocity, ES 19, SD 7
Note: The above loadings with N160 and Remington 7 1/2 BR primers were chronographed mainly because they proved to be extremely accurate in this author's highpower rifle. What was being sought for highpower use was a "short lines" loading for 200 and 300 yards that would be mild (around 2800 fps) and not too hard on the barrel, and a long line (600 yard) loading with the Berger 105 VLD's around 2950 - 3000 fps. A loading around 36-37 gr of N160 with a Rem 7 1/2 BR primer and a Berger 105 BT bullet jumping .015" proved to be very accurate and a great "short lines" load for highpower. The 38 gr load of N160 with a Remington 7 1/2 BR primer and a Berger 105 VLD (.010" in the lands) proved to be very accurate and runs just shy of 2950 fps. Further testing of long line loads with 39 gr and 40 grains remains to be done.
The
target on the left was shot on August 13, 2006 with the author's
highpower rifle (the
same rifle noted in the chrono tests). The target was shot prone
with a sling at 100 yards, and represents 10 shots. The load was
38.2 gr of N160 with a Remington 7 1/2 BR primer and Berger 105 VLD
bullets loaded .010" into the lands. At around 2950 fps, this has
promise to be a
great 600 yard highpower rifle loading, especially since there were no
pressure signs. The
disbursement of the group is mostly from the pulse and body movement of
the author, while shooting unsupported and prone with a sling.
The rifle, with this load, seemed as if the it wanted to put the
bullets all through the same hole if the author could hold still enough
to do it.General Comment: With new necked down brass the extreme spreads and standard deviation numbers are generally a little higher than if previously fired brass was used. In addition, the Lapua brass, at 39 gr of H4350, was still showing no pressure signs or issues, and it appears, in the rifle used, the load could be boosted higher. The N160 load of 38 grains was no where near a max loading either in the rifle tested. With various previous chrono results so far, the chrono results with the above rifle show the Sierra 107 gr MatchKing velocities parallel the velocities obtained with the Berger 105 VLD with similar loadings.
For The 6.5 mm Version (6.5 x 47 Lapua)
The loads and testing was done in a 6.5mm 1:8.5 twist Brux barrel. The barrel is 31.5" (long for sight radius only) but this author is of the opinion, based upon other information obtained, that velocities will be very similar with barrrels down to 28".
Chronograph Testing (October 7, 2006)
Some chrono testing was done with the 6.5 x 47 in a Remington 700 MAK Tube Gun. Here are the results, all with Reloader 15, all with BR-4 primers and all with non-moly bullets:
37gr RL15, Sierra 120, .015" jump - 2907 mean velocity, ES 28, SD 10
38gr RL15, Sierra 120, .015" jump - 2988 mean velocity, ES 26, SD 10
37gr RL15, Berger 130VLD, .010" in lands - 2878 mean velocity, ES 20, SD 9
38gr RL15, Berger 130VLD, .010" in lands - 2956 mean velocity, ES 16, SD 8 - There
was sticky bolt lift on two of the rounds, so this is max in the rifle at this loading
37gr RL15, Sierra 142, .010" in lands - 2803 mean velocity, ES 31, SD 13
38gr RL15, Sierra 142, .010" in lands - 2869 mean velocity, ES 7, SD 2 - - There
was sticky bolt lift on three of the rounds so this is max in the rifle at this loading
The 37 gr load with the 120 Sierras was exceptionally accurate in the rifle.
Chronograph Testing (October 10, 2006)
Some additional chrono results with the 6.5 x 47 Lapua, all with H4350, all with BR-4 primers, and all with non-moly bullets:
39 gr H4350, BR-4 Primer, Sierra 120, .015” jump (2.650” OAL), 2790 fps mean velocity, E 15, S 6
40 gr H4350, BR-4 Primer, Sierra 120, .015” jump (2.650” OAL) , 2870 fps mean velocity, E 16, S 6
38 gr H4350, BR-4 Primer, Berger 130 VLD, .010” in lands (2.803” OAL), 2752 fps mean velocity, E 21, S 8
39 gr H4350, BR-4 Primer, Berger 130 VLD, .010” in lands (2.803” OAL), 2818 fps mean velocity, E 35, S 13 (one odd shot about 21 fps faster than next lower velocity and made E 35).
40 gr H4350, BR-4 Primer, Berger 130 VLD, .010” in lands (2.803” OAL), 2895 fps mean velocity, E 8, S 3 - No pressure signs, load probably has .5 gr. to 1.5 gr. more to go before pressure issues in the rifle.
38 gr H4350, BR-4 Primer, Sierra 142, .012” jump (2.747” OAL), 2681 fps mean velocity, E 19, S 8
39 gr H4350, BR-4 Primer, Sierra 142, .012” jump (2.747” OAL), 2747 fps mean velocity, E 37, S 13 (load under minor compression - can hear a slight crunch when you seat bullet).
40 gr H4350, BR-4 Primer, Sierra 142, .012” jump (2.747” OAL), 2812 fps mean velocity, E 22, S 8 (load under compression and maybe room to squeeze .5 to 1.5 grains more powder in there but that's about it). No pressure signs or issues, but it seemed the load was approaching max, although not yet there. 2850 fps is probably do-able, but probably, above that, pressure issues will be apparent, and whether good accuracy can be obtained at 2850 fps would need to be determined as well.
There were no pressure issues with any of the H4350 loadings but with the 142 Sierra at the top loading tested (40 gr of H4350), the load is under compression, and while there may be the ability to squeeze a little more powder in there and still have no issues seating the bullet, it seemed like it was getting pretty close. H4350 is about as bulky a powder as you would want to consider using in the case.
Chronograph Testing (October 13, 2006)
37.5 gr of RL 15, BR-4 Primer, Lapua 123, in lands .010 (about 2.753" OAL) - 2966 Mean Velocity, ES 4, SD 2. This loading was found to be exceptionally accurate in the rifle, and considering the Lapua 123 Scenar has a .547 stated B.C., it is clear that the 6.5 x 47 Lapua can match the wind drift numbers and performance of the best of the 6mm "across the course" type cartridges (i.e. 6XC, 6mm/22-250, 243 Win, etc.).
37.8 gr RL 15 (a different lot than above from a different 5 lb can, because author was running out of the other lot), BR-4 Primer, Lapua 123, in lands .010" (about 2.753" OAL) - 3023 Mean Velocity, ES 15, SD 5 - this load was a little hot and had a sticky bolt lift on a number of cases so it needs to be backed off a half grain or so.
General Comments on the 6.5 x 47 Lapua:
The cartridge seems to be extremely accurate for high power rifle shooting. After setting up the rifle and doing some quick chrono testing, this author shot the last 10 rounds prone at a 100 yard slow prone target, and came up with a 10x clean. The load was 37gr RL15, a BR-4 primer, with a Sierra 120 MatchKing and .015" jump (around 2.650" OAL). Trying out a 600 yard loading, another 10x clean was shot shooting the Lapua 123's at 2969 fps with 37.5 gr of RL15 with a CCI BR-4 primer and the Lapua 123 stuck in the lands .010" (around 2.753" OAL). The Lapua 123's shot also measure .2645" in diameter, and since they are a little "fat", they do run the pressures up over the 120 and 123 Sierras that run pretty true to .264" in diameter. For the short lines the 120 Sierras shoot with stellar accuracy whether you jump them or not, and they seem to shoot just as well if you shoot them at 2800 fps or up to 3000 fps. For 600 yards, the 123 Scenar offers a great B.C. (.547) with great accuracy and velocity as well. Definitely a cartridge worth looking into for across the course shooting as well as other types of shooting and competitions.
Copyright . Robert Whitley. All rights reserved.
