6.5x47 139gn/140 gn data

[nubrun]

I have a questions for all of you gents shooting the heavy bullets out of the 6.5x47, what have you found as your go to powder? I am currently shooting the 123 scenars and 130 VLD's using Varget/RL-15 and CCI#450's, but would like to give the 139/140 class of bullets a go.

I have heard mixed things about shooting the 139/140 class of bullets, but would like to give it a try. I was contemplating using something like N550 with CCI#450's. Is this a good starting point, or should I look at another powder?

Gun Specs:
Savage 111 action, Criterion 28" SS Match barrel

Thanks for any data or info you guys have.

[MDM]

I run 140 vlds out of both of mine. 40.4g H4350 @ 2840 27" McGowen and 39.5 Reloader17 @ 2815 27" McGowen. Start with H4350 and if you don't get the velocity you want without pressure, try R17.

[nubrun]

I run 140 vlds out of both of mine. 40.4g H4350 @ 2840 27" McGowen and 39.5 Reloader17 @ 2815 27" McGowen. Start with H4350 and if you don't get the velocity you want without pressure, try R17.

Great, thank you. I was lucky enough to order 8 lbs of H4350 today from powder valley so that should work out well. What OAL or ogive length are you running with the 140's?

[altusp27]

I'm going to be shooting the 123 gr Sierra match king bthp out of my 6.5x47L with a 24" shilin barrel using RL17. Where should I start with my loads.

[nubrun]

I'm going to be shooting the 123 gr Sierra match king bthp out of my 6.5x47L with a 24" shilin barrel using RL17. Where should I start with my loads.

I don't have any experience with RL-17, but from what I have read it might be on the slower side for 123gn pills. With Varget and RL-15 I have found good accurate loads around 37.5. Obviously you need to work up to these loads.

[altusp27]

Forgive my ignorance, but where would I start with rl17? Any ideas?

[BoilerUP]

Forgive my ignorance, but where would I start with rl17? Any ideas?

Min listed charge of H4350.

[altusp27]

Started my loads at 38gn worked up to 39.6gn. 39.2gn grouped the best. Haven't checked the speed yet. No signs of over pressure. I want to continue my load data. Question is, do I start back at 37gn and work up to 38gn or 40gn and go up?


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[nubrun]

I wouldn't start back at 37 if you have already worked up to 39.6 with no pressure signs and good groups. I did a quick search and most people seem to start around 40 grains and work up. This is a thread with some decent info: http://ukvarminting.com/forums/topic/10742-rl17-results-in-65x47/.

Also you may also want to try H4350 and the Berger 130 VLD's. Pardon my fliers, but a 41.5 gn load gave me 3000+ fps, no pressure signs and 0.2 moa groups.
http://i932.photobucket.com/albums/ad170/nickubrun/20130414_081120.jpg (http://s932.photobucket.com/user/nickubrun/media/20130414_081120.jpg.html)

[altusp27]

Finally got the rounds through the chronograph. with 39.2 gn of rl17 grouping wasn't a problem. My fps spread was. Will more powder create a more consistent fps load?

[jhelmuth]

Finally got the rounds through the chronograph. with 39.2 gn of rl17 grouping wasn't a problem. My fps spread was. Will more powder create a more consistent fps load?

Yes - and no. Clearly precision/technique come into play here. IF you can accurately measure the charge so that there is no deviation - then no. But as your "variance" increases so then so the possible MV. As the charge weight goes higher, that deviation grows smaller assuming that your accuracy does not change.

Now I would look elsewhere on the MV delta (spread or ES). Most likely you have an issue with neck tension.

[nubrun]

Finally got the rounds through the chronograph. with 39.2 gn of rl17 grouping wasn't a problem. My fps spread was. Will more powder create a more consistent fps load?
Just out of curiosity what were the velocity numbers and group sizes? I have been considering trying RL-17.

Also what is your load process? Are you weighing each charge, using a powder dropper, etc. What about neck tension? I am running about 0.002" using a forster neck sizing bump die.