PDA

View Full Version : Converting .223 to 6.5x47 Lapua



Yoshi
06-20-2016, 06:59 AM
Howdy! I have a Savage .223 that I want to convert to 6.5x47 Lapua. Possible? If so, other than a new barrel, what else do I need to change? Can I get by with just changing the bolt-head or do I need a new bolt?

Thanks,
Yoshi

Hotolds442
06-20-2016, 11:08 AM
New barrel, new bolt head, new extractor, new magazine and follower should get you what you're looking for.

Bill C
06-20-2016, 04:08 PM
You could however have your chamber cut for 223 ackley improved without changing a thing.

Bill

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

triehl27
06-20-2016, 04:26 PM
In all honesty, why not go with 6X45? Same bolt, just a new barrel. Reloading is simple with a run thru the sizing die. With a bolt you can go anywhere from 55gr to over a 100gr.

dfrosch
06-20-2016, 04:27 PM
New barrel, new bolt head, new extractor, new magazine and follower should get you what you're looking for.

Probably a new front baffle too.

While the cartridges are about the same length, the new magazine will hold the Lapua case head a little further back.

Yoshi
06-20-2016, 09:39 PM
Thanks all! The reason I want to shoot 6.5x47L is for Precision Rifle Series (PRS) matches which go to +1000yds. I generally shoot a .260 but finding H4350 is getting hard. So, I hear the 6.5x47 is great with Varget and that's easy to get. There are some other reasons too, but component availability pushed me towards this selection.

I don't know anything about the 223AI or 6x45... Guessing the AI will peter out way before the 1000yds? 6x45?

Bill C
06-20-2016, 09:48 PM
Compared to a 260 yes a 223 ai or 6x45 will run out of gas at 1000.

6x45 is a 223 rem necked up to 6mm. I think its a dumb idea overall.

223 A/I is a rem case with no body taper and a 40 degree shoulder. The result is a small gain in velocity, roughly 100 fps with heavy bullets. Depending on your elevation and barrel length, the A/I can stay supersonic to 1K with an 80 grain bullet.

Either of these cartridges can be easily converted from a 223 rifle.

Not sure where you live where Varget is so widely available. Wherever that is, I want to move there!

Bill

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Yoshi
06-20-2016, 10:28 PM
Compared to a 260 yes a 223 ai or 6x45 will run out of gas at 1000.

6x45 is a 223 rem necked up to 6mm. I think its a dumb idea overall.

223 A/I is a rem case with no body taper and a 40 degree shoulder. The result is a small gain in velocity, roughly 100 fps with heavy bullets. Depending on your elevation and barrel length, the A/I can stay supersonic to 1K with an 80 grain bullet.

Either of these cartridges can be easily converted from a 223 rifle.

Not sure where you live where Varget is so widely available. Wherever that is, I want to move there!

Bill

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Thanks Bill! The AI seems like a neat little round. How does it run in a semi?

I just looked at Grafs, Midsouth, and Natchez and they all have Varget. Yeah, most are the 1lb'ers with some 8s, but I never have trouble getting it... Unlike H4350. Always sold out.

Bill C
06-20-2016, 10:29 PM
I just looked at Grafs, Midsouth, and Natchez and they all have Varget. Yeah most are the 1lb'ers with some 8s, but I never have trouble getting it... Unlike H4350. Always sold out.
Who orders 1#s online? Lol

Bill

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

triehl27
06-21-2016, 03:50 AM
Hey Bill, I'm gonna address 6x45.
1. 6x45 is a great caliber for AR's & bolts in states that require .243caliber for deer. 55gr up to 95gr in an AR, and over 100gr in a bolt. Def not a 1000yd round. But a round that is gaining in popularity due to extremely cheap brass and bullets.
2. Its a barrel swap and go.

RC20
06-23-2016, 01:49 PM
Thanks all! The reason I want to shoot 6.5x47L is for Precision Rifle Series (PRS) matches which go to +1000yds. I generally shoot a .260 but finding H4350 is getting hard. So, I hear the 6.5x47 is great with Varget and that's easy to get. There are some other reasons too, but component availability pushed me towards this selection.

I don't know anything about the 223AI or 6x45... Guessing the AI will peter out way before the 1000yds? 6x45?

The 4350 lack is odd, we do have a lot of IMR4350, close to the same? We have 8 lb containers of it up here, one of the first powders to come back in bulk.

psharon97
06-23-2016, 07:29 PM
Mine likes H4831sc. Have you tried it?

Onewolf
06-23-2016, 08:02 PM
My 260 Rem LOVES RL-17.... 24" barrel, 2875 FPS, 1/2 MOA.

FiveInADime
06-27-2016, 09:55 AM
My 260 Rem LOVES RL-17.... 24" barrel, 2875 FPS, 1/2 MOA.
Ditto. I stocked up on this a long time ago and I don't need any other powder for .260. What sucks is I ran out of Federal match primers and haven't been able to get everything back to perfect again since.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

RC20
06-27-2016, 10:33 AM
I got the best results out of R17 in the 308 last week, need to explore it more.