6.5 X 47 Lapua and IMR 8208 XBR

[SMK Shoe]

Just in case, I ordered a NO-GO gauge from midway (in stock). That way I can at least head space from a piece of new brass and check with the No-go. Not a preferred way but gives the same results. Did you order brass from Powder valley? They usually ship within a day or two. I'm thinking once this cartridge gets better known, it's gonna sell like crazy. ;D ;D ;D ;D

[wch]

As far as Go Gauge- Pacific Tool and Gauge has one:
pacifictoolandgauge.com
Order by phone and you'll get it FAST.

[GaCop]

[quote=wch ]
As far as Go Gauge- Pacific Tool and Gauge has one:
pacifictoolandgauge.com
Order by phone and you'll get it FAST.

I ordered my GO gauge from PT&G on or about Feb 12th and am still waiting for word from them that they have shipped one. At the time I ordered, they said "about two weeks to make more".

[GaCop]

Just in case, I ordered a NO-GO gauge from midway (in stock). That way I can at least head space from a piece of new brass and check with the No-go. Not a preferred way but gives the same results. Did you order brass from Powder valley? They usually ship within a day or two. I'm thinking once this cartridge gets better known, it's gonna sell like crazy. ;D ;D ;D ;D


I ordered my brass from Bruno's in Arizona.

[Dennis]

SMK Shoe, I have read all the post above. My 6.5x47 Lapua, 28" 8 twist loves 120gr SMK's with 39.3grns RL15, bullet on the lands! Best groups even out to 600yds I have gotten out of the gun, Second, 123gr Lapua's with 36.2grns Varget are pretty accurate! I am currently working with Berger 130's using VV160 and VV560, I am getting close, just been waiting for some warm weather.

So far, the Berger 130's kinda of like 41.2 grns of H4350. I am not happy with this group, but so far it's the best with the 130's I have some JLK 140's, I just haven't had any luck with these in the 6.5x47, however in my 6.0x47Lapua, it love 105 grn JLK's!

I would be willing to send you some of the 6.5 JLK 140's when your back home! My gun seem to like Bergers and JLK's in the lands about .010! SMK 120's, just touching the lands. I just recieved some 123 SMK's, I will be trying these out!

Below pic's self explanatory. I have a ton more target pictures as this is how I keep my diary.

Still the most consistant and best at any time, 120 smk's with RL15
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae56/Dennis4437/120SMKsbest.jpg

These are on the lands, I going to try some a little in. Second best
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae56/Dennis4437/123L65x47362VargetCCI450GroupPicsPerfectBEST.jpg

I am going to try this load jamming the Bergers a little! Maybe .010 to .015 just to see
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae56/Dennis4437/130BergersH4350412.jpg

[GaCop]

Nice group with the 130 gr Berger Dennis. I've had good results with H4350 in other calibers.

[Dennis]

Nice group with the 130 gr Berger Dennis. I've had good results with H4350 in other calibers.

"SERIOUSLY" ???

I really didn't like the group, but it looks like H4350 is going to be the powder to work with in my 6.5x47L / 130 Bergers!

I have shot better groups with 34.9 grns of Varget, but the speed isn't there! Somewhere just above 2,700fps. There is another person who's gun also shoots with the same charge and speed! He also claims he does pretty good at 600yds with it. Personally, I would rather be above 2,900fps with the H4350!

I guess I just need to load some up with the Varget and go to the range and see!!!

Also, fine tuning the 123 Lapua's was pretty tough! Again, .1 grn did the trick and also just changing the COAL a few thousandths made one heck of a difference! I backed off .010 and had a 1" group, same load on the lands tightened the heck out of the groups!

Below is my picture with 34.8grns pushing a 130 Berger! If I increase my load, I am all over the target! I can't figure out why the gun likes the H4350! ??? I do know this gun is very sensitive with powder charges and COAL's. .1grn makes a difference.

Also, I have cloverleaf several targets with 39.3grns of RL15 pushing a 120SMK as shown above! :o I havn't duplicated the 120 load with varget and gave up since the RL15 was doing so good!

I can show several pictures of H4350 pushing the 130 Bergers, I guess it's going to be the combo if I shoot 130 Bergers! Below is a picture with Varget.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae56/Dennis4437/130bergers65x47348vargetBESTmaybelightload.jpg

Below is another picture of H4350!
I was off on one of five shots below! The only reason I was trying with Varget was hopefully just buying one powder in bulk, but as I have learned with my other guns, looks like I will be keeping several powders around! Plus 41.2grns of H4350 pretty well fills the case, I am sure this make a difference!
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae56/Dennis4437/130Bergers412H4350.jpg

Maybe I am expecting too much out of this gun! Any comments will be appreciated. I am looking for a 600yd plus load!

[GaCop]

Not bad groups. The flyer is most likely you (possibly canting the scope a bit, changing cheek weld slightly). Try some BR4s and/or 205Ms to see if that helps tighten things up. What does the SD/ES show? Your 34.8 grain load looks real good, considering it was shot under windy conditions. What do the drop tables show for this load out to 600?

[GaCop]

Got my tracking number from Northlander.................barrel should be here tomorrow! Looks like a lot of load testing this weekend, weather permitting.

[GaCop]

Contacted PT&G about the GO gauge order I placed on Feb 14th. Was told they're still being made, none ready for at least another week or so. I cancelled my order and will use a piece of brass. Has anyone used the new unfired Lapua brass to set the headspace w/o any problems? I worry about getting the chamber too tight and fired/resized cases having chambering problems. My barrel will be delivered this afternoon "on the truck for delivery" as of 6AM this morning.

[GaCop]

Received my barrel yesterday evening. I tried a home made case and it seats right to the junction of the body and extractor groove like it should, ditto for a unfired Lapua case.

[SMK Shoe]

Just got done moving into another FireBase a little down south from the Pesh Valley. Wifey sent a e-mail stating my barrel is also at the house. Gonna order the varget in a week or so and some 107 SMK. I have about 800 of the SMK 120's for my grendel so good there. I have a NO-GO gauge from midway but go gauge is B.O. till 19 march. Can still work with a piece of brass and no-go but not the optimum way to do it. Only have about three weeks until I get to put it all together and shoot.

[GaCop]

I used a piece of 260 brass I formed in the 6.5X47L full length die. Talking to Jim (Northlander), he suggested filling the case with epogy to eliminate any springyness. Worked like a charm. Headspaced the barrel with the home made case and then put one thickness of scotch tape on the home made "GO" gauge and the bolt handled end moved about 1/2" down and stopped. Next put tape on new Lapua brass and got the same 1/2" movement and stopped. I'm satisfied it's safe. The home made brass I used mic'd 1.551" at the shoulder/neck junction as it should. The Lapua brass, being new, was a little shorter but close enough to be safe. Now, if the weather will co-operate, Sunday will be sight in and load testing day.

Be safe and "watch your six". Let us know when your back.

[GaCop]

Looks like I'm going single shot. The centerfeed 270 magazine is about an inch too small for the laminate stock mag well opening. I'm using a glass bedded former staggerfeed long action stock. Tried SSS all day yesterday to order a single shot follower for the LA centerfeed. Dialed so many times I ran my cell phone battery down. Sent an e-mail early yesterday morning which Lisa answered late yesterday afternoon requesting my phone number so she could contact me. Can't argue with that!

Tom

Update 3/7/11 - Lisa returned my call while I was working at the gun shop and I was able to order the last two single shot centerfeed followers in stock so put a third on back order. Sharp Shooter supply can be hard to get a hold of but once you make contact, it's worth the wait. Lisa said Fred would be making more followers in the near future.

[SMK Shoe]

I ordered a HRT from stocky's. I am using Tgt actions so I only get single shot. But I do love the tgt actions. Three weeks and I get to put it all together ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Dennis]

Sent an e-mail early yesterday morning which Lisa answered late yesterday afternoon requesting my phone number so she could contact me. Can't argue with that!

I have never had a problem with Lisa, just be patient! I have ordered several item from them and currently have a stock on order with them! There good, I wish he could find some help as good as he is and "HIRE" him! But I know it's going to take a special person!

Thought: Hey Fred/Lisa, give me a call! It's time for a career change!

[GaCop]

I think Fred has some help on the technical side in the shop, it's sales staff and another phone number they need. Lisa must be running herself ragged. If a large number of faxes coming in or go out, the one and only phone number/fax number is forever busy.

[Dennis]

Lisa must be running herself ragged.

Very true! But she is very happy-knowledgabl

[GaCop]

Was dyin to try the new Criterion barrel yesterday. Wind was terrible gusting between 20 and 35 mph varying from 9 o'clock to 1 o'clock. Long story short, 39.8 grains of IMR 4350 pushing a 120 grain A-Max seated .005" OTL grouped .558" at 100 yards with a velocity of 2749 fps. SD-6.0, ES-20.4. Worst load was 39.6 grains, same powder, bullet and distance OTL, grouped a dismal 1.257" yet the SD/ES looked good, go figure. Can't wait for a day the wind doesn't try blowing my truck over.

[20-tac]

8) 8)hi my name is john i live in ne-kansas here is my 6.5x47lapua story on 12-3-2009 i recived my Brux 30 inch barrel from Devin Sinner of Sinner Arms .Devin did the chamber work and did a great job ,the barrel and his work cost $401.00 to my door .This barrel was for my FClass savage, which after i unscrewed the factory 6mmbr barrel i installed the new Brux barrel with the uses of a PTG go gauge .I started loading the new Lapua brass and after 518 rounds done the tube,my two favorite powders are RL-15 and VARGET my best load are rem 7.5,RL-15 37.5,123 Lapua,ES17.8,SD6.6, 2979FPS, 5 Shots .247,and the best group ive shot so far is .193 5shots at 100 yds. the load is fed.205m,varget 36.2,130 bergers 2865fbs.ES20.5,SD8.4,.This is a great rifle cartridge comb.I hope this info help and i hope guy;s have as good of luck with your rifles has i have had with mine.PS i would be willing to rent my go gauge if anyone is interested email me at jkoppes@bluevalley.net GOOD SHOOTING 8) 8)