6.5 X 47 Lapua and IMR 8208 XBR

[SMK Shoe]

I am currently deployed to Afghanistan so my research ability is limited. Is anyone using the new IMR 8208 XBR in the 6.5 X 47 Lapua with 140 grn bullets. I have a 1/8 twist bull barrel being delivered before I come home on leave in march and need some starting loads. This cartridge has limited info on the internet. Thinking since 8208 works good in the 6MM BR and 6.5MM BR, it should work well in the 6.5 X 47 with the heavier bullets. I also use AA2520 and Varget alot, so if these might be better in this cartridge, what would be a good start load?

[Terry Balding]

I am currently deployed to Afghanistan so my research ability is limited. Is anyone using the new IMR 8208 XBR in the 6.5 X 47 Lapua with 140 grn bullets. I have a 1/8 twist bull barrel being delivered before I come home on leave in march and need some starting loads. This cartridge has limited info on the internet. Thinking since 8208 works good in the 6MM BR and 6.5MM BR, it should work well in the 6.5 X 47 with the heavier bullets. I also use AA2520 and Varget alot, so if these might be better in this cartridge, what would be a good start load?


It's a little fast for 140's. The 4350 class powders are better suited for 140's. Varget and AA2520 works as well.

[GaCop]

Thank you for your service. Where in Afghanistan are you? I was at Kandahar in 07. 8208XBR has also been working well in my 308 and 150 gr SMKs (1 in 14 twist) also 223 and 223AI with heavier bullets.

[SMK Shoe]

I am in the Pesh River Valley. about 5 miles from FOB Michigan. I control the 155mm (M777A1) Artillery Platoon giving indirect support for the entire Valley.

[GaCop]

Ah yes, Kunar Province. Stay safe in that hell hole.

[buyobuyo]

I would suggest sending emails requesting load data from Lapua and whatever powder/bullet companies that you are considering using their products. That's what I've done when looking for data that I can't find in the books. They may not have actual experimental data, but they'll run it through internal ballistics software (like QuickLoad) and give you what it suggests.

It's up to you to start low and work up looking for pressure signs.

[GaCop]

RE-15 is another recommended powder for the 6.5 Lapua. I finally bit the bullet and ordered a 1 in 8 twist Criterion barrel from Northlander so I'll be working up loads too. Contact Berger bullets. If they have 6.5 Lapua data worked up with their bullets, they will e-mail it to you.

[SMK Shoe]

He's who i ordered mine from also. Great guy to buy from. Hoping mine will be at the house this week. Can't put it together until I get home at the end of march, but one less thing I have to worry about getting. Also waiting on a 6.5BR barrel from Mcgowen but that is taking to long for me to buy from them again. ( ordered a in stock pistol barrel in 6.5BR in November that only had to be chambered).

[gotcha]

smkshoe, Thanks for watchin' our backs man! When you get back to the real world drop me a PM. I've got a 6.5X47L coming from NSS also. Should have good data to share then. RL-15 seems to be the hot setup now for 123gr thru 139gr. Haven't found anyone using 8208XBR yet but it's known to be very temp. stable, so who knows. The Jar heads are using the 6.5L in their sniper rifles. Ask them about their loads. I'd love to find out what they're doing w/ the cartridge. Stay safe & remember FYGMO ! Dale

[gotcha]

Smk shoe, If you can google over there try this: nielson's 6.5X47L nationals winner. If you can access I'll forward some more info for you. I'll watch for your answer here. Dale

[GaCop]

Man, FYGMO, havent heard THAT in years!

[SMK Shoe]

I think I'm gonna start with Varget and some SMK 107's, SMK 120's and Nosler Custom Comp 140's. Use varget in a few other caliber's so another 8lb can won't go to waste. May get a 1lb can of 8208 and infer some date and see what happens. Will run every round across a cronograph and post data for everyone else. I Don't use RL15 or Rl17 so I don't have any to start. If Varget doesn't do what I need then I'll have to reevaluate powder. :)

[GaCop]

I'll be trying RL-15 and 17 along with 8208XBR and Varget. I'll post my results. Ordered a 6.5 Lapua GO gauge from PT&G yesterday. They're currently out of stock but the lady said they should have some made in the next two weeks.

[SMK Shoe]

Midway also out of stock. should be in by the 20th of feb.

[GaCop]

Must be the 6.5 Lapua is becoming so popular? Forster doesn't carry the 6.5 lapua GO gauge. No luck with Clymer either. As stated Midway is out and so is Brownell's. Rapidly reaching the point of begging a forum member to rent out their GO gauge.

[Aircraftmech76]

Must be the 6.5 Lapua is becoming so popular? Forster doesn't carry the 6.5 lapua GO gauge. No luck with Clymer either. As stated Midway is outr and so is Brownell's. Rapidly reaching the point of begging a forum member to rent out their GO gauge.


Why not utilize a piece of sized brass from your dies? Takes one step out of the process.

[GaCop]

I've got the RCBS dies but currently, no brass other than what I formed from 260 Rem. With the money spent on the barrel, recoil lug and trigger, it will be a while until I can order Lapua brass. I have a PT&G Go gauge ordered but they don't currently have any in stock and will be making more in the next two weeks.

[SMK Shoe]

Just ordered the go gage from midway. back ordered till 8 mar but I can't do the build until I get back to the states last week of March. Wifey just told me that the 500 additional pieces of Lapua brass arrived from Powder Valley. 88$ a 100 but I figure that as soon as his stock has to be replaced it will go up alot. Most are selling it at 115$ for 100 pieces. I'm sitting on 800 pieces of new brass so I should be good for a LOOOOOOOONG time. Hoping it shoots the Nos Cust Comp 140 good. Will also test SMK 120's and maybe a box of SMK 107's.Next order from Powder Valley will be a couple 8lb Jugs of Varget for load development. ( I use varget in alot of BR Cartridges). I'll be on vacation the first two weeks of April so I plan on doing load development everyday and will post ALL results. Every round will go across the cronograph. Not worried about max velocity, Accuracy is all that I need.

[GaCop]

A forum friend "gotcha" has graciously loaned me 20 Lapua cases until I can send him 20 of my cases after I receive them. I'm going to headspace my barrel with the new Lapua brass. It's been about two weeks and no word from PT&G on the back order GO gauge.

[GaCop]

Just ordered the go gage from midway. back ordered till 8 mar but I can't do the build until I get back to the states last week of March. Wifey just told me that the 500 additional pieces of Lapua brass arrived from Powder Valley. 88$ a 100 but I figure that as soon as his stock has to be replaced it will go up alot. Most are selling it at 115$ for 100 pieces. I'm sitting on 800 pieces of new brass so I should be good for a LOOOOOOOONG time. Hoping it shoots the Nos Cust Comp 140 good. Will also test SMK 120's and maybe a box of SMK 107's.Next order from Powder Valley will be a couple 8lb Jugs of Varget for load development. ( I use varget in alot of BR Cartridges). I'll be on vacation the first two weeks of April so I plan on doing load development everyday and will post ALL results. Every round will go across the cronograph. Not worried about max velocity, Accuracy is all that I need.


The chronograph is an indispensable tool, an accurate load at 100 yards can have crappy SD and ES indicating it won't shoot well at all beyond 100 yards. The opposite can be true if shooting loooong boattails showing single digit SD/ES but lousy groups at 100 yards because the bullet hasn't "gone to sleep" yet.