6BR vs 6.5x47?

[mattri]

For those shooting these rounds what do you see to be the strengths/weakness of either one?

Where does one shine above the other?

For which applications do you pick one above the other?

[LoneWolf]

Buddy shoots a 6.5x47 and it is a really nice round with the 123gr Scenars. 6BR is a good round to and most are now using the 105gr Berger Hybrids in any 6mm config.

For many the 6BR is a great choice for out to 600yds F-Class and some take it to 1000, but the 6BRX, XC, or 243Win will provide more velocity. At 3000-3100fps the 105-115gr class bullets will shoot a couple inches inside the 6.5's until you get out a bit passed 1000yds.

6.5x47 is right in there with the 260 and 6.5CM as far as performance it's hard to tell. The 6mm are getting more and more popular now though in the competition world.

6x47 would probably be the best of both worlds for you!

[mattri]

Thanks for the reply, seems most folks like the lighter 120s as opposed to the 140s.

[LoneWolf]

Within 1000yds speed of a lighter good BC bullet will beat heavier higher bc bullets at a slower speed.

[stomp442]

Within 1000yds speed will beat heavier higher bc bullets

Only in trajectory which really doesn't matter. The heavier bullets will still provide better performance in every category and most importantly windage which is the name of the game at long range. The 123 Scenar at 3000 fps is going to drift about 8" more than a 140 Berger at 2800fps at 1000 yards. Also the Litz tested BC of the 123 Scenar is .519 as opposed to the advertised .527. to effectively shoot 1000 yards to the best of the cartridges ability its always a good idea to shoot the heaviest highest BC bullet possible. That means a 105 class bullet from most 8 twist 6mmBRs and 140 class bullets from 6.5s.

[mattri]

Good information thanks.

Would you say either round had an advantage over the other?

[stomp442]

The advantage although fairly slight goes to the 6.5 and its heavier bullet. The 6.5 will provide more energy if ever used for hunting but for shooting steel you really can't go wrong with either one. Both work great.

[BoilerUP]

6.5 Lapooey will feed better from an AICS magazine than 6BR...

[yorketransport]

6.5 Lapooey will feed better from an AICS magazine than 6BR...

That's my biggest issue with the 6 BR. I'd probably go with the 6.5x47 if feeding from a mag were an issue. FWIW, I have both and just like the BR better for some intangible reason.

Andrew

[LoneWolf]

I was in this debate and decided to just go straight 243win. Having barrel throated long for VLDs

[LoneWolf]

1. Already have the head space gauges.
2. Brass is easy to find and have cheap Remington brass up to lapis to choose from.
3. Easy to get the 105-115gr bullets up over 3000fps and recoil will be null and void with the addition of a brake.
4. Easy feeding from AICS mags.

Could probably come up with a very lengthy list, but I saw no reason to go to one of the fancy 6mm variants.

[mattri]

It seems the .243 doesn't live up to the others from purely an accuracy standpoint.

[LoneWolf]

In what manner of accuracy are we speaking?

[mattri]

6br or 6.5x47 level. I like the 243 and am actually in the process of building one for my wife, but didn't think it was considered on the same plane as the others. Is that not correct?

[LoneWolf]

George Gardner claimed it the holy frail for precision bolt matches. Also been used successfully in benchrest for years. Accuracy isn't just the round It's mainly the barrel and rifle foundation it's built on.

[LoneWolf]

Google George Gardner 243win and read the article on 6mmbr forum.

[mattri]

Indeed, but when looking over equipment lists for matches I don't think I've ever seen a 243, why do you think the 6 br/dashrs and others are do dominant?

[mattri]

Will do thanks.

[LoneWolf]

Mainly barrel life I would assume, but it seems that is powder dependent.

[LoneWolf]

Many are switching to 6x47 and 6CM because of the advantage a fast 6 has over a slower 6.5 with less recoil.

[BoilerUP]

I'm REALLY curious just how many people out there can actually shoot the difference in "inherent accuracy" between given chamberings..

[mattri]

Very, very few I would imagine.

[LoneWolf]

A lot of the too guys on the Precision Rifle Series go through multiple barrels each year. They are seriously good riflemen. When you see changes in gear and changes in placement each season, I think it's proof enough.

Started with a shift from 308 to 6.5's now 6.5's to fast 6mm's.

Most of the are not operating on 100% sponsorships, so half of the race is getting the best "bang" for their buck.

[BoilerUP]

PRS is about "the game", which is why you see various flavors of 6mm pushing 105 Hybrids (some of which get pointed) right at the typical 3150fps speed limit for that last ounce of ballistic advantage on UKD targets.

There's no free lunch which means the cost of ballistics are barrels...which for competitors are simply a cost of competing. To combat that cost and save rounds on a match rifle, many have rifles identical to their competition rifle in a more barrel-friendly caliber like 223 or 308 for training.

[Jamie]

Build a .243 Win or a .244 Rem AI. I have owned and shot almost every 6mm out there, no XC, and while I have seen some accuracy difference, it is more attributed to individual barrels rather than case design. My current 6mms are a straight .243 Win (17" McGowen) and a 6x47 Lapua (30" Brux). While I haven't really done a lot of development for the Lapua they are both .25"-.3" shooters. Maybe the Lapua can do better but I don't think I can squeeze much more out of me but I am ok being a .25" shooter.

End of the tha day, you will have to be a heck of a shooter to see the differences and even then it may be the barrel and not the round. As stated earlier, George built a .243 Win and promptly won his first match out with it.