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.

[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
[img width=600 height=450]http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae56/Dennis4437/120SMKsbest.jpg[/img]

These are on the lands, I going to try some a little in. Second best
[img width=600 height=450]http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae56/Dennis4437/123L65x47362VargetCCI450GroupPicsPerfectBEST.jpg[/img]

I am going to try this load jamming the Bergers a little! Maybe .010 to .015 just to see
[img width=600 height=450]http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae56/Dennis4437/130BergersH4350412.jpg[/img]