barrel life/ caliber questions to help with next build

[Michael Eichele]

With double base powders, I am running the 190 VLD at 2750 in a 26" barrel. The BC of the 190 VLD is published at .570 and I am getting a bit more than that (.585).

If that doesnt run with the 6.5 lapua then the next choice is a long barrel 6.5x284, but then there goes your barrel life. The recoil is harder with the 308/190 load than the 6.5/140. If you shoot alot, the 6.5 wont beat you up as much and may appeal to you more.

[lovdasnow]

i would not go with 6.5-284. those are some good numbers you are getting with the 308, can't disagree with them at all. less recoil is always nice for spotting your own shots, but it's not the end all. it's not like the 308 is hitting very hard anyway.

so, would your reasoning for staying away from the 6.5x47 be short barrel life? i guess part of me is leaning toward it just because it's something different as well as being a proven shooter(not that the 308 is not).

[Michael Eichele]

The only reason I would stick to the 308 for general fun, paper shooting and practice is the barrel life plain and simple. Albiet, the 65 Lapua is different and sometimes those can be fun too. I have been thinking about some type of 6.5 myself just for a change of scenery. I still have a hard time taking the plunge due to the very very long life of the 308 barrel. Whatever a given shooters definition of "shot out" is, the 308 barrel will reach that point much later than any of the 6.5's.

IMHO, the only disadvantage the 308 has over the 6.5 is wind. It is also my opinion and observation that wind is like any other factor. It is observable and can be compensated for. Yes the 6.5 is more forgiving when a estimate isnt accurate. However, with a bit of practice and experience, you will learn to dope the wind according to whatever it is that youre shooting.

[lovdasnow]

the more I've been reading the more I'm leaning toward the 6.5x47. it's hard to say about barrel life because I can't find very many people that have burned one up yet. A lot of the reading I've done suggest that it should be in the 2500-3500 range as long as you're not really pushing them hard.

I like the idea of shooting something a little different than the 308(shallow, I know)
I like using less powder, and less recoil! I think that with a suppressor on it, I should be able to spot my own hits from around 200yds out.
I can get lapua brass.
I really like the wind bucking capabilities of some of those long 6.5 bullets. It will be more like doping for my 300RUM as well(closer ballistics)
You can seat those long bullets in a SA mag well, and have them right up in the lands as well.

The benefits of the 308 are longer barrel life.
And you can get loaded shells for them anywhere in the world pretty much.
I think I might be able to get away with a little shorter barrel to use with the can.

I think that if I can get 2500-3000rnds out of a barrel, i'll be happy. Maybe because I've been comparing everything to my RUM in regards to barrel life, so it seems like a lot.

I can always build the 6.5, and if I feel i burn the barrel to quickly than I will go to the 308, but obviously I'm leaning toward the 6.5 over the 6x47and 308.

[TMR]

We have done the same thing as you are looking at. I built 6.5x47 Lapua exactly like our 338 Edge's. We compete with our 6.5's throughout the year and they feel exactly like our Edge's coming hunting season.

I know guys that have 2000+ rounds of hot loads 6.5's and they still shoot well under MOA, most under 1/2 moa. I have both a 6x47 and a 6.5x47. My 6.5 gets the nod most of the time. Something to be said about a 130gr .620BC bullet at 3000+ fps. I would go with the 6.5x47 and not look back. Although the 6mm version is faster and uses less elevation, the windage is basically the same or less with the 6.5 as the range increases.

Another thing to consider, is to run a ballistics chart for your RUM and compare it to the 6x47 and the 6.5x47 to see which one closely match's. This way, when you practice, you will almost be in "time" with the RUM. Here are the velocities that my personal rifles run and most of my customers have run:

6x47 Lapua, 105 Berger: 3150-3250fps
6.5x47 Lapua, 130 Berger or 130 JLK: 2975-3050fps

6mm 105 Berger BC: .556
6.5mm 130 Berger BC: .565
6.5mm 130 JLK BC: .620

The above BC's are what we have found to be correct our to 1500 yds with the 6.5's and 1250 with the 6mm. We have shot these from sea level to 8500' elevation. Oh, the above velocities are with 26" barrels.

Travis

[lovdasnow]

great post TMR, very nice to hear from someone that has been shooting one or in this case both the rounds I was considering.

I think I will be going with the 6.5. It will be close enough to my RUM, but still have a little better barrel life than the 6x47.


thanks again!

[trebark]

lovdasnow....FYI...TMR and his brother's 338's and 6.5's are nothing short of bad ass!

338 Edge Twins

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