6.5x47 barrel length suggestions

[dieselboy427]

Picking up the start of a new project. Bought an Accuracy International AT rifle. Planning on rebarreling to 6.5x47 when I get some numbers figured out. My biggest question is what barrel length is best suited to that round to push 129-143gr bullets?

6.5 Creed isn't out of question as well. What barrel length to optimize that round?

 

[mitch260]

I'm not sure what you mean by "optimal", but if I was doing a 6.5x47 I would go with a 20" barrel. If I was planning on using a 24"-26" barrel and single loading, then I would probably go with the 6.5 creed. For magazine feeding I would definitely go with the 6.5x47 due to the shorter case which allows bullets to be seated out farther. Its kind of like the .338 lapua vs the .338 norma. I hope that helps.

 

[Mikecr]

Both cartridges are undercapacity for ~140gr bullets, and would be worse with barrels shorter than normal for 26cal.
I'd go 26"

 

[mitch260]

It really depends on what you are going to use the rifle for. A 6.5x47 will drive 130 vld's at 2800 fps out of a 20" barrel, and the 140's at 2740-2750 fps. All with RL-17. A 26" barrel would get you over 3000 fps with the 130's and just under 2900 with the 140's, at the cost of of weight and maneuverability.

 

[Shooter264]

I'm running mine at 27.5". Pushing a 130 jlk at 3017

 

[dieselboy427]

I've been told 26 unsuppressed and 24 with suppressors. That's not something I'm familiar with yet

 

[Mikecr]

A supressor makes no difference.
You want to get into the mid-node for 26cal, as CPGfan has done.
Otherwise, your left with lower velocity nodes and lighter bullets, which negates the draw to 26cal(excellent ballistics with ~140gr bullets).

 

[mitch260]

Like I said before, it depends on what you are using the rifle for. Do you want light weight and maneuverable? Or do you just want performance? Suppressors are about 6 inches long so a 20" barrel with a suppressor will be as long as a 26 inch barrel. If you just want performance then just go 26+ inches.

 

[Edd]

Both cartridges are undercapacity for ~140gr bullets, and would be worse with barrels shorter than normal for 26cal.
I'd go 26"

What is the heaviest bullet that should be used?

 

[Mikecr]

I believe the cartridge was designed for 123gr bullets and ~500-600yd competition. Excellent design for that.
I would run 130gr bullets pretty much as CPGfan is, with at least 26" of barrel.

6.5x47L can run only the lower 2850 node(barely) in 139-142gr bullets, which is very accurate.
But it's hard on brass & gives up a lot to bigger 26cal cartridges pushing these bullets further out from ~3000fps.
I see it as a fad in 1kyd comp, which should fade to 260AI(and no bigger). Otherwise, 6Dasher will continue to thrash 26cal.

Just my view on it, I don't have one.
I run a 26wssm & 139LAPs from a 28" barrel at 3025fps.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

... If you just want performance then just go 26+ inches.

+1 what he said.

 

[Rick T]

I have a 31 inch barrel 284 that I am re-barreling. I want to change to 6.5x47, 28 inches long. What do you guys think about that?

 

[BEEMAN]

My R Bros 6.5X47 has a 26" Broughton. Drives a 130 Berger right at 3000 fps with H4350. It is such a nice shooting rifle that I am just finishing a lighter weight hunting rifle in 6.5X47. This one will be in a Wildcat stock,trigger tech,#3 Benchmark fluted at 25", small brake, R 700 SA topped with Tally LW and a Swarovski Z5 5-25X52. Should weigh in right at 8 lbs complete. I have never tried the 140's but I do think I agree that the X47 may be better suited to the 123-130 gr. Either way I think you will be very impressed with the 6.5X47.

 

[DocUSMCRetired]

I run a 26" suppressed and get about 2910-2920 fps with 130 AR Hybrids. Works great. I would suggest 24-26". It doesn't matter really, pick one and be happy.