6.5x47 Lapua and 123 gr Absolute Hammer

[slickyboyboo]

Is anyone running this combo, and if so what are your results? I am running them in a 22" proof, with SW Precision and getting 2800 fps before I start quickly seeing pressure. I know I should be getting a bit more velocity. Accuracy is phenomenal, but I believe I need to change powder to improve performance.

@RockyMtnMT what are your thoughts? I talked with Eric Hoover and he advised VV N540, I just can't find any currently.

 

[ZReed85]

Yes, you'll need a faster powder. I currently run the 124 hammer over varget at 2860 out of a 22 inch barrel in my 6.5x47 with amazing accuracy. If you're going to see any benefits with the absolute line you're going need something with a faster burn rate than what I'm running.

 

[slickyboyboo]

Yes, you'll need a faster powder. I currently run the 124 hammer over varget at 2860 out of a 22 inch barrel in my 6.5x47 with amazing accuracy. If you're going to see any benefits with the absolute line you're going need something with a faster burn rate than what I'm running.

Actually Varget and SW Precision are too fast for the 123 AH, I'm hitting pressure way too quickly. Should be able to get 2900-3000 out of any normal 123 gr bullet, and getting pressure at a shade over 2800. I'm aware of using a faster burn rate powder with the Absolute Hammers, I'm getting 3235 fps out of the 155s in my 280 AI at close to max, and 2600+ out of the 123s in my Grendel without hitting max pressure yet.

 

[ButterBean]

Actually Varget and SW Precision are too fast for the 123 AH, I'm hitting pressure way too quickly. Should be able to get 2900-3000 out of any normal 123 gr bullet, and getting pressure at a shade over 2800. I'm aware of using a faster burn rate powder with the Absolute Hammers, I'm getting 3235 fps out of the 155s in my 280 AI at close to max, and 2600+ out of the 123s in my Grendel without hitting max pressure yet.

That's odd

 

[ZReed85]

Something is amiss... with that short bearing surface on the 123 you should not reach any pressure with varget.

 

[ButterBean]

Something is amiss... with that short bearing surface on the 123 you should not reach any pressure with varget.

I concur

 

[slickyboyboo]

I concur

38.1 gr of SW Precision which is pretty much identical to Varget, is OK and gives me 2803 fps average and tiny groups. 38.4 and 38.6 gives me ejector marks and nice round primers. This is with Peterson brass.

 

[ZReed85]

I'm running 38 grains varget at an oacl 2.754 which give me .020 jump at 2860 with the 124 no pressure in new lapua brass.

Have you looked for the normal culprits like a carbon ring and made extra sure you don't have and sizing lube at left on brass?

Another option maybe is not completely cleaning all copper out of your barrel before starting in with the hammers. Sometimes they do wierd things if following fouling with a different bullet that was used previously.

 

[slickyboyboo]

I'm running 38 grains varget at an oacl 2.754 which give me .020 jump at 2860 with the 124 no pressure.

Have you looked for the normal culprits like a carbon ring and made extra sure you don't have and sizing lube at left on brass?

Another option maybe is not completely cleaning all copper out of your barrel before starting in with the hammers. Sometimes they do wierd things if following fouling with a different bullet that was used previously.

This is a brand new barrel, hell a brand new rifle with a throat specifically to shoot these bullets, it currently has 27 rounds down it (yes it should get a touch faster with a few more rounds down range). Little to no copper, no carbon ring, and no lube on the brass, even swabbed the chamber with alcohol.

Trying to decide if the Peterson brass is giving me false signs, and the case head is just soft?

 

[Hard rock]

I concur

Are you sure your not seeing excessive head space issues?

 

[slickyboyboo]

Are you sure your not seeing excessive head space issues?

Negative, brass is fireformed and shoulders bumped .002".

 

[ButterBean]

Negative, brass is fireformed and shoulders bumped .002".

Something is definitely amiss

 

[BEEMAN]

I also run the 124 HH out of my 6.5x47. 41.5 gr of H4350 gets me 2938 FPS out of a 25" benchmark. Be interesting to see how lapua brass reacts. Primers I use are CCI 450. I thought of running the 123 AH but the 124 shoots so good. It's my tree stand gun.

 

[Hard rock]

I also run the 124 HH out of my 6.5x47. 41.5 gr of H4350 gets me 2938 FPS out of a 25" benchmark. Be interesting to see how lapua brass reacts. Primers I use are CCI 450. I thought of running the 123 AH but the 124 shoots so good. It's my tree stand gun.

What action is this on the 6.5x47