6.5x47, RL-16, 143 ELD-X

[338Rocket]

Not much info out there, so here's todays data. I started at 36.5 grains and worked up, 36.5, 37.0, 37.5, 37.8, 38.0, all loads showed no pressure signs at all. 38.0 is the max that fits in the case without compressing the powder.

OAL is 2.765", seated about .010 off the rifiling

All the other loads shot around 1/2", but to be fair I was trying to shoot when the wind died down.

38.0 proved to be the best with groups in the .2's or better, and my personal best 3 shot group ever.

 

[Hondo64d]

Did you chrono any of them?

John

 

[338Rocket]

No, next week I will be.

 

[338Rocket]

Still no chrono yet, but did some more testing today. 37.8, 38.0, 38.2, 38.4

38.0 still seems to be the sweet spot for my rifle.... assuming it hits the velocity I am looking for

 

[338Rocket]

Finally got some speeds and verified out to 350 yards. Nearly exactly 2700 fps on a cold 40* day with 100% humidity.

Also shot a 1.1" group at 300 (same load, 38.0 grains)

 

[BEEMAN]

Shooting great groups. I was hoping your MV would of been higher. But that is a big bullet for a small case. My R BROS 6.5X47 drives a 130 Berger right at 3000 fps. The gun likes this load so much I haven't even considered trying a 140 class bullet. H4350 is what I use. Have you tried it?

 

[338Rocket]

H4350 has been non existent. I started with RL17, which also shot great, but I was worried about the temp stability.

RL16 is dirtier than RL17 for sure.

This could be pushed harder, and may reach another node without pressure, but I would rather save my brass and barrel.

 

[338Rocket]

I got a LabRadar and did some more testing with this load. 38.0 grains is still shooting under 1/4", but the LabRadar is reading 2625fps, much slower than I wanted.

RL16 is also VERY dirty. Some reading suggests that running it hotter will clean it up some. I am going to continue working up to 40 grains and see what I get.

 

[BEEMAN]

Keep us updated. I like to see as much 6.5X47 info as possible. I think I may try some 140 Hybrids in my X47 once some of this snow melts. I really thought you'd get these going around 2750+.

 

[338Rocket]

We shot my buddies today also, 123 gr EldM and rl16

38.0 2659
38.5 2705
39.0 2748
39.5 2781
40.0 2822

40.0 gr is crunching powder a bit. 39.5 was most accurate in his gun. 40 grains had no pressure signs other than some catering, but he has a stock firing pin and bolt.

 

[BEEMAN]

What kind and length of barrels? My R BROS has a 26" Broughton 1-8 twist. Maybe I get good speeds because of the reamer travis has developed. Guess I will see when I shoot my second 6.5X47 as soon as my stock is ready. That one has a 25" Benchmark 1-8 twist. Used a Manson reamer on this one. I run the 130 Berger with 42.2 gr of H4350 with no pressure signs.

 

[338Rocket]

We are running 24" 1:8 shilens that I chambered with a loose neck reamer.

I am on the low side of what I can load these to in my rifle, I have no pressure signs at all. It's just hard to change the load when they shoot as good as they do.

 

[338Rocket]

I still haven't messed with different loads. It's kind of hard to when its shooting this good.

Last 4 shots of the morning, 1.2" @ 300 yards

 

[BEEMAN]

Good shooting. That's a nice group. Wish all our snow would melt so I could get out and do some shooting. Been a brutal winter. Haven't shot at all!