6mmx47 Lapua as a varmint caliber

[Chuckster]

Does anyone know what the ballistics are for the 6x47 Lapua shooting lighter bullets (60-80)gr? All the specs I find are for the heavier bullets (95-107)gr.
Considering this caliber for a new varmint rifle. It should have the inherient accuracy of the 6br but more case capacity, hoping to drive 70gr at 3600-3700. Another plus would be easy to assemble brass from 6.5x47 Lapua.

Any input welcome

Thanks

 

[wildcat]

Chuck, from what I know about the 6x47, it is a good varmint round. However, you will not be able to get the velocity you want with a 70grn bullet. From what I now about the cartridge, you will be able to push the 70grn bullet out of a 26" barrel at around 3150fps. You could probably get 3250 with a 30" pipe.

If I were you, I would look at the 243. The 243 will push a 70grn bullet between 3500 to 3600fps out of a 30" pipe. The 243 will also push the 87grn V-Max at around 3300 to 3400fps out of a 30" pipe. The 87grn V-max is an excellent bullet for varmint hunting and it has a BC of .400.

Also, Lapua makes excellent 243 brass. The 6x47 is an excellent round, however, I am thinking the 243 will be better for what you want to do.

Anyhow, I hope this helped. I am a 6mm guy too. My favorite 6mm is the 6x284, fast and accurate.

Wildcat

 

[huntinfool18]

arent they getting 3100 with the 107 MK? i think you could get around 3300-3350 with a 70 gr bullet but i could be wrong. huntinfool18

 

[wildcat]

Huntinfool, I might be wrong too. I think your right and I might be wrong. It looks like the 6x47 is similar to the 6BR Improved version.

Wildcat

 

[wildcat]

Chuckster, I might be wrong about the velocity with the 6x47. Look at 6mmbr.com, there is some good stuff on that website.

Wildcat

 

[Chuckster]

Guys,
Thanks for the replys, The 6x47 Lapua I am speaking of is a relativly new round. It is the 6.5x47 Lapua necked down to 6mm. In the 6br website there is info but it is all on 105-107gr bullets.

I am afraid I will have to go to a 6/284 or 6mm AI to get the velocity I want but I may decide to trade velocity for accuracy.

Any input as to the accuracy I could expect from a 6/284?


Chuckster

 

[BountyHunter]

Guys are running 105-107 from 3100-3200 with best accuracy at 3100 in the 1k BR game.

That seems to indicate that the 6x47 with a 70 should be 3300-3400 with the right twist.

BH

 

[wildcat]

Chuckster, first of all the 6x284 is the fastest and most accurate 6mm out there. The 6BR is the most accurate, however, the 6x284 is fast and very accurate. My last 6x284 was awesome. It shot the 87grn V-Max at 3730fps, from a 30" barrel, and it printed groups in the 0.1's.

I am currently having a new 6x284 built, I will get to that later.

I love the 6x284, yes it will burn a barrel out faster than some of the other slower 6mm's. However, it's worth it. The 6x284 will shoot a 105grn bullet at around 3500fps and the 87grn V-Max at 3700fps wih the right components, now that's awesome stuff.

If your going to use the rifle for 300 and 600 yard benchrest compitetion, than seriously look at the 6mmBR. However, if your going to use the rifle for long range varmint rifle, the 6x284 is your best choice. There are many positives for using the 6x284;

1. Awesome Brass.
2. Great bullets.
3. The best 6mm for long range varminting.
4. Low recoil.
5. You will out shoot all your .22 cal and slow 6mm buddies.

Chuckster, here is the specs on my 6x284;

1. 6x284, .272 tight neck with Match Chamber.
2. Nesika Model L, 1.700 Dia.
3. Krieger, 30", 1-8.5 twist, 1.450 straight taper.
4. McMillan Tooley MBR, 5 pounds added to rear, front stud for bi-pod.
5. Vias Muzzle brake.
6. Jewel 2oz Trigger.
8. Davidson base with 20MOA
9. Kelby 30mm Rings.
10. Nightforce 8x32x56mm NXS, NP-R2 Reticle.
11. Total Weight of rifle 34 pounds.

I went with the large diameter action so I could use a large 1.450 straight taper barrel. I wanted this rifle to be very stable for the long shots.

The load I mentioned above, with 87grn V-Max, is as follows;***Remember work up to this load, don't start with it!!!
1. 52.5grns H4350
2. Hornady 87grn V-Max (.400 BC)
3. Lapua Brass
4. Federal 210 Match primer
5. Velocity in my 30" barreled rifle was 3730fps
6. Average 3 shot group at 100 yards with this load was in the 0.1's & 0.2's. Also, the rifle I shot this load with was a fully custom rifle.

Good luck Chuckster, go with the 6x284, you will love it!

Wildcat

 

[Chuckster]

Wildcat,
Thanks for allthe info!! WOW I am impressed, you shouold be in sales (If your not) , just kidding, you make a very convincing argument and it's the same one I am having with myself.

Could I inquire as to who built your gun and who is building your new gun?

With the 20 moa base, can you zero at 200yds?

Where did you seat the bullets?

Thanks again for the info, maybe we will meet someday in a P-Dog town!


Chuckster

 

[wildcat]

Chuckster,

(Who built my 6x284)
Leroy Johnson out of Bakersfield, California. He is an awesome gunsmith. I've had rifles built buy some of the top gunsmiths (Dave Tooley being one of them) and Leroy's work is just as good.


(With a 20MOA, can you zero at 200 yards)
No problem

(Where did you seat the bullets)
I seated the bullets about just a -10th off the lands.

Hope this helps Chuckster. Yea, as you can see I am a big fan of the 6x284, but I am not messing around when I say its the best 6mm for long range varminting, if you consider both accuracy and speed. The 6mmBR is the most accurate, however, it can't even come close to the 6x284 when it comes to velocity.

Anyhow, if you need any info regarding the 6x284 or reloading info, you can e-mail me at; [email protected]

I would really look at the 6x284 for your new varmint rifle. It is an awesome, and you smoke all your varminting buddies who have .22cal or slower 6mm's.

The 220 Swift is the King of varminting for the .22 cals.

The 6x284 is the King of Varminting for the 6mm.

The 6mmBR is the King of bench rest competition.

The 7mm Allen Mag is the new King of all Long range shooting.

The 338 Allen Mag is the new King of all Ultra Long range shooting.

Now remember, IMO the above mentioned cartridges are my tpd for their specific fields.

Wildcat

 

[James H]

I'm just doing some load delevopment for a 6br and have gotten to 3542 fps with 70gr SMK bullets, still easy extraction and no flattening of primers. 14 twist barrel on a Savage 12 single shot action. I would think that 36 to 3700 with a 6x47 Lapua should be easily attainable in a custom action.

As for the king of short range Benchrest nothing has yet dethroned the 6mm PPC.

 

[wildcat]

JamesH, I forgot about the 6ppc. I would have to agree with you that it is the king of benchrest follwed by the 6BR.

Wildcat

 

[sika uk]

6 x47 hunting rifle

James H
I am researching the possibilities of using a 6mm x 47 as a hunting rifle and came across your response to a similar question last year. I would like to use a 70/85 grain bullet. Is it reasonable to expect a velocity of 3300/3500, using a 70grain bullet, from a 22 inch barrel.

Sika uk

I'm just doing some load delevopment for a 6br and have gotten to 3542 fps with 70gr SMK bullets, still easy extraction and no flattening of primers. 14 twist barrel on a Savage 12 single shot action. I would think that 36 to 3700 with a 6x47 Lapua should be easily attainable in a custom action.

As for the king of short range Benchrest nothing has yet dethroned the 6mm PPC.

 

[James H]

James H
I am researching the possibilities of using a 6mm x 47 as a hunting rifle and came across your response to a similar question last year. I would like to use a 70/85 grain bullet. Is it reasonable to expect a velocity of 3300/3500, using a 70grain bullet, from a 22 inch barrel.

Sika uk

First let me say my response is based on the assumption that you are talking about the 6.5x47 Lapua necked down to 6mm, not the 222 Rem Mag necked up to 6mm(both of which are known as the 6mmx47).
Yes I believe those velocities are reasonable with a 6x47L shooting 70gr bullets.
I switched from the 70gr SMK to the 75gr V-Max in my 6mmBR, my accuracy load with it is at 3550 fps (if memory serves me and I think it does)using H-322 in a 24" barrel. Accuracy has been very good.
The 6x47L is really better suited to heavier bullets but if you want to shoot the mid weight 6mm bullets have at it but personally I don't think that the 6x47 has any advantage over the 6BR until you start pushing 100+gr bullets.

James