243 vs. 6x47 Lapua

[Bran743]

Greetings all. I'm a long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm starting to get into reloading and I'm looking at building either a 243 or 6x47 Lapua. I've heard that because of how hot it gets here in OK that the 243 is the better way to go. Is that true and if so, why?

-Brandon

 

[Huckleberry75]

Re: 243 vs. 6x47 Lapua

Welcome, fellow Okie.

If I recall, the Lapua runs at higher pressures than the 243.

 

[JCH]

Re: 243 vs. 6x47 Lapua

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bran743</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Greetings all. I'm a long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm starting to get into reloading and I'm looking at building either a 243 or 6x47 Lapua. I've heard that because of how hot it gets here in OK that the 243 is the better way to go. Is that true and if so, why?

-Brandon</div></div>

I've had both. The 6x47L would pop primers in the summer for some reason. H4350 was the powder for both. I'd go with the 243, don't have to put a donut in the brass and fireform.

 

[Bran743]

Re: 243 vs. 6x47 Lapua

JCH

Not sure what you mean when you're talking about the "donut." I'm pretty green when it comes to reloading.

 

[tim3gun]

Re: 243 vs. 6x47 Lapua

Lapua brass is thickest on the market. Get a hold of Jerry Newman of Newman Precision in Oklahoma, he makes a lot of both of those calibers.

 

[Bran743]

Re: 243 vs. 6x47 Lapua

-Huckleberry75

So am I taking it correctly that the higher pressures will degrade the performance when the temp gets above a certain point? Would changing to a different powder have any effect on this?

Thanks for the info guys.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: 243 vs. 6x47 Lapua

Bran Welcome to the Hide

Straight 243 with a long barrel and H1000 will sling the heavies at 3000, barrel life on the 6mm's will be short no matter what though, but with H1000 it should be slightly longer than H4350. I would recommend a your first custom rifle be a 308, easy to load for, great barrel life, and everybody needs a 308 in there stable.

 

[725franky]

Re: 243 vs. 6x47 Lapua

What is the barrel life between the two? I've been told that the 6x47L is better (longer lasting)...

 

[JCH]

Re: 243 vs. 6x47 Lapua

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 725franky</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What is the barrel life between the two? I've been told that the 6x47L is better (longer lasting)...</div></div>

It's theoretical...based on the supposed longer neck and such. I doubt there is much of a difference personally.

I'd choose 6XC over the lapua based on brass not having to be fireformed.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bran743</div><div class="ubbcode-body">JCH

Not sure what you mean when you're talking about the "donut." I'm pretty green when it comes to reloading.</div></div>

You basically have to partially neck down the neck from 6.5x47L to the 6x47L and what is left over is called a donut. You then fireform and blow out the rest of the shoulder etc...You neck down based on your chamber. It isn't hard to show someone how to do it but tougher to explain through typing on the internet.

 

[BK7saum]

Re: 243 vs. 6x47 Lapua

Hello, fellow Okies! There really isn't much difference for me with necking down the 6.5L to the 6. I typically run all new brass through the FL size die. So for making 6 brass, there is no difference. Set the die so the brass has a slight resistance to closing the bolt and size away. The base of the neck becomes the shoulder, so there shouldn't be any "donut" issues as when you size brass up to the next caliber.

I have consolidated my load to the 105 amax bullet. Running a 23" Stiller Tac 30 with a SS Shilen 8 twist barrel. I've run 87 amaxs, 88 FB Berger HP, 105 Berger VLD, and a few of the lighter bullets.

I've also fireformed 150-200 brass from 22-250 for hunting brass so that I don't loose $1+ brass in the grass and weeds.

Right now the 105 amax load is running 2950ish with a pretty good extreme spread. The vertical for a 5 shot group was about 2" at 950 yards. We won't talk about the horizontal. Moderate winds over a large creek bottom will really move the bullet around.

I really like my 6x47L. I would probably do it over again. I've had 3 .243s (none custom). One was an autoloader, one was a Husqvarna bolt action and one was a 700 sps. They all shot decent (under 1" @ 100) but, not consistent or fully up to my expectations. I'm sure a .243 in a custom rig will shoot with anything.

Dies and brass will be cheaper for the .243. I'd take a custom in either caliber. If you might ever have a need for factory ammo in a hunting rifle, go .243.

 

[MTyotehunter]

Re: 243 vs. 6x47 Lapua

6x47L, on a 24" barrel you barely behind on velocity and you'll get better barrel life. perfect case size for H4350 and 105s. Its not the cheap way to go, but I think its the right way to go. Good luck, either way it will be fun!

 

[Huckleberry75]

Re: 243 vs. 6x47 Lapua

Higher working pressures in the cartridge. Also, certain powders can exhibit larger pressure spikes/swings with changes in the outside temperature. A couple of examples are Reloader 15 and 17. Both are excellent powders, but can show considerable changes in pressures and resulting velocities across a temperature gradient. This is especially important to take into consideration when developing a load during the cool "hunting" months, and then shooting it again during the hot summer months. Granted, those poweders will give greater velocity, but like everything, it comes with a price.

 

[725franky]

Re: 243 vs. 6x47 Lapua

If it (6x47L) is a higher pressure cartridge why would the barrels last longer (than the .243Win)?

 

[Huckleberry75]

Re: 243 vs. 6x47 Lapua

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 725franky</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If it (6x47L) is a higher pressure cartridge why would the barrels last longer (than the .243Win)? </div></div>

Cartridge design.

 

[The Lawn Ranger]

Re: 243 vs. 6x47 Lapua

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Huckleberry75</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Higher working pressures in the cartridge. Also, certain powders can exhibit larger pressure spikes/swings with changes in the outside temperature. A couple of examples are Reloader 15 and 17. Both are excellent powders, but can show considerable changes in pressures and resulting velocities across a temperature gradient. This is especially important to take into consideration when developing a load during the cool "hunting" months, and then shooting it again during the hot summer months. Granted, those poweders will give greater velocity, but like everything, it comes with a price. </div></div>

This is absolutely correct. I shoot the 6.5L using re15/123 scenars and usually have to make slight elevation corrections in the afternoon as things tend to speed up. I have no experience with the 243, but I can tell you I have never shot anything as accurate as the 6.5L to 900 yds.

 

[Bran743]

Re: 243 vs. 6x47 Lapua

You know I keep hearing mixed reviews about the barrel life of the 6 and 6.5 Lapua's. Some people say it's awesome and others say it's not great. Every one seems to agree that they are wonderfully accurate though. I've considered a 308 but since it's not really something I want I doubt I'd ever own one. Unless it's buying a rig from someone that's selling one that's already built. Then I'd shoot it for a bit and just rebarrel it to what I want.

Thanks for all the info guys.

-Brandon