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6.5X47 starting load for 130 VLD's & H4350 ?

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BgBmBoo

Gunny Sergeant
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Minuteman
Jul 8, 2008
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Like the title says...I am looking for starting load data for the 6.5X47 using Berger 130 VLD's and H4350 powder. Plan on using CCI 450's as I have a pretty good supply of them.
Also and pet loads for this combo would be nice if you would like to share.

Thanks,Stan
 
Re: 6.5X47 starting load for 130 VLD's & H4350 ?

I have two 6.5x47's that I load for and another one being built right now. I shoot the following:

Berger 130 VLD's
H4350 @ 40.5gr
CCI 450's
Lapua brass

This is what shoots in MY gun. I've shot as low as 38gr's and I've went as high as 42.5gr's, but you need to do your own work up as I'm sure you already know. The Bergers "seem" to like to be jammed anywhere from .005-.015 into the lands. This is just the usual norm, but some variations are out there obviously.

Most people have found this caliber to be very accurate in the 2850-3000 fps range. Accuracy seems to diminish once you get above 3000fps, or atleast that's what alot of people report. I've never ran above the speed so I can't say from personal experience.
 
Re: 6.5X47 starting load for 130 VLD's & H4350 ?

Good news. I was thinking of starting with 38.5 and working up. I will be using a 28" barrel (this is a dedicated 600 and 1000 yard target rifle) so I am thinking I should have no problem getting 2900+ fps.

Thanks for the input.

Take care,Stan
 
Re: 6.5X47 starting load for 130 VLD's & H4350 ?

You'll have no problem getting your desired velocity with that 28" tube. I can shoot 2900fps out of my guns on a 26" bbl.
 
Re: 6.5X47 starting load for 130 VLD's & H4350 ?

Stan-
I have worked up two guns in 6.5L using H4350. I start at 39.5 and work up in 0.5grs to 42.5. Find the node w/ 0.5gr and then fine tune in 0.2grs. 42.5 is absolute max - can't fit any more powder into case! Both of the two guns I have worked up shot great at 41.7grs - they are both cut from the same reamer. Both are loaded to AI mag length (2.80 OAL-ish), which puts them 0.01" jumping. CCI 450 or BR4 primers give the same results. Both are 26" 8 twist barrels (one a Hart, one a Krieger). We are getting 2940-ish with the JLK 130gr, but the Berger 130s ran faster. I think the JLK is a bit better BC-wise so we are using that bullet.

Good luck w/ load development. I think you will like the 6.5L - so easy to load develop that even idiot like me can figure it out!
 
Re: 6.5X47 starting load for 130 VLD's & H4350 ?

That is what I like to hear. I want to give the JLK's a try once I shoot up the VLD's I have on hand.
Thanks or the info.

Take care,Stan
 
Re: 6.5X47 starting load for 130 VLD's & H4350 ?

I have thought about RL-15 and have some on hand....but we get VERY large temp swings here. Winter we are down in the 40's and summer sees us in the 100's.
H4350 seems to be a bit more stable from my experience. Plus I have quite a bit of it on hand.


Take care,Stan
 
Re: 6.5X47 starting load for 130 VLD's & H4350 ?

[quote With 39gr of RL15 I get 2970 with a 130 vld [/quote]

what are your barrel specs?
 
Re: 6.5X47 starting load for 130 VLD's & H4350 ?

Stan,
We've built a ton of these things and they have all shot right around 3000fps with a Berger 130 and 42.2g of H4350. Obviously, that load is specific to our OAL and reamer, but it gives you a starting point. I'd steer clear of RL15 for sure. Strange things happen in the heat!
 
Re: 6.5X47 starting load for 130 VLD's & H4350 ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JLR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Stan,
We've built a ton of these things and they have all shot right around 3000fps with a Berger 130 and 42.2g of H4350. Obviously, that load is specific to our OAL and reamer, but it gives you a starting point. I'd steer clear of RL15 for sure. Strange things happen in the heat!</div></div>

I've got 4 different rifles chambered in 6.5x47L. I run Krieger and Bartlein barrels all between 22" and 26". I shoot 130 VLD's in all of them. I "was" shooting 42.5gr of H4350 and I've NEVER been able to get over 2,940fps out of any of them. This was also right on the pressure limits with my rifles also (some over).

Also, at 42.5gr of H4350 I was having problems with the case being so full of powder it was pushing my bullets back out of the neck and giving me very inconsistent COAL (measured off the ogive). This is with .002" neck tension and a seating depth of 2.129" off the ogive (well withing Mag length).

I've shot the 4350 for over a year now. It's accuracy has been excellent, but I've switched to 37.5gr of Varget and it has maintained excellent accuracy and eliminated all the above mentioned problems since its less powder in the case. I'm still only getting around 2,890 fps with this load, but it's accurate.

My point is, I've never been able to attain this mysterious 3,000fps with the 130VLDs and I've got 4 rifles, 2 different brands of barrels, chambered by 3 different gunsmiths. If anybody has any "Lapua Magic" let me know. The only other option i haven't tried is RL-17, but I don't want to fight the temp sensitivity. Also, there is N550, but its costs alot more.
 
Re: 6.5X47 starting load for 130 VLD's & H4350 ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captain Moroni</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I get almost 100fps more out of RL15 over H4350. With 39gr of RL15 I get 2970 with a 130 vld </div></div>
I initially started out with Berger 130 VLD and RE15 but put that load on the shelf after seeing pressure signs at 80 degrees and above. I saw in another thread that Jon Beanland had switched to Varget so I gave it a try. I settled in at 37.5 grains of Varget with .020 jump.
 
Re: 6.5X47 starting load for 130 VLD's & H4350 ?

I have not tried it myself, but I have two friends that shoot N150, and both say it is superior to all other powders in their rifles.
 
Re: 6.5X47 starting load for 130 VLD's & H4350 ?

My 6.5X47 shoots well with Berger 130's and 40.8 of H4350. I am also using CCI 450's. I have a Krieger 1:8 finished at 26" with velocities running just shy of 2900. I haven't tinkered with the seating depth very much but they certainly seem to shoot better the closer you get to the lands. I tried Varget with the 130's and couldn't get my rifle to group worth a darn. The 123 A-Max liked Varget around 37-37.5 in my rifle.
 
Re: 6.5X47 starting load for 130 VLD's & H4350 ?

Why are you using magnum primers with this cartridge? I thought the concept was to use the mildest primer that will reliably light off the charge. Wasn't that the reason for the small primer in this cartridge?

Good luck

Jerry
 
Re: 6.5X47 starting load for 130 VLD's & H4350 ?

good to hear about Varget shooing well in the caliber, That is what I have and use for the 308, would like to keep things simple. BBB any updates on my stick??? LOL

Diego
 
Re: 6.5X47 starting load for 130 VLD's & H4350 ?

Depending upon the lot of H4350; 40 to 41 gr seems to be in the zone. Seat into the lands; mine like 10 thou. CCI 450's. 26", 1:8.5 Krieger gets me 2850 fps and 1/2 MOA all day, every day.

6.5x47
 
Re: 6.5X47 starting load for 130 VLD's & H4350 ?

So I'm going up start developing some loads for my 6.5x47 lapua w/ 26" 1 in 8 Bartline. My brass is all brand new and using the Berger 130 vld's and CCI BR4's. I have some H4350 and some Reloader 15. I'm going to start @ 39 gr. with the H4350 and @ 35.5 gr. with the Realoader 15.

Do these seem like reasonable starting loads or are they too high? I'm hoping the R15 works well with my set up because locally its about $6 cheaper per pound than the H4350. Another note is that I live in Hawaii so the temp is 75-85 degrees year around.

Any help is appreciated. Aloha
 
Re: 6.5X47 starting load for 130 VLD's & H4350 ?

Cox,
Can't help you with the RL-15. I stay away from it due to the sensitivity to temp.

However with the H4350. I would start at 39.5 and work your way up. You should find a node between 40.0 and 41.0.

I use 40.6@ 2880 in my F-class rifle. I have never been able to get above that in my rifle without pressure signs, but my chamber is a bit shorter than others. I also seat my 130's .12 in the lands so that raises the pressure a bit as well.

KT
 
Re: 6.5X47 starting load for 130 VLD's & H4350 ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cox380</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks KBT. Hopefully someone can chime in with some r15 starting loads</div></div>

All,

I run the Lapua 139gn Scenar ~ R-15 @ 37gn ~ .020 jump and get solid performance and super tight groups at about 3050fps. Bartlein 27.5" full 1" contour with a custom reamer used to chamber the barrel.

I'm in the SW AZ so I don' really experience the drastic temp swings folks in other places seem to report?

I also keep my loads under my armpits as well to make sure they are stable temp.... TOTALLY KIDDING........
 
Re: 6.5X47 starting load for 130 VLD's & H4350 ?

Just got my 6.5x47 up and running. What an awesome round. I absolutely love this gun.
6.5 130 VLD
41gr H4350
Fed 205 primer
 
Reviving this threads so as not to start a new one. Lots of good stuff here.

Trying to accommodate a shorter barrel so I can make the overall length on my rifle less with a Thunderbeast 30P-1 attached. New 6.5x47 build is about to happen. Parts at gunsmith and he is waiting for me to give him barrel length. Trying to build a relatively light hunter/tactical rifle. Stiller Spectre action, McMillan A3 Sporter, Bartlein #3 Barrel will need to be cut back to at least 24" so it will have a good shoulder for the can to attach to.

Any chance to get to 2850 fps with 130 Bergers and H4350 from a 20-23 inch barrel? I want to use this powder and bullets because it is working very well in another 6.5x47 I have. Anyone with load data and experience in shorter 6.5x47 barrels would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
Last edited:
I just got my new 6.5 x 47 shooting so I'll post my H-4350 and 130 Berger data as I get it. I also have a mess of the new 136 gr Lapua , Scenar-L's to test too.

We need to keep this thread alive...lots of good info.

FN in MT
 
New X Ring Accuracy hunting/tactical 6.5x47 almost ready, Ended up making barrel 22". Looking at velocity and different loads, I think I can make at least 2800 FPS.



Woody just Cerakoted it and sent this pic after it had dried.
 
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