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Short/er barrel 6.5x47

BallisticPrimate

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 11, 2017
666
710
For the guys running 18-20 inch barrels - what are your loads?
I'm considering chopping my barrel and running 130gr Hybrids - not sure how much velocity I'll give up to the 24inch barrel. I have 4350 and Varget on hand.
Thanks, BP
 
I ran an 18" set up for the 130 VLD. I used H4350, Varget, and RL-17. My accuracy node for all 3 powders was around 2700-2715.
I could get it up to 2800+ with RL-17, but couldn't get to the next node before pressure.

I did work up a nasty hunting load with the 120 ballistic tip. RL-17 @ 2860 that was super accurate too.
 
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My 16.5” 6.5 Creedmoor is doing 2650 FPS with a Berger 130 hunting. I can’t remember the charge of 4350 at the moment. The Hornady factory 120 is at 2750fps. I didn’t do extensive load tests to see how hard I could push it. I just stuck with the first good load I found since this is a hunting rifle primarily.
 
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This is why I went with a 22" barrel. A bit shorter for weight reduction and for making a more maneuverable rifle (especially when I have my suppressor on) while not sacrificing too much in the way of velocity. My last 22" barrel 6.5x47 shot beautifully small groups at 2850fps with a 123gr scenar and varget.
 
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This is why I went with a 22" barrel. A bit shorter for weight reduction and for making a more maneuverable rifle (especially when I have my suppressor on) while not sacrificing too much in the way of velocity. My last 22" barrel 6.5x47 shot beautifully small groups at 2850fps with a 123gr scenar and varget.

I think that's a good balance. If a suppressor is out of the mix I don't see much value going less than 20-22
 
I am running 140's in an 18" Bartlein around 2675 fps fueled by H4350. I also tried R17 and Varget which both produced fantastic accuracy. The Varget pressured out pretty quickly though with the R17 nearly being a toss up to the 4350 in both accuracy and velocity.

35381657150_b36a85d2fa_b_d.jpg
 
22". Getting 2750-2830 with various 140-143gr loads and h4350. Have never gone lighter than 140.

I'm gearing up for a switch barrel setup and will have a 6.5 saum for the long stuff so losing some speed in a x47 isn't a big deal.
 
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