surgeon 6.5x? range report at 550yds

[selfbowhunter]

there is another post somewhere when i finished the rifle. it is a surgeon RSR, mcmillan thumbhole, and benchmark 3-groove 1-8 twist. the cartridge is a 6.5x47 reamer run in deep enough to headspace on a 308 length case with the proper neck length and shoulder angle. i guess it would be a slightly longer 6.5 creedmoor with a longer neck. the case measures exactly 2" when trimmed to length. here are two groups with h4350 and the 130 berger hunting VLD at 2980fps average. it will certainly push them faster as there were no pressure signs. this is the first 10 rounds of bergers through the rifle. OAL is 2.875.

this group was shot with 40gr of re15 and the 123 a-max. velocity was way down at 2900fps but i think i can get 3100fps plus just as i did with 4350. 4 of the 5 go into 2". i let the wind take one i think.
lastly is a group from my 308. i built it on a surgeon RSR with a 1-12 kreiger and mcmillan thumbhole stock. this load is 45.8gr of varget and a 155 scenar at 2.830. it will average 2875fps and you can count on it to shoot like this.
i need to work with the 6.5 some more but i think it is going to shoot very well and make the velocity i want.

chuck

 

[George Mac]

Re: surgeon 6.5x? range report at 550yds

Chuck,

Great shooting. I enjoy hearing about the 6.5x47, 260, and the 6.5 Creedmoor. I'm interested in seeing if the group size increases with velocity.

 

[selfbowhunter]

Re: surgeon 6.5x? range report at 550yds

george,

thanks. i have shot the 123 a-max and scenar to 3150 with h4350 with slightly better results than posted here but i did not have my camera that day. i also shot the 140 a-max to almost 3000fps with h4350 and very good accuracy. this morning was the first time i had my camera with me so i did this update. i have some 123 a-max and 123 scenars loaded with re15 and will shoot again this evening. i will let you know how it does and what the velocities are. the 130 VLD's at 3000fps plus would probably be the cats ass but they are VERY expensive. i am hoping the 123 a-max comes around nicely so i can use it for paper and hide.

chuck

 

[selfbowhunter]

Re: surgeon 6.5x? range report at 550yds

shot again this evening. here is a pic of the 123 a-max with 43gr or re15 for 3138fps avg.
here is the 123 scenar with 42gr of re15 for 3019fps avg. 4 of the 5 go into less than 1 1/4"! 43gr was good for almost 3150 but the group opened up some.

 

[George Mac]

Re: surgeon 6.5x? range report at 550yds

1 1/4" at 550. Now that is a very nice round right there. I think I would stop, learn that dope, and shoot it until the barrel falls off!

 

[selfbowhunter]

Re: surgeon 6.5x? range report at 550yds

george,

i will see if it can duplicate the group tomorrow.

chuck

 

[steve123]

Re: surgeon 6.5x? range report at 550yds

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: selfbowhunter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">shot again this evening. here is a pic of the 123 a-max with 43gr or re15 for 3138fps avg.<a href="http://s944.photobucket.com/albums/ad282/selfbowhunter/?action=view&current=HPIM0135.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad282/selfbowhunter/HPIM0135.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
here is the 123 scenar with 42gr of re15 for 3019fps avg. 4 of the 5 go into less than 1 1/4"! 43gr was good for almost 3150 but the group opened up some.<a href="http://s944.photobucket.com/albums/ad282/selfbowhunter/?action=view&current=HPIM0137.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad282/selfbowhunter/HPIM0137.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
</div></div>

Fantastic rifle,cartridge and groups!!

A word of warning though!....To achieve those velocities "3100 fps +" the pressures have to be way up there around 70,000PSI!

The interesting thing is that the 6.5 Lapua cases are deceptive because they are so strong compared to other cartridges.

Experimenting I've pushed my 6x47L with 105's to 3345 FPS before the bolt even got a "little" sticky but I know it's not a good idea to build a load that hot.The bolt would probably peen over time and there would be excessive throat wear as well.

It's not a bad idea to do a ladder test and let your rifle tell you exactly what it likes

It'll end up being a warm load anyways for the higher node.

Steve

 

[selfbowhunter]

Re: surgeon 6.5x? range report at 550yds

steve,

i have been known to push things to the limit but i dont feel i am taking any risks here. i have 6-8 loads on 25 pieces of brass now and all the primer pockets are as tight as ever. no ejector marks and primers are flat but not cratered. i will certainly heed your warnings if something changes. the one thing that really makes me think i am fine as far as pressure is concerned is the fact that .100 or so of the case never gets touched by a die. i know from experience with a PPC that high pressure loading and cases that are not fully sized will soon cause a click at the top of the bolt cycle. do you agree?

chuck

 

[steve123]

Re: surgeon 6.5x? range report at 550yds

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: selfbowhunter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">steve,

i have been known to push things to the limit but i dont feel i am taking any risks here. i have 6-8 loads on 25 pieces of brass now and all the primer pockets are as tight as ever. no ejector marks and primers are flat but not cratered. i will certainly heed your warnings if something changes. the one thing that really makes me think i am fine as far as pressure is concerned is the fact that .100 or so of the case never gets touched by a die. i know from experience with a PPC that high pressure loading and cases that are not fully sized will soon cause a click at the top of the bolt cycle. do you agree?

chuck </div></div>

OOPs...foot in mouth here.Sorry I saw 6.5x47L and assumed wrong.You are shooting a wildcat.Looks like you know what you are doing just fine!

Steve