I'm looking to get into the 6.5 family with a 6.5x47L, preferably with a custom build but I'm not sure I'll be able to put the scratch together for that as quickly as I want it. I've been keeping my eyes open for a used rem 700 to use as a donor action but I've also looked around a little for a factory rifle but haven't found anything for that caliber. I know there are several options in 6.5CM and .260, but does anyone know of any factory offerings in 6.5x47L?
Factory Rifle in 6.5x47L?
- Thread starter ajandrs
- Start date
- Status
vaupet
Member
grunig & elmiger : http://www.gruenel.ch/home/
farmerboy78
Member
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2010
- Messages
- 946
Savage model 12 lrp. Mine is stupid accurate http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=803548 this is my latest load setup and talking about my lrp
This seems to be more and more likely. I'd like to use Lapua brass so I'd probably be looking at a Remington SPS in .260. LGS quoted me $560 for one so that's not too bad at all. I could always swap in a 47L barrel when the time comes, or pull it and sell it new for a few bucks and do the swap right away.
Gtscotty
Member
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2007
- Messages
- 3,634
I'm not trying to sway you, but I am a bit curious as to why you'd choose a particular cartridge just so you can use Lapua brass? I understand that a lot of people like it, and it is considered top of the bin in some calibers, but its not the only decent brass brand out there. 6.5 CM has Norma/Prime brass, which many people speak highly of, but I've just been using Hornady brass. My load is well above book, and I'm on my 6th load with tight primer pockets... what am I missing?
One thing that's nice about the CM (and I believe the x47) is the ability to load near the lands and and still be at a short enough OAL to feed from most any magazine. My .308 loads run 2.86" to 2.885" depending on the bullet, which will feed in my CTR mag, but not all mags... I believe the .260 can run into the same issue sometimes.
Out of curiosity, what is your budget for this rifle? If you have $1,500 and don't care for the RPR, you could always pick up a used Savage 12 and swap the barrel with money left over. I'm not a Savage man myself, but there is no denying that they shoot.
To be perfectly honest I don't yet have experience with Lapua brass as the only rifle cartridge I currently reload for is .223 using factory brass I've shot and saved over the years. But in my research of the short action 6.5 calibers the very large consensus I've found is that if you reload go with .260, if not go with the creedmore since it has the best factory ammo choices available. As you mentioned above the ballistics are practically identical so either 3 cartridges are a wash and a matter of persona preference. This rifle will primarily be for long range target shooting, ringing steel at distance, and probably the occasional coyote if I don't feel like taking out my .223 varmint rifle ... and maybe, maybe hogs if I can find a place to hunt them that won't cost me an arm and a leg. Since long range precision is the goal I'd like to use the best components and most would claim Lapua to be the best, but I don't take that to mean other brass isn't up to snuff. I've read a lot of people are having really good luck with the hornady CM brass.
As you mentioned COL is less of a concern with the 47L so that was one motivating factor for that caliber, as well as using small primers. Budget isn't 100% set yet, but I have a feeling I'll go with a custom 47L build. I'm keeping an eye on local pawn shops to find a well used (cheap) Remington 700 for a donor action. Then I'm thinking a Krieger barrel chambered in the 47L. The custom route will probably be triple what a new Rem 700 in .260 would be, and even worse compared to a savage in 6.5CM ... but like you there's just something about savage that doesn't ring my bell.
As you mentioned COL is less of a concern with the 47L so that was one motivating factor for that caliber, as well as using small primers. Budget isn't 100% set yet, but I have a feeling I'll go with a custom 47L build. I'm keeping an eye on local pawn shops to find a well used (cheap) Remington 700 for a donor action. Then I'm thinking a Krieger barrel chambered in the 47L. The custom route will probably be triple what a new Rem 700 in .260 would be, and even worse compared to a savage in 6.5CM ... but like you there's just something about savage that doesn't ring my bell.
stubbicatt
Member
What do you want to do with this rifle? Do you want a hunting rifle? an F Class rifle?
I have 2 260s; one built on a M70 long action for hunting, and one built on a FNH short action for distance. I also have a 6.5x47L Model Seven hunting rifle.
With the 47L, you are limited in case selection, unless you reform another caliber. Which is an option to gain a larger primer.
With .260, there are enough choices out there to use several brands. Which proved useful during the shortage a few years ago. I actually use Norma and Lapua for different loads in the same same rifle. I also use Remington, which works fine also.
I have Hornady Creedmoor cases, but no rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor. Go figure....
If you want to build, you can purchase a Model 700 action from Grab A Gun, MGW, even Buds has them from time to time. Average cost around 400-450.00. Barrels can be had from 300 ish to 400 ish. Stocks around 300-350. Build labor, figure 200 to 600, out the door. Pretty soon, you'll try to forget how much you have in it and just focus on enjoying shooting it... ;-)
I do see some good deals on already built rifles on the auction sites, and a couple of other forums.
Marty B
Member
I went almost the same route as farmerboy with the Savage 12 LRP, except I went with the .260 rem. I believe it has slightly more case capacity, but not positive on this. I've loaded 4 different bullets (Lapua 139 scenars, Berger 140 VLD match, Sierra 140 HPBT match, and Nosler 140 LRAB) in Lapua brass. Loaded to touch the lands, they all fit very easily in the magazine. So far the Lapua bullets perform the best with the Nosler LRAB's the worst. I've got about 60-70 rounds through it and it is really starting to come in nicely. I believe Savage still may have a $100 rebate going on the model 12's so for about $1000 you have a good shooting setup. I was also considering a custom, but the LRP had what I wanted and came in cheaper.
farmerboy78
Member
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2010
- Messages
- 946
Marty I agree totally, and the lrp is no slouch. You might try the 123gr amax, my rifle absolutely loves that bullet! I've tried the berger 140gr vld and hybrid but the 123gr Hornady amax is 1 hole accurate @ 100yds.
Marty B
Member
I went with the heavy bullets for the high B.C.'s, but after looking at the 123 A-Max I was surprised that it had a pretty good B.C. when compared to the heavies. GREAT, now I have to go buy more bullets
- Status
