Went out and shot a few 300 yd pressure ladders with my new 6.5x47 Lapua and Reloader 17.

-Pierce short action
-26" #3.1 Broughton 5C, 1:8 SS barrel
-McM Rem Sporter in Edge fill
-Rifle Basix @ 2 lbs
-Nightforce 2.5-10x32mm w/ NP-R2 reticle
-All metal Cerakote matte black




40 Deg F, 24.55 Baro, wind from 5 about 3-5 mph. Oehler 35p


140 VLD OAL 2.728" = 10 THOU OFF +1.66 Redding seat, 3.075" Comparator

Charge- Rim growth- velocity- color
37- 0- 2489- Black
37.5- 0- 2537- Orange
38- .0001- 2563 Green'
38.5- 0- 2630- Purple
39- 0- 2668- Pink
39.5- 0- 2694- Black
40- 0- 2765- Orange
40.5- 0- 2778- Green'
41- 0- 2813- Purple
41.5- .0003- 2845- Pink
42- .0002- 2887- Black
42.5- 0- 2917- Orange



No pressure signs to speak of; easy bolt lift/extraction, no weird vel readings, no gross case rim growth, no ejector marks, last few rounds had some primer cratering but I don't consider that a deal breaker unless accompanied by other pressure signs. I could push it even a bit more, but why?

Not counting round #3, the group was 3" wide x 2" high with a 5.5 gr powder increase.

Alan

Those loads and velocities seem insane to me. What am I missing?

You are missing Rel 17.

Shot 9 and 10 seem to be around the optimum.

I would need to check my load data, but I seem to think I get around 2900fps with about 43gr Rel 17 and a 120gr bullet in the 260 Rem.

No doubt you are near or at max by 41gr.

Just checked it. 43.2gr Rel 17, 120gr BT. Average vel 2925 FPS with a 20" barrel. Book max is c.44.5gr for a 120gr in 260rem.

GSSP

A note on RL-17.

There is no question that the Reloder series of powders gives more velocity, especially the 17.

But there is "no free lunch".

I have used it in a target rifle and experienced shortened barrel life. It looks like your application is for a hunting rifle. I would not hesitate to use it there.

Vihtavouri data is generally very conservative.

They report c.2800fps with 37.5gr of N540 (double base powder) which has a burn rate similar to Rel 15.

Given Rel 17 and a 26" barrel, I don't think the 41gr load above is excessive, though I woould not want to go much higher.

Top 6.5-284 velocities and well past 6,5x55 in a lot smaller case sound like a deal breaker to me Measurable rim growth at 38 grains but not at 42,5 also tells me that method is a waste of time.

Where did you get these loads?

Wow, people concerned for my welfare.

Don't worry, I releive you, "900 SS", of any and all responsibility for my welfare.

I've been reloading for decades. Have been told by ballistic lab technicians/managers with both Hodgdon and ADI (Australian Defense Industries whom make most of Hodgdon powders) that I should be working for them with my knowlege/experience.

I've been measuring case heads and rims for years now and this, the rim expansion numbers I posted above, is NOTHING to worry about, IN MY RIFLE.

Ever visit 6mmBR.com? Go look up "X3M Hunter", Erik Cortina, in the "Big Stuff" section of their Forum. He not only completes in F-class but does quite well competing with the 6.5x47, 139 Scenars and Rel 17, also pushing over 2900 fps. I've talked to him and new, with the right procedures, could work my way up a pressure ladder to discover, in MY RIFLE, what would and would not work. That's where I got the loads.

I post this info for those who wish to know more.

Alan

Thank you. Makes me wonder what you would get fram a 264 winmag. I'm still pretty sure your pressures spend some of the safety margin. If the rim measure method was of any use it should give some readings from loads thats at least close to max.

But the really important question is if the Reloder 17 is the same powder as Norma URP.

Edit: I sent Alliant an email with that question and they are not the same. Rl 17 is made in Switzerland and Norma by Bofors. Makes me happy the way powder and bullet manufacturers reply to questions and often supply interesting information and good advise.

I see on different sites were the long range target shooter are pulling back from the 6.5x47L and going to the 260 Rem because of the extra 8% larger case.

I loaded 10 rounds betweeen #9 and #10.


I then shot 8 of them at 600 yds in a 4-11 mph wind from my 4. I paid zero mind to the wind, focusing totally on my hold.



What is great is only a 2.5" vertical spread which at 1000 yds would equate to 4.11"; pretty good. ES was 28 and SD of 9. With that in mind I've got 10 rounds down the barrel for break-in, two 12 round ladders and 8 rounds for the 600 yd shooting for a total of 42 rounds. Might play with seating depth and try different primers @ 600 to 1000 yds. Still looking very good.

Alan