243 Lapua Brass for a 260 (vs 6.5x47)

[dwm]

I have been reading a lot about the 6.5x47 and it seems like it has a lot going for it, but the biggest selling point I have seen is that the Lapua brass in 6.5x47 can take a lot of pressure.

I have also read that you can resize 243 Lapua brass and make a 260 out of it.

This should take away the advantage of the Lapua brass in 6.5x47, or at least make them equal from a brass standpoint.

I have access to a reasonable Savage 110 (long action) and am I am considering something in 264 caliber (6.5) with a fast twist barrel setup for heavies.

I'm having some trouble deciding on 6.5x47, 260, 260AI, and 6.5x284.

Since the 110 is a long action I would be able to seat the heavies out as far as I want with no issues with the action or magazine.

The overal goal would be a platform that could support heavy 6.5 bullets at a reasonable velocity and get good barrel life. (6.5x284 is out?)

What do you guys recomend?

 

[Winchester 69]

How about 6.5x55? Lapua makes brass for that, too. What are you planning to do?

 

[dwm]

Interesting, on the Lapua web site the 6.5x47 and 6.5x55 have almost the same ballistic performance with the 139grainers. (6.5x47 being <20fps slower)

Is there a signifcant price difference in the 6.5x47, 243, 6.5x284, and 6.5x55 Lapua brass?

 

[Winchester 69]

2007 prices (per 100):

243 $56
6.5x47 $74
308 $49
6.5x55 $49
6.5x284 $83

See any numbers that stand out? You need to look at the load pressures when comparing the rounds. The 6.5x55 loads will probably be considerably less considering they will accommodate early Mausers. All of the others are modern, high-pressure loads that can be replicated for the 6.5x55 in the later action.

 

[rotorhead]

DWM, I think the 260AI is about the best short cartridge out there great accuracy easy to make the brass and the longivety of the barrel. I built one for my brother a few years ago and he shoots at least twice a month. He is not a hunter but a target shooter and the rifle has not lost any of its accuracy to this point. shoots .2-.3

 

[dwm]

What's involved with the 243 Lapua brass going to 260? Is it just a simple pull through the full length die and then fireform to the chamber?

Is the 243 case taper and length to shoulder the same as a 260?

I ask because if you have to fireform you might as well go straight to 260AI.

Then there is barrel life. Everything I have read is 6.5x284 goes maybe 1000 rounds. What about the 260AI, same problem?

Thanks for the input everyone ...

 

[Winchester 69]

Maybe this will be beneficial:

6.5x55 vs 6.5x284 -

 

[eddybo]

It would be my guess that 6.5x47 brass has a higher pressure rating than the others is the fact that it has small primer pockets and thus more material in the case head, not just because it is manufactured by lapua.

 

[älg]

I think you have to choose: max performance and more barrel life, or more barrel life and lower velocities.

The 6,5x55 will beat the 260 and 6,5x47. The european reloading manuals are conservative with the 6,5,x 55 loads because many military mauser actions were converted to sporter rifles .

I have shot 140 bergers in my 6,5-284 at 3100 ft/s in a 26 "barrel with no sign of pressure... you wont reach that in the others. But of course barrel life wont be (for max accuracy) much over 1300 rds.

 

[älg]

Sorry ,.I meant

I think you have to choose: max performance and LESS barrel life, or more barrel life and lower velocities.

 

[260shooter]

Which 6.5?

I shoot a 260 and 6.5X47 and my Dad shoots a 260 IMP. The shoots 123 Lapuas at 2950 fps well under .5 MOA. The 6.5X47 does the same at 2920 fps. The 260 IMP shoots 139 Lapuas at 2960 fps and is a tack driver! I had the 260 barrel set back at 1700 rounds, throat was just starting to crack, shortened .25" and still shoots great. The 260 IMP was set back at 1500 rounds and still shoots 1/4 to 1/3 MOA. The 6.5X47 is new to me but shows great promise, not worried about schorching velocity as this rifle is for me and my 10 year old daughter to shoot tactical comps with.
With the long action I would go with the 260 IMP and 243 brass. My brass prep for forming 243 into 260. Run the 243 case over a .264 mandrel then neck turn about 3/4 of the neck to clean up neck and to avoid the doughnut (this can be done after doughnut forms also) then load and shoot. You could do the same with the 260 IMP with the addition of fireforming. My Dad shoots REM 260 brass with no issues. He bought a very good batch of 500 and has had no issues. The whole batch had a variance of less than 2. grains. The stuff works great. And I don't think he will have any doughnut issues because of the 40 degree shoulder.

Hope this helps