Building a prs rifle, trying to determine cal, 6.5x47 lapua or 6.5 creedmoor

[Rembdl700]

I won't be traveling across the country attending events but want to compete in the local North West area. I already have used the MDT stocks on both my hunting and .308 precision rifle, so I will be going with their new stock. Like most people I don't have all the money in the world to put into this rifle but want to know if it's worth chambering this for the 6.5x47 Lapua or the 6.5 Creedmoor. I realize the price difference is significant but is it worth it due to its superior performance at long range or is this just me being too picky about a caliber that essentially is the same in performance?

 

[KyCarl]

I want a 6.5 X 47L I like the brass with small rifle primers and Lapua brass is second to none! Anyway everyone and his sister has a Creedmoor..I don't follow the herd!
Later you can load any bullet you want they will work in either?

 

[Capt RB]

The brass argument is moot. You can get Lapua Peterson(my preference) ADG Alpha Starline and soon lake city will have 6.5 Creedmoor.
The creed will have very good factory ammo for practice or in a pinch. The Lapua has great factory ammo if you can find it. This is the rub. If you plan ahead the 47 is tough to beat. If you don't the creed allows you to not stockpile.
Built to the same specs both will shoot beyond the needed requirements.
I like cheap it affords me higher quantity and higher volume of participation. Many like the 130 class for the 47. I shot the 147's in my creed at 2830 and found that I could hold on a 1moa plate for most of my shots inside of 700.
The 47 is just a touch light in case capacity for the 147 or 150 without 30" of barrel. Next 6.5 I build will be for the 150smk. I'm not sure if it will be a hunting gun or a prs/target rifle. That will determine if it's a creed or 6.5ai or sherman.

 

[davsco]

if you don't reload, then 6.5 creed is the very easy answer. pretty good supply and variety of good match ammo out there.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

I would go with the creedmoor. There's honestly no advantage to the x47 lapua amymore. Brass for the creed has caught up and surpassed the 6.5x47 for availability. The creed will be alittle faster than the lapua. Brass and ammo is everywhere.

 

[BallisticsGuy]

Pick one, won't make a snotty rag's worth of difference. 6.5CM is easier if you don't handload.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Take a look at the Precision Rifle Blog to see what the PRS and NRL competitors are using.

 

[BallisticsGuy]

I would absolutely not take my cues from what's popular among those particular competitors. They're extremely susceptible to hype, mania and pointless fads and racing money is their default behavior. I shoot competition a lot and I've seen the pro's getting their $10,000 rifle/optics combo having scores tied or bettered by joe-sixpack with a 1000 bucks worth of Savage and SWFA with increasing regularity. A Defiance action and Proof barrel on a $1000 chassis with a $3500 scope isn't the only way to get there from here. It's just the fastest way. I call that racing paper and it's not applicable to those on budgets that are limited.

If you want to be competitive at the local level while being budget friendly then:
1. Start reloading or you're wasting your money hand over fist.
2. Pick a 6.5mm-7.5mm rifle cartridge that puts heavy for caliber bullets out at 2600fps or better. That's good to 1000+yrds.
3. Pick up a scope that tracks (see my posts in topics about glass for good ideas about which are up to it on a budget).
4. Find a .75MOA or better load.
5. Learn to shoot / get a mentor / get trained.
6. Get your ballistics really dialed in (ask me how).
7. Train when you practice. Don't just rehearse. If you hit every time you're rehearsing. Make it harder on yourself and you'll get better.
8. Keep a log book of conditions and POI vs POA data. You'll want to thank me later for you starting to do that.
9. Get off your belly and on your feet. When you can hit standing, you can hit from any position.
10. Have fun. It's not worth it if it's just work.

 

[Canhunter35]

If you're splitting hairs, which you are in choosing between these cartridges, have whichever you choose throated for the particular weight of bullets you desire to run.

 

[eklarsen]

I want a 6.5 X 47L I like the brass with small rifle primers and Lapua brass is second to none! Anyway everyone and his sister has a Creedmoor..I don't follow the herd!
Later you can load any bullet you want they will work in either?

6.5 Creedmoor is available in a small rifle primer if you like as well.
I agree with most above that it really wont make a difference unless you don't reload. If you don't then go with Creedmoor all day long for availability.

 

[Hondo64d]

I won't be traveling across the country attending events but want to compete in the local North West area. I already have used the MDT stocks on both my hunting and .308 precision rifle, so I will be going with their new stock. Like most people I don't have all the money in the world to put into this rifle but want to know if it's worth chambering this for the 6.5x47 Lapua or the 6.5 Creedmoor. I realize the price difference is significant but is it worth it due to its superior performance at long range or is this just me being too picky about a caliber that essentially is the same in performance?

If factory ammo availability is important to you get the Creedmoor. If not, flip a coin...

John

 

[Gamesniper19]

I would absolutely not take my cues from what's popular among those particular competitors. They're extremely susceptible to hype, mania and pointless fads and racing money is their default behavior. I shoot competition a lot and I've seen the pro's getting their $10,000 rifle/optics combo having scores tied or bettered by joe-sixpack with a 1000 bucks worth of Savage and SWFA with increasing regularity. A Defiance action and Proof barrel on a $1000 chassis with a $3500 scope isn't the only way to get there from here. It's just the fastest way. I call that racing paper and it's not applicable to those on budgets that are limited.

If you want to be competitive at the local level while being budget friendly then:
1. Start reloading or you're wasting your money hand over fist.
2. Pick a 6.5mm-7.5mm rifle cartridge that puts heavy for caliber bullets out at 2600fps or better. That's good to 1000+yrds.
3. Pick up a scope that tracks (see my posts in topics about glass for good ideas about which are up to it on a budget).
4. Find a .75MOA or better load.
5. Learn to shoot / get a mentor / get trained.
6. Get your ballistics really dialed in (ask me how).
7. Train when you practice. Don't just rehearse. If you hit every time you're rehearsing. Make it harder on yourself and you'll get better.
8. Keep a log book of conditions and POI vs POA data. You'll want to thank me later for you starting to do that.
9. Get off your belly and on your feet. When you can hit standing, you can hit from any position.
10. Have fun. It's not worth it if it's just work.

There is a lot to be said in this post and I agree with nearly every point. There is nothing wrong with buying a full custom rifle if you have the means. There is nothing wrong with buying any priced rifle and working with it to get to a <.75 MOA group - I would recommend a bit tighter for a comp gun, if possible. <.50 MOA would be even better but some over the counter rifles aren't capable no matter what you do.
Everything that is being said here is about limiting variables is to ensure consistent accuracy. Rifle build, Load, practice, everything.
That is especially true with high dollar custom rifles. The quality control in the components and build quality are what makes the difference.
Once you have your rifle, and for a first time competitor I recommend 6.5 CM for many of the reasons many have stated in this post, point 5 cannot be overlooked. Learn the right way first. Good practice makes a good shooter. Bad practice = bad results and the last point is often overlooked HAVE FUN! Smile....enjoy

 

[sable tireur]

Here is what the data collected from the PRS shooters lists as the most popular cartridges:

 

[Almondgrower]

You are going to want to look very hard at the 6mm creedmoore, probably 30-40% less recoil then 6.5 . In PRC that is VERY important to be able to spot your own shots as no feedback from spotter is allowd during string of fire . If 6.5 is a must use Lapua brass in the creedmoore, it's the best brass you can buy and the creed has tons of options for loaded Ammo in a pinch . Every store you go into will have something for the creed