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Mid-size 6.5mm cartridges like the 6.5x47 Lapua can rival the ballistics of a .300 Winchester Magnum shooting the 190-grain Sierra MK. The 6.5 mm choice is a no-brainer if you factor in recoil, barrel wear, and component costs. |
The 6.5x47 proved accurate with many different bullets. Three-shot groups in the twos were achieved with 139gr Scenars, 130gr Bergers, and 123gr Scenars. Below are two sample targets (Berger 130 left, Scenar 139 right). Obviously Satern supplied a very accurate barrel. |
Detachable-box magazines are becoming standard on practical/tactical rifles. The 6.5x47 ran perfectly from even the double-stack double-feed AI-AW mags. Single-feed mags such as the AICS provide even less challenge. |
Detachable box magazines (DBM) have been a rarity on American long-range rifles. The M24 and M40 sniper rifle systems have used the same 5-round internal box magazine, fed from the top, since their introduction. Starting in 2007, the USMC M40 began to be fitted with the Badger Ordnance bottom metal which uses the Accuracy Int'l Chassis System (AICS) magazines. However, the UK Armed Forces have used the magazine-fed AW rifle since the mid 1980's. Not only does a DBM system provide more initial capacity, but reloads are much faster and fumble-proof, since extra rounds are kept in extra magazines. While there is a good argument that the point of a precision rifle is to very carefully place a few rounds, it's always good to have more capability than you'll need on average. With a reliable magazine system, a shooter can make a long-range hit, cycle the bolt, and fire another round almost before the muzzle report from the first shot gets to the target. For action-style practical competition, efficiency of motion is key; reloading a blind magazine is a huge time-waster. Because the 6.5x47 Lapua case shares the .308 bolt head and body diameter and approximately matches its body taper, it works fine in the AI-AW double-stack double-feed magazines. |
Load Development and Accuracy Testing |
Recommended Accuracy Loads | ||||
Bullet | Powder | Grains | Primer | Vel FPS |
139 Lapua Scenar | VV N550 | 38.7 | CCI BR4 | 2790 |
139 Lapua Scenar | VV N550 | 38.0 | CCI #41 | 2790 |
130 Berger VLD | H4350 | 41.0 | CCI #41 | 2875 |
130 Berger VLD | RL 15 | 38.2 | CCI #41 | 2983 |
123 Lapua Scenar | RL 15 | 37.4 | CCI BR4 | 2930 |
Testing the 6.5x47 Lapua in Practical Rifle Competition |
How Does the 6.5x47 Lapua Compare to the Rem 260? |
Firing the 6.5x47 cartridge from the suppressed AI-AW felt like shooting a .22, but it made hits as easily as a big magnum. |
What is Practical Shooting? In my articles on Practical Long-Range Rifle Shooting, I defined 'Practical Precision Rifle Shooting' as a discipline that involves engaging small and/or distant targets at the limit of weapon, ammunition, and shooter capability, under time pressure, in field settings. This is a pretty broad definition, but it captures the diversity of the challenges. There is no set course of fire. Rules are different match to match. There isn't even a governing body for long-range practical shooting. Practical rifle shooting is to conventional NRA Long-Range and long-range Benchrest as IPSC/USPSA is to pistol Bullseye competition. In the last 15 years, long-range 'practical' or 'tactical' rifle matches have become popular, in part promulgated by Dr. David Kahn's Keneyathlon ('hunters test') format. These matches include the International Tactical Rifleman Championships (WY), Practical Rifle Team Challenge (CO), the NRA Whittington Center's Sporting Rifle Match (NM), the Blue Steel Ranch Steel Safari (NM), the Camp Guernsey Invitational Multi-Gun (WY), and various 'Sniper Challenge' matches around the country. The common theme is that these matches involve considerable shooter movement throughout the course carrying his rifle and gear in a field-worthy manner. There may be physical challenges. Targets are non-standard and often reactive steel. Targets are usually set at unknown-distance (UKD), and range-finding techniques or equipment must be used to determine range. There are no 'sighter' shots -- you get one shot per target and must make it count. Finally, there is usually considerable stress and time pressure involved. In short, Practical Rifle Shooting involves ALL those aspects that make shooting in real life hard, be it hunting, tactical, or military. |