.223 v 6.5x47mm

[Alpha1]

I have a 6.5x55 the 6.5x47 is on my wish list If it all goes to plan Ill be shooting one in the new year. In the mean time Iv been doing my home work on the calibre. Nothing is cheap for the 6.5x47 and finding stuff can be a challenge the cases are over £100 per 100 dies can be expensive to if you can find them.
Luckily thanks to a board members generosity I was able to acquire some cases using the cases as templates I have been able to machine a neck bushing sizing die and a seater similar to the LeWilson jobbies to use on my arbor press.
We are thanks to ovenpaas generosity(Check out the shooting shed) currently working on bushings in different sizes for the 6.5x47 calibre.
(We being me and one of the toolmakers at work)

[The Gun Pimp]

Well done Alpha 1 with machining the hand-dies. A Forster full-length body die will complete your set.

Although the cases are twice the price of 308, thanks to the small primer, the Lapua cases do take the pressure well and should last for quite a few loadings if you aren't too obsessed with 'benchrest' accuracy.

[mullen7]

Not too fussed with getting 'benchrest' accuracy, but I do want to be able to very competitive at 500m v the rest of the rifles in it, mostly .223's and .308s, and another 6.5mm that shoot in my club. (For now)

[Alpha1]

I'm just happy if it goes bang if it hits the target it's a bonus as far as I'm concerned.

[dromia]

You've come on a bit since joining here Dave, you used to just settle for it going bang.

[Laurie]

As you're set on a Barnard S action, one final consideration is what you can do with it when your first choice wears out or you decide to upgrade. If you choose 223, you're basically stuch with small 20s and 22s due to the bolt-face. If 6.5X47, 260 whatever, you have a huge choice in rebarrelling - anything that uses the 0.473" dia, case-head from 6mm BR Norma to 7mm Shehane etc.

[mullen7]

That's a very good point Laurie, thanks for bringing that up. Think I'm fairly set on going for the 6.5x47L now, done some more reading up last night and found a good report on a custom job over in the states. Reporting .125 MOA accuracy or there abouts with some pretty nice home loads.

With regards to dies etc I've seen some bits and pieces, Redding full set dies for around 250 which is what I was expecting anyway. As its going to be my first time buying all the dies myself, and without sounding too much of a novice, which dies will I intitially be needing? Full length, decapper, neck size? What else?

[Alpha1]

£250 for a set of dies. Ouch.

[ovenpaa]

I would suggest Forster as a very workable to Redding with quite a cost saving. I would say 75% of the dies we use are Forster followed by in order of popularity, my own manufacture dies then Lee, Redding, CH4D, and Triebel and some really obscure stuff for good measure.

If you fancy a superbly made alternative have a look at the Triebel-Guntool offerings, they have a reasonable turn around are competitively priced for what they are and I can see us moving to them more and more for factory dies..

[mullen7]

Cheers Ovenpaa, I'll have a look. I knew the name Redding as that's what my friend swears by and trusted them to be a good manufacturer, but did also know they were pricey.