6.5x47 vs 6.5x55

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1

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So, If you were to pick a round that would both easily do 1000 yard target shooting as well as a good hunting round for everything including moose and elk, which would you choose the 6.5x47 or the 6.5x55?

I would like to acquire a pair of Win model 70's and have one as a hunting rifle and one as a target rifle. if I can use the same cartridge (Not loads necessarily) that would be swell.

I hear the x47 is a beautiful little round but don't see a lot of people hunting with it. The x55 is common and finding brass and even factory ammo would be much easier. As from what i read the x47 and the x55 are both good performers however one is a short action the other is a long. Just wondering If I am missing some info on the comparison.

Thoughts?
 
I have built a couple of 6.5x47L for one fellow... he does a lot of target work with that round... He also shot a beautiful large elk at 440 yards with it...
 
I have a 6.5X55 on a 700 action. Wicked round and IMO in a modern action can probably push the heavies a bit faster. However I would go 6.5X47 as it is a much more efficient case design and the brass can go many, many loadings.
 
Both are good cartridges. Just remember that the prime bullets in 6.5 are the 130-140 grain, and they are getting longer to reduce drag. Unless you want to jam the bullets back in the case and reduce case capacity, you need an action that lets you seat the bullets long. And make sure the barrel has the twist to handle them - 1:8.

Another choice would be the 6.5x284 in a long action, or if you want to step up to the 7mm, then just the 284 Win in a long action.
 
WRT to performance... 200fps give or take. That is the velocity difference between the two when run in equal pressures and barrels.

for hunting, figure out the dimensions and weight of what you want to build. Figure out the mag length and what will fit.

Add the 6.5 Creedmoor and 260 Rem to the list.

All work, all have good support. You will be reloading so costs are very similar.

Pick a bullet, a barrel length, a velocity and build what does what you want.

They all work.

Jerry
 
I don't own a 6.5X55 but like you I almost built one. In the end I decided to go with the 6.5X47. Had a full custom built by RBROS. This gun is very heavy and used off a bench or prone for shooting steel. It is extremely accurate and such a fun round to shoot. I am using 130 gr Berger VLD hunting with H4350 and velocity is right at 3000 fps out of a 26" Broughton. This is such a nice round that this winter I am collecting all the parts for a light weight 6.5X47 build to use as my spot and stalk/tree stand rifle for deer. I don't think you could go wrong with either of these but for me I am sticking with the X47. Very efficient, strong brass, almost no recoil, accurate, a 130 gr at 3000 fps; it has everything I need.
 
rl4930 said:
I like the 47 also. And Ron aka is wrong, you can seat the longer bullets as far out as you want and still mag feed.
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The 6.5x47 COAL is nominally 2.740". A 140 grain Berger Hybrid seated to the bottom of the neck will be about 2.958". If your magazine and action can handle that, then you are correct. Those who like to jam the bullet will likely need more. The nominal max for a short action is 2.80".
 
As much as I am intrigued by the 6.5x47, the x55 seems a bit more practical. data, dies, components, tools, all are pretty easy to find.

Also helps that I have seen a few long action M70's for sale and not a whole lot of short.
 
LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1 said:
As much as I am intrigued by the 6.5x47, the x55 seems a bit more practical. data, dies, components, tools, all are pretty easy to find.

Also helps that I have seen a few long action M70's for sale and not a whole lot of short.
Click to expand...

Just as a data point for you. My 260 rem(264) is a short action Savage action and the stock OEM mag will hold rounds close to 3 inches or longer if i remember, as I load 130 Nosler AB LRs to 2.909" and still .010 from lands and still a ways from end of mag.

I believe SAAMI is 2.8"
 
As Jerry mentioned, all things being equal (pressure) the 6.5x55 does give you an extra 200 fps. However, all the reloading data I reviewed shows the recommended pressure for the 6.5x55 is lower therefore bullet speed between the 2 is virtually identically. My understanding is that the main benefit of the 6.5x47 is you can do everything that a 6.5x55 can do with a short action rifle. Whereas to seat the long 6.5 bullets out of the powder column in the 6.5x55 you need a long action (30-06 length). Jerry can you confirm?
 
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