? O.A.L for 6.5X47 new build

foxbat

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For a new build in 6.5X47, as I've received it from the smith, the maximum OAL that I can load to is 2.500 inches, with a 123 Scenar in the lands. This length puts the end of the bullet .250" past the shoulder/case junction, into the case.
My other 6.5X47, built by another smith, has the OAL @ 2.7500", with a 123 Scenar bullet base just ahead of the shoulder/case junction.
My Vit loading manual lists the OAL as 2.7500", which would jive with my 'old' unit.
When I communicated with the smith about the discrepancy, he told me he liked to keep as much of the bullet bearing surface in the neck as he could.
My concern is that I'm going to be using this rifle on an upcoming course where we'll be shooting out to 1000m. and beyond, and I want to go with the highest node that works. I'm worried that with the shorter OAL, the bullet is going to be taking up case volume that I can't afford to lose.
I've got the rifle boxed up, ready to send back to him for 'remedial' work.......Suggestions would be appreciated.
 
I've got one being built right now and the dummy rounds I sent to the smith were based on a 2.750" COAL with a 130 VLD (and a touch longer with a 140 Hybrid, based on same OAL to ogive). I've tested both bullets with Varget and H3450 and either way there is room for the Berger recommended max loads and then some before going compressed.
 
Ideally it should be set up so that the shoulder of the BT sits about 0.020-0.030 above the neck junction of the case. The rest of the boat tail will extend past the neck/shoulder junction.

If the shoulder of the BT is below the neck junction then the smith short throated it.
 
If you did not supply a dummy round for the smith to cut the throat you wanted, it is your error. If you supplied a dummy round and he ignored it, it is his error.

Personally I prefer shorter throats as they allow you to chase the rifling for best accuracy considerably longer than long throats do and the difference in capacity usually isn't that big of a deal.
 
'Mea culpe' in this case, as I did not provide a dummy. It gets better as I didn't specify, (nor was I asked) which bullet I would be using...in this case I would choose between Lapua Scenars ( 123/139gr.) and perhaps the Berger 130gr. VLD.
As it stands, with the Scenars in the lands, the loaded round would situate the shoulder of the boat tail below the case/shoulder junction.
With my admittedly limited experience, this is totally different to any of the other builds I have either commissioned, or bought from other owners.
It certainly is different than what CyaN1de is suggesting as the 'ideal' situation.....


If you did not supply a dummy round for the smith to cut the throat you wanted, it is your error. If you supplied a dummy round and he ignored it, it is his error.

Personally I prefer shorter throats as they allow you to chase the rifling for best accuracy considerably longer than long throats do and the difference in capacity usually isn't that big of a deal.
 
If you did not supply a dummy round for the smith to cut the throat you wanted, it is your error. If you supplied a dummy round and he ignored it, it is his error.

Personally I prefer shorter throats as they allow you to chase the rifling for best accuracy considerably longer than long throats do and the difference in capacity usually isn't that big of a deal.
Regardless of your credentials, it's a huge deal in this circumstance with this cartridge. Sounds like the builder needs to remove his head from his @ss.
 
Sounds like the builder needs to remove his head from his @ss.

Who is the builder, the smith who did the work or the owner who contracted the job?

The owner simply forgot to specify what bullet and the smith used the reamer he had ... so I would not say anyone had their head up their ass.

It's a simple solution and no one needs to be slammed over it...
 
I'm going to send the gun back, and provide a dummy round which will position the shoulder of the boat tail just above the neck/shoulder junction.
With the bullet into the lands, the OAL will now be more like 2.740, which should still allow some room to increase as the throat erodes.
Several important lessons learned here, and thanks for the input.
As I like to remind tyros, "Good judgement usually develops from prior poor judgement".....
 
Would seem to me that if someone is gonna chamber using a custom/non standard reamer, a little note might be worth giving ahead of time.
 
FWIW my 6.5x47L's OAL is about 2.72 with 123 Scenars and 140VLD/130VLD about 2.80-81ish

It was originally throated for 139 scenars and had a similar OAL to the 123's. I think the free bore was .16. It has about 1000 rounds through it now.

What a great round!
 
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