What 6.5 for HP Silhouette?

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jbzeus
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What 6.5 for HP Silhouette?

Post by jbzeus »

There was an old thread from 2009 that asked this question. I see a number of calibers used but some bubble to the top like the 6.5x47. Wondering what the thinking is roughly nine years later.

With the 150g Sierra becoming available is the 6.5x47 still a good or even better option? Can we assume the 150g Sierra isn't too much bullet for the 6.5x47?

I see the 2017 champ shoots a 6BR. Of course every shooter is different and handles recoil differently. Maybe with her hold ability the 6BR is plenty for her?

Thinking ahead for building a HP rifle.
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Re: What 6.5 for HP Silhouette?

Post by Jerry G »

I don't think it makes much difference. The only thing that changes between all of them is the amount of powder you use. I just shot a 6.5 BR today and that little case even took down the rams. You need to shoot a heavy bullet at the rams and not much over 2600 fps to keep the bullet together longer. They all will look like they explode on impact but at 3000 fps it happens so much faster.

I shoot the 142 in my 6.5 x 47 and never had a problem when I hit them.

Cathy does loose rams.
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Jason
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Re: What 6.5 for HP Silhouette?

Post by Jason »

I have a full setup for 260 Remington and am happy with it. If I were starting over today, I'd go with 6.5 Creedmoor over the 260 Rem, 6.5x47 Lapua and definitely over any of the smaller cartridges. The 6.5 Creedmoor is now a mainstream cartridge with tons of manufacturers making barrels, dies, brass, etc. There's also a lot more load development across many times more shooters in many disciplines happening for that cartridge. Unless you have an injury or other medical issue, there's very little difference in recoil between the 6.5mm cartridges. The cartridges with more case capacity take a bit more powder to get the same velocity, but the powder weight difference compared to the bullet weight is minimal so the difference in recoil is minimal. Those cases with larger capacity can get a bit more velocity with the bigger bullets, but the 260 Rem and 6.5 Creedmoor can both do 2650fps with the newer 147gr and 150gr bullets, which is more than enough. There's no need to go to bigger cartridges like the 6.5 PRC.
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Re: What 6.5 for HP Silhouette?

Post by jbzeus »

I do have a couple bulged disks in my lower back so I need to keep that in mind.

The consensus seems to be there is no consensus. From what I am able to deduce here and elsewhere is everyone has a favorite. I was hoping to determine "what the pros use" but it seems they each have their favorites too. Just don't want to make a faux pas right out of the gate. Maybe I should just buy one of each. :-)

Interesting the comment about Kathy losing some rams. Ya coldn't tell from her scores!

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Re: What 6.5 for HP Silhouette?

Post by Joaquin B »

I use both the 260 and 6.5 x 47mm Lapua. Either one of those or the 6.5 Creedmoor will work.
120 grain bullets at 2650 fps for chickens/pigs/turkeys and 140/142 grainers at 2650 fps for rams.
Some folks even use the 6.5 x 55mm Swede and the 6.5 BR with good results.
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Re: What 6.5 for HP Silhouette?

Post by jbzeus »

It has been suggested I look hard at the 6.5 Creedmore. I see there is load data for up to 150g bullets. Seems that would be good for the rams.

I reload so no advantage to the Creedmore for me since I can load my own.

Anyone using 150g in 6.5x47? I don't see load data for 150g for 6.5x47.
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Another Dang 9
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Re: What 6.5 for HP Silhouette?

Post by Another Dang 9 »

6.5 is a weird caliber that seems to shot well in all its configurations. I don't know if there is any advantage over one or the other, other than availability of brass and dies.
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Re: What 6.5 for HP Silhouette?

Post by SteveD »

Another Dang 9 wrote: Sun Apr 08, 2018 11:05 am 6.5 is a weird caliber that seems to shot well in all its configurations. I don't know if there is any advantage over one or the other, other than availability of brass and dies.
A few (quite a few LOL) years ago I did an analysis of the best bullets available (best determined by BC) in all calibers that were reasonable candidates for use in Silhouette.

For all bullets in all calibers up to the 30 cal Sierra 220gr MatchKing it was a 6.5mm bullet that had the highest BC. That was higher than all 6mm/.243, 25, 270 and 7mm bullets.

So yes, Another Dang 9 is right, 6.5mm bullets are an anomaly.

I you haaave to have a 6.5mm however, be sure to consider a 6.5BR. :)

There are quite a few, 6.5X47. 6.5CM, 6.5BR and there is a wildcat in Phoenix that is a 22-250 case necked up to 6.5mm, shortened 0.100" with Ackley shoulders and sides. 6.5DS.
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Re: What 6.5 for HP Silhouette?

Post by Jerry G »

I still say there isn't a dime worth of difference in any 6.5
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Re: What 6.5 for HP Silhouette?

Post by ajj »

.260 Rem. Keep it simple.
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