6.5x47 vs .260

[ShootingStar]

I have been reading a good bit lately about these 2 rounds using in HPS. I would like to know - in practical terms - what is the difference in terms of loading, shooting and animal knockdowns between these 2 items?

The .260 is a little longer case, so can hold more powder. But is that needed in HP?
I've heard that the 6.5x47 brass is stronger, but do we need to load it hotter and are concerned about the strength? Will stronger brass just help with case life?

I love this sport and will continue to shoot it as long as the Lord's willing and the body holds out. I want to get my info together before I just up and buy the first rifle that catches my eye.

I look forward to comments from those of you in the know!

Thanks,
ShootingStar

[Trent]

For all practical purposes, in silhouette there is no performance gain from one of those cases to the other. Not when it comes to on target accuracy, nor recoil, nor "knock down" power. Generally, most people in silhouette aren't loading to max loads. We are loading for a specific velocity, therefore the .260's higher case capacity is a non-issue. Same goes for the 6.5x47 having a stronger case, we aren't loading hot so we are never close to that being necessary.

It really comes down to brass cost and availability.

I am expecting delivery of my 6.5 Creedmoor in the next week or so. It falls absolutely right between these two cases in capacity and performance (fps). It too will not have a gain over either cartridge... in silhouette.

Read through the posts in the HP forum. The last page or two of threads should have a couple of them discussing the .260, 6.5x47, Creedmoor benefits.

Cheers!

Trent

[BCloninger]

By reputation the Lapua 6.5x47 is more accurate and consistent but also creates more pressure, so there are instances of the firing pin piercing the primer. If you're using a Remington 700 bolt you may want to have the firing pin bushed.

On a custom build or re-barrel, I would choose the 6.5x47. For an off the rack rifle, Creedmore, .260 or 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser are all great rounds. Any brass made by Lapua is high quality, whether in 6.5x47, .260 and Swedish Mauser, will last longer than the inexpensive stuff.

[Jerry G]

I agree with Trent. I shoot a 6.5x47 and I shoot the same load that a friend does in his 260. The down side of the 6.5x47 is the cost of the brass and the small primer. If I had it to do over I would go with the 260.

[jneihouse]

FWIW, I've shot the 6.5X47L since it came out a few years ago, and I have had the priviledge of developing loads for a young man who was shooting with me a couple of years ago when he chose to build a .260 over building the 6.5X47L So I have some well earned experience with both....Ballistically, as far as what the two cartidges will do, is for all practical purposes, the same. The 6.5X47L is a shorter round and is a higer pressure round. I'm not a balllistician but I do know at least one and have access to their expertise. The shorter round is a more efficient round, that is, it takes the .260 more powder to accomplish the same thing given equal bullet weights. More powder equals more mass and more energy which equals more recoil in the same weight rifle. Not an issue in a deer hunt, perhaps an issue in a high power match that runs its course over several days such as the NRA nationals. I have shot the two back to back and there is a noticable difference in recoil.

The 6.5X47L seems to be a more forgiving round to load for, especially in the heavier bullet ranges used typically on the rams. This is a subjective comment, YMMV.

Quality brass is expensive and experience tells me there is a reason that brass from the top makers is more expensive. Cheaper in the long haul? Don't know, not enough data to draw a conclusion.

One drawback that the .260 has in it's factory configuration for those who will buy and shoot an off the shelf rifle without exchanging the barrel for a custom one, is that the rate of twist that Remington chose as standard does not seem to stabilize the heavier "ram" bullets as well as it should. A faster twist would seem to be indicated.

You can't really to wrong with any of the callibers mentioned in your post and the replies. What it boils down to is that with every choice comes some compromise. You just have to chose where you will compromise, what you can live with and be happy,

Good luck with your choice.

Kitty