Smart Way to Neck-Down 6.5×47 Lapua Cases to 6mm
The 6.5×47 Lapua necked down to 6mm is a popular wildcat. However, we’ve learned that, when necking down a 6.5×47 Lapua case to 6mm, simply running the brass into a 6-6.5×47 full-length sizer won’t give the best results. Reader “Fireball”, who has worked with both a 6-6.5×47 and a 22-6.5×47, offers this tip: “You don’t want to bring the 6.5mm case all the way down to 6mm in one step — it’s too big of a jump. First, to smooth entry, run a 6.5mm expander in the case mouth, and chamfer the outside of the case mouth — be sure to remove all burrs. Apply some lube to the neck. Then, if you have a .257 bushing, put that in a 6BR bushing neck die, and run the case up [for initial reduction].” Then, use your 6mm die for the final step.
Alternatively, you can use a Redding 6BR body die initially. The body die will funnel the neck down about half way. Body dies are pretty inexpensive ($29.99 at Grafs.com, Item #RED75317). After running the brass through the 6BR body die, then you can run the case into the Forster 6-6.5×47 Full-length sizing die. The Forster die is excellent — it sizes a no-turn neck just about perfectly, so long as you do an intermediate step first.”
Similar Posts:
- Necking Down the 6.5×47 to 6mm
- Optimizing Neck Tension with Bushing and Non-Bushing Dies
- Bushing Dies and Honed Full-Length Sizing Dies
- Customize Full-Length Sizing Die Necks for $10.00
- The Honed-Neck FL Sizing Die Option — Alternative to Bushings
Tags: 6-6.5x47, 6.5x47, 6mmbr, Body Die, Neck Sizing, Redding
A couple of comments. Why does this site continually use the designation of “6-6.5 X 47″ when virtually every one else uses “6 x 47″? For Fireball, you state that necking down in ONE step is too big a jump; what are the potential problems you have experienced using the “one step” method? Also, your alternative method involves only one step…why would any one choose the other multi-step method? Thanks..Paul
Paul: 1. We use the full 6-6.5×47 to eliminate confusion. There is a completely different cartridge, the 6×47 Swiss Match from Ruag. Also, decades ago, there was a 6×47 wildcat based on the .222 case. “Since the Sporter Class required a cartridge not less than .23 caliber, the .222 Remington Magnum was simply expanded to .243 and the original 6×47 was born (not to be confused with 6×47 Swiss Match). It too was “improved” by increasing the shoulder angle to 40 (6×47-40) and then 45 degrees (6×47-45).”
2. Our proposed method IS a two-step method. Step one is reduction to 0.257 neck diameter. Step two is reduction to .243 (6mm).
I understand the past history as stated in #1 above BUT, in today’s lingo, anyone referring to the “6 X 47 Lapua” is talking about the 6.5 case configuration. Look at the results in the PA 1000 Club and all say 6 X 47 and there is not any confusion as to what round is being used.
#2 above says the method IS two-step but as I stated originally, your ALTERNATIVR method in paragraph two is ONE-STEP…run the case through a 6BR body die…we know eventually it has to go through the 6 X 47 FL die to neck it down. (The Forster die is marked 6 X 47 and I don’t think any one is confused when they get the die…another illustration for #1 above.
they do that so dummies like me when I send the link around so others can learn it will leave no doubt as to which cartridge they are talking about and how to form it properly,
good job and thanks
Jefferson
A bushing die will not go all the way to the shoulder, hence not the entire neck will be sized down straight like when using a dedicated FL die (no buhsing).
Been there, done that, wasted the brass.