Tactical Transformer: .243 Win Becomes a 6-6.5×47 Lapua
Article by Bill, Editor of Rifleshooter.com
A few years ago I built a custom switch-barrel Remington 700 on an AICS Chassis chambered in .243 Winchester and .308 Winchester. I found the .243 Win finicky during load development and started looking at other options for the 6mm Bartlein 1:8″-twist HV barrel.
Initially drawn to the 6mmBR and 6mm Dasher, I realized these cartridges wouldn’t feed from an AICS magazine system without extensive modification. I took a look at the 6mm Creedmoor, 6XC, and 6mm-6.5×47 Lapua (aka 6×47 Lapua), all of which feed well from a detachable magazine. At right you can see the 6×47 Lapua in an AICS magazine. It has the “Goldilocks factor” — not too long, not too short.
The ability to simply convert 6.5×47 Lapua brass to 6×47 brass by running the parent 6.5mm brass through a full-length Forster sizing die in a single step was what made me choose the 6×47 Lapua over the 6mm Creedmoor and 6XC (both excellent cartridges in their own right). I also own a 6.5×47 Lapua rifle, so I had a supply of 6.5×47 brass ready to neck-down. Being able to create 6×47 brass easily (one pass and done) was very appealing.
Left to right, below: 6mmBR, 6-6.5×47 Lapua, 6.5×47 Lapua, and .243 Winchester.
I cut the chamber end off my .243 Win barrel, threaded and chambered my rifle for the 6×47 Lapua cartridge. I have written a lengthy article on this cutting and re-chambering process. Home gunsmiths interested in this process can READ MORE HERE.
When the re-chambering was complete, I headed to the range and worked up a set of eight loads using Berger 108 BTHPs, H4350, Lapua brass, and CCI 450 primers.
Load development was a little trickier than with the 6.5×47 Lapua parent cartridge. The accuracy nodes were smaller. However, once I dialed in a load with Hodgdon H4350 and the 108-grain Berger BTHP, the rest was history. The 6×47 rig is now one of the most consistent rifles I own, holding just above 0.3 MOA for 5-round groups. Below is a 100-yard test target with 108-grain Berger BT in the 6×47 Lapua. Five-shot group sizes are (L to R): .369″, .289″, and .405″. The average size was .354″ or .338 MOA. [Editor: We think that is excellent accuracy for a tactical-type rifle shot from bipod.]
Learn More about this 6×47 Lapua Project
I’ve written more about this 6×47 rifle on my Rifleshooter.com website. To learn more about my experience with the 6×47 Lapua, click this link: 6-6.5X47 Lapua Review.
About the author: Bill has been a serious shooter for over 20 years. A former Marine Corps Sergeant, he’s competed and placed in High Power Rifle, ISPC, USPSA, IDPA, 3-Gun, F-Class, and precision rifle disciplines. In addition to being an NRA-certified firearms instructor and range officer, Bill has hunted big game in North America, South America, and Africa. Bill writes extensively about gunsmithing, precision rifles, and the shooting sports on his blog, Rifleshooter.com.
Similar Posts:
- 6.5 Creedmoor — Barrel Cut-Down Velocity Tests
- 6.5 Creedmoor — Velocity and Barrel Length — What to Expect
- 6.5 Creedmoor Barrel Length Test — Velocity Per Inch Revealed
- 6.5 Creedmoor Barrel Length Test Reveals Velocity Per Inch
- Barrel Cut-Down Test Reveals 6.5 Creedmoor Velocity Per Inch
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Tags: 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5x47 Lapua, 6mm, 6x47, 6XC, AICS, Chassis, Gunsmithing, H4350, Rifleshooter.com
I am finding the reports of a relative spate of modified 243 Win’s to be most interesting. That’s because last fall I decided due to my owning a set of CHeetah forming dies, too many Lapua 308 Palma cases and a general distain for the 243 Win on a way to fulfill my years ago stated desire “to be the first kid on my block with a 6 X 47 Lapua.”
What has resulted is something the gunsmith and I call the 6 X 49 Lapua, a case that is half way between the 243 and the 6 X 47 in length but with a longer neck (0.302″)and 30* shoulder. I have not been able to shoot it enough to determine the load(s) make up exactly as yet (hip replacement), but a couple of preliminary tries suggest HY100 and/or 4000MR as good prospects along with the 450 primer. 105 Berger velocities are above 3200 fps using either of the above. Time will tell the accuracy and velocity potentials more precisely.