28" BBL for 6.5 PRC

[Ironworker]

Just ordered a Bartlein Heavy varmint bbl. 8" twist . Finished it will be 28" ,is that to long for a 6.5 PRC ?

 

[B23]

You've been around enough of this stuff to know it largely depend on how you intend to use the finished product. Also, if you plan to put a brake on it then that 28 turns in to nearly a 30.

If it's a gun you plan to throw over your shoulder and go stalking animals through the woods, I'll take nothing longer than a 26 including brake and will prefer a 22-24. If this build will be shot mostly from a bench or somewhere you set up and scan then those longer lengths are less concerning.

My 6.5PRC wears a 24in tube less brake. You obviously will gain velocity with a longer pipe but it's not like the 6.5PRC is hugely overbore.

If this is a un-fluted barrel you can certainly start at 28 and see how you like it. After having it at 28 for awhile then you'll know and if it seems to long have it shortened up to whatever length you want.

 

[Kurz]

Finished it will be 28" ,is that to long for a 6.5 PRC ?

I've used the 6.5 PRC in 20" - 30" barrels with no ill effect at all. It just depends on what you have in mind to use your longer barrel for.

Longer barrels will sometimes allow for a better selection of powders which will function well in those longer barrels. However, the same cannot be said for shorter barrels.

Enjoy the process!

 

[Rob01]

Yup comes down to use. I run 28" barrels on my Creedmoor match rifles. The 28" won't hurt anything in the PRC and give good velocities but if you needed so carry it or pack it then you might go shorter and even a lighter contour.

 

[284winner]

It's free velocity. Just depends on your use with it.

 

[Ironworker]

How much increase in velocity in a 28" vs 26" shooting 156 Bergers N565 powder ? Out of 26" bbl I'm getting 3,000 FPS .

 

[Breakshunter]

You should be able to get a good bit more velocity, I run my creedmoor at 2950 with Berger 140 hybrids and 27" barrel and my 6.5,x284 at 3070 with the same bullet in 24". I would think you could get 3100 or more with a 28" barrel.

 

[DocDoc]

The average is usually 25-30 FPS. As you get to the long end of the range, that drops off.

Also remember the same length barrel can vary more than that.

 

[284winner]

Not a 6.5 PRC but close. I'm running my current 6.5-284 with a 29" barrel. It offers more velocity using less powder and less barrel wear. That's not a concern to me as barrels are fairly cheap but too many, that matters. Just another advantage to longer barrels. I only run 140s around 2975 so it's cruise control for me. I've ran 156s over 3100 which is the opposite. I prefer around 3000 with 140s and 2950 with 156s. Both very accurate and very manageable recoil wise.

 

[Djfergus]

Just ordered a Bartlein Heavy varmint bbl. 8" twist . Finished it will be 28" ,is that to long for a 6.5 PRC ?

I done a 6.5 PRC in a 28" sendero. I went without a muzzle brake. Very pleasurable to shoot.

 

[wboggs]

Mine bas a 30" Bartlein 7.5tw. Get an easy 3100fps with 150smk using H1000.
As others have mentioned, not a carry rifle by any means. Mine must weight about 15#. There is some recoil without a break but not a lot when shooting from a bench. Have not shot many 156s since I get 0.28 moa with the smks.