6.5 barrel length for F-class

[T.Rhodes]

Is there a reason you are going with heavy palma instead of 1.25 straight? If this is going to be an F Class gun, I would recommend that you get all the weight you can into the build without going over the 22 pound limit. A 1.25 straight barrel adds a lot of weight which cuts recoil, torque and aids in tracking. Those palma contour barrels were designed for sling shooters (aka palma shooters) where the sport was initially limited to 13 pound rifles with open sights shooting 155 grain 30 cal bullets. That has changed but the palma barrel remains and is still called a palma barrel. I don't shoot palma but that is my understanding. Someone may come along and correct me. Those palma guys are finicky about how their sport is characterized.

That's what I found in-stock so rationalized that it would work for my purposes. I'm not going to beat the 7-6.5 PRC guys, but I think I'll make a better showing (over the factory barrel). I'm not going to SWN and pretty much shoot just for my own amazement. There are some sling shooters around the matches, I'll try to keep it under cover. ;^)

32” with 153 and 4350 run +/- 2800fps

I've been at about 2680 with the factory 24" barrel so I hope to be in that 2800fps range. We'll see.

 

[boltman13]

My 6.5CM with a Brux 31" straight barrel was at 2,785 fps new and reached 2,815 fps after about 500 rounds with 41.5 grs. of H4350 and Berger 140 Hybrids. I don't have the skill to get the maximum out of it in wind but in good conditions it makes me look like a High Master, if I don't do something stupid like cross fire.

 

[muleystalker]

Yes, I know, topic was discussed a dozen times, but:

I saw Mark's video and he practically says that in a longer barrel recoil affects the accuracy. Between the lines he says"extra 50 fps is not worth wxtra 2" of barrel length". is it the case? I was planning a 28" barrel for my new needmoor build but hey, maybe I am wrong and should stay with 26"...

If that was the case every serious F-Class shooter would be shooting a 26" barrel rather than a 30"-32" barrel. There is nothing wrong with free speed especially with a cartridge like the 6.5 Creedmoor competing in LR F-Class.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

BTDT as they say. I ran a 300 WSM for F Class for one season. Love the caliber but unless you are willing to dump 3 grand into a stock with a RAD and a 32 inch barrel pushing the weight right to the limit, the 300 WSM is too much. Mine weighed 20 pounds but didn't have a RAD. The last match I shot it in I was flinching at the end of the third string of the day.

I've gone back to the 6.5 Creedmoor. Partially because I'm tired of chasing the holy grail but also being retired, that gets damned expensive. Ballistically it won't compete with the new 6.5 PRC's necked up to 7 MM or even a 284 when those are in the hands of people who know what they are doing and who can read the wind. But, the trusty 6.5 Creedmoor built on a BAT VR action did earn me my High Master in NRA Long Range. They are more than capable at both F Class Long range and mid range (1000 and 600 yards respectively). Now keep in mind that there are High Masters and then there are High Masters. I shoot with folks who are High Masters and who could be shooting my needmoor while I'm shooting their very expensive custom built 7-6.5 PRC and they would win. Their wind reading skills and dedication make them competitive at the world level. With me, I tell my wife that when it comes to breaking wind, I'm a real high master. When it comes to reading it, occasionally I get lucky.

P.S. my Creedmoor currently sports a 30 inch 1.25 straight barrel. It was only a 27 inch barrel when I shot the initial High Master scores at 1000.

Now keep in mind that there are High Masters and then there are High Masters.

 

[ronsatspokane]

Now keep in mind that there are High Masters and then there are High Masters.

It's true. The real high masters can be found at Ben Avery in Arizona in the next couple of weeks. I won't be there. I had a rather unwelcome scheduling conflict and had to withdraw toward the end of last year. Oh well, maybe next year.

 

[ronsatspokane]

My 6.5CM with a Brux 31" straight barrel was at 2,785 fps new and reached 2,815 fps after about 500 rounds with 41.5 grs. of H4350 and Berger 140 Hybrids. I don't have the skill to get the maximum out of it in wind but in good conditions it makes me look like a High Master, if I don't do something stupid like cross fire.

BTDT, I cross fired three times in a team match one time. I was running late to the match due to driving 200 miles and forgetting that there was a time zone change going east. It was an hour later than I thought it was. I was running around with my hair on fire getting my gear and getting setup. I got squaded with three people I didn't know. They were looking at me like: who is this dumbass. Not only did I feel stupid, I felt really bad for the guys who had to shoot with me. Oh well, all you can do is own it. I didn't shoot team matches for a couple years after that.

 

[boltman13]

A few years ago at the Regional at Missoula I was classified as Expert. We were on e-targets and on the second day my score from the first day was only 3 points below High Master. Conditions were very mild and I was cruising along on my first string only 2 points down from posable when bam I cross fired. I preceded to drop 3 more points on my remaining shots on that string. Oh well I could still make Master with a good score on my final string. Settling in for the last string I was focused on the target and conditions following my sighters and bam I cross fired on my first shot for record, hurrying up to follow a sighter X and not double checking my target number. I only dropped 4 more points on the last 19 targets and missed Master by 9 points. Give me a 9 instead of a miss on either one of the cross fires and I would be a Master. Give ma a 10 on both and a few more by not being raddled and I would be a High Master. Oh well, I guess I am fated to die an Expert.

 

[JMAN80]

My 6.5CM backup rifle saved my bacon two years ago in the Nightforce Steel Challenge. My primary rifle went down and I had to shoot the 6.5 CM w/156 EOLs with a 30-inch barrel on day two, with target ranges from 800 to 2100 yards. I slipped a few places but still ended up with a top 10 finish. I didnt feel like I gave a whole lot up against a field of 300 Normas. The 6.5CM with the right load is pretty amazing.

Tell me about these EOL’s….. what Powder & speeds were you seeing and how long of barrel? We are currently at 28”