6.5 creedmoor barrel length?

[6.5grendel]

I'm getting ready to do a barrel swap on a savage 11 that I have. I'm pretty sure I will be going with a CBI from nss but can't decide between 24" or 26". It will be used for shooting out to 600 yards and maybe 1000 yards later down the road, and also for deer hunting. Would the 2 extra inches be worth the extra velocity vs the extra length and weight? Also plan on getting the barrel threaded in case I ever want to put a brake on it.

 

[geraldgee]

From Rifleshooter.com. Please don’t shoot the messenger lol.

Good luck - Gerald

 

[BoilerUP]

I had a 26" 1:8 Criterion Rem-Age 6.5 Creedmoor; I got 2820 with a 140gr HPBT over 42.5gr H4350 and 2857fps with 140gr Amax Match factory ammo (barrel had about 950rds through it).

Same barrel cut back to 18" got 2640fps with the 140gr HPBT load and 2662fps with the 140gr Amax Match factory load.

Run the 18" velocities through a ballistics calculator and you might be surprised how a stub-nose 6.5 still performs relative to a 'full length' 308.

 

[6.5grendel]

I'm surprised by their data that the 142 smk lost velocity after 24". I guess I wouldn't be losing much at all going with 24". That's makes the decision pretty easy.

 

[Park ranger]

Wow, in my 30” barrel I’m getting 2880 with a Berger 140 with 42.2 of H4350. Just imagine how fast it would be if I sawed 6” off......

 

[Flouncer]

Chart data Looks hokey and well just lame Messenger get's a pass.

 

[Earnhardt]

From Rifleshooter.com.

From Rifleshooter.com. Please don’t shoot the messenger lol.

Good luck - Gerald


View attachment 1052779

That article and chart is bunk...

 

[Rob01]

I'm surprised by their data that the 142 smk lost velocity after 24". I guess I wouldn't be losing much at all going with 24". That's makes the decision pretty easy.

Don't believe that article. It's spreading bad info. From what others and I have discussed they were probably using a new barrel that sped up as the test went on with that slow load.

The Creedmoor was developed around a 28" barrel and gives excellent velocity in longer barrels. You don't lose velocity past 24". I have shot 28" barrels and also a 27" since 2008 in the cartridge. I get better velocity than others with shorter barrels. An apples to apples comparison with the same lot of factory ammo in my 27" is 2820fps and in my 28" is 2880fps. If that article was right you would see the faster speed in the 27".

 

[Clancy]

I’d do a 22” so from your choices 24.

 

[STOMP442]

I've got a 24" Shilen that's getting 2880fps with the 140 ELD and 42.5gr of R16 and Nosler brass. Plenty fast.

 

[Delfuego]

26" extra weight and length will be negligible over a 24"

if you running a can 22" works well

 

[CharlieNC]

While mine is a brother (6.5x47) with a 22" barrel it shoots 140gr at 1000yd very well. Originally 26" I had it cut back to my favorite 22" with a loss of 75fps but no obvious loss in performance out to 1000yd. Love the short barrels for field and steel shooting!

 

[6.5grendel]

I thought that info looked a little funny. Would anyone suggest getting a 26" over a 24" for the extra velocity for shooting out to a 1000yd.

 

[Rob01]

I thought that info looked a little funny. Would anyone suggest getting a 26" over a 24" for the extra velocity for shooting out to a 1000yd.

Both will make 1000 easily enough. Depends how much you want from it. Also you can always cut back a 26" barrel but you can't add length to a 24" if you find you got a slow barrel or wanted more.

 

[Texas10]

I guess I still don't get it. That chart fails to mention what propellant and charge weight was used. Clearly (to me) it was optimized for a 24 in barrel. A larger charge, or larger and slower burn rate or higher gas producing powder might produce a significantly different chart, IMOP.

Or have I learned nothing from the vast resource of knowledge that resides here?

 

[Shane Roya]

I use RL26 and Nosler Brass in my 6.5 Creedmoors and with my best accuracy loads in my 24" I get 2944 fps with 143 ELD-X and 2850 fps with 147 ELD-M bullets.
With my 26" barrel I get 2998 fps with 143 ELD-X and 2930 fps with 147 ELD-M bullets. Both will do a little faster but accuracy suffers. I shoot HBN coated bullets.