Thread: 6.5x55 barrel length

20" seems a good compromise Tim.
18.5" is too short for a 6.5x55 in my mind, prob okay for a .260.

Originally Posted by dogmatix

18.5" is too short for a 6.5x55 in my mind, prob okay for a .260.

this doesn't make sense either

Originally Posted by gimp

this doesn't make sense either

What?
That a 6.5x55 shooting a 140gn projectile with ADI 2209 through a 18.5" barrel might only be doing 2200fps, going to a faster powder away than the 2209 burn rate is not ideal for the cartridge.
Versus a 260, which could use a faster powder such as 2206H for the 140gns, so you could go with a shorter barrel and make up for lost velocity with tweaking the loads more.

Seems pretty basic to me.

Originally Posted by dogmatix

What?
That a 6.5x55 shooting a 140gn projectile with ADI 2209 through a 18.5" barrel might only be doing 2200fps, going to a faster powder away than the 2209 burn rate is not ideal for the cartridge.
Versus a 260, which could use a faster powder such as 2206H for the 140gns, so you could go with a shorter barrel and make up for lost velocity with tweaking the loads more.

Seems pretty basic to me.

It's just not correct

More like 2600 with 2209 dude

2745 with 2209 and 140gr from 20 inch 6.5x55


a bigger case = more speed, always. the difference between a bigger case and a smaller case decreases with a shorter barrel, but bigger pretty much always = faster


2206H sucks shit in a .260, it's never faster than 2209 with a 140 down to like a 4 inch barrel if loaded to the same pressure

Originally Posted by dogmatix

20" seems a good compromise Tim.
18.5" is too short for a 6.5x55 in my mind, prob okay for a .260.

Why too short? :3000fps with a 120TTSX, you're not gonna stand in front of it at 300, are you? Tahr don't, they tumble over a couple of times and say goodnight.
:2800fps with a 140 VLD Berger, you willing to stand in front of that at 500? Deer don't, they tip up and say goodnight too.

I have to do a load development on a 7mm Mag with a 17" barrel next week, now THAT, is too short!

I'd own and shoot shit out of an 18 inch 6.5x55, got a 19 inch .260 and it smokes things

PS, I own and load for a 24" 6.5x55 and load for a 22 7/16" 6.5x55, so I'm not talking out of my arse.