Thread: 6.5x55 barrel length

I've done a bit of a search but can only find relevance to target shooting.
I've got a DPT can to stick on my T3, I would ideally like to keep the same OAL of the rifle but that would mean a chop to around 18.5".
95" of my shooting is done at less than 150m and would hardly see a shot over 200, Max 300m. I reload my own 140gn Amax rounds @ 2670fps in the current setup.
Am I going to lose much going down to 18.5? Is 18.5 too short for the 6.5?
Any other thoughts?

well if you keep barrel at current length and put can in daybag till you break out in the open country you can have cake and eat it too. that's what I do with .270 test it at 50 yards without can on and hopefully like my rifles you will be within cooee of where you are aiming, lets face 2" doesn't matter a shit for 99% of shots at bush ranges. if you get shot across gully/up slip etc chances are you will have time to fit can.
if you carry rifle with can fitted across chest with left hand on pistol grip it will balance quite nicely.

Cut it, 300m you won't notice the difference. No point it putting it on amd off for a max of 300m, just cut it and use it all the time

Im in the 'cut it' camp as well.

My 6.5x55 has an 18" barrel and gets 3k with the 120 TTSX and 2800 with the 140 Berger - noisy and kicks without the suppressor, but carries and points nice and still shoots inch at 110yds, great in tight bush, bang the suppressor back on when it opens up. Like the kid on TV says : Chop it!

Originally Posted by 257weatherby

My 6.5x55 has an 18" barrel and gets 3k with the 120 TTSX and 2800 with the 140 Berger - noisy and kicks without the suppressor, but carries and points nice and still shoots inch at 110yds, great in tight bush, bang the suppressor back on when it opens up. Like the kid on TV says : Chop it!

What powder do you run, I don't get that speed with 143g out of my 22"

Originally Posted by GWH

What powder do you run, I don't get that speed with 143g out of my 22"

IMR 7828, and or RL22 - the 140 VLD has a shorter bearing surface and that helps veocity gain. (the 120 TTSX gets 2209)

(Should have kept that rifle dammit!)

I got a 18.5 inch barrel on a Blaser... get 2800-2900 with a Barnes 120TTSX but not that accurate... have pretty much settled on a 100r TTSX at 3100 which has 3 shot groups under 20mm consistently. Am going to chop another 2 inches off it and have it suppressed all the time.. still good to 350 with this setup...

if you are staying under 300 or so, not a lot of point in worrying about the ballistic superiority of the 140 AMAX... personally I would fling a better constructed and lighter pill a little faster.. If you can get the 120TTSX to work well, its a brilliant choice for under 400m

Just remember....when you fuck the crown it'll end up 17.5 inches.....

Just split the difference, you won't notice it on the hill.

Cheers for you help so far guys.
I'm in half a mind to chop to 20" which would leave room in the gun cab for a bush pig such as the Marlin 45-70 Guide Gun that I have a hard on for. That way I have my options covered - and who doesn't like more guns?

Chop it. Won't matter at those ranges

And pointer can crown it for you with his hot spoon

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.