Thread: 6.5 Creedmoor

What is the ideal barrel length for the 6.5 Creedmoor, looked on line, which showed as good as or better velocities from 22-24" than 26" with the heavier projectiles. Rifle weight wasn't a problem but don't want to cart around extra barrel length for zero return.

Originally Posted by tetawa

What is the ideal barrel length for the 6.5 Creedmoor, looked on line, which showed as good as or better velocities from 22-24" than 26" with the heavier projectiles. Rifle weight wasn't a problem but don't want to cart around extra barrel length for zero return.

24-28 is optimal.

But even 18" does not give up much in terms of velocity/performance.

If I was buying one again, I'd probably opt for 20" and an Alliant RL16 powder.

Mine is 24" varmint profile, heavy but deliberately so, it doesn't bother me with a double sling. I won't change it simply because its dialled in and it works.

The 143gr ELD-X is working extremely well in the 2650-2750fps MV window, at impact velocities of 2400 down to 1900fps, its expanding nicely and killing cleanly. Goats mostly, a dozen or so reds. Just the one fail (my fault, and bad luck).

So take yer pick, 20, 22, 24" all work. All the testing of the 20" barrels has pretty much kicked the early views that the cartridge would be too slow, into touch. Especially with RL16 and Superformance.

With my 2209 load, a 20" barrel still achieves a 98% powder burn.

If you are hunting the FPS numbers, most 6.5s gain it simply by barrel length. For a GP rifle with nothing added to the spout, i'd go 22-24" or 20-21" if you want to add a suppressor.

I would go 20" my 3 .260 have 18" 19" and 20" and have only 50 fps difference from the 18 to the 20

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Check out the links on my posting here https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co.nz/f10/barrel-length-speed-interesting-articles-[6-5-creedmoor-308]-33228/

Originally Posted by tetawa

What is the ideal barrel length for the 6.5 Creedmoor, looked on line, which showed as good as or better velocities from 22-24" than 26" with the heavier projectiles. Rifle weight wasn't a problem but don't want to cart around extra barrel length for zero return.

Getting 2850fps with 2209 and the 130 Berger in a 22" and it's not hot.Entirely enough velocity and shrapnelizing copper'n lead for most of our deer out to 400 or so. Working on a Fallow, Wallaby and gong load at the mo, with the 107 TMK at 3050fps with 2206H, I'll get it to 3100 and call it good. Going the opposite direction to everyone else!.

Originally Posted by hotbarrels

Check out the links on my posting here https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co.nz/f10/barrel-length-speed-interesting-articles-[6-5-creedmoor-308]-33228/

That was the article that got me thinking.

The answer is always 'it depends'. From the way you wrote the question I assume you're looking to answer the performance/handiness trade-off for hunting?

I use a 41mm x 9" Gunworks overbarrel suppressor - started out with the barrel at 22", got it trimmed to 20" and really like it now, better balanced.

I have shot 140 Eld-m at 2645 with AR2209. Super accurate in my rifle. Only shot wobblies with it so can't really comment on terminal performance.

Now developed a load with Re16 and the 143 Eld-X doing 2670 that groups nicely. Didn't push it to see what it could do (trying to resist speed-hound tendencies @Mathias!). Also shoot 123 Eld-M at 2840 that lands 1/2 MOA high from the 143 load - happy days. If your rifle likes the 95 grain V-max then I got 3150 with it. And for a giggle the 85 grain Sierras and a bunch of Trail Boss trundles along at 1900fps.

All of these are in Lapua cases with CCI450 primers. Trying not to chase high velocities, just tiny groups. Works bloody well for that!

Hope some of this helps.

Got me thinking as well... Is superformance temp sensitive?

Watching this boys - Just picked one up and using Peterson Brass with small primer BR-2 primers and have bought a box of 147 ELD-X - But can't get 2209 up here in Auckland at the moment for the next month so was looking at alternatives to load up a ladder and see how she goes. in a 24" B-14 HMR Begara

Interested in others thoughts about powder alternatives for this round as there's no easy substitute for 2209 like there was in others...and whats in reasonable frequent supply.

Cheers

OK , I’ve been wondering just how the Creedmore relates to the other 6.5 offerings.
I dont want to start a pissing contest or for this thread to spiral out of its intended orbit .
I have a 6.5x55 that Kiwi Greg has helped me set up and he’s done load development for me .
If I remember correctly ( I haven’t picked it up yet and the wait until im back in NZ in September is killing me ) he worked up a safe accurate load that exceeded 2800fps with the 143 eld - x from its 18 inch barrel .
We settled on a slower load in the low 2700fps range because I just prefer to not push things to far .
Now Im very aware that the Swede has a bigger engine room than the Creedmore , but that larger capacity of the Swede is really only giving me a 50-100 fps increase over the smaller Creedmore?
Is that correct , or is every rifle just different and some are slow and some are fast ?

Originally Posted by dirkvanvuuren

Got me thinking as well... Is superformance temp sensitive?

Yes Superformance is more temp sensitive than the ADI powders, in saying that if you don't load max loads you stillshould be alright in summer when the temps creep up a bit.

Originally Posted by Mooseman

Yes Superformance is more temp sensitive than the ADI powders, in saying that if you don't load max loads you stillshould be alright in summer when the temps creep up a bit.

Yeah, I have ADI so will keep with that till it's done. Maybe next round. Wellington also doesn't fluctuate too much between seasons

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Originally Posted by Ground Control

OK , I’ve been wondering just how the Creedmore relates to the other 6.5 offerings.
I dont want to start a pissing contest or for this thread to spiral out of its intended orbit .
I have a 6.5x55 that Kiwi Greg has helped me set up and he’s done load development for me .
If I remember correctly ( I haven’t picked it up yet and the wait until im back in NZ in September is killing me ) he worked up a safe accurate load that exceeded 2800fps with the 143 eld - x from its 18 inch barrel .
We settled on a slower load in the low 2700fps range because I just prefer to not push things to far .
Now Im very aware that the Swede has a bigger engine room than the Creedmore , but that larger capacity of the Swede is really only giving me a 50-100 fps increase over the smaller Creedmore?
Is that correct , or is every rifle just different and some are slow and some are fast ?

I have three x55's, and they all shoot differently with the same load (fps-wise). They are all different brands of rifle, 2 are 1-8 twist and the other is 1-7 and a half-ish. All being equal, I'd imagine the same would be the story with 3 different 6.5 CM's. There is nothing in it, hunting-wise. The CM should be cheaper to run, if that is a concern, and the x55 can gain accuracy if its modded to AI. Horses for Courses at the end of the day.