6.5 Creedmoor Barrel length

[Bofire]

  What length barrel would you want on a 6.5 Creedmoor? I have been looking at the Browning XBolt LR with a 26 inch barrel. That is a fairly small case so is the long barrel needed?
Carl

[jay.sharkbait]

I have been using 22" barrels in the gas guns.

I think 26 is trying to compensate for other deficiencies.

[jrebel]

Most factory bolt guns run the 6.5 creedmoor at 22".  I have seen a few at 24" Savage Stealth and I believe Ruger precision.....and these are suppose to be their precision rifles so I would believe they have probably optimized the barrel length for that round.     Would be very interested to hear others opinions as it will probably be my next rifle and I was looking at the savage stealth.   

[TheHunt]

You can order a heavy barrel 26 inch length from the Ruger Precision.

[257 Wby Mag]

20" absolutely no longer than 22"....

[JBar]

I have the xbolt western hunter in 6.5 with a 22" and it drives tacks. I'd say 26 isn't necessary on a hunting rig if that's your intention.

[Jonathan_S]

Keep in mind that accuracy really isn't dependent on barrel length at all. So depending on what the gun is for, don't feel tied to a long barrel

[Bob33]

The primary, and in many cases only advantage of a longer barrel is increased velocity. It may also balance better and reduce perceived muzzle blast.

[Bofire]

to reword my question:
Considering the size of the case, burn time of powder, what would be the optimal barrel length? I am aware that barrel travel after all propellant is burnt actually slows the projectile down due to friction. I am also aware that the burn rate of the powder will have an impact.
With the small volume of the 6.5 case I am wondering if 26 might be too long.
 I am looking at Bolt guns and like nice guns that Browning caught my eye. Tikka apparently does not chamber the 6.5 Creedmoor, they do offer the 6.5X55.
thanks for your help
Carl

[jay.sharkbait]

to reword my question:
Considering the size of the case, burn time of powder, what would be the optimal barrel length? I am aware that barrel travel after all propellant is burnt actually slows the projectile down due to friction. I am also aware that the burn rate of the powder will have an impact.
With the small volume of the 6.5 case I am wondering if 26 might be too long.
 I am looking at Bolt guns and like nice guns that Browning caught my eye. Tikka apparently does not chamber the 6.5 Creedmoor, they do offer the 6.5X55.
thanks for your help
Carl

22" seems to be the point of diminishing returns with factory ammunition.

You could go shorter if shooting suppressed.

If speed is a big concern I'd think about 6.5 SAUM or 6.5 Short mag

[Bofire]

OK then! A stainless stalker Browning X bolt 22 inch, Leupold VX3 4.5X14, side focus, with either drop in dial or dots on the cross hair. I think I like dots on the cross hair better.
Carl

thanks to all

[Jonathan_S]

Those x-bolts are pretty smooth rifles. Out of the box they are really good!

[Bofire]

just found out you can get the Tikka T3x in 6.5 Creedmoor, in the CTR model, 24 inch barrel, ten round mag. 8 lbs. (you can get 20 inch also)
Carl

[257 Wby Mag]

A pard has the 20", dandy....

[Yondering]

to reword my question:
Considering the size of the case, burn time of powder, what would be the optimal barrel length? I am aware that barrel travel after all propellant is burnt actually slows the projectile down due to friction. I am also aware that the burn rate of the powder will have an impact.
With the small volume of the 6.5 case I am wondering if 26 might be too long.
 

With that criteria, no, 26" is not too long; it will still give higher velocity than the same barrel at 22".

Most people recommending shorter barrels are doing so based on a convenient size of the gun, not a ballistically ideal length for maximum velocity.

[jnordwell]

I have a 6.5 in a weatherby vanguard with 24" barrel I'd think 22-24 is damn near perfect unless you want a lighter brush if u want a light at brush gun.

[savagehunter]

I'm right around 2800 fps with 143 gr bullets out of a 20 inch barrel that should shoot as far as I'm able

[CaNINE]

I'm right around 2800 fps with 143 gr bullets out of a 20 inch barrel that should shoot as far as I'm able

Savagehunter - what powder are you running to get 2800 fps from a 20" with 143 grain bullets? RL17?

[CaNINE]

Carl - that tikka would make for a nice carry weight rifle and the 24" tube is a good compromise length. I haven't done any studies with the 6.5CM in various barrel lengths to know where the point of diminishing returns is on barrel length but I can tell you that my 26" varmint contour can accurately push 140 VLD's beyond 2900 fps with H4350. I find that pretty remarkable from that case. Now that rifle is purpose built for long range target work and varminting and not one I'd want to stalk through the woods with.   

[highside74]

I have a Browning xbolt Hells Canyon in 6.5 with a 22" barrel. From what I found on the interwebs, the gains from a longer barrel are negligible at best for speed past 22". So if it's a hunting gun I wouldn't go any longer. My gun shoots really well with HSM Berger factory ammo and the Winchester LR.

[JLR]

I have had both 24" and 26" versions for my comp guns and I didn't feel like I was giving anything up with the 24".  I ran 140s at 2800 in both guns as that was the sweet spot, and I think you could get there with a 22" barrel most likely as well and still maintain good barrel/brass life.  My recommendation would be the 24" for all around use as you will have more flexibility in powder/bullet/performance use.

[Bill W]

maybe accuracy is a plus thru the longer barrels.  It might be the mfgr found something as a bonus for the longer lengths.  Velocity isn't king, accuracy is.

[Biggerhammer]

20" - 22"  Velocity is great, accuracy is final. I've watched some amazing stuff done at distance with a 20" .338 Lapua.

Most don't realize powder selection is key when it comes to barrel length.

[kbrowne14]

I believe that most of the PRS guys running the 6.5 CM or 6.5x47, and others are running the 26 inch barrel for 1 reason or another, but check out this link.  http://precisionrifleblog.com/2013/07/16/6-5-creedmoor-barrel-length-and-muzzle-velocity/

The precision rifle blog does a lot of just comparing, and not so much having opinions. 

Check it out.