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.