6.5 Creedmoor Barrel length

[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.