Short 6.5 CM load expectations?

[p3ripperfw]

Just got my 6.5 CM built and shooting factory Hornaday ammo. Ive only shot 40 rounds through the rifle at this point and it will shoot approximately .5 moa at 100 with 120 amax.

Im having the barrel cut down to 20" or 22" inches and having a thunderbeast brake installed with action bedded this week. As soon as I get the gun up and running again here in a few weeks Ill be looking into reloading equipment to get this thing worked up and get into the reloading game as well.

My question is what should I expect from these changes to the rifle other than the loss in velocity from the shortened barrel? Should I expect it to handle heavier or lighter bullets better after the barrel cut? Also do you forsee me being able to compensate for the loss in velocity by using a slightler faster burning powder that will achieve a more complete burn in a shortned barrel? Seems 4350 is king in this round but I wasnt sure if I wouldnt be better suited in a quicker burning powder with a shorter barrel. Most I have seen have been in the 24-30" ranges.

Ive looked through the topics on .260 and 6.5 but have found very few weapons with data for a shorter barrel like mine.

Heres my specs-

Savage short action
Criterion 6.5 CM barrel 26" 1:8 (getting cut to 20 or 22 inches)
Headspace is at less than .002"

Thanks for helping me brainstorm this.

 

[Killswitch Engage]

Re: Short 6.5 CM load expectations?

It will shoot the heavies fine and that will be where your performance is with the cartridge. The twist dictates the bullet weight not barrel length. You will probably see velocities in the low to 2700s for the 140 class bullets. truthfully the cartridge performs best with your barrel the length it was.

 

[p3ripperfw]

Re: Short 6.5 CM load expectations?

I hear ya on the barrel length...Ive been teetering both ways for a while and reading on here about the pros and cons of each....I just ran across a few 260 builds guys did with shortened barrels around 20"'s that seemed to compensate pretty well. For the areas I use my gun a 26" barrel is a big pain in the ass to get around with and maneuver thats why I really started considered shortening it. Also with a plan for a suppressor in the near future I figured it would make the gun a manageable length as well.

decisions decisions....

 

[p3ripperfw]

Re: Short 6.5 CM load expectations?

So is it feasible to think you can make up some of that velocity lost by using a faster burning powder or is that not a realistic option? If its not ill probably cut the barrel at 24"

 

[Down South]

Re: Short 6.5 CM load expectations?

If you're gonna run the 120s in a short barrel I would give Varget a try instead of H4350 and see what happens. My 6.5 X 47 loves it.

 

[Pusher591]

Re: Short 6.5 CM load expectations?

Found out yesterday my 21" Rock Creek barrel is pushing the 140 Amax at 2800, verified by dope. I like the shorter barrels, they are easier for me to handle when shooting offhand but I would go as long as you can THAT WORKS FOR YOU.

 

[p3ripperfw]

Re: Short 6.5 CM load expectations?

Ive seen a few guys shooting rock creeks in the shorter lengths in the reloading section and they all seem to create more velocity than others of the same length...Im starting to think Ill be sticking with a 24" or higher and not cutting off 6 inches of barrel like I had planned

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pusher591</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Found out yesterday my 21" Rock Creek barrel is pushing the 140 Amax at 2800, verified by dope. I like the shorter barrels, they are easier for me to handle when shooting offhand but I would go as long as you can THAT WORKS FOR YOU. </div></div>

 

[p3ripperfw]

Re: Short 6.5 CM load expectations?

I knew before hand that I could achieve 2800 fps with a 20 or 22" barrel Id be cutting it tomorrow but as of now I dont even know what my speed is with it at 26"

 

[Pusher591]

Re: Short 6.5 CM load expectations?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: p3ripperfw</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ive seen a few guys shooting rock creeks in the shorter lengths in the reloading section and they all seem to create more velocity than others of the same length...Im starting to think Ill be sticking with a 24" or higher and not cutting off 6 inches of barrel like I had planned

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pusher591</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Found out yesterday my 21" Rock Creek barrel is pushing the 140 Amax at 2800, verified by dope. I like the shorter barrels, they are easier for me to handle when shooting offhand but I would go as long as you can THAT WORKS FOR YOU. </div></div> </div></div>

No doubt! Rocks always seem to be fast, I love them. I was definitely happy with it's performance and velocity. Most guys I've seen running 20"-21" barrels have always been around 2740-2750. My dope confirmed it though, I was actually getting 2830 from the chrono but 1 high number bumped my average. 26" barrel should help you really hammer them home!

 

[p3ripperfw]

Re: Short 6.5 CM load expectations?

Yeah I think Im just going to have the barrel threaded and leave it full length. I was trying to make this a do it all gun but I think Ill just have to keep it built for long range precision stuff and build me a light weight carry gun with a bit smaller optic<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pusher591</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: p3ripperfw</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ive seen a few guys shooting rock creeks in the shorter lengths in the reloading section and they all seem to create more velocity than others of the same length...Im starting to think Ill be sticking with a 24" or higher and not cutting off 6 inches of barrel like I had planned

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pusher591</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Found out yesterday my 21" Rock Creek barrel is pushing the 140 Amax at 2800, verified by dope. I like the shorter barrels, they are easier for me to handle when shooting offhand but I would go as long as you can THAT WORKS FOR YOU. </div></div> </div></div>

No doubt! Rocks always seem to be fast, I love them. I was definitely happy with it's performance and velocity. Most guys I've seen running 20"-21" barrels have always been around 2740-2750. My dope confirmed it though, I was actually getting 2830 from the chrono but 1 high number bumped my average. 26" barrel should help you really hammer them home!</div></div>