6.5 CM Barrel Length

[bornhunter04]

I'm starting a 6.5 CM build and have a few questions about barrel length. The rifle is going to be built off of a tac 30 action sitting in one of the new manners lightweight stocks. I'm looking at a possibly a m24 barrel contour, but my question is what length should i finish the barrel at? The barrel will be fluted of course.

My goal is to come in around 10-11 pounds with glass on top. So I'll be using lightweight scope rings and all of that, and of course glass selection will be critical for saving weight.

My gunsmith says I probably want to stick with a 22" barrel, but I'm more inclined to go shorter, like 18", especially with the thicker barrel. This won't be a mountain rifle, but it will be used to hunt with. What kind of velocity could, I, expect out of say an 18 or 20" barrel? I don't want the gun to be too nose heavy with a long barrel and that light stock.

Most shooting will be between 100-800 yards with hopefully 1000 yards every once in awhile.

Is there anyone out there with experience regarding an 18" barreled 6.5CM?

Someday, probably within the next year or two, I'll be getting a can for it.

 

[ddavis]

Re: 6.5 CM Barrel Length

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bornhunter04</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm starting a 6.5 CM build and have a few questions about barrel length. The rifle is going to be built off of a tac 30 action sitting in one of the new manners lightweight stocks. I'm looking at a possibly a m24 barrel contour, but my question is what length should i finish the barrel at? The barrel will be fluted of course.

My goal is to come in around 10-11 pounds with glass on top. So I'll be using lightweight scope rings and all of that, and of course glass selection will be critical for saving weight.

My gunsmith says I probably want to stick with a 22" barrel, but I'm more inclined to go shorter, like 18", especially with the thicker barrel. This won't be a mountain rifle, but it will be used to hunt with. What kind of velocity could, I, expect out of say an 18 or 20" barrel? I don't want the gun to be too nose heavy with a long barrel and that light stock.

Most shooting will be between 100-800 yards with hopefully 1000 yards every once in awhile.

Is there anyone out there with experience regarding an 18" barreled 6.5CM?

Someday, probably within the next year or two, I'll be getting a can for it. </div></div>

My 21" does ~2730 with factory 140's, as do my handloads. I'd imagine you would be around 2650-2700 with an 18". Go with a Med. Palma contour to save some weight.

 

[bornhunter04]

Re: 6.5 CM Barrel Length

Yeah, we're thinking either M24 or medium palma contour. I'd prefer medium palma contour to save weight. But it could come down to availability. So if anyone knows where I can find a krieger or bartlein barrel in 6.5 with a 1:8 twist let me know

 

[blackfoot]

Re: 6.5 CM Barrel Length

Grizzly

 

[021411]

Re: 6.5 CM Barrel Length

Bugholes has Bartlein 6.5 1:8 M24 in stock. I recently picked up a Bartlein 6.5 in the MTU profile and that sucker is a beast. Kinda debating now if I want to go 24. Maybe 22..

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: 6.5 CM Barrel Length

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bornhunter04</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My goal is to come in around 10-11 pounds with glass on top.</div></div>

FWIW, my 308 has a 21.75" m24 fluted barrel and rests in a standard T4 stock, without the scope it weights around 10-10.5 pounds... I can’t think of a reason not to go with a smaller profile, especially with your desired weight limit. A 20-21 inch Remington varmint makes for a well balanced rifle with a lighter weight stock.

 

[BoilerUP]

Re: 6.5 CM Barrel Length

22" light varmint barrel...couple extra inches worth of velocity with no weight penalty vs. a shorter Rem Varmint contour.

 

[bornhunter04]

Re: 6.5 CM Barrel Length

Okay, so after a little more thinking, the M24/40 contour will end up being way to heavy for this particular rifle.

What i like though is the thicker barrels finished off shorter. Which will have the greater diameter when finished at 22", a Remington varmint or a medium/standard palma contour? Anyone care to make a swag at what the barrels weight will be when finished at 22" with each contour?

ETA: Screw it, i just ordered a Varmint bartlein in 6.5 1:8 from bugholes. Decision making is done!

 

[JCH]

Re: 6.5 CM Barrel Length

I had a bartlein 8.5 twist in 6.5CM done. 18" barrel. Rem varmint contour spiral fluted. It's really a nice hunting and playing rig.

130vld was 2810
100amax was 3055

how much speed do you need?

 

[bornhunter04]

Re: 6.5 CM Barrel Length

I would like to stay above 2700 with 140gr. pills if possible.

So I've got the barrel and action on order. Just need to decide on barrel length yet.

However, 2800 with 130 vld's sounds good too.

So in reality how much would you be giving up velocity wise between 22, 20, and 18 barrel lengths?
I know there are a ton of factors at play but, so just a ball park figure will suffice.

But, does going too short and sacrificing speed defeat the purpose of this flat shooting cartridge?

 

[BoilerUP]

Re: 6.5 CM Barrel Length

Not *exactly* apples to apples with Creedmoor, but since they're so darn close...one member here has reported 2700fps with 142s from a 19" 260, with room to lean on it a little.

My own experience with the 260 has been that 1.0gr more powder than I use with 140gr A-Max pushes 130gr Bergers about 120fps faster.

 

[021411]

Re: 6.5 CM Barrel Length

I was just reading on another thread about 6.5CM barrel length. One guy said he was getting 2750 out of his Krieger 24" barrel. That was with factory 140 A-Max.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: 6.5 CM Barrel Length

While not a creedmoor, my 24" obermeyer 260 clocks 2830 with the 140 amax.

 

[021411]

Re: 6.5 CM Barrel Length

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Niles Coyote</div><div class="ubbcode-body">While not a creedmoor, my 24" obermeyer 260 clocks 2830 with the 140 amax.</div></div>

Handloads? What powder?

 

[Lowlight]

Re: 6.5 CM Barrel Length

I am ordering a MCM Alias STAR Q in 6.5CM and was going short... but that is me, I understand it's just a number, once you know it who cares.

Probably gonna go 21" at the most, maybe get froggy and do an 18.5" because I will more than likely shoot the 130s, or even 120s.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: 6.5 CM Barrel Length

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 021411</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Niles Coyote</div><div class="ubbcode-body">While not a creedmoor, my 24" obermeyer 260 clocks 2830 with the 140 amax.</div></div>

Handloads? What powder?</div></div>

Handloads-yes

I use H4350 and H4831sc but the velocity above is from H4350 and thats an adv from 25-30 shots.

 

[117D-RTO]

Re: 6.5 CM Barrel Length

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowlight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Probably gonna go 21" at the most, maybe get froggy and do an 18.5" because I will more than likely shoot the 130s, or even 120s. </div></div>

I was looking at the ballistics on the 120gr vs the 140gr and was surprised at how little difference there was. Looked like the 120gr@3020fps was better at elevation and didn't give up much on the wind. How do they compare in real world conditions, does the 120gr really hang in the wind compared to the 140gr?

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: 6.5 CM Barrel Length

That depends on what distance your shooting. Over 1k probably a good bit

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: 6.5 CM Barrel Length

I think it is your rifle and you should go with a length that suits your needs. Loss in velocity shouldn't be an issue for 6.5CM at the distances you cite and the shorter barrel may be way more appreciated. I just don't think, personally, I would want shorter that 20".

 

[bornhunter04]

Re: 6.5 CM Barrel Length

I agree loss in velocity isn't a huge issue. But, so I'm still debating between 20 and 22" What would be the velocity difference between them?

I don't guess anyone has both of them do they?

 

[tony2772]

Re: 6.5 CM Barrel Length

I have a LMT with a 20" 1:8 6.5 CM and with factory 140 Amax get 2730. I toned my reloads down to 2650 and it shoots sub moa at a K.