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Any 16-19" shorty 6.5 Creedmoor or 260rems out there?

VKC

VKC

Gunny Sergeant
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Mar 29, 2010
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I have a 18.5" 6.5 Creedmoor bolt-action on order as it has become my favorite short-action caliber. I have other heavier 24-26" barreled 6.5 Creedmoors but I wanted something a little more handy for off-hand and non-prone positional shooting, and something easier to pack for longer distances.

I realize that it will have less effective powder burn and that I will lose velocity. I also realize that as the barrel gets shorter it will have less of an advantage over a 308win. I don't want this thread to turn out to be a 6.5 Creedmoor vs. 308win battle nor a lift weights so that you are shoot your long heavy contour barreled rifle argument, etc.

I'm curious to see other Hide members comments, pictures, load data, velocity, etc. that have either a 6.5 Creedmoor or 260 Rem sub-19" shorty rifle. Thanks.

Please state that following in your post if possible:
- caliber
- barrel manufacturer and length
- action
- muzzle velocity
- load data
- weight with scope.

Thanks.
 
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JFComfort has a 16.5" 6.5 Creedmoor and gets (IIRC) 2575 with 139s and a tick over 2800 with 123s.

RugerSlinger has a 19" 260 and gets 2700 with 142s.

I will have a shorty 260 Savage in the next couple months, though I can't decide if I want 16.5" or 18/18.5". Prob gonna be a Shaw 1:9 prefit, as I got a lightly used one cheap. 140gr Hornady HPBT and Nosler CCs look good stability wise, but I may just run 123 Amax and be done with it.
 
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Last time I chrono'd my 18.5, Hornady factory 140's were doing 2640fps. Short action Savage with a Mcgowen barrel. Factory Creedmoor ammo only so far. In between Optics right now, but I'm itching to put a MK6 3-18 with a TMR on it when they become available again.

pic with a March 3-24 on top.
 
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Please state that following in your post if possible:
- caliber
- barrel manufacturer and length
- action
- muzzle velocity
- load data
- weight with scope.
Click to expand...

-6.5 Creedmoor
-Rock Creek 5R Rem Varmint contour 16.5" (measured from front of lug to crown)
-Remington 700 short action
-2,820 fps
-123 Lapua Scenar, 40.5 grains of Varget, COAL 2.83", Tulammo LR primer
-I'll have to weigh the rifle, it didn't turn out as light as I wanted it. I'm using a US Optics LR-17
 
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JFComfort said:
-6.5 Creedmoor
-Rock Creek 5R Rem Varmint contour 16.5" (measured from front of lug to crown)
-Remington 700 short action
-2,820 fps
-123 Lapua Scenar, 40.5 grains of Varget, COAL 2.83", Tulammo LR primer
-I'll have to weigh the rifle, it didn't turn out as light as I wanted it. I'm using a US Optics LR-17
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information, very helpful. Your website is very nice and it sounds like a nice group of shooting friends you have. Next time I'm down in Vegas, I would like to get together to do some shooting if our schedules match up.
 
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Anyone know if I can get 2700fps out of a 18.5" barrel 6.5 Creedmoor with the 142smk or 140bergers with reasonable pressures? Of what would be a reasonable velocity range to expect?
 
VKC said:
Thanks for the information, very helpful. Your website is very nice and it sounds like a nice group of shooting friends you have. Next time I'm down in Vegas, I would like to get together to do some shooting if our schedules match up.
Click to expand...

Give us a heads up, it would be a lot of fun to do some shooting with you.

I think 2,700 fps is doable with a 18.5". Our team load is a 139 with 41.6 H4350 and it does 2,600 from a 16.5". With your longer barrel and possibly different powders 2,700 should be obtainable.
 
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VKC said:
Anyone know if I can get 2700fps out of a 18.5" barrel 6.5 Creedmoor with the 142smk or 140bergers with reasonable pressures? Of what would be a reasonable velocity range to expect?
Click to expand...

I'd think 2650 to be very realistic, with 2700 pushing it with H4350 yet possible with RL17
 
BoilerUP said:
I'd think 2650 to be very realistic, with 2700 pushing it with H4350 yet possible with RL17
Click to expand...

I'm using RL-17 but I'll probably load down from max for safety and barrel life. Hopefully will be to split the difference in velocity, but I'll be happy with 2650 for 140-142grs. At my DA, that would give about 7.9 mil elevation & 1.3 mil wind drift for 10mph @ 1000 yds. That would be optimal for what I want.
 
garandman said:
Y'all may want to mention your stock / chassis, to help the brotha out.
Click to expand...

Same barreled action, two different chassis.

Mirage ULR prototype chassis
150439_10201483863683063_2131645126_n.jpg


McRee T-Mag folder
481997_10200822325985034_188709345_n.jpg
 
some good info here

also trying to figure out best cartridge for short barrel
 
Had 260s, have a Creed, and plans to do a 47, and it will be 20-21.5" - subtle differences but all 3 accurate and overlap in speed.
 
While i don't have a shorty 6.5 i do have a 18" youth 243 pushing 105gr VLDs at 2700fps. Carries less energy than my 24" .308 but is similar as far as ballistics are concerned. Less drop and windage at 1000yds.

I'm with Boiler on the 139s and 142s i think it's possible but i think realistically it's going to be difficult to get there. That said i thought the same for my 243 yet a max load of 40gr of IMR 4350 shot the best and was right at the mark i wanted.
 
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I ended up with a 20" 1:8 McGowen 260 barrel, and get 2700fps with 140gr Hornady HPBT over 43.0gr H4350 in Nosler brass.
 
Boiler I would think you should be able to get a little more velocity than that, I shoot the same bullet as you with a 1:8 20" in Creedmoor and get around 2750. I also have a 260 with a 1:8 and get a little faster velocities with Hybrid 100V. I just built my buddy a 26" 260AI and man that thing screams and is just a laser beam with IMR 4064, if I remember right he is just a tad over 3K.

JFCOMFORT, I ran across your site late one and damn it you cost me alot of money. I had already been shooting a 1:8 20" Creedmoor in my LMT (barrel is 1 of 50 that LMT made in the begining) and just loved the cartridge. So after reading your site the next day I ordered a PAC-NOR 16.5" remington prefit with a barrel nut. Next I ordered one of Scott's compact carbine folders, and proceeded to order a new bare remington action from Brownells. Barrel should be here in a week or 2 as they were fluting it today. As with VKC I was looking for a shorter handier rife for hunting out of the deer blind ( still trying to get use to hunting here in Texas, quite a bit different than Idaho). I'm guessing it should weigh around 9lbs or so with scope, the barrel is .875 at the muzzle so it will have a little weight.
 
I cut my bartlein .260 to 17" with a set back chamber. The barrel had 3K rounds on it before I cut it. A 140 AMAX and 44.5gr of H4350 goes about 2600 according to my dope.
 
Tony keep us updated on the build and if I can be of any help let me know!


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Well JF still waiting on the barrel, should be any day now. Forgot to mention that I'm going to have the whole thing Nitrited. Just curious if you think the 123's or the 108's would be better for an all around load for out to a K. I don't think I will be able to get the 140 class bullets moving fast enough to be effective out to a K.
 
tony2772 said:
Well JF still waiting on the barrel, should be any day now. Forgot to mention that I'm going to have the whole thing Nitrited. Just curious if you think the 123's or the 108's would be better for an all around load for out to a K. I don't think I will be able to get the 140 class bullets moving fast enough to be effective out to a K.
Click to expand...

I have shot the 139's @ 2,600 fps and they did great at 1k. Having said that I think the 123 and Varget combo will be best all around. I think the barrel treatment is a good idea. The longer your load is "in the zone" the better.


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JFComfort said:
I have shot the 139's @ 2,600 fps and they did great at 1k. Having said that I think the 123 and Varget combo will be best all around. I think the barrel treatment is a good idea. The longer your load is "in the zone" the better.


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Click to expand...

JFComfort, would you say that the 6.5CM is a little more versatile in a 16.5" gun than the .308? A 16.5 incher will most likely be my next build and I'm on the fence on what to go with. I have a 26" custom .260 already. There's just a part of me though that is drawn to the 6.5mm cartridges.


ETA: It will be used for distances out to around 1,000. Maybe a little more if I feel frisky.
 
Power are you using the standard stock or the compact carbine.
JF I agree with your assessment on the 123's as well. From all the realistic numbers I've ran the 123's seem to run the best numbers. Also maintaining a modest velocity I should have increased brass life. Currently I shoot the 140's out of my 1/8 20" LMT at 2636 Fps and I probably have at least 12 reloads on the 308 BHM brass that I reformed into 6.5 CM a year and half ago. I think 44gr of 4350 is just to much and asking for problems. I will be happy if I can push them to 2700 and should maintain longer barrel life with the Nitrite treatment.
As far as a 6.5 being handier than a 308 in a short package, I would have to say yes if you simply compare the ballistics and look at the dope charts you will beat a 308 even with a 123.
Not trying to start any long debates, this is just my belief. I have a 16" 308 currently and a22" also and much prefer shooting my 6.5's any day of the week. With that being said, all of the animals I have take. This year have been with the 22" 308 bolt simply due to the fact I can't leave well enough alone and keep changing things on my 6.5's and they never seem to be ready to go when I get a chance to go hunting.
 
tony2772 said:
Power are you using the standard stock or the compact carbine.
JF I agree with your assessment on the 123's as well. From all the realistic numbers I've ran the 123's seem to run the best numbers. Also maintaining a modest velocity I should have increased brass life. Currently I shoot the 140's out of my 1/8 20" LMT at 2636 Fps and I probably have at least 12 reloads on the 308 BHM brass that I reformed into 6.5 CM a year and half ago. I think 44gr of 4350 is just to much and asking for problems. I will be happy if I can push them to 2700 and should maintain longer barrel life with the Nitrite treatment.
As far as a 6.5 being handier than a 308 in a short package, I would have to say yes if you simply compare the ballistics and look at the dope charts you will beat a 308 even with a 123.
Not trying to start any long debates, this is just my belief. I have a 16" 308 currently and a22" also and much prefer shooting my 6.5's any day of the week. With that being said, all of the animals I have take. This year have been with the 22" 308 bolt simply due to the fact I can't leave well enough alone and keep changing things on my 6.5's and they never seem to be ready to go when I get a chance to go hunting.
Click to expand...

The 123's were what I kinda had in mind if I went the 16.5" Creedmoor route. I figured I'm already running 140's in a 6.5mm cartridge (.260) with a longer barrel so why not change it up a bit. As long as you guys are having good success out to 1,000 out of that short of a barrel and 123's, I'd be happy.
 
AntiSaint said:
The 123's were what I kinda had in mind if I went the 16.5" Creedmoor route. I figured I'm already running 140's in a 6.5mm cartridge (.260) with a longer barrel so why not change it up a bit. As long as you guys are having good success out to 1,000 out of that short of a barrel and 123's, I'd be happy.
Click to expand...

16.5" 6.5mm vs 16.5" .308, I think can be summed up easily. From the numbers I've ran the 6.5mm will have better ballistics, especially running a 123 load and Varget. The .308 will have the advantage when it comes to energy on target. I have gone the 6.5mm route, the only .308 I own is a Sig 716 gas gun.
 
JFComfort said:
16.5" 6.5mm vs 16.5" .308, I think can be summed up easily. From the numbers I've ran the 6.5mm will have better ballistics, especially running a 123 load and Varget. The .308 will have the advantage when it comes to energy on target. I have gone the 6.5mm route, the only .308 I own is a Sig 716 gas gun.
Click to expand...

Even with lower energy, spotting hits at 1,000 shouldn't be much of an issue with the 6.5 and 123's, correct?
 
I have a 6.5x47 suppressed at 20 inchs, 38 gr varget 130 berger hunting vld at 2800 fps.
 
- caliber - .260 made by Collier rifles
- barrel manufacturer and length - Bartlein 26" with 1:8.5 twist
- action - Remington 700
- muzzle velocity - 2900 fps
- load data - H4350 powder 41 gr, Nosler 140gr HPBT, southwest ammunition .260 cases (have to use neck turning tool to fit the chamber)
- weight with scope - unknown, definitely not light (H-S Precision stock plus long barrel responsible for that!)
 
I believe the thread is for 16-19", I don't think your 26" falls in to that category. Thanks for the info anyways.
 

Finally got the new barrel in and mounted, going out Saturday to put a few rounds down the tube before I send it off to H&M Metal Processing to get the Nitride. It came in a little heavier than I was wanting, as it sits it weighs 10.5. With the HS precision LTR stock it weighs right at 9.
 
Very nice rifle! Short heavy barrels shoot great! Even with a suppressor it's going to be handy as hell!


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That's a nice looking rifle tony. Are you gonna chrono it before you get it nitrided? Looks like that is one handy little rifle!
 
Yes I will chrono graph it with some 140 loads I have for my LMT to get a base line and then rechrono graph it when it's Nitirided to see if there is any difference. From reading up on the Nitriding I should see a little increase, not sure if it will be anything to write home about with the short barrel.
 
tony2772 said:
Yes I will chrono graph it with some 140 loads I have for my LMT to get a base line and then rechrono graph it when it's Nitirided to see if there is any difference. From reading up on the Nitriding I should see a little increase, not sure if it will be anything to write home about with the short barrel.
Click to expand...

That's what I've been curious about, how much FPS increase one could reasonably expect to see along with increased barrel life. The whole idea of nitriding is definitely interesting.
 
I will be posting the results when I have the #'s, but it will probably be at least 3-4 weeks before I have those figures though.
 
No worries. I'm just about to put together a shorty 6.5mm hunter, and undecided between 260 and 6.5CM...and how short to cut the barrel...Keep me posted...
skkeeter said:
260 Rem. Honestly haven't crono'ed it yet. I put it together for a new deer hunting rig for this next fall. So haven't played with it much yet. I plan on using H4350 and 139 Scenars, or some 140 VLD's. Sorry I don't have any data for you.
Click to expand...
 
JFComfort said:
I have shot the 139's @ 2,600 fps and they did great at 1k. Having said that I think the 123 and Varget combo will be best all around. I think the barrel treatment is a good idea. The longer your load is "in the zone" the better.


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Click to expand...

Any good alternatives to Varget for 123gr? Any load data and velocities with barrel length.


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VKC said:
Any good alternatives to Varget for 123gr? Any load data and velocities with barrel length.


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Click to expand...

I'll dig around when I get home. I think XBR and CFE also worked well



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