Gunsmithing 6.5 CM Barrel Length

03psd

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
May 27, 2006
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Oklahoma
ETA: I should have searched. My mistake. Plenty of threads on this already. Looks like 23-24" is optimal for factory or handloads. 20 is minimum but requires handloads and loses advantages of heavies because of pressure signs trying to get the necessary speed to maximize the caliber.I reckon I will stay with my 23" and deal with the weight. Thanks


I have a 23" 6.5 CM barrelled action thats going back to the builder to be recoated. I am considering having it cut down and rethreaded while there. In the AI AX chassis and the current barrel length, its just very muzzle heavy. We know a 18" .308 can still get it done at 1k, what is the minimum I would want for a 8 twist 6.5CM that would still be effective out to 1k ?
 
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Any common 6.5 chambering will be ballistically better (drop/drift) than a 308 of the same barrel length.

Even if velocity is the same between the two, the 6.5 bullets will have higher BC.

understood, but I dont recall seeing any short barrel 6.5 rifles but 7.62 shorties seem t be all the rage. JUst wondering if all the 6.5 guys are going 1k+ and need the added length or if there is some advantage to it in the 600-1000 range as well.
 
I got a gap 20" 6.5cm and it shoots factory 120&140's great. I shooto it to 1000yds all the time. It does suffer ballistically but is accurate none the less.

I will say that the 308 20" I carry with my cm drifts in the middle of the 120&140 grainers shooting 175 fgmm.

I also shoot.260's 6.5x284's, 6.5x47's off different variety with some long some short bbls. I understand and see what I'm giving up ballistically but some times mobility gets the nod.

I went with the cm because of factory ammo and still like the 20" cm over the 20" 308. Recoil is less and is very consistant.

Good luck