Mid-length or rifle-length gas for 16" 6.5 Creedmoor Build

[StevieK]

With the high pressure of the 6.5CM round, using a 16" barrel, would not rifle-length gas be the way to go?

My thinking is that with the +2 setup on longer barrels, that rifle-length gas would be ideal for a 16-incher.

I am finding 16" barrels, but they have carbine- or mid-length gas setups, no rifle-length gas.

 

[AK4900PA]

Bump, as I have been looking into the exact same setup lately. As much as I'd like to try out a 6.5 Creedmoor I may stick with .308 since finding a 16" creedmoor barrel with a rifle length gas system has proven difficult. It looks like it would have to be a custom order. In my case the ballistic advantages are minimal since the gun will likely never be shot past 300 yards.

 

[StevieK]

Anyone have input?

 

[longshot2000]

Interesting question. I have only seen people chamber 6.5 in 18" lengths, which would be rifle, but there are 7.62 16" barrels that spec rifle gas system.

 

[j-dubya]

Let me preface this by saying I have no actual experience with the 6.5 in this barrel length YET, but I have worked with enough 308's in the shorter lengths to suggest that you most definitely go with a rifle gas length for your 16" barrel. I know I will whenever I get around to actually building my upper. The biggest hint for this is the use of the +2" gas on the 6.5's that more and more barrels are switching to. If I ever go back to an 18" or 20" 308 barrel, I will probably put a +2" system on it as well. I use rifle gas on the 16" and intermediate on the 14", so getting that gas port up near the muzzle with the 6.5's and 7.62's seems to be the best for smoothness and ease of system operation. Recoil and wear and tear on the brass have been the biggest indicators to me.

 

[StevieK]

Let me preface this by saying I have no actual experience with the 6.5 in this barrel length YET, but I have worked with enough 308's in the shorter lengths to suggest that you most definitely go with a rifle gas length for your 16" barrel. I know I will whenever I get around to actually building my upper. The biggest hint for this is the use of the +2" gas on the 6.5's that more and more barrels are switching to. If I ever go back to an 18" or 20" 308 barrel, I will probably put a +2" system on it as well. I use rifle gas on the 16" and intermediate on the 14", so getting that gas port up near the muzzle with the 6.5's and 7.62's seems to be the best for smoothness and ease of system operation. Recoil and wear and tear on the brass have been the biggest indicators to me.

Yes, I am building two AR10 setups right now - one in 308, and the other in 6.5 CM.

I already have a 16" 308 barrel with rifle-length gas, just need a Creedmoor barrel with the same configuration...