I have an M5E1 with SD-E trigger and dwilson bcg just waiting for a good 6.5 creedmoor barrel. I am not looking to go too heavy and would prefer to stay at 18-20" I was initially looking at BA 18" and 20" but I don't really care for the bull profile of them. Any suggestions for a 18-20" would be appreciated. I am currently leaning toward the Criterion barrels sold at Brownells due to their profile and reputation. Any help and suggestions would be appreciated.
Pick a 6,5 Creedmoor Barrel for my M5E1
- Thread starter 65FAN
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Don't cheap out on the barrel!!! you've made yourself a respectable budget build there. The two most important parts to your build will be the Barrel and Trigger, so get the best you can.
Compass Lake Eng..
Bartlein Barrel in any contour you want.. $495.00
Make sure you have a HP Bolt, and I would strongly encourage you to have the barrel at 22" medium Varmint Contour, +2 gas and flute the barrel. I have this exact style of barrel and it surprisingly light I can give you the specs if you choose to go this route.
Compass Lake Eng..
Bartlein Barrel in any contour you want.. $495.00
Make sure you have a HP Bolt, and I would strongly encourage you to have the barrel at 22" medium Varmint Contour, +2 gas and flute the barrel. I have this exact style of barrel and it surprisingly light I can give you the specs if you choose to go this route.
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Yes... You have to click on other calibers. They will do .308 and 6.5 CM, just call them..
You get the blank from bugholes.com and there is no wait for Krieger or Bartlein, AND THEY DON'T COST $650!! unless you want it Fluted and painted. .. what options did you pick??
I have a 23" Krieger in my M5 that SAC was kind enough to spin up for me, because they had it kicking around.
I've sold three M5s in 6.5CM with 22" BA barrels, and yes, they're kind of heavy. But reports back from those who bought them point out that they've got very good accuracy. And the price for these bbls is pretty reasonable. Perhaps you should try one, maybe get it fluted if you think it's too heavy to suit your needs.
Is there a shop that offers pretty quick turnaround on fluting? I was thinking LRI, but I haven't reached out to Chad to see if he would do it. The barrels shoot good, but at just under 5lbs, the 22" barrels are pretty heavy.
I went with a Criterion 18" (2.7 lbs) and ordered a jp adjustable gas block to go with it. I have a feeling it will do what I want It to do. I had considered the BA barrels but the weight was more than I wanted on the front as this will not be a BR gun. If it does not shoot to my liking I will most likely get a Bartlein turned up in the profile I want. Can't wait to get it to assemble and test.
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Last time I needed a 6.5CM bbl from BA, they were out of 22", so I settled for a 20" one. In Aero Precision receivers, 12" AP float tube, Magpul ACS carbine buttstock, it weighs 10lbs 1oz. Not an apples-to-apples comparison, but another AP M5 w/21" Krieger, 15" float tube, weighs 10lbs 10oz. The Krieger bbl'd M5 has a SF SOCOM brake, & a PRI 20 MOA scope rail/riser, while the BA M5 has an A2 birdcage flash suppressor & no scope rail/riser.
Couldn't agree more. I get .5 MOA with factory ammo through mine and several friends have had the same experience. Their HP bolts are really nice as well.
For off the shelf ready to go 6.5cm barrels that flat out shoot I put JP at #1 and Rainier Ultramatch (Shilen Blank) at #2. With the JP you get a HP bolt already headspaced to your barrel so all you need is the bolt carrier (JP or Rubber City). I personally have gone the custom route on my two 6.5cm AR10 barrels.
Keystone Accuracy spins up any barrel you want, profile, gas length, fluting, etc. as well as Patriot Valley Arms. Dont go with anything other than a +2 gas system.
Keystone Accuracy spins up any barrel you want, profile, gas length, fluting, etc. as well as Patriot Valley Arms. Dont go with anything other than a +2 gas system.
$1000.00 for a barrel/bolt/bcg is a lot of money. Theres got to be options almost as good for a good bit less.
Also, seems like all the drop in barrels are rifle length gas tubes. Everyone says +2 for 22" barrel but seems manufactures are doing that.
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Got the barrel and gas block installed. Headspace checked out just fine. I will go to the range this week to adjust the gas setting and get a few rounds down range. Didn't realize how short the 18" would feel on the rifle but the balance and weight are pretty nice. I will throw a scope on it in a few weeks to break it in and shoot some groups.
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I would call Ritch at Ritch's Precision Guns and order a BHW barrel. I have two Black Hole barrels (neither in 6.5 CM, however) and both shoot real well
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Have you had a chance to shoot a RA 6.5creed barrel? I've used their 223 Wylde barrels with great success, I just haven't seen many accuracy reports for the 6 or 6.5creed.
I've had great initial success with the BA barrels, but they are rifle length and not +2. Can you expand on the need for a +2. I'm running a JP SCS and JP Adj. gas, w/ suppressor and have no issues on cycling or bolt hold open on an empty mag, but I have noticed that the bases of Hornady 147's have some impressive marks after firing. I haven't noticed any marks on the 140 eld cases. Would a +2 prevent this, or is this just a byproduct of running the 147's in a gasser?
+2 gas is going to be easier on your brass amd less recoil. Just got my Bartlein +2 gas installed last week and no more beating up brass like rifle gas did.
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