6.5 Creedmoor

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starnbar

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Ok before I say anything else I do not have a dog in this fight. For those in this forum who do own a rifle in this caliber what is the most effective barrel length for this cartridge in a AR configuration gas operated not a bolt I am talking AR only.
 
Most effective for what purpose? Longer range targets have different requirements than a shirt range thick woods hunting rifle. If I were to build a Creedmoor, it would be a general purpose rifle with an 18 to 20 in barrel and either mid length or rifle length gas system. The 28 to 20 is imo the best compromise for velocity and portability capable of targets to 600 yds and small enough to carry in dense woods.
 
what is the most effective barrel length for [6.5 creedmoor] in a AR configuration

“Most effective” for what?

I know some guys with 6.5 creeds in SBR’s and Specialty Pistols with barrels under 16”, and they’re exceptionally “effective” for the tasks for which they built them. I also know some guys with 27-29” 6.5 creeds, which are also highly effective for their tasks.
 
I’m going to break my own rule about assumptions and assume you are wanting a general purpose rifle with some hunting, truck gun and medium range plinking duties and based off that assumption I’ll tell you that my 18”, light weight 6.5 CM AR sees a lot more use than my 22” heavy barreled 6.5 CM AR. I’m talking probably 10:1. My heavy rifle shoots better than most bolt guns, but it’s just too heavy and awkward to see use for much other than the range. I’d steer you towards a fluted, medium weight barrel in the 18-20” range.
 
I’m going to break my own rule about assumptions and assume you are wanting a general purpose rifle with some hunting, truck gun and medium range plinking duties and based off that assumption I’ll tell you that my 18”, light weight 6.5 CM AR sees a lot more use than my 22” heavy barreled 6.5 CM AR. I’m talking probably 10:1. My heavy rifle shoots better than most bolt guns, but it’s just too heavy and awkward to see use for much other than the range. I’d steer you towards a fluted, medium weight barrel in the 18-20” range.
There you go I should have been a lot more specific as the question is for one of my sons I myself prefer a 762x51 but I am an old man
 
24”-26” is optimal in squeezing about every bit of energy. For an AR10, I would stick with 24” because I’m not concerned with sight. A 20” would save quite a bit of weight, but lose a bit of velocity. So you have to decide your compromise.
 
*For a general purpose rifle, 18-20”* “my choice “
For a target shooting rifle 22-26”
For long range shooting (1200-1500y) 26-28”
For a carbine sbr-cqb 14-16”

For a ear drum busting rifle 13.5 with a comp.
 
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Depends on your goals. Yes, you'll still be gaining speed with barrels longer than 24". But how much speed do you need. A 20" barrel will give you enough speed to get you out past 1000 yards. For most people 20-22" is enough.

And it is Creedmoor, not Creedmore. It's a Scottish word and technically should be pronounced with an accent.
 
Ok before I say anything else I do not have a dog in this fight. For those in this forum who do own a rifle in this caliber what is the most effective barrel length for this cartridge in a AR configuration gas operated not a bolt I am talking AR only.


Again for what specific purpose what does your “Son” want to do with it that’s the only way these threads can possibly work we need more info please
 
24”-26” is optimal in squeezing about every bit of energy. For an AR10, I would stick with 24” because I’m not concerned with sight. A 20” would save quite a bit of weight, but lose a bit of velocity. So you have to decide your compromise.
You don’t have to compromise. You can build a relatively lightweight large framed AR. I have an 18” 308 AR built on an Aero Precision receiver set that is just under 8lbs. I’ve got an 18” 6.5 Creedmoor also built on Aero receivers that is also right at 8lbs. I’ve got a POF Rogue in 308 that is under 6lbs. You don’t have to give up much from a practical standpoint these days to get a lightweight 308/6.5 CM AR. Unless you are specifically building a target rifle, there’s no need to go with a long heavy barrel.
 
You don’t have to compromise. You can build a relatively lightweight large framed AR. I have an 18” 308 AR built on an Aero Precision receiver set that is just under 8lbs. I’ve got an 18” 6.5 Creedmoor also built on Aero receivers that is also right at 8lbs. I’ve got a POF Rogue in 308 that is under 6lbs. You don’t have to give up much from a practical standpoint these days to get a lightweight 308/6.5 CM AR. Unless you are specifically building a target rifle, there’s no need to go with a long heavy barrel.


You misunderstood. I’m talking about the compromise being an AR10 with a 24”. Another 6” of barrel will add substantial weight to your already 8lb 18” rifle. So you have the weight with 18” barrel, but yours is taking a significant velocity hit over a 24”.

That is the compromise.
 
You misunderstood. I’m talking about the compromise being an AR10 with a 24”. Another 6” of barrel will add substantial weight to your already 8lb 18” rifle. So you have the weight with 18” barrel, but yours is taking a significant velocity hit over a 24”.

That is the compromise.
It’s not enough of a compromise to matter in the real world. That’s my point. Unless you are wanting a target rifle, an 18”-20” barrel is plenty for a 6.5 CM. A deer, coyote or whatever else you might be shooting with a 6.5 CM is never going to know the difference between an 18” barrel and a 24” barrel.
 
You misunderstood. I’m talking about the compromise being an AR10 with a 24”. Another 6” of barrel will add substantial weight to your already 8lb 18” rifle. So you have the weight with 18” barrel, but yours is taking a significant velocity hit over a 24”.

That is the compromise.
What I’m saying is, not many people are going to tote the extra 6” of barrel to get 100-150 fps. I guess we have different definitions of “significant”.
 
Not for the 6.5 Creedmoor case. They’re still gaining speed past 29”.

I though The Creed was still gaining speed at 1,000 yards with, under the right conditions, the ability to enter low earth orbit

I could be wrong though ;)

all kidding aside, most guys and gals that shoot F Class matches are running 30” barrels across multiple cartridges.

That’s bolt actions obviously and not what the OP is looking for
 
It’s not enough of a compromise to matter in the real world. That’s my point. Unless you are wanting a target rifle, an 18”-20” barrel is plenty for a 6.5 CM. A deer, coyote or whatever else you might be shooting with a 6.5 CM is never going to know the difference between an 18” barrel and a 24” barrel.


OP didn’t ask what is “good enough for people who don’t know any better?” He asked what is MOST effective. You’re trying to argue with me in defense of what YOU chose, instead of answering the OP’s question. So, have fun with that.
 
I though The Creed was still gaining speed at 1,000 yards with, under the right conditions, the ability to enter low earth orbit

I could be wrong though ;)


That is what many fan boys believe. It’s easier to simply believe it matches 6.5-284 without researching. Fanboyism 101. :rofl: Just watch.
 
I like an 18" barrel for AR10's in 308, the 6.5cm isn't quite as efficient in shorter barrels as the 308, so I'd probably stick with 20".

It's enough barrel at least for the majority of tasks. But mission dictates equipment.
 
@Nature Boy - dude, I seriously considered going back and editing, to point out it’s not anything to do with the Creedmoor case, but rather the fact we have 40+ grains of powder burning and decompressing in our bores - nothing unique to Creedmoors, just a simple acknowledgement of physics.
 
Ive shot out to 1300 yards with my friends 18 inch Colt 901 in 6.5CM. For a pure target rifle, yeah go with the longer barrel for more muzzle velocity and a little bit of extra wind cheating. For a general purpose rifle, a 18-20 inch 6.5CM is a very versatile package that's still easily packed.
 
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