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Semi-Light shorter barrel build, looking for some feedback

A

AleksanderSuave

Active Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2024
Messages
27
Location
Detroit
Looking to build myself an 18-20" barreled 6.5 creedmoor, that I would like to take on an elk hunt next year.

Im pretty set on the caliber, but looking at other items (actions, stocks, etc) and wanted some advice or a sanity check. Realistically going to keep shooting distance at 500 yards or less. Would like to make this rifle about 8.5-9 lbs max.

Stock: Manners PH or LRH.
Action: Between a Kelblys Nanook, Terminus Apollo Lite, or Possibly a Zermatt TL3, originally planned on Defiance Anti but seeing them OOS most places and the price having gone up I would like to try other brands.
Trigger: Undecided
Barrel: Not sure yet on contour, possibly a stainless steel with fluting, was considering a Bartlein prefit, but seeing a lot of places doing prefits for either of the above actions, including PVA, Straight Jacket, Preferred Barrel Blanks, or Bugholes.
Rings - undecided
Scope: Considering a Tract Toric UHD 2.5-15x.

Suppressor: TBD - would like to get a 308 K Size can. I already have a CGS Hyperion full size can. This 308k can will likely double on a 6 arc gas gun when not used for hunting.

Thank you in advance for your help!
 
Manners LRH
Kelbly Nanook
Proof Sendero Light CF if you plan to hang a suppressor on the end
Triggertech Diamond or BixN Andy Tac Sport Pro
ARC M-Brace, Seekins, or Hawkins
You didn't mention bottom metal. For BDL, Hawkins M5 BDL or Hawkins Hunter DBM w. Hawkins Hunter mag

For suppressor, TBAC Ultra 5 Gen 2.
 
lancetkenyon said:
Manners LRH
Kelbly Nanook
Proof Sendero Light CF if you plan to hang a suppressor on the end
Triggertech Diamond or BixN Andy Tac Sport Pro
ARC M-Brace, Seekins, or Hawkins
You didn't mention bottom metal. For BDL, Hawkins M5 BDL or Hawkins Hunter DBM w. Hawkins Hunter mag

For suppressor, TBAC Ultra 5 Gen 2.
Click to expand...
Thank you, was particularly interested in TBAC options for this. Didnt mention bottom metal yet, figured it would be dependant on the action, but Hawkins M5 was on my list.

Im trying to avoid Proof barrels at this point. I have owned 3 of their AR barrels (1 being a replacement for a dud), and a 28" on a defiance bolt action, and to be honest, Im not too impressed with my experiences with the brand so far.

Also just saw a Defiance Renegade action as well, that Im half considering adding to the list.
 
I have an 18" sig cross in 6.5 CM and a 20" 6.5 PRC. For elk, out of a shorter barrel I would go PRC if I wanted 500 yd capability.

My 6.5 PRC shoots 147 gr ELD-M at 2815 fps. I hope to try some 127 gr LRX factory ammo as well, but haven't had a chance yet.
 
AleksanderSuave said:
Thank you, was particularly interested in TBAC options for this. Didnt mention bottom metal yet, figured it would be dependant on the action, but Hawkins M5 was on my list.

Im trying to avoid Proof barrels at this point. I have owned 3 of their AR barrels (1 being a replacement for a dud), and a 28" on a defiance bolt action, and to be honest, Im not too impressed with my experiences with the brand so far.

Also just saw a Defiance Renegade action as well, that Im half considering adding to the list.
Click to expand...
You just said "lightweight", and Proof are one of the lightest barrels out.

That being said, Bartlein has a CF #4 contour.
 
Based on my muzzle velocity of 2815 fps, a 147 gr ELDM would be doing 2197 fps and have 1576 ft lb of energy at 500 yd. Plenty to expand that bullet at that distance. Elevation is 9.1 MOA and windage for a 5 mph crosswind from 9 o'clock is 1.6 MOA.

Starting at 2615 fps, likely generous for a CM, but a reasonable starting point numbers are 2023, 1336, 10.7 and 1.8. Still enough for expansion which should occur down to 1800 fps with that bullet but significantly less energy and about 8 inches more drop.
 
I'd concur on the 6.5 prc, you give up a round down a little extra ammo and brass cost and swap to a bigger bolt face. I think the slightly higher consumption of powder and marginally higher brass cost will be worth it especially in a short barrel. Both have ample quality brass and loaded ammo available flinging the same bullets just a few hundred fps apart.

With that said, most those components you had listed have very accurate posted weights around the web. When I'm doing the weight weenie dance, a spreadsheets can really help decide.

Nanook is 26.5, the apolo lite is 26, the bighorn is 31. So your talking a range of 5 oz, we're the anti still available it was 21.

Probably looking at only a few oz difference between a straight bdl, m5 hawkins bdl, and the hunter dbm.

I'm away from my tablet, but have compiled a list of barrel makers doing kimber Adirondack style bump shoulder barrels. I'd Hazzard a guess that a 2 or 2b with a shoulder will beat carbon in 18 or 20 inches in weight. Most carbon "lite" profiles are still relatively heavy contours, magnified in shorter lengths. It's worth noting, my last fluted number 2 lost more weight getting cut from 20 to 18.5 than it lost being fluted. Pacnor as pretty decent barrel weight calculator and it can help you get some numbers for the spread sheet.

28.5 oz scope plus can takes a pretty big chunk out of 8.5 lbs.
 
AleksanderSuave said:
Looking to build myself an 18-20" barreled 6.5 creedmoor, that I would like to take on an elk hunt next year.

Im pretty set on the caliber, but looking at other items (actions, stocks, etc) and wanted some advice or a sanity check. Realistically going to keep shooting distance at 500 yards or less. Would like to make this rifle about 8.5-9 lbs max.

Stock: Manners PH or LRH.
Action: Between a Kelblys Nanook, Terminus Apollo Lite, or Possibly a Zermatt TL3, originally planned on Defiance Anti but seeing them OOS most places and the price having gone up I would like to try other brands.
Trigger: Undecided
Barrel: Not sure yet on contour, possibly a stainless steel with fluting, was considering a Bartlein prefit, but seeing a lot of places doing prefits for either of the above actions, including PVA, Straight Jacket, Preferred Barrel Blanks, or Bugholes.
Rings - undecided
Scope: Considering a Tract Toric UHD 2.5-15x.

Suppressor: TBD - would like to get a 308 K Size can. I already have a CGS Hyperion full size can. This 308k can will likely double on a 6 arc gas gun when not used for hunting.

Thank you in advance for your help!
Click to expand...
A 6.5 CM for 500Y would NOT be my choice, especially with an 18-20" barrel. Is the 8.5-9 lbs goal rifle only or hunt-ready with a sling, bipod, loaded ammo, or suppressor? Acquire individual weights of your chosen components to get a general idea of where the weight goal is at and adjust accordingly. Good luck!
 
AleksanderSuave said:
Looking to build myself an 18-20" barreled 6.5 creedmoor, that I would like to take on an elk hunt next year.

Im pretty set on the caliber, but looking at other items (actions, stocks, etc) and wanted some advice or a sanity check. Realistically going to keep shooting distance at 500 yards or less. Would like to make this rifle about 8.5-9 lbs max.

Stock: Manners PH or LRH.
Action: Between a Kelblys Nanook, Terminus Apollo Lite, or Possibly a Zermatt TL3, originally planned on Defiance Anti but seeing them OOS most places and the price having gone up I would like to try other brands.
Trigger: Undecided
Barrel: Not sure yet on contour, possibly a stainless steel with fluting, was considering a Bartlein prefit, but seeing a lot of places doing prefits for either of the above actions, including PVA, Straight Jacket, Preferred Barrel Blanks, or Bugholes.
Rings - undecided
Scope: Considering a Tract Toric UHD 2.5-15x.

Suppressor: TBD - would like to get a 308 K Size can. I already have a CGS Hyperion full size can. This 308k can will likely double on a 6 arc gas gun when not used for hunting.

Thank you in advance for your help!
Click to expand...
 
If your objective is weight, have you thought about building off of a Tikka action? Here's some suggestions to look into—-

Are you interested in a carbon fiber wrapped barrel. May save you a little in weight. Pederson Precision makes and has Mullerworks barrels (steel and carbon). Also has Rock Creek barrels.
Look at a tactical M24 style for barrel contour, it's kind of in the middle for contour.
Take a look at AG Composite Stocks. They have carbon fiber stocks and I believe fiberglass now??

I have a Zermatt TL3 in a 6.5PRC with some of the stuff mentioned above and it's less than .5 MOA. Awesome rifle build.
I'm just getting started in a lighter .300WSM build (7-8.5 lbs.) and that's why I mentioned a Tikka action. very good reputation and quality.
Good Luck with your build!
 

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