Minimum Barrel Length for 6.5 Creed

[Glocklover72]

Thinking about having a rifle built in 6.5 creedmoor. I plan to run a can and I'm wondering what is the minimum barrel length I can get away with, without limiting my shooting distance.

 

[outdoorsmunn]

If you want to shoot long distance I personally wouldn't drop below 20" but I know others have done it. My brother has a 20" Tikka 6.5 creed and it has worked really good out to 1K. Probably all comes down to your intended distances/performance.

 

[yobuck]

Wouldn't the limiting factor be the cartridge?

 

[LongWalker]

If you're handloading you should be fine at 20". I'm getting 2874 with RL-16 and the Berger 140 EH out of a 22" tube.

 

[lancetkenyon]

16 to 18".
Although I would not go that short. My daughter shoots a 22" 6.5SLR, 130 OTM @ 2900.
I am gathering parts a 6.5SS w. 20" 1:7.5" specifically to run a suppressor as we speak.

 

[elkaholic]

16 to 18".
Although I would not go that short. My daughter shoots a 22" 6.5SLR, 130 OTM @ 2900.
I am gathering parts a 6.5SS w. 20" 1:7.5" specifically to run a suppressor as we speak.

And you will be able to run a 140 at 3050'

 

[Nozzler]

Minimum barrel length? The recent Precision Rifle Shooter magazine has an article on 6.5CM velocities for 5 factory loads at barrel lengths from 24" to 7" one inch at a time. My recollection is that, for the Federal 135 Berger Hybrid Hunter, you lose 100 fps between 22" and 18", and another 100 fps between 18" and 16". I think the numbers were roughly 2700 fps at 22"; 2500 at 16".

 

[Bucklowery]

I have not shot it yet but I am putting together a 6.5 for my wife. I went 22" and plan to run suppressor

Thanks

Buck

 

[John Klingenberg]

Nothing less than 18". You'll be in the 2500s at that length with 140s. Any shorter and you may as well make it a Grendel. Less powder, less recoil.

 

[sea2summit]

Gunwerks did their "truck gun" at 16.5". I've been looking for AARs but haven't seen any.

 

[SavageHunter11]

I've got an AR-10 in Creedmoor with a 16.5" barrel that shoots Barnes 127gr LRX's at 2670FPS. I wouldn't suggest going under 20" but it can be done with decent results

 

[25WSM]

Put me down for the 20. If I was going to run subs only then 16 for sure. I like my rifles to be 24 to 26 for hunting but wouldnt mind a little 16 to 20 incher for blind use.
Shep

 

[cjl2010]

Nothing less than 18". You'll be in the 2500s at that length with 140s. Any shorter and you may as well make it a Grendel. Less powder, less recoil.

What would a Grendel do better with a shorter barrel than a creedmoor?

 

[John Klingenberg]

What would a Grendel do better with a shorter barrel than a creedmoor?

If you're only getting 23-2400fps you are in the Grendel class of cartridges. A 6.8 SPC was designed for 16" barrels and would give similar performance as a 16" Creed. Especially in the 120gr bullet area. A lot less in recoil, flash, noise, and powder consumption. To me it's silly to handicap a good cartridge with a short barrel. May as well shoot a smaller cartridge. I'm not judging at all. Ive got plenty of guns that don't really make sense. My Contenders come to mind.