Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting Optimum barrel length for 6.5 Creed

Dropped my rifle off at the builder with a new Bartlein 8t. Just told him "Leave as much length as you can and thread/brake the end". He contacted me yesterday, already diving into the project. "You really want a 28" tube? Think you'll get all you really can out of a 24".....might be Diminishing Return with 28"

Got me thinking. I Googled a bit. Found two examples of barrel chop tests. One test showed a GAIN of about 37fps chopping from 28 to 24. The other showed a loss of less that 50fps total whacking the 4".

He's gonna turn this truing/rebarrel project out quickly. Any thoughts to which direction to go? To me.....the extra inches of barrel has always been "free horsepower". This is a chassis based 700 SA with a 2+ pound optic. I use it to dink with and shoot some local matches. Not sure how far I would really pack this in a hunting scenario. Would guess it to be 12 lbs all up. Maybe there is something to be said for a little less gangly and cumbersome. Chassis is a folding stock, so overall rifle length not really a concern.

I’d want it to balance well, even if it’s a chunk build. What chassis and barrel contour? What brake?

MBA Lite Folder Bartlein Rem Varmint Contour. His brake. 3 or 4 slotted side port. No bottom exhaust

I'd want to be about 24" plus brake.

I'd skip the brake and go 28". Ain't no diminishing returns on any longer barrel except a rimfire.

My 28" 6.5x47 Lapua is running 130's at 3010.......

620mm

That’s 24.409” in America.

:-)

I like short and handy rifles. 22" unless the 24" balanced better.

I have 22 and 24 inchers, but my new one will be 20"....

Once my McMillan gets in and I can figure out where everything balances, I'm thinking a chop and thread at 18" on my lapua.

...I didn't believe them when they said you were odd.

I have 21 and 23 inchers. Those are lw's. If I didn't care about weight I'd probably plan around 24" +/- for balance.

I’ve had them all- in bolt guns from 14 inch through 36+ inch. There isn’t a diminishing return under 36” in a centerfire. The longer the barrel, the higher the muzzle velocity.

However, handy/dandy is where it’s at. A pure PRS competition rifle- 27-28”. A non-dedicated comp gun, hunter, shooter...? 18-22”. Especially in a chassis.

Wish you luck with your new build.
I hope that 6.5 Creedmoor serves you well.

Mine are 20 and 24. The 20” Barrel seems a handier length.

24 max

20" are darn LOUD, I like 24".

I use a tactical brake on a 30" Kreiger Light varmint contour barrel. Very little recoil, and I see my hits on small targets at 300 very easily. I like to get the concussion away from me, and extra barrel weight keeps muzzle flip down.

When the leade grows .100, with the extra barrel length, you can cut the threads off the barrel and re chamber.

I have a chassis stock, and this rig balances well. I love the lack of recoil and the ability to instantly see your hits.

My deer hunting rifle has a 24" #4 contour with a Gentry Muzzle break.

23"...then go kill stuff!!

28" kills 'em deader.......

Absolutely. Because you’re 5” closer😀