Barrel length??

BRACES of Bristol - Sauer 100 XTA Stainless Package
Utectok

Utectok

Well-Known Member
Ok so whilst I know everyone will have their own firmly held and definitely correct opinions on this but what do you think is the best Barrel length for a 6.5x55. To be used mainly for stalking on ground that is a mix of open and more wooded but also do 1k gong bashing on occasion…
Moderated with one of the unmentionables (F and..)
Stalking shots taken mostly sub 250m but some occasionally taken out to about 450m if circumstances dictate….
Using 114tlr yew tree for all the above so need to be above SB at 1k
 
When I buy a new barrel (R8) I decide on the bullet weight I want to use, and then play with QL, trying different barrel lengths, & powders, to achieve a load close to Pmax, and barrel times.

With the 6.5 PRC, I found the 143gn ELD-X favoured the 580mm barrel, but with lighter bullets, it was either way below, or above Pmax.

With the lighter bullet, the 650mm barrel could achieve close to Pmax, on a barrel time node.
 
I used to use quick load but I don’t find it that accurate or useful these days? Testing seems to be better in my experience. I guess every barrel is different?
 
Utectok said:
I used to use quick load but I don’t find it that accurate or useful these days? Testing seems to be better in my experience. I guess every barrel is different?
Click to expand...
I had a post on here not long ago relating to a particular powder/bullet/calibre. I got a few responses from members who were familiar with QL and other simulation programmes. Being a “bit old school” I had went through the ladder process to find my accuracy node. Surprisingly enough, it compared very closely to the simulated result.
Regards,
DG
 
QL is just a tool to give you a starting point.

Personally, I find the way I use it, with the barrel time tables, very close, if not as accurate as I need it (1/2” or better).

I take the best theoretical load, and then load 7 loads, 3 below, and 3 above. I start with the lowest, which will give me an idea of actual vs predicted speed, and check for pressure.

Then move along, based on first test.
 
The 570 mm length that Tikka offers handles nicely without sacrificing too much performance with the 6.5x55 cartridge. With a moderator on the end, I don’t think I’d want to deal with anything longer out in the field just for the sake of a tiny bit less dialling while playing with steel targets.

I suppose one could always just start with a long barrel and then have it shortened if it proves too unwieldy for hunting use. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
Utectok said:
Ok so whilst I know everyone will have their own firmly held and definitely correct opinions on this but what do you think is the best Barrel length for a 6.5x55. To be used mainly for stalking on ground that is a mix of open and more wooded but also do 1k gong bashing on occasion…
Moderated with one of the unmentionables (F and..)
Stalking shots taken mostly sub 250m but some occasionally taken out to about 450m if circumstances dictate….
Using 114tlr yew tree for all the above so need to be above SB at 1k
Click to expand...
24”
 
One of my pet hates is when people say you need “a 24 inch barrel to get the best performance out of .XYZ” calibre.

Whilst undoubtably true, a longer barrel means more velocity and energy with the same load, its not the best overall and depends on what you want to achieve. If you use a moderator, which most people do these days, a 24 inch barrel is pretty much useless to me as a stalking rifle. All that catching on trees and the car boot at 4am (and subsequent worry about loss of zero) is such a hastle.

Yes most ballistics are still quoted with a 24 inch barrel. If you want to achieve a certain minimum or legal ballistic effect, just buy a slightly “bigger” gun than what the tables tell you, chop down to a practical length and get on with life. I find 18 inches is fine. You and the deer wont notice the difference in fps anyway!
 
I recall reading somewhere (wish I could recall where) that as long as you have two complete revolutions of projectile that’s enough. Hence 1 in 8” twist = 16” barrel. Ive never had a reason to try that but my 6.5 barrel is 20” in length and gives good accurate results.
 
I researched cutting a Sako 6.5 CM down from 24” and everything I could find advised against it - I would imagine the swede is the same.
 
muddy42 said:
One of my pet hates is when people say you need “a 24 inch barrel to get the best performance out of .XYZ” calibre.

Whilst undoubtably true, a longer barrel means more velocity and energy with the same load, its not the best overall and depends on what you want to achieve. If you use a moderator, which most people do these days, a 24 inch barrel is pretty much useless to me as a stalking rifle. All that catching on trees and the car boot at 4am (and subsequent worry about loss of zero) is such a hastle.

Yes most ballistics are still quoted with a 24 inch barrel. If you want to achieve a certain minimum or legal ballistic effect, just buy a slightly “bigger” gun than what the tables tell you, chop down to a practical length and get on with life. I find 18 inches is fine. You and the deer wont notice the difference in fps anyway!
Click to expand...
What calibre do you shoot from an 18”?

Optimum barrel length depends on calibre, there is no point shooting a calibre with higher powder capacity if you then shoot it out of a barrel that doesn’t allow you to burn all, or very nearly all, of the powder. My .280 has a 26” barrel, my swede has a 23.5” barrel because that is what’s needed to make the most of those cartridges. If I wanted to shoot with a shorter barrel with less energy and velocity I’d shoot a 7-08 and 6.5x47.

Equally some calibres need all that length to get reliably deer legal, 18” is a push for .243 and my 25-45 has a 25” barrel to tip it reliably over 1700 ft-lb at sensible pressure.

The swedes needs a 24” barrel to shine, it uses more powder but runs at lower pressure, so under that go for a lower powder capacity 6.5 like a creed or even a Grendel.
 
Jeez, folks don't read the requirements! :lol:
For what you are looking at achieving, I am firmly in the 24"/600mm camp. As 25 Sharps has said, the 6.5x55 operates at a lower pressure, so to get the distance you want, reliably, I would want all the barrel you can get.
Yes, you can chop it down and load up some hotter loads, but then you run up against the very real issue of burning your barrel prematurely.
 
Ok fine, but if it’s mainly to be used for hunting, then I wouldn’t prioritise marginally more barrel life (and that only applies for a handloader) over a manageable length for the woods.
 
DTE said:
Ok fine, but if it’s mainly to be used for hunting, then I wouldn’t prioritise marginally more barrel life (and that only applies for a handloader) over a manageable length for the woods.
Click to expand...
Who says he stalks in the woods? My main stalking rifles are 26,25 and 23.5”, all with muzzle mounted moderators, doesn’t cause me any issues in the field or getting it out of the back of the truck….

There is another post where someone has a 6.5 creedmoor, he’s getting 2668 fps from factory 125 and subsonic by 500 yards, the x55 would be worse as it runs at lower pressure. If you want to reach out there you need a decent barrel length to optimise the powder capacity. If you’re shooting deer within 200 yards it’s less of an issue. Although if using lead free, speed is the name of the game and then, again, you need decent barrel length!
 
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