Short Barrelled 6.5

[dpaterson]

Has anyone on here had any experience with using a 6.5cm with a barrel shorter than 20”?
If so, did you find it any less effective? Any notable increase in muzzle flip?
Will not need to shoot past 150-200 yards, mainly used for roe and tend to shoot light for calibre rounds, 95-120gr.
Any thoughts much appreciated!

 

[Malxwal]

There's an article online somewhere regarding increasingly shortening a 6.5 creed barrel. Think the jist was you'd be fine with regards to your intentions.

 

[patjack]

6.5 Creedmoor Load Development: Short barrel (16.5″) suppressed and non-suppressed load development, 147 ELD and H4350

I’ve written quite a bit about short barrelled precision rifles. On this blog, I’ve built a variety of 308 Winchester, 223 Remington, 243 Winchester, 338 Lapua and 6.5 Creedmoor rifles…

rifleshooter.com

 

[Bavarianbrit]

I have a 6.5 JDJ wildcat which is slightly less powder capacity than the Creed on a 14 inch barrel shooting 120 grain bullets and it is very pleasant to shoot.

 

[HonestJohn]

You’re better off going 7-08 with 18”

 

[dpaterson]

You’re better off going 7-08 with 18”

Already have the rifle so sticking with 6.5

 

[Mungo]

I have a 20” barrel on mine, and can load to up to about 2760-2770fps with 143gr bullets.

Cut down to 18” I think that should still be able to get over 2700fps, which is plenty for everything in the UK.

Thinking about it, maybe I will!

 

[Haggis Hunter]

I have a 6.5x47L with 18in barrel. Have shot red on the hill and a few roe with it, almost all less than 200yds. 120gn Nosler BT’s, nothing negative I can suggest about it. No muzzle flip with light ATEC aluminium mod. Very accurate and handy rifle to humph about. Not a clue about muzzle velocity, but everything I hit correctly snuffed it quickly and without dramas. Appreciate its not a CM, but similarish.
hh

 

[243lee]

I use a blaser with a 23”(?) barrel and a rebarrelled 75 with an 18” barrel, both in creedmoor, i havent put them over a cronograph but both drop deer with no difference between them,
At 150yds zero theres only 3/4” drop more with the short barrel over the longer barrel at 200yds

 

[dpaterson]

I use a blaser with a 23”(?) barrel and a rebarrelled 75 with an 18” barrel, both in creedmoor, i havent put them over a cronograph but both drop deer with no difference between them,
At 150yds zero theres only 3/4” drop more with the short barrel over the longer barrel at 200yds

Thank you, that’s very interesting re the drop!

 

[scotch_egg]

Kevin Brittingham the owner of rifle company Q has used a 16'' 6.5 Creedmoor in Africa loaded with 143gr factory ELD-X. The bullet performs and the ballistics work. 16 is lower than I would perhaps go. But suffice to know it works.

 

[Rutland lad]

I’m not sure I’m actually helping answer your question, but I shoot a 20” barrelled 6.5x55 and it’s sub moa and throwing out 124 grain monometal at 2850fps

 

[gixer1]

@Dave5463 has a creedmoor with an 18” barrel I believe…was shooting sub MOA at 500 yards today without an issue.

 

[tim@tcs]

I have a Swedish cavalry carbine which is just under 18 inches and the muzzle blast is more noticeable than any flipping muzzle!
Full fat 140 grain soft points fine for Fallow

 

[jthyttin]

Apart that you'd need to elevate your head to next postal code area to have a sight picture...

 

[Bowland blades]

With a shorter barrel you can re-claim a fair bit of velocity with a slightly faster burning powder . Likewise a lighter bullet. I have my 260 shorter and do just this

 

[tim@tcs]

Apart that you'd need to elevate your head to next postal code area to have a sight picture...

It’s not too bad and it has see through mounts for the express sights. The old style of euro driven shooting didn’t demand a cheek weld as the targets were close and it’s actually quite comfortable for shooting to keep your head up

 

[Dave5463]

@Dave5463 has a creedmoor with an 18” barrel I believe…was shooting sub MOA at 500 yards today without an issue.

Yes @gixer1 is correct the barrel on my Sauer is 18” and it was shooting great at the range today.

 

[gixer1]

Yes @gixer1 is correct the barrel on my Sauer is 18” and it was shooting great at the range today.

I can verify it was sub MOA.

 

[tim@tcs]

I have attached a typical for its era hunting rifle. The cheek weld was necessary for iron sights as they are attached traditionally to the barrel
A modern service rifle usually has the optics well above the rifle. It’s accepted that cheek weld is important for delivering deliberate accurate fire but it does tend to limit situational awareness and a more elevated scope or optics aren’t a bad thing