6.5 GT

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

Allright here we go!
I got my 6.5 GT delivered this afternoon, I had just enough time to mount my scope and start working up some loads.
It's a 28" sendero contour 8 twist Benchmark on a MacBros Element action, I'm running it in an XLR element 4.0 for NRL hunter matches.

I'm using 3x fired 6GT Alpha brass run through a .264 expander mandrel.
Using N150 and 142 SMKs seated .010 off the lands I worked up to 35 grains N150 while sighting in.
Velocity is already exceeding my expectations at 2720 and I haven't reached pressure.

I didn't have time to hang paper before dark but here's the groups on Plywood, the 6 shot group includes two 147 eldms I shot for velocity (2677, 2680)
More to come.

 

[TxLite]

What made you go this route over a shorter barreled 6.5 creedmoor?

I’m assuming recoil reduction?

 

[AZ_Hunter]

Interesting.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

What made you go this route over a shorter barreled 6.5 creedmoor?

I’m assuming recoil reduction?

Yep
Less powder longer barrel life, and a 35 degree shoulder.
Plus I have 6 GT bushing dies and a bunch of brass for the 6GT that died a quick death..

 

[coyotekilla]

Yep
Less powder longer barrel life, and a 35 degree shoulder.
Plus I have 6 GT bushing dies and a bunch of brass for the 6GT that died a quick death..

Didn't realize the creed had barrel life issues... its not a 22-250 or 243, lol.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

Didn't realize the creed had barrel life issues... its not a 22-250 or 243, lol.

I didn't say issues but 2500 rounds comes pretty quick on a match rifle if you actually shoot matches..
I've sent 1900 rounds down range in the past 4 months through my prs rifle.

I'm expecting the 6.5GT to exceed the 6.5x47 which is know to go around 3500 rounds

 

[ACHILLES]

I didn't say issues but 2500 rounds comes pretty quick on a match rifle if you actually shoot matches..
I've sent 1900 rounds down range in the past 4 months through my prs rifle.

I'm expecting the 6.5GT to exceed the 6.5x47 which is know to go around 3500 rounds

It’s been awhile now but the last match I went to the guy that won was using a 6.5x47 with 4500rnds on it. 28” 6.5gt has a lot going for it as a comp cartridge.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

It’s been awhile now but the last match I went to the guy that won was using a 6.5x47 with 4500rnds on it. 28” 6.5gt has a lot going for it as a comp cartridge.

Wow that's incredible!
The 6.5x47 is tough to beat for sure, I'm thinking the GT will mirror that, with a slight improvement in several areas.

 

[ACHILLES]

I thought so too. I ran a 24” 6.5x47 with 140s at 2750. You'll be able to do the same with the 28” with more bbl life and less recoil as you stated. On my bore index rating chart it sits just above the 223rem. So think it’s safe to say Bbl life will be 5k plus.


6ARC 755
223rem 784
6.5GT 814

 

[wind gypsy]

Looks awesome.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

I thought so too. I ran a 24” 6.5x47 with 140s at 2750. You'll be able to do the same with the 28” with more bbl life and less recoil as you stated. On my bore index rating chart it sits just above the 223rem. So think it’s safe to say Bbl life will be 5k plus.


6ARC 755
223rem 784
6.5GT 814

Tell me more about this Bore Index Rating Chart

 

[ACHILLES]

It’s a formula using bore diameter and case volume to give you an index number to compare different cartridges equally in regards to barrel life.

The case capacity in grains of water divided by the area (in square inches) of the bore cross-section. At the bottom I have already calculated the bore cross section numbers for all calibers. Some volumes may be off slightly due to different brass manufactures and case volumes. Listed below left to right is cartridge, index rating, and case volume in h2O.

300blk out 358 26.5

350 legend 367 36

8.6blk out 500 45

6.5Grendel 707 38.2

25 Grendel 745 38

308win 751 56 8k

6ARC 755 34 8k

223Rem 784 30.6

6Grendel 823 37

6.5gt 814 44

25GT 843 43

7-08 888 56

30/06 915 68.2

22arc 923 36

25x47 941 48

6GT 962 43.3

22br 975 38

6.5creed 1000 54

22Dasher 1051 41

20ARC 1125 36

22GT 1141 44.5

17Firebal 1173 26

6Creed 1200 54

300Winmag 1216 90

30SM 1316 97.4

7PRC 1333 84

20GT 1353 43.3

22Creed 1358 53

25SST 1376 70.2

25Sherman 1450 74

6SST 1533 69

300RUM 1540 114

6MAX 1575 75

257WBY 1647 84

28Nos 1650 104

7-300NMI 1714 108

22-284 1717 67

6WSM 1760 81

22SST 1743 68

7Rum 1776 112

6Mega 1826 84

22UM 1897 74

7AM 1920 121

22WSM 2051 80

25 Stalker 2137 109

.17 .023 inches squared
20 .032
22 .039
24 .045
25 .051
26 .054
28 .063
30 .074
338 .09
.355 .098
.358 .1
.375 .11

 

[FrankieP1988]

It’s a formula using bore diameter and case volume to give you an index number to compare different cartridges equally in regards to barrel life.

The case capacity in grains of water divided by the area (in square inches) of the bore cross-section. At the bottom I have already calculated the bore cross section numbers for all calibers. Some volumes may be off slightly due to different brass manufactures and case volumes. Listed below left to right is cartridge, index rating, and case volume in h2O.

300blk out 358 26.5

350 legend 367 36

8.6blk out 500 45

6.5Grendel 707 38.2

25 Grendel 745 38

308win 751 56 8k

6ARC 755 34 8k

223Rem 784 30.6

6Grendel 823 37

6.5gt 814 44

25GT 843 43

7-08 888 56

30/06 915 68.2

22arc 923 36

25x47 941 48

6GT 962 43.3

22br 975 38

6.5creed 1000 54

22Dasher 1051 41

20ARC 1125 36

22GT 1141 44.5

17Firebal 1173 26

6Creed 1200 54

300Winmag 1216 90

30SM 1316 97.4

7PRC 1333 84

20GT 1353 43.3

22Creed 1358 53

25SST 1376 70.2

25Sherman 1450 74

6SST 1533 69

300RUM 1540 114

6MAX 1575 75

257WBY 1647 84

28Nos 1650 104

7-300NMI 1714 108

22-284 1717 67

6WSM 1760 81

22SST 1743 68

7Rum 1776 112

6Mega 1826 84

22UM 1897 74

7AM 1920 121

22WSM 2051 80

25 Stalker 2137 109

.17 .023 inches squared
20 .032
22 .039
24 .045
25 .051
26 .054
28 .063
30 .074
338 .09
.355 .098
.358 .1
.375 .11

I was just thinking about a different prs cartridge for when my 6 dasher burns out. I really enjoy shooting 6 dasher, but the barrel life has got me thinking of something that will last longer.

 

[ACHILLES]

26-28” 6ARC,25 or 6.5GT

 

[RWT]

Curious as I do not shoot competition. When you described barrel burn out? Is the barrel damaged so badly that accuracy degrades to the point the gun won’t shoot 4” groups at 100 yards? I thought the competitions were designed around more real world hunting scenarios and bench rest accuracy is not required.

 

[KyleR1985]

Curious as I do not shoot competition. When you described barrel burn out? Is the barrel damaged so badly that accuracy degrades to the point the gun won’t shoot 4” groups at 100 yards? I thought the competitions were designed around more real world hunting scenarios and bench rest accuracy is not required.

K

Thread '6 Dasher Barrel Life - for hunting'

Mar 18, 2025

I can find all sorts of information on 6 dasher barrel life - but it’s all in the context of match shooting. It pretty much seems every barrel is being pulled before the gun reaches 1moa group size in these accounts. And it’s usually seeing 1500-2000 rounds before being pulled or rechambered.

I am finishing up a Howa Mini 6Dasher 16” barrel suppressed for hunting.

I’d sure like to know how long those dasher barrels would last before opening up to 2moa.

Anyone have any experience shooting a Dasher barrel past 2000 rounds?

I guess most people shoot them for competition and anything...

• KyleR1985
• Replies: 9
• Forum: Firearms

• 

I asked same questions here, sort of.

 

[RWT]

K

Thread '6 Dasher Barrel Life - for hunting'

Mar 18, 2025

I can find all sorts of information on 6 dasher barrel life - but it’s all in the context of match shooting. It pretty much seems every barrel is being pulled before the gun reaches 1moa group size in these accounts. And it’s usually seeing 1500-2000 rounds before being pulled or rechambered.

I am finishing up a Howa Mini 6Dasher 16” barrel suppressed for hunting.

I’d sure like to know how long those dasher barrels would last before opening up to 2moa.

Anyone have any experience shooting a Dasher barrel past 2000 rounds?

I guess most people shoot them for competition and anything...

• KyleR1985
• Replies: 9
• Forum: Firearms

• 

I asked same questions here, sort of.

Thank you and that was the response I expected. Just about any chambering should get me 5K rounds for a hunting rifle.

 

[Megalodon]

Didn't realize the creed had barrel life issues... its not a 22-250 or 243, lol.

Tell me you don't shoot much without telling me.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

I have about 75 rounds through her now, I tweaked the load slightly by increasing the jump to .030 and reducing the load to 34.5 grains.
Vertical is awesome! I verified dope this evening from 550 to 1290 yards and it's spot on.

On another note I love this XLR with the C6 folder, it carries so damn nice on my pack.

 

[TripleOption]

Any chance you're going to try the heavies (153 A-Tips or 153.5 Bergers) in them?