opinions on an 18" 6.5 Creedmoor

[blackdirtdiaries]

so, i'll admit, being from the northeast, "long range" hunting is almost nil. That being said, my experience with long range hunting is limited. 2 years ago, I took a whitetail at 650 yards in Montana with a 300 Win mag. thats the extent of my "long range" hunting. I was looking at getting a new rifle this year and deciding between .300 win mag and 6.5 creedmor. I stumbled upon the new Bergara Wilderness Ridge Rifle chambered in both, but also noticed they offer an 18" SPR in 6.5. I prefer to hunt suppressed when I can, and the idea of a shorter handier rifle really appeals to me. From a terminal ballistics standpoint...am I doing myself an injustice in 6.5 going from a 22" barrel to a 18" barrel? I'll most likely be using this rifle for deer this year and then on a utah Elk hunt season

 

[skywalkr]

I cut my Tikka down to 18” and was getting 2509fps with 147gr ELD-Ms. Looking at ballistics calculators this should give me more than enough velocity at the distances I hunt at and having a shorter barrel with a suppressor is definitely nice.

 

[Wapiti1]

Everything you wanted to know about chopping a 6.5 Creedmoor: https://rifleshooter.com/2019/03/6-5-creedmoor-effects-of-barrel-length-on-velocity-2019/

I'd do it.

Jeremy

 

[TxxAgg]

Just for a data point:


Tikka T3x 6.5 CM
Hornady eld-x 143 gr
2380-2400 fps with 18" barrel

Federal non typical 140
2450 - 2500 fps with 18" barrel

 

[MTElkChaser]

My 6.5CM is a 20” CA Ridgeline. I don’t feel like I’m losing much of anything out to 550 yards. Some will argue that 18” is too short for the 6.5CM, but if you figure 20-25fps per inch of barrel reduction, you can do the math there. I think you’ll be fine. Suppressed will be even better. Good luck!

Edited to add link to this article: Shortening the barrel + adding a suppressor on 6.5 Creedmoor here:

https://precisionrifleblog.com/2013/07/16/6-5-creedmoor-barrel-length-and-muzzle-velocity/

 

[mt100gr.]

I'd have no reservations cutting (or buying) a 6.5CM back to 18". I have one that I cut to 17" and while I haven't bothered to chrono it, I know it's packing plenty for the roles it will fill. I also have a 20" creedmoor that I handload for and it doesn't give up much for medium range work. Numbers-wise, it's carrying enough velocity with 143eldx bullets to do work further than I will shoot that particular rifle at an animal. I'm waiting on some 156gr bergers to load up for it. Right now I have a really nice shooting load at 2690fps with 143s.

Here's1,2 and 3 at 670yds. Shortys are sweet!!

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

I have one 6.5 CM that uses 143 grain ELD-X. Choreographed velocity is 2681 fps out of a 22" barrel. Am surprised about the numbers from TxxAgg and Slywalkr. Normally you lose about 25 fps per inch but TxxAgg's rifle velocity loss is about 3x that (in comparison to mine). Even Skywalkr's velocity loss numbers are about 2x that (in comparison to mine).

Depending on the environmentals, I hit 1800 fps at 675-700 yards. If I were using TxxAgg's 2400 fps number, I hit 1800 fps around 475 yards. Those 4" of lost barrel length are costing you about 200 yards in killing distance for deer-sized game (using these numbers).

What is the maximum distance that you are wanting to shoot at deer? Elk? That should tell you whether or not an 18" barrel will work for you.

 

[blackdirtdiaries]

awesome thanks for the info...ill probably go ahead and order it and use it for deer and bear this season and depending on how it performs take it for elk next year...im assuming as long as I do my part, the rifle should be plenty good out to 500

 

[Ndbowhunter]

I have one 6.5 CM that uses 143 grain ELD-X. Choreographed velocity is 2681 fps out of a 22" barrel. Am surprised about the numbers from TxxAgg and Slywalkr. Normally you lose about 25 fps per inch but TxxAgg's rifle velocity loss is about 3x that (in comparison to mine). Even Skywalkr's velocity loss numbers are about 2x that (in comparison to mine).

Depending on the environmentals, I hit 1800 fps at 675-700 yards. If I were using TxxAgg's 2400 fps number, I hit 1800 fps around 475 yards. Those 4" of lost barrel length are costing you about 200 yards in killing distance for deer-sized game (using these numbers).

What is the maximum distance that you are wanting to shoot at deer? Elk? That should tell you whether or not an 18" barrel will work for you.

every barrel is a rule to itself. Unless you chronograph the gun before the chop you’ll never know how much FPS was lost.

And how do you know the bullet hits 1800fps at 475 yards? it ain’t that on an elk hunt on a warm day in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming or idaho. Even 15 degrees at sea level it’s a 440 yard gun.

Plenty of other factory fodder to find one that gets you a bit more velocity anyways.

 

[RANGER3BN]

I'd have no reservations cutting (or buying) a 6.5CM back to 18". I have one that I cut to 17" and while I haven't bothered to chrono it, I know it's packing plenty for the roles it will fill. I also have a 20" creedmoor that I handload for and it doesn't give up much for medium range work. Numbers-wise, it's carrying enough velocity with 143eldx bullets to do work further than I will shoot that particular rifle at an animal. I'm waiting on some 156gr bergers to load up for it. Right now I have a really nice shooting load at 2690fps with 143s.

Here's1,2 and 3 at 670yds. Shortys are sweet!!

you're getting 2690fps with 143's from an 18" barrel? is that the load used for the above 670 yard 3-shot group? is that normal or was it a "good" day, based on the chain links I'd say that's under a .5 minute group.

 

[jaredg]

I run a Barrett FC in 18" 6.5. I get 2635from 143gr ELD-Xs. I think I pick up a few fps with my suppressor (SiCo Omega)

 

[mt100gr.]

you're getting 2690fps with 143's from an 18" barrel? is that the load used for the above 670 yard 3-shot group? is that normal or was it a "good" day, based on the chain links I'd say that's under a .5 minute group.

That velocity and that group is from the 20" Creedmoor.

I'm not sure how the Reloder 26 would be at 18" (fireball!!) But I'd try it in a second and I'd expect to get to 2640-2660. (I could be all wet on that, too...)

1/2 minute or less 3 shot groups are definitely the norm for that rifle. Although I won't call it an "on demand" half-minute rifle. 10 shot groups, 15 shots - it hovers right around a solid, on-demand 1 moa rifle. When conditions are right and I have eaten my Wheaties it will stack them at distance, too. The human that runs it has made more than one group fall apart though. That 9 inch plate is 6 shots at 505 yards.

Factory Tikka CTR

 

[RANGER3BN]

That velocity and that group is from the 20" Creedmoor.

I'm not sure how the Reloder 26 would be at 18" (fireball!!) But I'd try it in a second and I'd expect to get to 2640-2660. (I could be all wet on that, too...)

1/2 minute or less 3 shot groups are definitely the norm for that rifle. Although I won't call it an "on demand" half-minute rifle. 10 shot groups, 15 shots - it hovers right around a solid, on-demand 1 moa rifle. When conditions are right and I have eaten my Wheaties it will stack them at distance, too. The human that runs it has made more than one group fall apart though. That 9 inch plate is 6 shots at 505 yards.

Factory Tikka CTR

View attachment 157790View attachment 157791View attachment 157792View attachment 157797View attachment 157803

That steel above is some nice shooting. Being a new Tikka 6.5 owner if I average .75 MOA I'll be happy based on the price I paid.

 

[SkunkCabbage]

I’m getting 2631fps out of my 18” 6.5 adirondack with RL17 and 140gr Nosler accubonds to 0.22moa (3 shot).

I was finding RL26 to not give me the best accuracy out of my 18” and 20.25” creeds. Quickload pMax and F1 were far apart.

 

[4ester]

I’m getting 2770 with a 130 vld/Varget out of my 17” 6.5 Tikka.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TxxAgg]

Bump

 

[cjl2010]

2800 fps with 135 hornady a tips out of a 16” barrel 6.5 CM.

Maintains velocity for much further than I would ever hunt game with given it’s a itty bitty lightweight rifle.

What powder are you using, Luke?

 

[SkunkCabbage]

Kimber Adirondack 6.5cm
18" with a 140gr accubond 2637fps RL17 0.23MOA (3 shot)

Sako 85 Carbonlight 6.5CM
20" with a 140gr accubond 2754fps RL17 0.49MOA (3 shot)
20" with a 143gr ELD-X 2711fps Superformance (5 shot under the size of a quarter)

 

[HGL]

I just built an 18" CM. Worked up a few hunting loads so far, very accurate too.

120 Ballistic tip, RL-17 at 2900 fps
140 Ballistic tip, RL-26 at 2750 fps

Seems to shine with these two RL powders. Really want to get my hands on some RL-16 as well.

For reference, I've got a good "range load" with H4350 and 143 ELDx at 2550 fps. Pretty mild load but accurate and fun.

 

[MarcherLord]

Tikka cut to 18”. Getting 2425ish with 140 fusions and RL17. Accuracy is fantastic.