What length should I chop this barrel to?

[BigMiss]

I have a Bergara 6.5 PRC with a 24" barrel. It sits in a Rokstock with a SWFA 3-15 Gen 2, and a US 6.5OG. It is a pig, at 10lbs 4oz. My question to you all is:

Should I chop it to 18" or 20"? I do not handload, so I am shooting factory ammo. Right now, I am shooting Barnes loaded 145 TGK's or Berger EH 140's. Use case will be close range whitetails at home to elk and mulies out west. I drew an Idaho MD tag this year, and in addition to making a more wieldy package, would like to at least cover the oz gained by adding the suppressor.

For some reason, I am struggling with giving up a ton of velocity, even though I know I'll hold terminal velocity further than I am capable of shooting with either option. I know that is silly, but it's been a factor for me.

 

[Taudisio]

I know I'll hold terminal velocity further than I am capable of shooting with either option.

Then my suggestion is to go shorter. 16” carries nice.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

With an OG 6.5, you could leave it at the current length and be fine. I have had no issues hunting in hardwood forests with my 10.8#, 24” barrel .25-06 and an OG 6.5. But… if you really want to cut it, I would go for 20”. A 20” barrel with a 4” titanium suppressor handles very well for me.

 

[BigMiss]

Then my suggestion is to go shorter. 16” carries nice.

My barrel does run a bit slow. I haven't chronoed either of the loads I am using but it ran 2800 with factory 147 ELDM. I assume at 18" I'd be around 2650-2750 with the Bergers... Would take me to 625 yards at 0 DA. I'll need to measure my barrel diameter to see if the OG would even fit at 16".

 

[BigMiss]

With an OG 6.5, you could leave it at the current length and be fine. I have had no issues hunting in hardwood forests with my 10.8#, 24” barrel .25-06 and an OG 6.5. But… if you really want to cut it, I would go for 20”. A 20” barrel with a 4” titanium suppressor handles very well for me.

I did think about that, but the rifle is rather heavy and I do dislike the 28" length. If I was only whitetail hunting, I wouldn't chop it. I just don't want to carry that around the mountains every fall.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I did think about that, but the rifle is rather heavy and I do dislike the 28" length. If I was only whitetail hunting, I wouldn't chop it. I just don't want to carry that around the mountains every fall.

This is just a curiosity question: how far are you carrying it and how much elevation gain?

 

[DeerTurtle]

I wouldn't drop below the 20" mark if you are worried about velocity. Especially using factory ammo that normally runs slower. If you where a hand loader would be a completely different story. What unit in idaho you draw a tag for?

 

[BigMiss]

This is just a curiosity question: how far are you carrying it and how much elevation gain?

In the WT woods, barely carrying it at all. Out west... TBD.

The unit for this year is 5-10k elevation. We hunt hard, but I have no idea how our mileage will be in the mountains. I would assume half the mileage of last year with 10x the elevation. Last year in Montana, we averaged just a bit over 10 miles a day, but no elevation.

 

[BigMiss]

I wouldn't drop below the 20" mark if you are worried about velocity. Especially using factory ammo that normally runs slower. If you where a hand loader would be a completely different story. What unit in idaho you draw a tag for?

I'm not worried about it per se, just hung up on it for no reason as if I can carry to 600 at sea level thats plenty at higher DA.

My BIL and I both drew 36B. Never been there before but looking forward to a challenge.

 

[dårlig jeger]

I know bergara barrels are pretty chunky, if you go 18" will the barrel fit in the og6.5?

 

[LongWayAround]

I carried around a 24" 6.5CM this season without the suppressor and found it to be alright, albeit a little long. With the OG65 my barrel ends at 28".

If I wasn't planning to buy another gun, I would probably go to 18" to make cutting it worthwhile. I haven't found 22" to feel long, but also haven't used anything as short as what seems to be popular on here.

 

[BigMiss]

I know bergara barrels are pretty chunky, if you go 18" will the barrel fit in the og6.5?

I think so, but I need to measure with a caliper.

 

[HuntHarder]

18" is about perfect for my needs, with a 4" past the barrel can.

 

[huntabsarokee]

Well I had my daughter's Bergera cut to 19" because I couldn't decide either. I will say it handles much better with a can than my Tikka with a 22.5" barrel and a can.

 

[IDElkmagnet]

I'm not worried about it per se, just hung up on it for no reason as if I can carry to 600 at sea level thats plenty at higher DA.

My BIL and I both drew 36B. Never been there before but looking forward to a challenge.

I don't know how a couple inches would make a difference either way unless you plan to hit the bar in Challis.
A real average of 5+ miles per day in 36B is realistic for a few days but it wont be easy.
Be in great shape if you want to do that for 5 or more days straight.