6.5 creedmoor barrel length

[Colorado Luckydog]

I've decided to buy a 6.5 Creedmoor for hunting deer, antelope, pigs and maybe a yote sometimes. I really don't like a 26" barrel and I know I give up some performance going to a 24" but it's worth it to me. I went to the gun store tonight and fell in love with a Sauer 100 Atacama. The problem is, it only has a 22" barrel. What's your thoughts on a 22" barrel in a 6.5 Creedmoor for hunting deer and antelope? Sometimes those can be longer shots. Should I stick to a 24" or would I be okay with the 22"? Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[318lll9740]

I have a ruger predator with a 22". With 140 vld and rl17 its 2800 fps. The 120 nosler bt was 2900. And the 100 nosler was 3000. Potent enough for any NA whitetail. All loads chronagraphed

 

[lancetkenyon]

I am rebuilding my 6.5SLR from a 28" to 22". I am tired of carrying around a 15# rifle, so it will be way more comfortable and handy when it is done.

I had a 140 HVLD running at 2960fps for my hunting load. I expect to lose 150fps. Making 2800 a real possibility. Anything close or over that will make me very happy.

 

[Canhunter35]

Depends on your node, the 6.5 is efficient enough to run in a 22" but a 24" is ideal imo. I have 26" 6.5cm runs 143eldx at 2739fps
My buddy has a 22" 6.5 that runs the 140eldms at 2715fps
You'll be fine with 22"

 

[Deleted member 103481]

Personally unless you are shooting competition and want extra weight I think a 26 on a Creed is a waste. 22 is perfect IMO

 

[BallisticsGuy]

The difference isn't enough to say grace over at any distance you'd shoot an animal at.

 

[letzhunt]

My Barrett Fieldcraft 6.5 Creed has an 18" barrel.......deer don't mind being killed by it! Do I have to adjust my dope for that rifle ...yep. But figuring that out (at the range of course) is part of the fun. I limit myself to shorter shots because of the energy loss at extended ranges, but that rifle is for a specific purpose. If I plan on longer shots (500 plus) I take my 300 WM. The point is if I was a "One Gun" kinda guy then yes a longer barrel would be better suited for ALL the hunting/shots I may encounter. However, If I were a One Gun guy my rifle would not likely be a 6.5 Creed either.
When I ask myself what length barrel do I want in a new build, my first question is what do I have already, Then what environment will I be carrying it (mountains, plains etc) and the farthest likely shot. Its always a compromise but what I have learned over the years:
1:You carry the rifle way more than you shoot it so weight may be a bigger factor than some realize.
2: barrel length is not always synonymous with weight. I tend to go thinner profile and longer length and that works. If I go short then I tend to go really short...so the advantage goes the way of portability.
3: In the end I build what I want and justify it however I need to....then I build in the opposite direction as well!

 

[ramrod79]

My Sons 6.5 CM has 22 inch barrel shoots 129 Hornady ammo into ragged holes 2832 on magneto speed. I used to reload 135 CH right around 2795.

 

[Shooter264]

I run a 21" bbl on my 6.5 creed sheep rifle. I run lapua brass, a stout load of H4350, and 143 ELDX. My gun scoots at 2865 with the 143's with an SD of 3. I have no issues with the short bbl on my creed. Accuracy and energy are both there at 900 yards+ for its intended purpose.

 

[wbm]

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[YZ-80]

My Wby. Altitude has a 22" bbl., and shoots <.5 MOA with a 130 Accubond. I'm running a pretty light load of 36.8 grains of RL-15. I'll amp that up next season and find a higher node but I was in a hurry to hunt with it in the late season after my wife got it for me for Christmas!

 

[cjl2010]

20" barrel here. 140 eldm at 2700 and 129 ablr at 2800.

 

[762x51]

mine is 22" in an LR308 platform. very accurate with 140-143 grain hornady ammo

 

[Rick Richard]

Going to a shorter barrel does nothing to reduce accuracy, but diminishes speed. Speed will be less, but probably not effect "killing power" in those hunting situations . Besides, for those longer shots a range finder will probably or should be used that will compensate for the drop. My preference is to go for the barrel length that will provide good balance and control. So, let that be the determing factor in the decision.