All this MRGG talk along with a few video reviews by "Mountains, Mullets, Merica!" ( I know he's on here, can't remember user's name) has me curious about 6.5 Creedmoor in a gas gun but but with a 14.5" barrel. Looking for a bit of feedback.
The plan is to buy an existing rifle or upper in 308 and convert the barrel, specifically a POF Rogue. Part of the reason for the 308 converted to 6.5 is I can't get what I want off the shelf in 6.5CM and I want some parts compatibility between the new rifle and my existing 308 gas gun. The Rogue forged upper does work with my 308 billet lower and the BCG is identical. The POF small frame 6.5CM and 308 does use proprietary barrel extension BUT there's at least one other company making aftermarket barrels for it so I can pick my length and twist.
I have two off the shelf 308 options to choose from, one being a complete 13.75" upper with a pinned-on muzzle device or the complete rifle top to bottom. There's about a $500 difference and both come in my color of choice. With that said, if I bought the complete rifle, the trigger and furniture would get swapped out. There's actually a 12.5" CM upper too but wrong color and wrong hand guard length for a 14.5" barrel.
I haven't seen any stripped lowers in the wild, and not in the needed color. Having just an upper has never gone well and I could SBR the new one and leave my 308 alone since it's a 16.5" gun and would make interstate travel easier. I always end up building a dedicated lower for "rogue" uppers I have lying around but it may work for me in this situation. Famous last words.
Additionally, it doesn't make sense but I could purchase all the components for an upper individually, sans barrel but at a few hundred dollars more vs. purchasing a complete upper. The included barrel is pretty much worthless to me due to the Dead Air compatible muzzle device that's pinned on so it is what it is.
I've already started working on the reloading side of things and have 4 lbs. of H4350 and small rifle magnum primers which are easier to find than large rifle (CCI 41's). Being in Texas, going outdoors when it's less than 50 degrees out is a no-go so the small rifle primers seem to make sense. Haven't gotten any cases yet, still doing research. I have a few faster burning powders in my inventory already (VV550, IMR 4046, BLC-2, and a few more) that may work better than H4350 in a short barrel. I've settled on a 130 grain Berger bullet and will only load for that particular projectile to keep things simple (again, famous last words). I'll have to get another Dillon tool head set up with dies and other components as well.
Last time I was at my local range, they had more 6.5CM on hand than 308. I've now seen that twice, including at a big box store. With the military adopting the cartridge in greater numbers, it now makes sense to me especially if once fired used brass from LC becomes available.
There really no actual need for it, will be a fun gun unless I really enjoy shooting it more than my other rifles. From what I've read thus far, it'll have better ballistics than my 16.5" 308. I do have a few scopes lying around without a permanent host, a few suppressors and have lots of extra furniture, lights, etc. taking up space so that problem is solved as well.
If I do this right, it'll be a five pound rifle naked. Maybe just run an LVPO 1-8. Might be interesting, no?
www.altusshooting.com
