Building a 'Semi' accurate AR-10 in 6.5 CM

Stephen Chandler · Oct 16, 2024

Hi All,

I'm putting together another large frame AR platform firearm and want to set it up to be semi accurate for long range.

Long story short, I used to shoot F-Class with a bolt action and enjoyed it but it just got to be to much prep/time for me to really enjoy it anymore. (kids, wife, life, etc)

I sold my F-Class stuff and got out of it. I'm putting together another one in 6.5 CM to go out and shoot with the guys but i don't want nor plan to be 'competitive' like i was before.

I have two extra sets of receivers that are not built yet and I already have one AR-10 in 308 that's my 'play' rifle if you will.

I have a new Ballistics Advantage 24" Stainless Heavy Barrel in 6.5 Creedmoor that I will use. (i understand this is not the level of a Brux or Kreiger and not expecting that level of accuracy wither)

Currently i have the following:
BA 24" Barrel
CMC 2.5# Match trigger
Toolcraft High Pressure 6.5 Double Ejector BCG
CMMG Ambi LPK

My first question that i have is which receiver set to use.

Currently i have two, i have an Aero M5 Enhanced set and a Stag-10 receiver set.

I like the looks of the Stag more but if the Aero lends itself to being more accurate I will use that.

I intend on shimming/bedding either receiver.

Thank you

bfoosh006 · Oct 17, 2024

I would tend to use the Aero Enhanced set.

That said... I would suggest you consider a Criterion 22" 6.5CM barrel.
https://criterionbarrels.com/produc...-22-hvy-hybrid-barrel-nitride/?v=7516fd43adaa

The 22" BA/ Aero 6.5CM barrel is heavy, and frankly, mine didn't met my expectations accuracy wise. I realize you have already bought the BA... but ( and I have said this many times ) given the price of 6.5CM ammo, I don't want to waste it trying to make a barrel shoot well.

Good Barrel prices are a bargain in the shooting world.

My Criterion has shot like this , when all the shooting stars aligned. 100yds, 10rds Hornady AG 140gr, Scoped bagged, etc

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (2).jpg

My 22" BA / Aero has never come close to this.

stevieb92 · Oct 17, 2024

Stephen Chandler said:
Hi All,

I'm putting together another large frame AR platform firearm and want to set it up to be semi accurate for long range.

Long story short, I used to shoot F-Class with a bolt action and enjoyed it but it just got to be to much prep/time for me to really enjoy it anymore. (kids, wife, life, etc)

I sold my F-Class stuff and got out of it. I'm putting together another one in 6.5 CM to go out and shoot with the guys but i don't want nor plan to be 'competitive' like i was before.

I have two extra sets of receivers that are not built yet and I already have one AR-10 in 308 that's my 'play' rifle if you will.

I have a new Ballistics Advantage 24" Stainless Heavy Barrel in 6.5 Creedmoor that I will use. (i understand this is not the level of a Brux or Kreiger and not expecting that level of accuracy wither)

Currently i have the following:
BA 24" Barrel
CMC 2.5# Match trigger
Toolcraft High Pressure 6.5 Double Ejector BCG
CMMG Ambi LPK

My first question that i have is which receiver set to use.

Currently i have two, i have an Aero M5 Enhanced set and a Stag-10 receiver set.

I like the looks of the Stag more but if the Aero lends itself to being more accurate I will use that.

I intend on shimming/bedding either receiver.

Thank you

Of those two options I would absolutely go with the Aero M5 enhanced set. I have a few.

You will get a lot of nay sayers here in regards to the BA barrel. I have one of their 22 inch versions and it performed well and still does. I've detailed the load development on it through this forum several years ago. Did I get a fluke? Maybe, but I wanted to give it a try and I'm still pleased with it.

https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...vantage-barrel-140-eld-m-h4350-loads.6392411/

Stephen Chandler · Oct 17, 2024

stevieb92 said:
Of those two options I would absolutely go with the Aero M5 enhanced set. I have a few.

You will get a lot of nay sayers here in regards to the BA barrel. I have one of their 22 inch versions and it performed well and still does. I've detailed the load development on it through this forum several years ago. Did I get a fluke? Maybe, but I wanted to give it a try and I'm still pleased with it.

https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...vantage-barrel-140-eld-m-h4350-loads.6392411/

Thanks for the info.

I dont know if im going to reload for this one this time around. When i was shooting my bolt action at F-class (also 6.5CM) i was reloading for it and honestly i think that took some of the fun away. With the process i went through it just seemed more work, having young kids with young kid activities it got to where i never had time to load and was loading up til midnight or later the night before a match.

Funny looking at your thread, i loaded the same 41.5gn H4350, 140gn ELD-M's and Peterson brass. I dont remember my numbers but they were really good, i think my SD was single digit if i remember right.

Im planning on hopefully finding a factory round that's "good enough" - i have some 140eldM Hornady Match and some Berger 140's. I will keep the brass if i plan on loading in the future but i just don't think i want to. If i do, it will be a much more 'relaxed' process compared to before.

Nice to know your barrel shoots well. I know that i didnt buy top of line but hopefully it does okay.

Stephen Chandler · Oct 17, 2024

bfoosh006 said:
I would tend to use the Aero Enhanced set.

That said... I would suggest you consider a Criterion 22" 6.5CM barrel.
https://criterionbarrels.com/produc...-22-hvy-hybrid-barrel-nitride/?v=7516fd43adaa

The 22" BA/ Aero 6.5CM barrel is heavy, and frankly, mine didn't met my expectations accuracy wise. I realize you have already bought the BA... but ( and I have said this many times ) given the price of 6.5CM ammo, I don't want to waste it trying to make a barrel shoot well.

Good Barrel prices are a bargain in the shooting world.

My Criterion has shot like this , when all the shooting stars aligned. 100yds, 10rds Hornady AG 140gr, Scoped bagged, etc
View attachment 8526104

My 22" BA / Aero has never come close to this.

Thanks for the info - i was thinking of going with the Aero set, might have to now.

this barrel is definitely heavy but i don't plan on carrying this anywhere and most shooting will be done prone/from a bipod or bag.

Since i already own the barrel, ill give it a try and see how it does. If its complete crap ill pick up a better barrel but since I already have it im going to try it out. Starting to think i probably shouldn't glue it in then.

@xedentlyprone · Dec 6, 2024

stevieb92 said:
Of those two options I would absolutely go with the Aero M5 enhanced set. I have a few.

You will get a lot of nay sayers here in regards to the BA barrel. I have one of their 22 inch versions and it performed well and still does. I've detailed the load development on it through this forum several years ago. Did I get a fluke? Maybe, but I wanted to give it a try and I'm still pleased with it.

https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...vantage-barrel-140-eld-m-h4350-loads.6392411/

I agree. I Just put together a Stag 10 build set from aero they have for $199 and $124 for handgaurd, to try out semi budget accuracy build using a BA fluted 24" in 6.5 cm. Broke in last week and it's shooting the 140 and 147 eldm factory box's well after a few sight in and break in rounds. 1st couple 5 shot groups did pretty good with the 147s looking like they want to group the best. Next to get an EC tunner and work up a load.

Ballistic advantage and stag seem to be a decent combo so far

Stephen Chandler · Dec 8, 2024

Took mine out today. I'm way way out of practice.

Shot three different rounds through it, 12x (I don't remember) Winchester White box, 140 Berger and 140 Hornady American gunner

They all did well, the burgers grouped best but the American gunner was close. Id get a good group of 3-4 then id start pulling shots and I know it was me.

It's probably been a year since I tried to shoot anything like this. Going to pick up some pills and get some reloads going

Hecouldgoalltheway · Dec 8, 2024

That American gunner ammo is always impressive. If I had a time machine I'd go back to 2018 and buy a trailer load of it when it was .45/ round.

Stephen Chandler · Dec 8, 2024

Hecouldgoalltheway said:
That American gunner ammo is always impressive. If I had a time machine I'd go back to 2018 and buy a trailer load of it when it was .45/ round.

Yeah I was definitely impressed with it I just don't like Hornady brass for reloading

The Berger comes in lapua brass, so been buying it to save the brass.

I will say, while not super impressive, this was 10 rounds rapid fire at 100y with the cheap Winchester White box I bought. Just to see what happens. I was most impressed with this. About 2" group. Rounds were sent as soon as I got a sight picture again so definitely quickly

Hecouldgoalltheway · Dec 8, 2024

Everything that says creedmoor on the head stamp is going to shoot well in most cases. Hornady hit a homerun there. I'm convinced you can put 40gr of h4350 in any creedmoor case, jam any bullet you want in there, and it will shoot sub moa..

Stephen Chandler · Dec 9, 2024

JR1200W3 said:
Nosler RDF: "Hold my beer...."

Because they are good? Or bad? Lol

hlee · Dec 9, 2024

Stephen Chandler said:
Because they are good? Or bad? Lol

RDF has attained the moniker of “random damned flier…”

hlee · Dec 9, 2024

Stephen Chandler said:
Yeah I was definitely impressed with it I just don't like Hornady brass for reloading

The Berger comes in lapua brass, so been buying it to save the brass.

I will say, while not super impressive, this was 10 rounds rapid fire at 100y with the cheap Winchester White box I bought. Just to see what happens. I was most impressed with this. About 2" group. Rounds were sent as soon as I got a sight picture again so definitely quickly

You might not like the damage that an AR can impart to your Lapua brass. And, invest in a brass catcher so you don’t have to scour the grass for your Lapua brass.

Stephen Chandler · Dec 9, 2024

hlee said:
You might not like the damage that an AR can impart to your Lapua brass. And, invest in a brass catcher so you don’t have to scour the grass for your Lapua brass.

I usually use the hat on a turret trick.

I'm going to order one of these 'brass goats' I think they are called

hlee · Dec 9, 2024

Stephen Chandler said:
I usually use the hat on a turret trick.

I'm going to order one of these 'brass goats' I think they are called

I don’t think they make one for the large frame guns. But their small frame catcher is pretty good. Though, a single piece of brass rattles like hell in that plastic box, especially when you’re trying to be quiet in a deer stand…I’m thinking about fabbing up a fabric bag for deer hunting…

Stephen Chandler · Dec 9, 2024

hlee said:
I don’t think they make one for the large frame guns. But their small frame catcher is pretty good. Though, a single piece of brass rattles like hell in that plastic box, especially when you’re trying to be quiet in a deer stand…I’m thinking about fabbing up a fabric bag for deer hunting…

They list this one on their site

https://brassgoat.com/products/brass-goat-ar-brass-catcher-bg10

Ill get it ordered and let you know how it works out

diggler1833 · Dec 9, 2024

hlee said:
I don’t think they make one for the large frame guns. But their small frame catcher is pretty good. Though, a single piece of brass rattles like hell in that plastic box, especially when you’re trying to be quiet in a deer stand…I’m thinking about fabbing up a fabric bag for deer hunting…

Tactical Brass Recovery brass catchers FTW.

Bonus that it flips out to clear a jam. I've actually had two double-feeds over the years hog hunting at night, and the speed at which I can get the brass catcher out of the way to rack the bolt to the rear and get my fingers in there to clear the jam (in the pitch black) is pretty sweet. I usually don't see a reason to spend more on stuff like that...but in this case it was well worth it. Not needed for a range toy for sure though.

Stephen Chandler · Dec 16, 2024

I got it back out to the range this weekend. Originally i was semi happy with the way it shot, but not stellar over the moon excited. I need to set my expectations because my last 6.5cm was a bolt gun with a 31" Brux heavy palma barrel so yeah completely different animal lol.

Did some quick load workup for 140 ELD-M's and 130 ELD-M's using both 4350.

I haven't tried to shoot for groups in almost a year now and the bench i was shooting from had a very low seat so was very hard to get into a position that i was stable and comfortable in. But overall it did well and i think I'm right where i should/want to be for a budgetish gas gun.

That was Friday, Saturday i was supposed to shoot a F-Class match that ended up getting cancelled due to weather while i was enroute. I asked the Match Director since I was already halfway there if i could still do some shooting and he said sure.

I didn't bring any targets with me as the club uses Shot Marker electronic targets and since the match was cancelled they didnt set anything up. We do have steel gongs at the target line so i spent a couple hours in 20-30mph winds shooting at the gongs. There is a 4', 2' and 1' gong and was able to repeatedly make hits on all three at both 600 and 1000 yards. No idea what the grouping looked like and was definitely fighting heavy winds. But the BA barrel seemed to do really well. I also was still only shooting the factory ammo i had bough so i can get some of the brass fire formed. I am excited for next month to get back out and see what it can really do.

Was a blast shooting rapid at 600 on the big gong and by the time my 10 round mag was empty i could still hear 4-5 impacts hitting after I was done firing. And the wind definitely added something 'extra'

Stephen Chandler · Dec 16, 2024

Oh! And the Brass hog came in, it fits the Stag-10 lower like a glove with no adapter shims.

I use it without the 'magazine' because i shoot with a 10 round mag and the brasshog thing is the size of a 25rd mag.

without the brasshog mag thing, it dumps the fired brass in a really small neat pile. Highly recommend and will be getting one for my AR-15 as well.

bfoosh006 · Dec 17, 2024

Good Shooting !

And very glad to see the BA / Aero barrel has worked out !

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