20" 6.5?

lencomatt

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 19, 2009
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COS, CO
So I'm going to start a new build and I want to keep the barrel at 20". I haven't played with a 6.5 yet so I think I will now. Which would be better a 6.5 Creedmoor or 260 Remington, would I even see a difference between the two? I would lean towards the Creedmoor. I don't think I need a ton of velocity from it, it needs to get to 600 yards and the very occasional 900+ but at altitude like 9000'. I was thinking the 140's going 2600-2700 should get me there. Is that a resonable velocity number from 20"? Does one get any better brass life than the other? And it needs to feed from an AICS magazine. Thanks
 
Re: 20" 6.5?

I reload so thats not really an issue. Its going to be a Badger 2013 in an AX chassis. I haven't looked for brass for either lately but the 260 used to be really easy to get where I live. I don't really know that I have seen 6.5 Creedmoor brass around.
 
Re: 20" 6.5?

I'm building one too and live at 9,000' ASL like you. I am having mine finished at 24" though. I'll be shooting 140 Amax to start. I figured I should start long and then trim the barrel if I wanted to later. You can't cut it longer! Everyone kept telling me to go long on the 6.5's....we'll see. We'll have to meet up at the DOW range near Buena Vista this summer and compare notes.

Edit to add: I went with the Creedmoor.
 
Re: 20" 6.5?

I run a 260 Rem with a 21.5" barrel and it runs just fine with the 140's and velocities you mention. For my money I would get a 260 Rem and use Lapua brass - long life and quality is in a league of it's own.