I am trying to get the pros and cons on whether to get a 20 inch barrel or a 22 inch barrel for my ar10? I am wanting to take it out to a 1K but still mobile enough to move in and out of a deer bind and brush. Need a little a little help before dropping cash on an upper. Thanks y'all.
6.5 creedmoor 20in barrel or 22inch for AR10 platform?
- Thread starter Zachn131
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On an AR, balance is important and I find that getting a balance that feels right on a heavier 22" barrel on the AR10 platform, you're going to need slightly heavier furniture making a big and heavier total package. Even with a 20" on my .308 AR, I felt the balance was just right with a Magpul PRS stock and that rifle without mounts and scope is already close to 12 lbs.
With the 6.5 CM a 20" barrel is more than capable to 1k so you might want to think about whether the absolute most ballistic performance is more important or a more handy and usable rifle. At 1k, the performance difference between 20" and 22" is negligible, but the handling difference isn't. Even with a 20", moving around bush and a lot of obstacles feels a bit unwieldy, at least for my preferences. YMMV.
With the 6.5 CM a 20" barrel is more than capable to 1k so you might want to think about whether the absolute most ballistic performance is more important or a more handy and usable rifle. At 1k, the performance difference between 20" and 22" is negligible, but the handling difference isn't. Even with a 20", moving around bush and a lot of obstacles feels a bit unwieldy, at least for my preferences. YMMV.
This is something I have quite a bit of experience with. I have a GAP-10 with a 22” Bartlein barrel, and an Aero with an 18” Ballistic Advantage barrel. I use the GAP for matches and have taken it to 1200-1400 SEVERAL times without problems. The 18” feels MUCH lighter and more maneuverable. Not even a comparison, the 18” is much easier to shoot, move and re-establish.
I would go with a 20” if I were in your situation. The 20” will give you the velocity to get out as far as you likely want, while still being able maneuver it.
Since I have an 18” and a 22”, I don’t think I’ll necessarily run out and buy a 20, but I think it would be a great “do it all”.
I know Jack Leuba from KAC is running a 6.5CM in a KAC gun and he has stated that barrel length for length, the 6.5CM just flat out performs the .308. So, a 6.5CM in a 16”, 18”, or 20” will outdo a comparable .308. I see the 16-18”
6.5CM being a BIG thing very soon.
I would go with a 20” if I were in your situation. The 20” will give you the velocity to get out as far as you likely want, while still being able maneuver it.
Since I have an 18” and a 22”, I don’t think I’ll necessarily run out and buy a 20, but I think it would be a great “do it all”.
I know Jack Leuba from KAC is running a 6.5CM in a KAC gun and he has stated that barrel length for length, the 6.5CM just flat out performs the .308. So, a 6.5CM in a 16”, 18”, or 20” will outdo a comparable .308. I see the 16-18”
6.5CM being a BIG thing very soon.
I wanted a more maneuverable AR platform in 6.5, and I just sent a barrel off to be cut down to 18". If I was looking for maneuverability in brush, I'd definitely go with the 20" or less. I love my. 308s, but with the widespread adoption of the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge by civ and more and more miltary, it's hard to see a downside, so I agree with the above poster, think we will see more and more relatively short 6.5s.
I have a 22” 6.5 CM and I like it fine for hunting. Sure shorter barrels are more maneuverable. If it makes you feel better, I climb with mine in a tree climber. Balance is up to you. Everyone is different but I like the speed of a 22”. I use all of my COMP guns for hunting. If I can’t hunt, it’s useless.
I have a 22" BA, and a 24 " CF Christenson barrel...love the Carbon Fiber man!
Go with what you'd like best...
I think there are a couple of manufacturers making light profile 6.5 barrels in various lengths, that would fit any of your needs.
Good luck!
Go with what you'd like best...
I think there are a couple of manufacturers making light profile 6.5 barrels in various lengths, that would fit any of your needs.
Good luck!
I went thru your exact same dilemma, then I realized I was only 3 parts short for my 18" 6.5 grendel build so I went for a 22" 6.5CM. The CM is for target shooting and I'll have the 18" 6.5 grendel that will be much lighter and a bit shorter than a 20" large frame rifle that will still meet my needs for a hunting rifle.
I put a 20" on my LR308 , in 6.5 creedmoor. But I am having severe accuracy problems. I have shot 2 boxes of Hornady 129gr. And can't get less tha a 6" group at 100yds. I am going to try some 140gr next time out. My 308 upper shoots sub MOA. I am worried I got a bad barrel.
Not sure if you've seen this, but I just recently went to a 20" 6.5 Creedmoor in my AR10 platform rifle.
@DaNorseman I really like the 130 gr range for shorter barrels like this. Good BC with decent velocity. Specifically, the Berger 130 gr AR Hybrid factory ammo is shooting lights out in everything I've put it in.
@DaNorseman I really like the 130 gr range for shorter barrels like this. Good BC with decent velocity. Specifically, the Berger 130 gr AR Hybrid factory ammo is shooting lights out in everything I've put it in.
New GAP-10 Gen2 in 6.5CM. Equivocating between 20in and 20+in barrel.
In hand: EOTech EXPS3-4 HWS w/ G45.STS 5X Magnifier HHS V; 100ea Norma 6.5mm cases
In conversations with GAP at this time to lock in the build sheet (eg. twist rate, contour, length, thread pitch, muzzle device, bedding, coating). Similarly, will be reaching out to TBAC to source a "quieter" in Ti. Probably an Ultra 7 or 9 Gen 2.
Objective: mid/long range (200-600yds) steel/paper work in prone; shorter ranges off-hand/kneeling/sitting; potential for future hunting nuisance species; prospect for future thermal sight and OGL integration. Primarily suppressed use case across the board.
Commentary: first gas gun; experienced handloader and TRG 42 300WM driver. Weapon selection and caliber decided (ie, GAP-10 Gen 2, 6.5CM). Trending to a 20in barrel to facilitate accuracy in both suppressed and unsupressed states. Aware that the EOTech is based on 5.56 ballistics: however, the trajectories between 5.56 and 6.5CM match closely out to 500yds. See inset graphic from BHG blog. Will be targeting to a 1423gr Hornady A-MAX with H4350 for handloads.
Appreciate tech consult on barrel length and addl build specs from current/former GAP-10 Gen 2 users in 6.5CM. Note, the TBAC assy will be used on both the 6.5CM and 300WM platforms.
Thanks in advance for the consult!
In hand: EOTech EXPS3-4 HWS w/ G45.STS 5X Magnifier HHS V; 100ea Norma 6.5mm cases
In conversations with GAP at this time to lock in the build sheet (eg. twist rate, contour, length, thread pitch, muzzle device, bedding, coating). Similarly, will be reaching out to TBAC to source a "quieter" in Ti. Probably an Ultra 7 or 9 Gen 2.
Objective: mid/long range (200-600yds) steel/paper work in prone; shorter ranges off-hand/kneeling/sitting; potential for future hunting nuisance species; prospect for future thermal sight and OGL integration. Primarily suppressed use case across the board.
Commentary: first gas gun; experienced handloader and TRG 42 300WM driver. Weapon selection and caliber decided (ie, GAP-10 Gen 2, 6.5CM). Trending to a 20in barrel to facilitate accuracy in both suppressed and unsupressed states. Aware that the EOTech is based on 5.56 ballistics: however, the trajectories between 5.56 and 6.5CM match closely out to 500yds. See inset graphic from BHG blog. Will be targeting to a 1423gr Hornady A-MAX with H4350 for handloads.
Appreciate tech consult on barrel length and addl build specs from current/former GAP-10 Gen 2 users in 6.5CM. Note, the TBAC assy will be used on both the 6.5CM and 300WM platforms.
Thanks in advance for the consult!
