Range Report Advice please on a 22" 6.5mm

[silhouette]

Not quite sure where to put this, but I've recently rebarreled my Tikka to 6.5x47lapua, with a 24" Rock Creek Sendero profile. Shooting 123 Scenars at 2925 fps.
I originally was going for 22", but others suggested I make it 24". It's mostly for PRS/NRL type matches within 500m and occasionally out to 1000m.
I know I'd lose about 50 fps cutting it off, but like the maneuverability of short barrels and any weight saving is a plus as it also gets carried up and down hills while hunting dingoes.
Is it a mistake to shorten it?

 

[47guy]

ive been shooting/experimenting with short barrels for awhile now...my current barrel is a 23" 6.5x47.... i just had the next one chambered last week and it will be 24" which IMHO is the perfect balance between mobility and velocity...im shooting 140g bergers at 2750 right now and can get them up to 2825 but it starts getting hard on brass...i can shoot 130g bergers at 2950 before it starts getting hard on brass in this same barrel.
in my next barrel i will shoot the 130s and should be able to shoot them pretty comfortable at 2900-2950...i think 24" and 130s are the perfect combo in the 47....personally i dont care for bullets lighter than 130s in 6.5 as wind calls get a lot tougher out at distance.

 

[MarkLeupold]

Hey, Frank shoots a 20" .260 quite successfully. My build is going to be a 6.5x47mm Lapua, and I'm either going 20" or 22". I don't really care too much. The fact that anything I put through it is going to shoot flatter and drift less than my .308 eases my mind on the decision. I'm not looking for the razor's edge to walk. I'll be PRS shooting, hunting, target shooting with it, and all a shorter barrel means is that I'll have to work on my wind calls a little harder than the 26"-28" 6.5 Creed that's next on the shooting line, and I have every bit of confidence in myself to accomplish that. If the maneuverability means enough to you, cut it. It's going to make a bigger difference in how the rifle shoots and feels to you than 50 fps.

 

[silhouette]

I appreciate the replies.
I've always been under the impression that smaller cases handle shorter barrels better than large capacity ones. Mostly because the smaller charge does its job by the time the bullet leaves the muzzle. Or at least that's my theory. So comparing a x47 to a 260, I think it's probably going to be the more efficient of the two with a short barrel.
I might not do it straight away, but I have more confidence when I do.
Cheers.

 

[bornhunter04]

I run a 22" suppressed 6.5cm. Generally use 130gr bullets between 2800-2850. They shoot good and consistent. 140's run low 2700 to 2750. With a 1:8 twist and the lower speeds I think the 130s are a better bullet. I do shookt local prs and this has never left me wanting as far as barrel length or speed. The weight is perfect for me too and is still maneuverable with the can.

 

[260284]

I have heard of guys using faster powder with shorted 6.5 barrels and lighter bullets to get higher velocity. I have a 20" for my Creedmoor that I will put on before deer season next year. I am running Re16 in my 23.5", I might try some Varget with the 129 ABLR.

 

[Bandit31]

I just started shooting in my Proof Cf 22" 7.5 twist barrel chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. I have about 120 rounds down the tube and ran two charge weights on the magneto speed just to see what was up.

41.9 gr H4350, New Hornady brass, CCI 200, and 140gr Eldm was 2711 avg.

42.4gr H4350 was 2749 avg. I'm sure the barrel will speed up soon but so far i'm content.

I did run some left over hunting loads from my old barrel -127gr Barnes Lrx, 43ish gr Rl16 in hornady brass and was 2900 fps.