6.5 Creedmoor and barrel length?

[Aberhan]

I recently purchased a Bergara B14 Stoke in 6.5 Creedmoor. This rifle comes with a 20 inch barrel. I find that although it shoots 120 grain bullets accurately enough, it really doesn’t like 140’s. Groups in this weight range are disappointing. My previous Bergara B14 HMR would handle all bullet weights extremely well, the only real difference between the two rifles is the barrel length. Plus the HMR has a heavier barrel. I’m inclined to think the 6.5 Creedmoor needs the 24 inch barrel, but what are your thoughts?

 

[Blkram]

There is no rhyme or reason as to why a barrel will, or will not, like certain bullets and/or certain bullet weights. You must try each rifle to determine which your firearm is going to prefer.
Even barrels that come of the production line in consecutive order may shoot completely different one from another, regardless that they were given the same twist, cut with the same button, and/or chambered with the same reamer. (Barrel harmonics may differ substantially due to the quality of the steel in the individual barrel blanks e.g., hardness, porosity, density, etc.)
I would imagine that both barrels have the same 1:8 twist, so hopefully that mitigates any difference in preference for bullet weight, but as mentioned above, is still no guarantee.
But as both rifles were probably manufactured in different years, there is the high probability that the cutters performing the rifling, or mandrels used for the hammer forging, were different, and/or the reamer used to chamber them were also different.
While the longer barrel is heavier, the shorter barrel, even though of a lighter profile, should be stiffer due to its length, both of which will affect the barrel harmonics as projectiles travel down the barrel, effecting bullet performance (accuracy) down range.

Have you only tried one type of bullet profile in the new rifle? E.g., High BC bullets such as the ELD-X or M, and Bergers (or vice-versa)
If so, it might be worth trying a different bullet of a different profile, such as an AccuBond or Ballistic Tip. Or even trying a flat based bullet design vs a boattail design to see if your new rifle shows promise with another profile. You may stumble onto a winner for this rifle.

And have you checked all the other variables on the new rifle?

• Bedding
• Barrel free floating, or may require a shim at the front of the barrel channel
• Action screw torqs
• Muzzle crown
• Scope and mounting system

 

[JN270]

I don't think the 6.5 Creedmoor needs a 24" Barrel. Generally speaking a longer barrel will be beneficial for velocity.

I don't think you can equate your gun not shooting a 140 grain bullet to the barrel length. I don't know what bullets you have tried. Nothing wrong with using the 120 grain. If you want to use a 140 grain try some different bullets and see.

 

[sako2]

Faster powder?

 

[SJB358]

I don't think the 6.5 Creedmoor needs a 24" Barrel. Generally speaking a longer barrel will be beneficial for velocity.

I don't think you can equate your gun not shooting a 140 grain bullet to the barrel length. I don't know what bullets you have tried. Nothing wrong with using the 120 grain. If you want to use a 140 grain try some different bullets and see.

Agreed. Or a faster or slower powder.

 

[bdbrown66]

Try some 129/130gr bullets instead. My 6.5CM loves the 129gr Hornady SST.

 

[Hunter26]

Like others have mentioned, barrel length in and of itself has nothing to do with a certain weight bullet shooting well or not. Either you haven't found a 140 class bullet it likes (you didn't mention specifics) or your barrel could be one of those weird quirky ones that don't like heavier bullets. Also another misconception is faster powders will be better in shorter barrels and this is not the case.

I have rifles and 15" Encore pistols in 257 Roberts and 30-06. Every single load that is fastest in the rifle, is fastest in the pistols. Also, they shoot all common weight class bullets just fine among them.

Aberhan, can you give us more info on the 140gr load that hasn't shot well? Have you tried other 140/142/143gr bullets in the Creedmoor?

 

[TEXASforLIFE]

Are you set on certain weight of a bullet or a minimum velocity? All my creeds are in AR's from 18" to 24". Is this a range toy or something for hunting? If hunting what is max distance you'll be shooting to? Depending on the amount of rounds you've shot you might need 100+ before really knowing its capabilities. If you handload you'll need to try different powder/bullet/primer combos .

 

[Wis65x55]

I recently purchased a Bergara B14 Stoke in 6.5 Creedmoor. This rifle comes with a 20 inch barrel. I find that although it shoots 120 grain bullets accurately enough, it really doesn’t like 140’s. Groups in this weight range are disappointing. My previous Bergara B14 HMR would handle all bullet weights extremely well, the only real difference between the two rifles is the barrel length. Plus the HMR has a heavier barrel. I’m inclined to think the 6.5 Creedmoor needs the 24 inch barrel, but what are your thoughts?

Have a couple of different ideas; What is the barrel twist rate of your 6.5 Creedmoor? Considering the 20" barrel, it may also help trying a slightly faster burning powder as well as subbing in a different primer.

 

[HeathSexton]

My 20” ctr shoots 140gr+ bullets fantastic.

 

[RL338]

For the longest time the only bullet my 6.5 Creed saw was a 140gr RDF. During the bullet crisis a few years back I couldn’t get them anymore so I found some 145gr Matchburners. It took 100 rounds before I found a load. They will only shoot jammed vs the RDF 0.020” off.
Sometimes it takes a little work to get a load to shoot.