6.5 Build - Choosing a barrel?

[Ironman8]

I'm looking to build up a rifle that is capable of shooting out to 1K mostly for fun but I also want good terminal ballistics for hunting out to 3-400 yds. I hunt whitetail/hogs here in TX but do hunts out west for Elk as well.

This will be mostly suppressed (once I decide on a suppressor) and being that I do backpack hunts out west, I'd like it to be fairly lightweight. OAL is slightly a concern but not at the expense of capability.

Main question I have at this point is whether I should go with a 16" or 18" barrel? It seems like you only get ~20 fps difference, but I don't want to go with the 16" and find out I can't reach 1K before going trans/sub-sonic at my AO which is roughly sea level

Second question is what barrel is recommended that is MOA or better capable? I was leaning toward either the Faxon barrels or the AA Lite 16" or 18" but thought I'd ask here first. Will either of the above give me what I'm after? Or should I look elsewhere?

Thanks guys.

[mdram]

lilja, bartlein, the usual suspects

lightweight and long range dont usually go together

[LRRPF52]

I think that since suppressing it is an important requirement, the JP 18" with RLGS is going to be your best bet for an 18".

It has the same contour as my Lilja 318, which is no longer available, so this is one path to a truly lightweight rifle, with superb accuracy.

The price includes the JP enhanced bolt with their new beefed-up extractor made from a stronger alloy.

[Ironman8]

Does an adjustable gas block change anything regarding the recommended gas length?

Is a 16" not something you would consider for my application?

[LRRPF52]

16" MLGS with adjustable gas could be another option, and many forum members have gone that route.

Buffer it heavily as a rate reducer.

Since you want to shoot out to 1000yds as well down at sea level, more barrel length will help push you over the edge, in addition to a 20 MOA scope base.

130gr AR Hybrid will get you to 1000yds and still be supersonic. You need at least a 1/8 twist.

[Ironman8]

I'll have to look again to see if I can fit a primo barrel like the JP in the budget. Would either of the AA offerings be capable of MOA or better?

Also, I'll be using an A5 (H2) buffer system.

[Nicaburns]

I just picked up one of these but have just started trying it out

http://www.undergroundtactical.com/products/6-5-grendel-barrel-ultralight-w-bolt.html

Not crazy expensive, fits the weight concept, and from just a few rounds I am seeing right at an inch with factory loads

[jonny rotton]

i have a light weight fluted 16" aa barrel and absolutely love it. i took a long range class with it and did very well. it's great to 800 yards but can still hit at 1,000 yards. mine shoots sub minute of angle with 123 sst's and with ppu 120's. i have not tried any handloads yet.

[Ironman8]

I just picked up one of these but have just started trying it out

http://www.undergroundtactical.com/products/6-5-grendel-barrel-ultralight-w-bolt.html

Not crazy expensive, fits the weight concept, and from just a few rounds I am seeing right at an inch with factory loads

It looks like that barrel uses the "Type I" bolt (.125). My understanding is that the Type II (.136) bolt is more durable...not sure if that's actually true though. Looks like a nice light profile though. Didn't see a weight listed....

[Ironman8]

i have a light weight fluted 16" aa barrel and absolutely love it. i took a long range class with it and did very well. it's great to 800 yards but can still hit at 1,000 yards. mine shoots sub minute of angle with 123 sst's and with ppu 120's. i have not tried any handloads yet.

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like a really good shooter. Are you at sea level? Or at a higher elevation? From the sound of it, being at sea level, 1000 yards may be right at the edge of transonic range.

[jonny rotton]

i shoot mostly at about 3200 feet elevation.

[diddlyv]

My 20 Inch Odin shoots factory 123 SST 2525 FPS at muzzle. My 16 inch Barrier Defense (we think anderson barrel) shoots Factory SST123 SST 2435 FPS. Guessing an 18 incher would be about 2450-2460 FPS. Crank those numbers into your favorite Ballistic calculator and see where they go Sub Sonic at your elevation. Hornady.com has a pretty decent calculator.

[Ironman8]

Well, I got the Shooter App on my phone and plugged in a MV of 2435 with Hornady 123gr. A-MAX @ 70*F , 50ft above Sea Level, 29.92 inHg, 50% humidity.

It shows a velocity of 1160 fps at 1000 yds.

So, I suppose I'm good to go with a 16" if that's accurate.

ETA: Hornady's Standard ballistic Calc shows 1157 but their 4DOF calculator shows the velocity down in the mid 900's for their 123gr ELD bullet. Not sure how it's that far off from each other.

[Commander184]

Super sonic to 1000 yards seems like asking a lot out of an 18" barrel to me. It's winter right now but if I don't get over 2500 fps out of my 24" lilja i fall off around 900 yards. I can't imagine a 18 inch will do it consistently without pushing your brass hard with a hand load. My range is about 770 ft about sea level

[The Profit Joseph Sith]

So i dont want to hijack this thread but rather add to it its kinda related. is there a sweet spot as far as barrel length goes for 6.5grendel? I've read 20" and 24" are the best, is there any truth to this? Im also hearing like diddlyv above it doesnt look like you loose alot of fps from 20" to 16" I imagine land and grove utilized makes a big difference as well?