08-29-2011, 03:03 PM
I'm new to the AR platform and the 6.5. I plan on purchasing or building a hunting rifle in the 6.5 grendel. I live in southern AZ and most any hunting is long range. I have done long range shooting with my bolt action 7mm. When it comes to cleaning and cooling down the rifle I currently will do 5 shots then run a cloth down the barrel and wait about 15 mins or so. The AR is designed to withstand many rounds, heat etc. For your long range shots do you clean the barrel after x shots or do you need wait for the barrel to cool for any length of time? Also what length of barrel do you recommend? I have spoken with local gunsmiths that do not recommend a barrel longer than 20", due to the barrel weight being too much for the receiver, and complications. However, I have always been taught that longer barrels equals better accuracy. What do you think?