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Which is the velocity difference between a 24 in barrel and a 20 inch in this caliber ? It's worthwhile ? I have seen two Steyr rifles in this caliber and I don't know which is best. I like the 20 inch very much but maybe I am sacrifizing too much velocity.. The idea is to use it with 140 grainers. One chap told me that with the 24 incher he obtained 2,800 fps. Thanks L | ||
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Mine is 21" and it still shoots a 120 grain bullet over 3,000 FPS. I see no reason to have a longer barrel if you really want a short one. | |||
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2800 fps out of a 24 inch bbl is a little bit of a stretch...it is most likely be over book max and would have to be the optimum powder. The typical 140 grn load from a 24 inch test bbl is is in the 2650-2725 range. Figure about 100 fps less for the 4 inches of barrel. Any shot inside of 250 yards the 4 inches of bbl length is really not going to matter...and how many shots are you going to take over 250 yds. I would get the rifle you like and adjust your hunting tactics. The 6.5x55 is a pretty efficient case. Mike Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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2700fps is about the norm in a 20" tube. A longer barrel really won't help the cause. 6.5x55 is very efficient. I like 129gr offerings better than 140gr. Most 140gr are cheaper bullets. | |||
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I have a Sako Finnlight in 6.5X55. It has a barrel shorter than 21 inches. I have two other 6.5X55s with longer barrels. I shoot 130 Swifts out of those and use 140s and 160s in the Sako.My longest shot with the Finnlight was 282 lasered yards with a 140 bullet.Held the horizontal crosshair on the top of his shoulder and he dropped in his tracks. | |||
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I chopped two '96 mausers, one to 24" the other 21", the velocity difference using 120 CLs over IMR 4831 was right at 100fps, 3", 33fps per inch. At normal ranges, the ballistics won't be a deal breaker. That said, in a medium capacity 6.5, my opt is for a 23-24" optimum, but my 22" Ruger #1 does not disappoint. 2700 is the norm with 140s. I used a 130 abond right about 2800 mv to flatten a deer at 250 yds last year. Muzzle blast and handling are the deciding factors. A 20 incher is going to be a tad louder, and closer to your ears, yet I wear plugs + muffs at the range, and often plugs when hunting. I always felt that stock fit and rifle fit/handling cannot be overlooked in choosing what is best for the individual hunting/conditions within reason. SHORT carbine bbls are more efficient with larger bores (ie. 338 fed/'06, 358W/Whelen) and higher expansion ratios. The old 29.1" bbls on the '96 mausers were really tame and velocities really up there......but that length was not anywhere close to MY ideal for handling as a hunting rifle to be carried. Pick what feels best to YOU and be happy. For rifles to be shot with alot of volume of rounds, longer bbls having less blast were always welcome in my experience, but hunting rifles used on big game often don't get extended shooting sessions. | |||
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Personally, I like a 22-26 inch barrel. My Sako AV is 23 inches and it balances nicely. The 6.5x55 isn't known as a speed demon. It's magical at modest velocities. Lou **************** NRA Life Benefactor Member | |||
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.26 caliber bore is pretty small - if outside diameter of barrel is same as a barrel in 308 then obviously it will weigh more. Like Dr. Lou stated, balance is important for 'point-ability'. Put aside looks & velocity, get the one that feels the best. | |||
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Thanks gentlemen !!!! I will let you know which one I will keep. The rifles are Steyr Manlichers with both barrel lengths. L | |||
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Lorenzo, I bought my daughter a sporterized one offered several years ago as a package deal and it sports a 20" barrel. Figured that the way she like to hunt in trashy weather I would not have to sacrifice one of the nicer one from the collection. The best load I found for it was using the 140gr Hornady A-Max which had just come out at the time. Loaded to a MV of just over 2600fps, it has shot lengthwise through several hogs out to 350yds. Up close expansion is a bit more pronounced, but it has worked very favorably on both whitetail deer and hogs at all ranges we have attempted. Recoil is light and muzzle blast hasn't been an issue that we have noted. I am sure that there are better loads and better bullets for the task at hand, but I cannot argue with the results we have gotten from it over the past 8 - 10 years or so. Good luck with your decision, I am sure you won't be disappointed. Mike / Tx | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Small Calibers 6,5x55 barrel length ?
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