Benefits of 6.5 Creedmoor in the AR-10 Platform


In the world of modifications, it can get quite confusing trying to decide what will work best for your weapon. To make final decisions of what you want and need, you must first understand your options. What is a 6.5 Creedmoor? What are the benefits of it? Is it worth the hassle of switching?

The 6.5 Creedmoor is a long-range centerfire rifle round that is based on two other types of rounds. It is based on the .30 Thompson Center and the 6.5x52mm Carcano cartridge from the Italian military. These rounds were purposely built for competition shooting, specifically from benches or other supports. This round can also be used in the AR-10 semi-automatic rifle platform which is basically a scaled up version of the AR-15.
They can easily hit a target 1,000 meters away and could be used to shoot even farther with the correct optics attached.
What are the benefits of using this specialty-built cartridge? Let us look at the specifications of the Creedmoor and you will immediately see why many marksmen prefer it on their AR-10.

  • Case Length: 1.920″
  • Overall Length: 2.825″
  • Bullet Diameter: 0.264″
  • Case Capacity: 52.5 gr H2O
  • Max Pressure (CIP): 63,091 PSI
  • Max Pressure (SAAMI): 62,000 PSI

This all creates the perfect conditions for a high muzzle velocity of 3,020 feet per second. The .300 Winchester Magnum has comparable velocity. but with a much lighter bullet. These two things combined, the lightweight bullet and the high velocity, create a speed that can continue past 1,000.
o use this to your advantage on the range, you must create the rifle that best fits you and your favorite specifications. But where do you begin with setting up a rifle personalized to you?

What Barrel Length Is Optimal

Since the 6.5 Creedmoor uses about 50% more powder than a 6.5 Grendel, and it is faster than the .308 Winchester, the Creedmoor requires a large, long gun to work properly. Many times, this means sacrifice and having to carry around a heavier weapon. However, there are enthusiasts who have tested out how the velocity changes based on the length of the barrel.
Luckily for us, the velocity does not change much with a shorter barrel. It only lowers a maximum of about 8%, which is not much at all in the world of velocity! It has been found that the highest velocity will be with a barrel that is 25” in length, but the most velocity with the shortest possible barrel will be with a length of 20” to 22”.

How Does Twist Rate Effect Bullet Stability?

For the Creedmoor, a twist rate of 1:8 is the best for stabilizing the Creedmoor. This twist rate is optimal because it stabilizes the heaviest of Creedmoor rounds but does not over stabilize lighter loads. This means you can reliably shoot all Creedmoor cartridges with this twist rate.
This means you can target practice up to 1,400 yards away, and you can hunt most game at about 600 yards away. This is an intense difference and may even be a distance you are not confident in hunting from!

What 6.5 Creedmoor Parts are Compatible

The only parts unique to the Creedmoor are the barrel and barrel extension. You can exchange everything else in a Creedmoor and other ARs. If you already have a LR-308, you will not have to build an entirely new rifle to use the 6.5 Creedmoor.

In this case, you only will need to switch out the barrel and the barrel extension. If you choose to switch out the barrel, you will want to contact a gunsmith to help replace the barrel nut.
If you would prefer to build a whole new rifle for your 6.5 Creedmoor, there are Creedmoor build kits that can be purchased. Having a build kit makes the process of building a new weapon much easier by taking out the guesswork in what specifications you need for each part of the weapon.
The kit is created and put together by Creedmoor. It provides you with the optimal barrel, twist rate, and gas system, put together from their own research. This keeps you from having to go into as much depth when deciding what options to purchase. It may feel like cheating, but it is not! It is simply using all of your resources to your advantage.

More Advantages of 6.5 Creedmoor In The AR-10 Platform

We already know that the Creedmoor has intense power, is lightweight, and is compatible with most everything except for the barrel and barrel extension. That is not all the 6.5 Creedmoor has going for it, though. A few additional benefits of the Creedmoor are as follows:

  • It is less affected by wind at long ranges as compared to other calibers. If you are in a competition and must make a quick wind decision, the 6.5 Creedmoor will give you an advantage in that you do not have to debate long.
  • The Creedmoor does not have a large recoil. This makes it easier to keep from missing your initial shot and makes it easier to make a follow-up shot.
  • 6.5 Creedmoor has an advantage when hunting game from farther distances.

The decision is in the hands of you, the marksman. If you have the opportunity, the best thing for you to do is to try a 6.5 Creedmoor side by side with the other options you have in your arsenal.
Seeing them side by side and in the conditions that you will most be operating under will give you the chance to see all the benefits the 6.5 Creedmoor has in the AR-10 platform.
The lightweight nature of the round, the amazing velocity that remains stable even at large distances, and the ability to not have to worry about making much wind correction all create the perfect storm for increased success on the range. What do all these qualities have in common?

They are qualities of the 6.5 Creedmoor. Whether you are looking for a weapon you can rely on while hunting, in competition, or you want to try your hand at modifying something new, the 6.5 Creedmoor will not leave you disappointed.

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