Estimated studying time: 8 minutes
Can the 6.5 Creedmoor ever be dethroned? Superb ballistics, minimal recoil, inherently correct, a big number of bullet sorts and weights, tons of brass… What extra are you able to ask for?
I really like my 6.5 Creedmoors. I’ve used 16.5in, 20in, and 26in metal and carbon barrels in 6.5 Creedmoor for varied actions. I even have Proof Carbon prefit 6.5 Creedmoor barrels that shoot superior proper out of the field. I’ve change into so accustomed to the caliber that I hardly do load growth now. I drop 41 grains of H4350 in a case, seat a Berger 144 hybrid or a Hornady 147 eldm about 20 thousandths off the lands, and go to capturing.
I rarely shoot teams greater than 1/2in group at 100 yds and so they’re usually a ragged gap. I exploit my 6.5 Creedmoor in PRS matches, NRL Hunter matches, and even take elk from 150-600 yds. However, I used to be at all times sore a few barrel burning out at 2000 rounds and decrease energies for elk looking… A minimum of by my requirements. I began toying with the thought of a 7 Sherman Quick, which is actually a 7 SAUM that has the shoulders blown out like a Dasher. I used to be shopping Patriot Valley Arms and observed they’ve an choice for a 7 Creedmoor in a brief motion. So I inquired.
The Construct of the 7 Creedmoor
Josh Kunz at Patriot Valley Arms has spearheaded the pre-fit world of barrels for years. He cuts a imply barrel and has a brand new carbon line that I have to say rivals my Proofs, if not edges them out, in the case of first-round influence shifts in an 8-shot string. I referred to as Josh, and he mentioned that I ought to strive a 7 Creedmoor for NRL Hunter after which use it for elk. Let the barrel work start.
I wanted a barrel that may steadiness properly on a light-weight chassis for NRL Hunter matches, however nonetheless be succesful for looking come elk season. I had Josh do a 7 Creedmoor chambered pre-fit for a Terminus Apollo motion. Listed below are the specs:
Osprey Metal clean, tapered down and wrapped in carbon, a Patriot Valley Arms unique. 26in, threaded 5/8 24 1/8 twist
For brass, I used Lapua 6.5 mm Small Primer instances that I necked up (used a mandrel to increase the neck) to 7mm measurement. I then merely modified the bushing in my 6.5 cm Redding Sort S bushing die to just accept a 7mm bushing measurement for sizing. To seat a bullet, I had to make use of my 7 SAUM micrometer seating die. There could also be different seating dies that work higher… however the SAUM die labored effective, so I used it.
A couple of key benefits Josh had talked about as we began this journey had been:
Barrel life when in comparison with an overbore 6.5 cm Accuracy Power
I can’t confirm the barrel life but, as I solely have about 300 rounds down the barrel, however I can attest to the latter.
Listed below are my rifle elements for the construct for the elk hunt I went on:
Terminus Apollo Quick Motion Proper Hand XLR Envy Professional with C6 Buttstock (usually an Component 4.0 mg) MDT Ckye Pod Double Pull Gentle model TriggerTech Particular set at about 16 ounces Osprey Carbon wrapped barrel in 7 cm KG Made R30 Suppressor Direct Thread mounted Kahles 5-25 Left Facet Windage with Skmr3 reticle Spuhr 4001 scope mount
Accuracy of the 7 Creedmoor
I began with a few powders that different 7 CM customers urged: Varget and H4350. The bullet used for testing was a 162 ELDM.H4350 produced insanely good SDs (1-2), however the pace was very sluggish. I didn’t run up the strain an excessive amount of, but it surely was at 2595fps with round 41 grains of powder.
Varget, nonetheless, did its magic and despatched a 162 ELDM with out strain at 2780 fps, SD of seven. This was utilizing a cost of 42 grains. I did go larger, however felt it was pointless with the success I had at 42 grains. My accuracy was superb. The Osprey barrel has no first-round influence shift and was wadding bullets in a gap. I examined time and time once more… All the time hammering in the identical gap, or not less than a ragged gap, even after months of sitting unused. This received’t be my final Osprey barrel from PVA.
I took the rifle out to my 1040 yd goal and examined BC. The 162 ELDM related on a 10-inch plate and not using a downside and had rather more influence vitality than my 6.5 cm with a 147 ELDM. I used a BC of .338 G7. I then bumped to 1305 yds and located that it was .05 mils low… or half a tenth. So .338 is fairly shut.
I’ll check this caliber in a contest like NRL Hunter matches, however the rifle has been via two elk seasons and some coyotes. The place I hunt domestically, we’ve some very open nation, and a shot could possibly be over 500 yds fairly simply.
Power of the 7 Creedmoor
I’ve examined the 162 ELDM on a number of cow elk. Not all of those elk had been taken by me; some had been harvested by shut household.
Let’s take an occasion of an elk at round 475 yds. This elk was broadside and hustling as I used to be found earlier than I used to be really able to shoot. I acquired down inclined, prolonged the bipod a good quantity, took one ultimate vary to get the ultimate dope, then despatched a spherical proper via the kill zone.
I’ll say the largest factor I observed was the influence on the elk, whereas with the ability to watch the bullet hit via the scope. In different phrases, after I use my 30 Sherman Magnum with a 225 ELDM, I don’t get to look at a lot until the elk are on the market previous 650 yds on account of recoil. However there’s a enormous quantity of vitality within the 30 SM. With the 7 CM, I’ve a lot much less recoil, so I can see my pictures, and the influence on the animal is spectacular. After I use my 6.5 CM with 147s, the elk goes down, however not with almost the ‘punch’ because the 7mm 162 ELDM.
I didn’t take footage of the internals of this elk, however for sure, the guts and lungs had been thrashed.
Wanting on the numbers at 475 yds, we see the 7 cm wins handily in relation to vitality heading in the right direction, along with a 7mm gap going into the animal, not a 6.5mm gap. It may appear small, but it surely makes a distinction when looking.
2200 Elevation, 61 levels
162 ELDM @ 2780 fpsRemaining Power = 1740
147 ELDM @ 2825 fpsRemaining vitality = 1591
I’m conscious that there are larger BC, heavy 6.5mm bullets that carry extra vitality on influence… however a 7mm gap in comparison with a 6.5mm gap (like a 30 cal vs 7mm gap), does lots of harm comparatively. I additionally notice you possibly can pace up a 6.5 cm, however I’m making an attempt to match an analogous state of affairs with velocity and brass life.
Here’s a fast coyote story, as a result of everybody likes that. My 7 CM was within the cab of the pickup with my dad whereas feeding cows off the again. We noticed a coyote, and I went forward and grabbed the rifle. He was over on the subsequent canyon wall, however wouldn’t cease operating. We lastly acquired him to look simply lengthy sufficient for me to vary 551 yds, dial, then squeeze. I’ve by no means seen a coyote fold like that, particularly with my 6.5 CM. He folded in half the place the bullet hit him proper behind the shoulder. And the bullet went via him and splashed on the bottom, sending up a good quantity of filth… as if the coyote didn’t even sluggish it down. Useless on influence.
Barrel Life
I’m but to place quite a lot of hundred rounds down this barrel. Nevertheless, in discussing with different 7 CM shooters which have Patriot Valley Barrels, they’ve documented over 3500 rounds and going robust… throat erosion and muzzle-end rifling nonetheless appear to be new.
Time will inform, however this is perhaps the barrel/motion mixture that my grandchildren get to shoot at this fee.
Match Capturing
As for match capturing, I plan to supply a complete overview of how the caliber performs in a 12-pound configuration, that includes heavier recoil than the 6.5 Creedmoor. I’ll write a follow-up article on this subject.
READ MORE HERE: Springfield Armory Mannequin 2020 Heatseeker Overview
Conclusion
I received’t be promoting any of my 6.5 Creedmoor barrels or rifles. I nonetheless have plans for future builds leveraging the 6.5. Nevertheless, anybody within the 6.5 ought to check out the 7 Creedmoor as a really viable choice for looking and match capturing. If a shooter needs extra energy and a bigger bore measurement, coupled with constant accuracy and low recoil, the 7 Creedmoor is a good choice.
To be taught extra about Patriot Valley Arms, Osprey barrels, and the 7 Creedmoor cartridge, go to Patriot Valley Arms.
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