I posted this in my thread in GD about my ~14.5" 6.5CM build and it was suggested I post it here for posterity's sake.

As info, this build used a Ballistic Advantage Hanson-profile barrel P&W to ~16.5" by Adco. I with I had told them to set it back another 1/4"-1/3" of an inch as there's room, but I was being conservative with the measurements. It is what it is.

Parts list:
Aero M5 upper, lower, receiver extension and rail
Ballistic Advantage Hanson profile 6.5CM barrel
Superlative Adjustable gas block
YHM QD suppressor mount
Larue MBT flat trigger
PSA dual ejector 6.5CM BCG
Radian Raptor SD CH
Sprinco buffer spring
H2 buffer
B5 Sopmod stock
Armageddon Gear sling
Magpul Bipod w/ ADM M-Lok to 1913 adapter
Magpul MIAD grip
Magpul ESK safety
PA PLx 1-8x in an old Larue SPR mount

Weight since I know several of you are interested in that:
Base rifle: 8.4#
With scope, mag, and sling: 10.8#
Above w/ bipod and can: 13.5#

Gratuitous pic of build:




Now, onto the data.  These speeds were recorded using a Garmin Xero C1 on the first official day of summer in Middle TN, so the temps were about 85-95*F throughout the three hours I was there. Humidity was high in the 70% range and there was no wind to speak of.

This is sort by the SD:


Using the top load for a ballistic chart created via Shooter Calculator:


Would be interested to see others dope with these and other loadings. 14.5" 6.5CM are becoming more and more popular (LMT and KAC have had them for years) and PSA it about to release one as well.

Do that on a POF small frame or Ruger SFAR and it renders the Grendel obsolete, besides full auto controlability and ammo loadout weight.
I think ammo cost is even similar with the popularity of Creedmoor.

ETA: Cheap options are within a penny per round.
Hornady with ELDs, $.24 more expensive per round for Creedmoor.

Unfortunately no. I absentmindedly threw the target away while I was bullshitting during the last cold period before I left and didn’t realize it until I got home.

Honestly, they weren’t anything special. I’m out of practice and couldn’t really get comfortable behind the rifle the whole session so they were all 1”-2” groups. I think the AAC you mention had the best, which isn’t surprising given its consistency.

That data looks nice . The economics on Creedmoor are good too . A 14.5" SFAR would be sweet minus any issues.

thinking of something similar, but built around a Craddock RTR 16" 6.5CM barrel.  Thought about 14.5" with a P&W brake to get to 16", but figured the 16", with a short VG6 Gamma 65 brake wouldn't be too unwieldy, in case I need to revisit the GB.  Want to start off with a non-adj GB, but just in case...  All my other 6.5CM uppers are longer than 20", figured I'd try something that was more man-portable.

Hello fellow Strategic Edge member!

@bfoosh06
i placed the order, specified a cerakote finish.  will be a few months before I actually have a completed upper, i'm pretty slow and leisurely in my builds.

as far as results, only thing I'll be able to say is whether I can hit things out at 400-800, 1000 yds, factory ammo, etc.  Sorry, I just shoot for fun, plinking, not very analytical.  Will let you know, my seat-of-the-pants results.

I picked up a PSA 6.5CM 14.5” last week. Ran great out of the box but have to run the gas port all the way open for bolt lock back. Will try different mags next time. I got an average velocity of 2401 with the AAC SMK 140’s. All 5 rounds were touching when I shot for groups. Huge fan of the 14.5” setup. Good job sir!

I have a 16” RTR in an Aero M5 receiver set.

The only velocity data I have at the moment is for 140gr Hornady American Gunner, with an average velocity of 2485fps at 85* F ambient x10 shots.

Only about 200rds down the pipe, but I managed a few 3/4 MOA 5 shot groups at 100y with it when I did a bit of accuracy testing.

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