The 6.5 Creedmoor is a solid round that significantly increased in popularity over the years. Now there are more makes and models of rifles chambered for this round than ever before.

But at the same time, the 6.5 Creedmoor is only as good as the type of barrel you shoot it through. There is literally no other part of your rifle that will have as much impact on the performance of your long-range shooting as much as the barrel. If you want to level up your shooting accuracy, here’s the list of the best 6.5 Creedmoor barrels you can buy today.

	Brownells Premium 24-Inch M24E SS Barrel	Very accurate Durable 416R stainless steel construction Good rust and corrosion resistance Sometimes the crown might have a bur	$380 Shop NowClick to read my review
Top Pick	Proof Research AR 308 PR-10 6.5 Creedmoor CamGas Barrel	Premium quality build and materials Extremely durable with great corrosion resistance Proprietary CamGas system for better reliability and longer barrel life Very expensive	$509 Shop NowClick to read my review
	Criterion Barrels AR .308 6.5 Creedmoor Hybrid Match-Grade Barrels	One of the most precise barrels on the market Corrosion-resistant 416R stainless steel build Mid-weight hybrid contouring offers lightweight and excellent durability Only works with DMPS style gas systems	$340 Shop NowClick to read my review
	BSF Barrels 308 AR Barrel Carbon Fiber	Durable and corrosion-resistant 416R stainless steel build Carbon fiber sleeve for extra durability and advanced heat dissipation Comes with BSF sub MOA guarantee Only works with DMPS platforms	$570 Shop NowClick to read my review

The 6.5 Creedmoor Caliber

The 6.5 Creedmoor first appeared in 2008 and quickly became one of the most popular centerfire rifle rounds. In many ways, the 6.5 Creedmoor represents the pinnacle of the 6mm series of rounds in the United States, at least in terms of popularity.

The 6.5 Creedmoor was developed out of the .260 Remington round as a shorter, more reliable round for semi-automatic rifles. It has superior terminal ballistics compared to the .308 over longer ranges and kicks slightly less while hitting harder and flatter at longer distances.

An AR-10 chambered in the 6.5 Creedmoor round is a formidable weapon. The 6.5 Creedmoor is a great hunting round that can bring down any big game in North America, including deer and elk.

Since the AR-10 is a semi-automatic, magazine-fed weapon, a 6.5 Creedmoor AR-10 would be a solid choice for a tactical firearm as well. You can use it for home defense, or as a general-purpose firearm.

How Long Should My Barrel Last?

Once you’ve fired a round into your new barrel, it begins to dissolve from the inside and will continue until the whole barrel is wrung out. Inability to maintain bullet stability due to a wringing barrel can result in keyholing on your target as well as subpar accuracy.

After 2,000 – 5,000 rounds of high-powered shooting, you should anticipate a decrease in barrel performance on standard barrels. Heavier barrels should be expected to last longer because of their ability to disperse heat more effectively than standard barrels. If you’re looking for a long-lasting barrel, choose high-speed stainless steel.

For this reason, the military prefers chrome or nitrided inner barrels for its gun. These may last between 10,000 and 20,000 rounds before having to be replaced.. After all, basic maintenance, such as cleaning the brass, lead spall, and other corrosive fouling from your rifle, is the best method to extend the life of any barrel.

There are many different types of barrels out there, but stainless, nitrided or chrome-plated barrels are the most durable. To maintain your accuracy, you should change your lower-cost barrel every 5K rounds. If you want to get the most value out of your barrel, keep it free of debris and well-protected.

Buyer’s Guide for the Best 6.5 Creedmoor Barrels

Barrel Length

Consider the barrel’s length before making a final choice. They are typically 18 to 20 inches in length. The greater the length of the barrel, the faster the bullet travels. For long-range hunting, a barrel length of at least 20 inches is recommended. But if you’re planning on hunting in thick shrubbery or woodlands with your rifle, an 18-inch barrel should be enough.

A 24-inch barrel is ideal for improving both accuracy and velocity, and it’s a very popular choice. If you don’t do any research before you buy, you may end up with a shorter barrel.

Barrel Weight

One of the most ignored aspects of rifle barrel selection is barrel weight. Moving a hefty barrel about will be challenging, particularly if you’re doing it in a confined space. In addition, it may quickly wear you out. A heavier barrel, however, will provide greater stability. It also aids with recoil management and heat dissipation. Furthermore, it has a longer lifespan than a lighter barrel.

Building Material

There are four sorts of steel to look for while shopping for the best 6.5 Creedmoor barrels: 4140 hardened steel, 4150 steel, 416 stainless Steel, and 416R stainless steel.

Chromium-molybdenum-vanadium alloys, such as 4140/4150 steel, offer a high strength-to-weight ratio, making them excellent for barrel construction. Barrels made of 4150 steel are more durable than those made of 4140 steel. They are also preferred by the majority of law enforcement and military personnel in the United States.

If you reside in a more humid climate like Florida, 416 and 416R stainless steel alternatives are excellent choices. It is tougher than both 4140 and 4150 steel, but it is also more rust- and corrosion-resistant than 416/R stainless steel. The 416R is much better at coping with snow and temperatures below freezing than the 416.

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Contour

The design and profile of the barrel have a considerable effect on both performance and weight. Larger heavy contour barrels enhance heat dispersion and prevent barrel see-sawing by increasing the diameter of the barrel.

As a general rule, there are three barrel profiles to keep an eye out for while looking for AR-15s.

Thinner pencil barrels are less robust and underperform in bursts or long-term firing. They are available at a lower price point.

SOCOM barrels have a medium profile and high shooting endurance without being awkward to handle.

Government barrels are heavily-contoured barrels that have a lot of substance and durability but are also quite heavy.

Twist

As the bullet exits the barrel, the twist is determined by how many inches the bullet takes to complete one full rotation. This means that it takes a bullet 10 inches to spin completely at a 1:10 twist. Twists with a smaller number will be more compact, while those with bigger numbers will be more voluminous.

An ideal twist rate for your design would be 1:8, especially if you intend on loading mostly 180-230 grain cartridges. However, if you want to shoot high-powered rounds weighing more than 230 grams or using longer bullets, I recommend switching to a 1:7 twist barrel. A barrel with a 1:7 twist ratio is superior at stabilizing heavier bullets for long-range accuracy.

With a 1:10 or 1:12 twist ratio, you should avoid these heavy-grain rounds (80 to 130 grains). The 1:9 and 1:10 barrels are less expensive. But if you plan to use a bigger bullet, they won’t perform as well.

The Best 6.5 Creedmoor Barrels for 2022

Brownells Premium 24-Inch M24E SS Barrel 

If you’re looking for a durable, premium quality barrel for less, then try out the Brownells Premium M24E SS Barrel. Brownells Premium M24E SS Barrel is an excellent quality barrel built out of 416R stainless steel. It offers an extremely sturdy yet lightweight barrel with very good rust and corrosion resistance.

This barrel also has an interior twist rate of 1:8 with 5R button rifling, which translates to great accuracy. The end of the barrel comes in standard 5/8-24″ threads perfect for adding a suppressor or any other muzzle attachment you may want for your set-up.

Although originally built for the M24/Remington 700 rifle, you’ll be able to find AR-10 versions of this barrel in both 24″ and 18″ barrels. The 24″ barrel has a rifle length gas system and the 18″ barrel with a carbine length gas system.

Proof Research AR 308 PR-10 6.5 Creedmoor CamGas Barrel

If you’ve got the money to play with, then there’s no denying that Proof Research offers some of the best of the best barrels — with a premium price tag. The Proof Research AR 308 PR-10 barrel promises to provide the best performance out of any AR-10 6.5 Creedmoor barrel, even in the harshest of conditions.

It’s built with Proof Research’s proprietary CamGas system that reduces the speed of the bolt carrier to improve the reliability of your rifle.

Additionally, it offers better and faster barrel cooling to provide a longer barrel life and removes point of impact shift even during extended firing/ full auto. The Proof Research AR 308 PR-10 barrel also comes with standard 5/8×24 TPI threads in case you want to attach any muzzle accessories to your build.

Criterion Barrels AR .308 6.5 Creedmoor Hybrid Match-Grade Barrels

Criterion is known for building extremely accurate, long-range barrels and often includes features that you won’t often find in other barrel designs.

It’s built out of 416R stainless steel with a 1:8 twist ratio, ideal for shooting the 6.5 Creedmoor. Additionally, it has an M118 LR Match chamber that helps improve the stability and removes wind drift of heavier bullets at longer ranges.

It utilizes a mid-weight hybrid contour that prioritizes metal in key areas of the barrel. This means that the Criterion Barrels AR .308 Match Grade barrel is lighter than what’s usually seen on heavy barrel profiles without compromising on build and durability.

The Criterion Barrels AR .308 Match Grade barrel works with both the .308 Win and the 6.5 Creedmore and should run other similar profile cartridges. They also come in an 18″, 20″, and 22″ barrel profile.  The end of the barrel comes with standard 5/8-24″ threads. So you can add your favorite muzzle attachments at the end.

However, Criterion does recommend you have the barrel head spaced by an expert gunsmith before installation to get the perfect fit. Also, this barrel is only recommended for DPMS-style AR-10 and DPMS-style gas tubes. So make sure this one is compatible with your build.

BSF Barrels 308 AR Barrel Carbon Fiber

If you’re shopping for a high-performance, lightweight barrel, then BSF Barrels 308 AR Barrel might be the one you’ve been looking for. BSF barrels have a specific manufacturing process for creating match-grade carbon fiber barrels.

The initial barrel is made out of lightweight yet durable 416R stainless steel and then jacketed in a roll-wrapped, tensioned carbon fiber sleeve. This carbon fiber sleeve allows the barrel to use less material, keeping the weight down while also adding tensile strength to an already durable barrel. This means that the carbon fiber sleeve expands at the same rate as the 416R stainless steel, giving you better stability overall.

Air slots on the carbon fiber sleeve allow air to move around the barrel, dissipating heat faster than standard metal barrels. The carbon fiber also absorbs shock and vibration helps reduce recoil and sway for follow-up shots. Also, it gives the barrel better overall longevity.

The BSF Barrels 308 AR Barrel comes in a 20″ and 24″ barrel length. If you’re looking to shoot at longer distances, the 24″ will give you the best performance.

Unfortunately, the BSF Barrels 308 AR Barrel is only compatible with DMPS platform rifles. However, they do offer a sub MOA guarantee with this and all other Carbon fiber sleeved barrel lines to sweeten the deal a little.

Our Pick

When push comes to shove, you need a barrel that’s durable and reliable regardless of the price. That’s what makes the Proof Research AR 308 PR-10 barrel a great choice. The Proof Research is a solid match grade 6.5 Creedmoor barrel that, while admittedly very expensive, offers a number of impressive features. including superb accuracy and enhanced cooling properties to extend the life of the barrel for as long as possible. It’s a true case of getting what you pay for.

Tips to Improve the Longevity of Your Barrel

Aside from general cleaning and maintenance, here are other steps you can take to keep your barrel in top shape and improve the longevity of your barrel.

1. Allow the barrel to cool down in between shots.
2. Do not fire continuously in extended shooting sessions when it is not necessary to do so.
3. Always use a bore guide when you clean your rifle
4. Shoot less powerful rounds with lesser bullet grains in your rifle.

Also, keep in mind that there are more reasons to upgrade to a new barrel besides it wearing out. For example, the factory barrel on your rifle may work just fine, but if you’re looking to shoot at 1000 yards, you may want a barrel that is longer or more accurate than your stock barrel. Also, different bullets will need different rifling and twist ratio to get the most optimum performance.

If you’re going to be shooting heavy grain cartridges, these will also need heavier, stronger barrels that can handle that. If you want to become a competitive shooter, upgrading your barrel is the very least you can do.

Wrapping Up

A new 6.5 Creedmoor Barrels is one of the best ways to improve the performance of your rifle. Even though there are many things to consider when purchasing a .6.5 Creedmoor Barrels, it’s always best to go with your gut and choose one that will work for your needs.

Any one of the 6.5 Creedmoor Barrels that we’ve covered here today will make a solid upgrade whether you’re building a brand new rifle from scratch or simply replacing an old worn-out 6.5 Creedmoor Barrel. If you do end up going a different route, you can always follow our buyer’s guide section that we went over earlier to help you find a good 6.5 Creedmoor Barrel as well.

Did I miss something? Let me know in the comments section below.

Related Reads:

• The Best 6.5 Creedmoor Magazines
• Best 6.5 Creedmoor Barrels
• Best 6.5 Creedmoor Muzzle Brakes