6 5 Creedmoor in an AR 10 Suppressed

Welcome to another installment of Handloader TV. This feature continues our series on favorite rifles and favorite loads. The rifle highlighted here is a custom-built AR-10 chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, a platform I assembled many years ago. Before weighing in on the merits or shortcomings of the 6.5 Creedmoor, it is useful to examine the rifle itself and how it performs in the field.

Origins of the Build

This AR-10 dates back to my early teen years and was one of the first rifles I ever assembled. I had been shooting a 260 Remington at the time. My grandfather used a semi-automatic 30-06, one of the classic Remington 7400-series rifles. He appreciated the rapid follow-up capability and reliability of a semi-auto, particularly in the dense woods of the East. That influence led me to build my own semi-automatic big-game rifle. My decision to use an AR-10 platform was youthful enthusiasm more than seasoned judgment. While not the perfect choice for a big-game semi-auto, the rifle has served its purpose.

The foundation is an Aero Precision lower and upper receiver set. The barrel is a Ballistic Advantage 22-inch barrel with a 1 in 8 twist and a heavy contour. The exact profile is long forgotten, but it remains substantial and contributes significantly to the rifle’s accuracy.

A Magpul PRS Gen 3 stock was added recently for improved adjustability and shoulder fit. The rifle is intended primarily for long-range target shooting, and the PRS stock complements that role well. A Texas Silencer Company Hunter suppressor rides on the muzzle. It is a 30-caliber suppressor, and although I own the 6.5 endcap, I have yet to install it. A Timney 3.5-pound trigger provides a crisp, clean break.

For optics, the rifle carries a Leupold Mark AR mount and a Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x or 5-25x (depending on your actual setup; the transcript says “6 12 to 20 by 50,” which I have interpreted as a Mark 5 HD 5-25x50). The scope features parallax adjustment, exposed turrets, and resettable zeros. The adjustments are in minutes of angle. The combination forms a capable long-range package.

The Load and Its Evolution

This rifle has seen several load combinations over the years, although the current favorite has been refined gradually. The bullet is the 140-grain Hornady A-MAX, also referenced as the Hornady Aero Match in older packaging. It has proven accurate and reliable. It also performs surprisingly well on coyotes. The rifle has been used extensively for predator hunting, including nighttime stands with a clip-on thermal mounted to the forward rail. The bullet expands reliably, and terminal performance on coyotes has been quite good.

The load data are as follows:

• Powder: Hodgdon H4350

• Charge Weight: 40.0 grains

• Bullet: 140-grain Hornady A-MAX

• Case: Starline

• Primer: Federal 210M

• Overall Length: 2.795 inches

This length sits just under maximum magazine length and allows some tolerance for bulk loading.

Range Conditions and Ten-Shot Group

The rifle was benched at 100 yards for a ten-shot group. A Garmin chronograph recorded velocities. The environmental conditions were excellent. Wind remained between one and three miles per hour from the six o’clock position. Temperature measured 73 degrees Fahrenheit with 23 percent humidity. Barometric pressure, corrected for 5,000 feet of elevation, was 30.29 inches of mercury.

Ten rounds were fired consecutively without allowing the barrel to cool, reflecting the rifle’s intended purpose as a target platform. Despite the heat buildup, the AR-10 produced a group measuring approximately one inch. The rifle remains zeroed and holds that zero consistently.

One advantage of gas-operated rifles for long-range target shooting is the requirement to build a stable position. They force the shooter to refine recoil management, body alignment, and follow-through. After the ten-round string on paper, the chronograph was removed, and the rifle was pivoted onto a steel target at 400 yards. Hits were easy to achieve, even with imperfect bench geometry. Windage adjustments brought rounds onto the plate reliably, and the rifle’s semi-automatic nature allowed quick follow-up shots. Strings of rapid-fire hits kept the steel swinging readily.

Performance Results

The chronograph reported the following data:

• Average Velocity: 2,532 fps

• Standard Deviation: 10 fps

• Extreme Spread: 31 fps

These are solid numbers, particularly from a shorter barrel and a moderate powder charge. This particular lot of H4350 has produced slightly lower velocities than published data indicate, although this remains within normal lot-to-lot variation. As always, prudent handloading practices apply: start low, work up, and watch for pressure signs.

The mean radius of the ten-shot group measured 0.34 inch. The rifle is well zeroed, and impacts clustered favorably around the point of aim. For a semi-automatic platform, especially without barrel cooling, this represents very respectable accuracy.

Field Use and Hunting

Although this AR-10 is heavy and cumbersome for big-game hunting, it did accompany me on one memorable Arizona mule deer hunt. I used a 127-grain Barnes LRX for that trip. The bullet performed very well. Harvesting a deer with a rifle I assembled, followed by gutting and processing the animal with knives I made myself, made the hunt particularly meaningful. The rifle has not been used for big-game hunting since due to its weight, although it continues to serve well for coyote and predator work.

The idea for the original build came partly from my grandfather’s philosophy regarding semi-automatics. He believed firmly in providing quick, ethical follow-up shots. I wanted a rifle that embodied that capability. Although I initially considered building the rifle in 308 Winchester to approximate his 30-06, I was persuaded toward the 6.5 Creedmoor during a conversation with Aero Precision representatives at an NRA show. The Creedmoor was still gaining traction at the time and was marketed heavily. The cartridge remains polarizing, although I have found it to be effective for deer and excellent for youth shooters. Recoil is minimal, especially when suppressed. From an awkward bench position, I had no difficulty achieving consistent hits at 400 yards.

The steel plate used for the demonstration is approximately 18 inches wide and 28 inches tall, a standard torso-sized target. The rifle remained reliable throughout the session, even with the barrel and suppressor extremely hot. The bolt cycled cleanly and locked open when empty.

Conclusion

This rifle and load combination remains one of my favorites. The platform is accurate, reliable, and enjoyable to shoot. The load built around H4350 and the 140-grain A-MAX continues to deliver consistent results. It has provided years of dependable performance, both on paper and in the field. More importantly, it represents a formative project from early in my shooting life and carries a degree of nostalgia.

Thank you for joining us for this episode. Your support is greatly appreciated. Please consider liking the video, subscribing, and activating the notification bell so you are alerted when new content is released. Our mission at Handloader Magazine and Handloader TV is to provide accurate, reliable information that improves your shooting skill and enhances your enjoyment of the sport. This load has served me well for many years, and I hope the data and observations shared here help you develop loads that become favorites of your own.