1) The original purpose of the 30BR was actually to punch paper for score shooting at 200 and 300 yards using low grain VLD bullets. that is where the cartridge really shines. Very consistent.
2) Although it would make a very nice 1000 yards system + change, I am not thinking about long range paper punching. The 6.5 is as accurate as the 30 and the 6ppc but can hunt with authority and match accuracy at many distances forbidden for other AR-15 offerings.
Also it can launch a 100gr pill, that still has better ballistics than the 308 125gr bullet at even faster speeds w/o stepping into the red.
3) Lots of folks thought about necking down the 30RAR but then the 6.5BR makes a lot more sense. The recoil is similar to the Grendel. Sort of in between the 6ppc and the 30BR.
This is a world of trade offs. WE cannot have great cases, great bullets and still preserve the huge round count that many demand. This is a serious alternative to the WSSM that could properly seat a very decent bullet and it is very accurate too.
The 65BR case brings a new alternative to this dimension. I can see why you like the 30BR that is very accurate but the 125gr bullet in a 7.62mm is not for me. Too much drag deceleration for most purposes. In some ways it is similar to what it was used by Remington to market the 30RAR and it was a total marketing disaster. People got confused. They even compared this to a 7.62x39 turbo after all the fancy magazine articles and adds. It would have been a better idea to use their 150gr load that paints a higher parabola but presents more authority in the hunting field, even accuracy is better as the 150gr bucks the wind much better.
4) If BHW makes a 6.5BR I will buy 3 barrels in 18",20" and 22" and might get a finished hunting upper in 18". If you build the 30BR I will get none of those. In any case, I think it is very nice and smart the BHW opens a thread to ask for opinions whatever route they choose so thanks for that.
This is a modest load tested out of a 20" krieger barrel...
6.5BR AR - 130gr Berger VLD 20"Krieger
Range (Yds) 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
Speed (fps) 2675 2506 2345 2190 2042 1901 1766 1638 1516 1399 1289
Energy (ft.lb) 2065 1813 1587 1384 1204 1043 900 774 663 565 480
Drop (in) 0.00 2.54 10.61 25.02 46.69 76.73 116.42 167.32 231.31 310.62 407.99
Path (in) -1.50 2.02 0.00 -8.35 -23.97 -47.94 -81.58 -126.43 -184.35 -257.61 -348.92
Elevn(MOA) -1.92 0.00 2.65 5.71 9.13 12.95 17.20 21.95 27.26 33.23
Windage(MOA) 0.31 0.64 0.99 1.37 1.77 2.20 2.66 3.15 3.69 4.26
Time(Sec) 0.00 0.12 0.24 0.37 0.51 0.67 0.83 1.01 1.20 1.40 1.63
I think that a reasonably priced barrel with the advanced hunter reloaded and accurate shooter in mind could be a great alternative to the awesome assortment you already have. others are trying to cash on the 65BR opportunity but struggle to bring a reasonable quality reasonably priced barrel to the table for the average AR home budget.
I do believe Poly barrels could work really well. The reamer and leads dimensions should be selected accordingly.
Cheers.